Guild mystery bass.

[C.W.Wolf]

So the first two are the same depth? Do either of them have backplates or are they like mine where everything is accessed from the pickup holes?

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

So the first two are the same depth? Do either of them have backplates or are they like mine where everything is accessed from the pickup holes?

Yes, same depth. No backplates.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Very cool. I picked mine up at the shop yesterday and got around to cleaning the jack. I know the switches are dirty and should be cleaned, but I am playing with it for the time being. Don't have an amp anymore, however I did find an old c-media usb adapter that plugs into my computer. Will have an interesting post coming up on waveforms from the guitar.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

So this is interesting. Looks like someone changed a lot of stuff, refinished it and got a good chunk of change for it. Not even the original tuners. Look at this. It says 1 of 28 made.

 

[chazmo]

So this is interesting. Looks like someone changed a lot of stuff, refinished it and got a good chunk of change for it. Not even the original tuners. Look at this. It says 1 of 28 made.

Well, I wouldn't trust anything in the ad, C.W. It doesn't even mention all the non-original stuff that was part of that guitar. Most of the clowns who post this "1 of xx" made try to deduce things from the serial number(s), which is almost never correct.

Having said that, the M-85-II you have is not all that commonly seen.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Well, I wouldn't trust anything in the ad, C.W. It doesn't even mention all the non-original stuff that was part of that guitar. Most of the clowns who post this "1 of xx" made try to deduce things from the serial number(s), which is almost never correct.

Having said that, the M-85-II you have is not all that commonly seen.

I was trying to figure out how someone could come up with information like that. It took me a long time to track down the year on mine, and Hans was the one who knew. At least other than the paint on the face of mine, it is all original, even if the TSC is upside down. I might fix that today along with putting the knobs back on the correct pots

 

[chazmo]

As far as I know, no one but Hans Moust has that information, C. W. I.e., people say whatever they want in content-free ads like that one, and you cannot get anything valuable out of that.

Let's see, if I were you, I'd definitely put the pieces parts back where they belong, but consider a strip/refinish on the body down the road. If / once you strip the top, give us a shout and we can advise you on our opinions of what kind of color to apply. If you want to go all "Sheryl" on us (not a bad thing) you'll go red.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

I have considered refinishing it. I have done a lot of antique furniture in the past and have had no complaints. I am thinking about selling it since I really don't play anymore and things are really tight around here right now. Not sure if refinishing would add to the value or not? I am thinking it was probably natural originally, but there is no way to tell without stripping it first.

BTW, I noticed it is missing a screw on the TRC, do you know what size they are offhand?

 

[SFIV1967]

I am thinking about selling it since I really don't play anymore and things are really tight around here right now. Not sure if refinishing would add to the value or not?

If you add the amount of labour to refinish it I would sell it as it is and let a future owner decide what to do. Also with the missing screw, disclose it and leave it as it is. Or you simply take out the second screw and try getting one in that size.

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

If you add the amount of labour to refinish it I would sell it as it is and let a future owner decide what to do. Also with the missing screw, disclose it and leave it as it is. Or you simply take out the second screw and try getting one in that size.

Ralf

Yeah! This is actually always my advice with something rare/unusual. If you are going to sell it, C. W., just leave it alone, disclose the known details and let the next owner decide what to do with it.

 

[mavuser]

Look at this. It says 1 of 28 made.

Guild made 94 of these by the end of 1968, according to serial number chart. And continued making them well into 1970. The total number is not known. It is a lot more than 28, however.

 

[mellowgerman]

The last time that Southwest Acoustics M85 came up for discussion (partially due to the 1 out of 28 claim) we realized this shop also had a vintage Guild acoustic that they were claiming was also 1 of 28... Doesn't seem to be listed there anymore, but sounds like that might be their standard claim for all vintage Guilds?

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Yeah! This is actually always my advice with something rare/unusual. If you are going to sell it, C. W., just leave it alone, disclose the known details and let the next owner decide what to do with it.

That is my thought too. I do have a rather large collection of screws I have accumulated over the years. Most likely I can find one or a matching set in one of my "Magic boxes". And yes, I did flip the TRC around, that is how I noticed.

 

[krysh]

Welcome to LTG C. W.
so, I was right on facebook.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

I looked for screws while I was in town the other day, at the local stores. There was nothing even close to the originals, if it is in fact an original screw. I have some in my collection that are pretty close, but not enough that I would use them.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Welcome to LTG C. W.
so, I was right on facebook.

1969. M 85. Thanks!

 

[Happy Face]

I looked for screws while I was in town the other day, at the local stores. There was nothing even close to the originals, if it is in fact an original screw. I have some in my collection that are pretty close, but not enough that I would use them.

If you plan to sell it, I'd agree with SFIV1967. Don't waste too much effort on finding the screw. In fact, it's already no longer a "collector's bass" so philistines like me would probably jam in whatever worked to hold it in place.

But then, I never got either the collector's item or "road worn" stuff and refinished a few road worn basses. So as advised above, leave it to someone else to refinish or not.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Thanks. I am one of these guys that has to fix everything, however in this case I guess less is more.

 

[chazmo]

C.W. I think you have enough posts now to put up a FS thread in our buy,sell,trade forum. Maybe do that. If so, please read the FAQ there.

 

[mavuser]

Yes, same depth. No backplates.

do either or both of yours have the volute? thanks!