25.5" scale length archtop/hollowbody?

[mandoman]

Hi,

Did Guild ever build a 25.5" scale length archtop/hollowbody? I expect most are 24.75". I love the tone of hollowbodies, but prefer the snappiness of a longer scale length.

Thanks,
Mandoman

 

[hansmoust]

Did Guild ever build a 25.5" scale length archtop/hollowbody? I expect most are 24.75". I love the tone of hollowbodies, but prefer the snappiness of a longer scale length.

Hello mandoman,

Welcome! Pretty much all the 17" archtop electrics from the early '50s had a 25-1/2" scale length. That changed during the second half of the '50s, but there were still some instruments made with the longer scale up till the end of the '50s.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[mandoman]

Thanks Hans.

Dang, a 50's 17" archtop sounds like it would be hard to find and expensive. I was hoping for something a little newer, but I'll polk around and see what is out there.

Thanks again,
Mandoman

 

[GAD]

I think some of the Benedetto Artist Awards 25 1/2" or 25 5/8".

Of course those are very expensive and difficult to come by.

Also, the Paladin X500, which is also rare and expensive. Hmm. I sense a trend.

 

[mandoman]

Thanks GAD.

You mean, like this one with 25 9/16" scale length:

Stunning 2000 Guild/Benedetto Artist Award Signature Model Antique Burst Mint! YouTube video below Recently had a professional setup. | Reverb

Rotator cuff surgery and imminent hand surgery for arthritis in my fingers has severely limited how often and how long I play guitar, and the writing on the wall tells me I should part with this amazing Guild Benedetto Artist Award Model beauty that I bought in 2015. The spec sheet I have is...

reverb.com

Holy crap, that thing is stunning! It even has a floating pickup, which is my preference for an archtop. But damn, pricey! Suppose all solid woods and rarity warrant the price. Though there are some strange appointments like dual strap buttons on both the heal and neck, and the headstock inlay is odd. Also, only a volume knob, no tone knob?

Anyhow, that is pretty close to a dream electric for me despite the oddities. If I could find a player grade version of this at 1/3 the price, I'd be one happy camper!

Thanks,
Mandoman

 

[GAD]

Not many in existence let alone for sale, and I doubt you’re gonna find any beaters out there. I have a Benedetto X700 and it’s glorious.

 

[GGJaguar]

The GSR T-500 has the longer scale length, but like GAD said, there aren't many in existence let alone for sale.

 

[mandoman]

Yeah, I doubt I will find a beater. Probably eventually go with a Korean made Peerless, which has some longer scale archtops. But I will keep my eyes open, you never know what might turn up.

 

[Brad Little]

....Though there are some strange appointments like dual strap buttons on both the heal and neck, and the headstock inlay is odd. Also, only a volume knob, no tone knob?

Extra strap button probably installed because a previous owner preferred the one that wasn't originally installed and added a second. As to no tone, not uncommon with floating pickups.

 

[BradHK]

The GSR T-500 has the longer scale length, but like GAD said, there aren't many in existence let alone for sale.

Guitars of Montana has what appears to be three GSR T-500‘s currently for sale on Gbase. I didn’t know these had a longer scale. Not cheap though...

2012 Guild GSR T-500 Natural > Guitars Electric Semi-Hollow Body | Guitars of Montana

Special Run Limited production of 25 The Guild GSR T-500 is a limited production hollow-body electric guitar produced in Guild’s New Hartford factory featuring a spruce top with maple back and side...

www.gbase.com

 

[GAD]

Those have been on gbase pretty much since 2012.

 

[FNG]

He used to post on LTG frequently. I forget his name!

 

[mandoman]

Wow, those T-500 look pretty sweet, and NOS to boot! $4K is still a little over budget though, but better than $7k for that Benedetto.

 

[mandoman]

You gotta wonder why those guitars have not been sold in 10 years? Either they sound/play like crap, are overpriced, or the Guitar Stores clientele has really bad taste...

 

[Default]

Actually, one of those is mine. I don't know why he hasn't updated the website. And his name is Bing!
I bought my GSR electrics from him.

 

[GAD]

Actually, one of those is mine. I don't know why he hasn't updated the website. And his name is Bing!
I bought my GSR electrics from him.

Having seen this guitar in person, I can say that posting pictures of only the front does NOT do them justice!

 

[mandoman]

OK, so that sounds promising, maybe I'll reach out for more details on the T-500. But again, not in my budget just yet, and really would be looking more for a player grade bargain. Next guitar on my shopping list is actually a D-50

Thanks everyone for the pointers. Please keep 'em coming!

 

[mandoman]

And here's that back ;-)

 

[mandoman]

Are these all solid wood guitars or laminate?

Edit: Here's the original thread about this guitar in case anyone is interested:

New GSR T-500

Just out in the latest Guild news email.. :shock: :shock: :shock: Only pic I could find...none on the website. Hot!!

letstalkguild.com

 

[FNG]

Actually, one of those is mine. I don't know why he hasn't updated the website. And his name is Bing!
I bought my GSR electrics from him.

Bing...that's right!