Early 70's S-100s with Hagstrom tremolo

[Russian Guy]

Hey, guys! How does S-100 with Hagstrom tremolo compare with the later models with the classic tailpiece or with Guildsby? Does the guitar with Hagstrom get out of tune more often than those with two other options?

Also I think Thunderface praised one of the new S-100 owners with the following words - "it's a good year you've chosen to get a S-100 from" or something to that effect. The guitar in question was 1973 model. Is 1973 and onward is unanimously regarded as the golden age of S-100s?

Vadim

 

[Thunderface]

I have no concrete proof that 1973 was better or worse for S-100 production, it just seems like there are a lot of them out there, represented by both the eBay and Craigslist listings and our own S-100 Owners Club. And perhaps I'm just biased because mine all happen to by 1973s. How did that happen? :wink:

I can't make an apples to apples comparision between the Hagstrom-equipped early 70s S-100s and the Guildsby-equipped S-100s because I've never owned the former. I do have a '65 Jet-Star with a Hagstrom, but it has a single-coil pickup. The tremolo works fine on the Jet-Star, but I love the Guildsbys on my '73 DeLuxes because they seem to stay in tune no matter how hard or how many times you use the tremolo.

 

[Maxer]

I have an S-100 from '71. It's got the Hagstrom bridge. I's reasonably stable but if you like to really reef on it it will indeed throw the guitar out. When I was much younger I did indeed use the whammy a lot, which meant tuning back up between songs. These days I usually have the bridge screwed down to the deck and store the term arm - I generally prefer doing bends. Can't say as I can personally compare the stability of the Hag to the Guildsby but I will say that, as pieces of hardware, they both look very cool.

Finally, I will say this: yesterday I was working with the Guild after a long period of playing other guitars. I was once again astonished by the kick-ass ferocity and presence of these pickups. Mind-blowingly gutsy. There's a good reason why it's still my sentimental favourite. It's got a great neck and it breathes out monster sounds.

 

[Russian Guy]

I have no concrete proof that 1973 was better or worse for S-100 production, it just seems like there are a lot of them out there, represented by both the eBay and Craigslist listings and our own S-100 Owners Club. And perhaps I'm just biased because mine all happen to by 1973s. How did that happen? :wink:

I'll tell you how. Because you got four of them Is a certain one of them leaving you soon?

I can't make an apples to apples comparision between the Hagstrom-equipped early 70s S-100s and the Guildsby-equipped S-100s because I've never owned the former. I do have a '65 Jet-Star with a Hagstrom, but it has a single-coil pickup. The tremolo works fine on the Jet-Star, but I love the Guildsbys on my '73 DeLuxes because they seem to stay in tune no matter how hard or how many times you use the tremolo.

I agree with you Bigsby looks more in line with the guitar itself. The tremolo arm on a Bigsby unit is really chunky while Hagstrom one is a bit thin in my opinion. Nevertheless both are gorgeous examples of Guild fine craftsmanship.

These days I usually have the bridge screwed down to the deck and store the term arm.

Thank you for the answer, Maxer (that rhymed a bit ) From the close-ups of the Hagstrom bridge I can't make out any screws on it (tremolo unit though has lots). Can the bridge itself be lowered or raised as the later Adjustomatic roller bridge?

And you says the tremolo arm is detachable, huh? Pardon my ignorance, I've never owned guitars with tremolo.

 

[Maxer]

Russian Guy, I'll give you an answer tomorrow, with pix of the bridge area so you can see what I mean.

I assume the original term arm was detachable; I got my guitar when it was already a decade old and the original arm was long gone. In its place was a slender bar made of aircraft aluminum, which was affixed to the bridge with a simple screw-down assembly, which itself looks original. Don't really know what the stock trem arm would have looked like and never was much interested; this particular specimen of the breed pretty much abandoned its minty, all-original gloss a long time ago and I just dig it because it looks cool and sounds great.

 

[Russian Guy]

Russian Guy, I'll give you an answer tomorrow, with pix of the bridge area so you can see what I mean.

I assume the original term arm was detachable; I got my guitar when it was already a decade old and the original arm was long gone. In its place was a slender bar made of aircraft aluminum, which was affixed to the bridge with a simple screw-down assembly, which itself looks original. Don't really know what the stock trem arm would have looked like and never was much interested; this particular specimen of the breed pretty much abandoned its minty, all-original gloss a long time ago and I just dig it because it looks cool and sounds great.

Thank you, Maxer. Looking forward to seeing that photo.

The 1970 S-100 I'm looking at has got the same tremolo as shown on these pictures. I assume it is original.

 

[Maxer]

No need to give you a picture of my guitar - it has the same bridge assembly as yours. The screw which "decks" the tremelo action is the centre screw in the middle of the plate, right off of the trem arm assembly. Keep it loose and you have a range of action; screw it down fairly tight and put aside the bar for hard tail mode.

 

[Maxer]

Just for the sake of comparison:

 

[Russian Guy]

No need to give you a picture of my guitar - it has the same bridge assembly as yours. The screw which "decks" the tremelo action is the centre screw in the middle of the plate, right off of the trem arm assembly. Keep it loose and you have a range of action; screw it down fairly tight and put aside the bar for hard tail mode.

Thanks a bunch, Maxer! That along with your photos helps immensely.

Quick question: is it possible to raise/lower the bridge in order to change the action to desired height?

 

[kakerlak]

Quick question: is it possible to raise/lower the bridge in order to change the action to desired height?

Yes, the Hagstrom bridges have "thumbwheels" that are hexagonal in profile. As a consequence, they're uncomfortable and difficult with the bridge under string tension. I suppose you could adjust them easier with an ignition wrench, but then you have to be careful not to slip and ding up the finish...

 

[Russian Guy]

Yes, the Hagstrom bridges have "thumbwheels" that are hexagonal in profile. As a consequence, they're uncomfortable and difficult with the bridge under string tension. I suppose you could adjust them easier with an ignition wrench, but then you have to be careful not to slip and ding up the finish...

Thank you again, kakerlak. That's good to know because it is nearly impossible to make out hex thumbwheels from the given pictures.