NGD/Replacement brdg question

[planetguy]

hello all.

it's been awhile since i've posted here, but fear not...my love and enthusiasm for all things Guild will never wane!

last week i was lucky enough to score what i believe is 1954 X150. it's in pretty rough cosmetic condition but it really plays and sounds great!

some of the binding's been replaced and it looks like there was some funny business that maybe went on at the headstock as it looks to be oversprayed. the headstock and neck joint are super solid though. i gave $500 for it and a well fitting TKL hard case.

the tuners have been changed to a nice and very smooth set of Waverly's. tlpc has been replaced w what looks to be the cheaper and less ornamental Gibson 175 stlye tlpc, and finally, the bridge has been replaced w a "trestle" type two point contact brdg w a tunomatic.

it was strung up w 11's and very low action on a super straight neck. i played a gig w it the other day and even w those skinny strings.....i love it! (it now has a 12-54 set of RW's on it)

this is my first jazz box w a P90 and wow....between those 11's, the 25 1/2" scale, the tun-o-matic brdg, and the single coil p/u.....wow, this is one BRIGHT sounding gtr! but, that's cool.

i plan on replacing the bridge w a one pc rosewood brd and i suspect that will mellow the tone out some.... and i'm hoping to hear some suggestions and recommendations along those lines.

i am surprised at how heavy this big beast is!

there's no label inside, but it has the black P90, clear barrel style knobs w no logo, and the plain bakelite pickguard w no logo on it.....i think that equals 1954???

i promise to get some pics soon!

 

[jcwu]

Not much help to you, but that sounds like an awesome score, especially at that price!!! Sounds like a great player.

Looking forward to seeing pics!

 

[AcornHouse]

We'd love to see some pics. As far as the tailpiece, here's what the original would look like:
https://reverb.com/price-guide/guide/12249-guild-savoy-x-150-1954-sunburst
Stewmac and LMII have some replacement bridges. I would suggest going with a 2-piece with height adjustment wheels instead of a 1-piece. It's what it would have had, and will give you some string height adjustability.
http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and...ges_and_Tailpieces/Archtop_Guitar_Bridge.html

 

[SFIV1967]

We'd love to see some pics. As far as the tailpiece, here's what the original would look like:
https://reverb.com/price-guide/guide/12249-guild-savoy-x-150-1954-sunburst

Chris: Just for info, that picture shows S/N 1417 which would be roughly late 1953. (according to The Book S/N 1499 or so would have been the last 1953 S/N.)
And the two knobs are not original on it. Those would have been the original knobs:

Ralf

 

[planetguy]

thanks for the replies and well wishes, guys!

Chris: Just for info, that picture shows S/N 1417 which would be roughly late 1953. (according to The Book S/N 1499 or so would have been the last 1953 S/N.)
And the two knobs are not original on it. Those would have been the original knobs:

Ralf

those are the same knobs mine has.

 

[planetguy]

pics to come...i promise. but in the meantime, here's some video from the gig last weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3qq5lwGYs

 

[SFIV1967]

pics to come...i promise. but in the meantime, here's some video from the gig last weekend.

Very cool setting! Thanks for sharing!
Ralf

 

[planetguy]

sorry about the poor quality phone photos.

 

[SFIV1967]

Have you checked already what is hidden under this huge 12 string truss rod cover? Or maybe it was just installed because they lost the small original TRC.
Ralf

 

[planetguy]

OMG.... We've found Jimmy Hoffa!

Happy to report there's no funny business under the TRC. I don't think you can make it out but the headstock was definitely broken off and repaired. (well, CLEARLY it's been REPAIRED!). there's a seam almost straight across at the lower (closer to fingerbd) side of the E strings. not the best job cosmetically but i'm feeling pretty good that it is/was a solid repair.

I've got a gig tonight and i'm looking fwd to seeing the difference the heavier strngs make. funny, even on that long scale neck...those 12's feel kinda light to me.....maybe even too light. i might have to change the E and B for a 13 and 17.