S300 info

[davep]

I have an S300 that I've owned 30+ years. I've decided to sell it and described it as refinished. I have been told by 2 different people it was once white. 161002 serial says it's '77 but can't find any further info. I'm sure I once found myself, online somewhere, it was originally white. Is there a way to decode the serial number further?

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! The only person in the world who would be maybe having that specific color info for your serial number is Hans Moust in The Netherlands. You can contact him via his webpage:

GuitarsGalore

He's very busy, so allow some time for an answer.

Also: Usually the color is written on the label which you find in the potentiometer chamber on the lid! If you tell us which letters are written behind S-300 on the label we can tell you the original color.

Example:


Ralf

 

[davep]

Thanks. It was white, and the serial is 164 not 161. Mine also has an extra switch which I doesn't do much. It may slightly alter tone, but that may be my imagination. I think it was soldered by a 5 year old, and this was the first attempt.

 

[GAD]

Welcome!

I was one of the people who doubted the refin on Facebook and am chagrined to have not thought of looking at the cavity label.

That is a fabulous refin! As someone who’s owned 10+ S300s that is a beautiful guitar.

 

[SFIV1967]

I think it was soldered by a 5 year old, and this was the first attempt.

O.k., riddle about the color solved. (actually my example picture above was from GAD's blog). Also you still see white traces there.
And yes, that wiring does not look original to me, I guess when they refinished it they had removed all hardware and resoldered everything with different wire.

The two switches could potentially have the following functions, but I don't know what pickups are in your S-300. It looks like there are two different pickups used?
The example below talks about a different model but it is simply an example. I guess if you trace the wires to and from the switches the functions should be clear.



Ralf

 

[GAD]

Looking at the pic I think each switch is a coil split for one pickup and the phase capability has been removed.

 

[Default]

The neck tone circuit has an itty bitty yellow cap, that is vertical and hard to see. I had to look at it a couple of times, meself.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

Wiring does look a bit of a mess, I think I would probably rewire it again from scratch if I had it

 

[davep]

O.k., riddle about the color solved. (actually my example picture above was from GAD's blog). Also you still see white traces there.
And yes, that wiring does not look original to me, I guess when they refinished it they had removed all hardware and resoldered everything with different wire. Also I see a missing tone control capacitor on the neck pickup circuit.

The two switches could potentially have the following functions, but I don't know what pickups are in your S-300. It looks like there are two different pickups used?
The example below talks about a different model but it is simply an example. I guess if you trace the wires to and from the switches the functions should be clear.

These are the pick-ups. After getting it down from the loft and advertising it, and playing it a little, I am having second thoughts on selling it. I still think it's the nicest player I've ever owned. I know I'll regret it, but I also know it deserves to be played more.

 

[Sam1957]

I have an S300 that I've owned 30+ years. I've decided to sell it and described it as refinished. I have been told by 2 different people it was once white. 161002 serial says it's '77 but can't find any further info. I'm sure I once found myself, online somewhere, it was originally white. Is there a way to decode the serial number further?

Are you sure the serial number is 161002? Could it possibly be 165002? If so I can possibly be of help.

 

[Sam1957]

Sorry my fat fingers got the serial number wrong in my last post. Was it 164002? Also does it have two micro switches instead of one?

 

[SFIV1967]

Are you sure the serial number is 161002? Could it possibly be 164002? If so I can possibly be of help. Also does it have two micro switches instead of one?

Yes, see his post #3 above! Are you the former owner?
Ralf

 

[davep]

164002. I posted it wrong originally. It was white. It has 2 microswitches and a selector switch. I think originally it had one for coil tap and one for phase. It has been rewired, probably after the refinish, so no guarantees what they do now.

 

[davep]

Wiring does look a bit of a mess, I think I would probably rewire it again from scratch if I had it

I would if I had time. I was an electrician for 10 yrs after leaving school, but usually dealt with cables weighed a ton or two. I have been tempted to resolder the joints, but none have failed yet, unbelievably.

 

[Sam1957]

I can confirm that I am the heretic who had the guitar stripped from the original white to a natural satin mahogany. The re-fin was done by a wonderful luthier called Alastair Watt in Aberdeen who is sadly no longer with us. When it was originally stripped I had the phase switch removed and individual coil taps installed and also one of the tone pots replaced with a six position varitone switch. Didn’t find the varitone workable on stage so later had that removed and a second tone pot installed. It was a wonderful guitar and I have long regretted selling it but I recently got the chance to buy 163996 in excellent, all original condition (above together with my 1973 S90.

Me playing 164002 in the early eighties.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Well this has certainly come full circle!

 

[davep]

I can confirm that I am the heretic who had the guitar stripped from the original white to a natural satin mahogany. The re-fin was done by a wonderful luthier called Alastair Watt in Aberdeen who is sadly no longer with us. When it was originally stripped I had the phase switch removed and individual coil taps installed and also one of the tone pots replaced with a six position varitone switch. Didn’t find the varitone workable on stage so later had that removed and a second tone pot installed. It was a wonderful guitar and I have long regretted selling it but I recently got the chance to buy 163996 in excellent, all original condition (above together with my 1973 S90.

Me playing 164002 in the early eighties.

I would hardly call the refinish heretical, I would never have known about it unless it was pointed out to me many years ago. It has had a few enquiries but everyone wants me to post it, which I am very reluctant to do. I may have it rewired to a coil tap and a phase switch in the future as I'm pretty sure I won't sell it. I was originally looking for an S100 back then but couldn't find one. This was in a guitar shop so I walked out with it. Hated the shaped but have grown to love it over time. I like different, as you can see by my Avatar pic. A Gibson LP which is all maple.

 

[Sam1957]

I would hardly call the refinish heretical, I would never have known about it unless it was pointed out to me many years ago. It has had a few enquiries but everyone wants me to post it, which I am very reluctant to do. I may have it rewired to a coil tap and a phase switch in the future as I'm pretty sure I won't sell it. I was originally looking for an S100 back then but couldn't find one. This was in a guitar shop so I walked out with it. Hated the shaped but have grown to love it over time. I like different, as you can see by my Avatar pic. A Gibson LP which is all maple.

Whereabouts are you based? I’m in Tamworth in the midlands of England. I’d love to be re-united with my old guitar and I’d be prepared to consider a trade for my 1973 Guild S90 which is pictured elsewhere in this thread. Let me know what you think. Sam

 

[davep]

Blackpool. Shame I'm retired now, dropped in Tamworth driving trucks. I'd have to think long and hard about it going now, I think I feel more attached to this than any other guitar I've owned, including my US Tele, which I've always regretted selling as that was pretty unique. If you're ever around here you're welcome to drop in.

 

[Sam1957]

If you decide to move it on just let me know. I’d happily come up to look at it (we are from Manchester originally) as I’m retired too. I’d be interested in your views on the S90 too. Sam