Guild DE-400

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Hi,

I recently bought a Guild Duane Eddy 400, probably from 1965 (with a serial in the 41000). I think there's not much left original on the guitar. The lacquer has been removed, there's just one knob left (the master volume), no pickups or bridge AND the neck pickup hole has been enlarged. My question is if anyone could tell me more about the tuners, if they are original or not, and do they confirm that the guitar was made in 1965? I would also like to know what type of pickups it was fitted with back in the 60's.

I hope someone can help me out with some info on this guitar!

Greatings,
Toon

2014-02-15%2022.41.12.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/eeqdi7oiwlgyqmw/2014-02-15 22.41.12.jpg

2014-02-15%2022.41.28.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xzndifdp89dneig/2014-02-15 22.41.28.jpg

foto.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/s/woochz2asfpe8dv/foto.JPG
 

Walter Broes

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Those are Kolb tuners, and very likely original to the guitar. By 1965, a DE400 would have had the small humbuckers that Guild used in the 60's. If you're going for a full restoration, and you bought the guitar to sound like Duane Eddy, I'd put DeArmond pickups in it though.
 

Wilfred

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Wow, talk about a great entrance, welcome to LTG!
Very challenging and interesting restoration project.
Please keep us posted!
 

SFIV1967

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Welcome to LTG! Our member Hans Moust, author of The Guild Guitar Book, could give you the exact year of manufacture of your guitar. He probably even has some specific history info about your particular guitar. You can contact him via his webpage. Hans also sells some of the original parts that you might need.
In his book on page 85 (and on other pages) he gives a lot of info about the DE-400 model.
By the way, here is S/N 39405 (earlier than your one) just for some nice pictures: http://www.gbase.com/gear/guild-duane-eddy-de-400-gue01-1965-blonde#
And a little video of a sunburst one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKzVonEvwUg
Regarding possible restoration, if you tell us in which state you live we can probably recommend a good luthier to help you.
Ralf
 
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Thanks for al the replies! I've already had contact with Hans Moust and he gave me some good info on the guitar.
I'm from Belgium, but not really looking for a luthier because next year I'm going to follow a course on guitar building techniques so for the most part I will be doing the restauration by myself (after a lot of practice of course!).
And I will keep you guys posted on the restoration!

Greatings,
Toon
 
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