1955 Guild X 125

[wsakidd]

Hi,

I have a Guild archtop electric with a serial number that places it in 1955. It has a New York guitar shaped label that clearly states the model as an X125. Looking at the guitar and some specific finish issues, it looks to be the guitar that is in the 1956 catalog as the new Capri CE100. I believe this may be the prototype for this model? I do have photos of the instrument if anyone is interested. It would be nice to know if it is indeed the prototype?

Scott

 

[Walter Broes]

Sounds cool! I'd love to see some pics!

 

[littlesongs]

Please post some photos. If there is a definitive answer to be found, you'll find it here at LTG. Welcome aboard!

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Hi, kidd. Welcome. Sorry I can't help you, but somebody here will.

 

[hansmoust]

I have a Guild archtop electric with a serial number that places it in 1955. It has a New York guitar shaped label that clearly states the model as an X125. Looking at the guitar and some specific finish issues, it looks to be the guitar that is in the 1956 catalog as the new Capri CE100. I believe this may be the prototype for this model? I do have photos of the instrument if anyone is interested. It would be nice to know if it is indeed the prototype?

Scott

Hello Scott,

Welcome! The X-125 that I'm familiar with is indeed very similar to the CE-100 and it is clearly the forerunner of that model. The only thing that is different from the early CE-100s that I've seen is the shape of the cutaway, which was a little more graceful on the CE-100.
I do not know if the one that you have is the same one as the one that I've seen, nor do I know if there was only one (as in prototype) or if it was part of a batch of similar guitars. In the 'old' days new models were not labeled as 'prototype' so we're never really sure if a guitar was really the first one, until we come across an earlier one and then we know it was not.

Just go ahead and post some photos. That should learn us a little more and tell us if we're talking about the same instrument.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG Scott!
Could it be this one from Loud and Clear in Cotati/CA, sold mid of May?


Date of picture: March 17, 2013 by www.loudandclearmusic.com

Ralf

 

[wsakidd]

Yes, that was my guitar at "Loud and Clear". I took it off the market and brought it home! That is a good photo of it! Everything except the bridge is original. You can see that when the pickup was mounted that there was obviously no template because it is noticably crooked (kind of charming?). It does have that project one kind of look when you see it up close!

 

[JazzBoxJunky]

Looks like it's back, or id this another one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-et-...758851?hash=item25b97ce083:g:4P0AAOSwyjBW8ZJ8

 

[walrus]

To me, this new one looks like a different one - different nicks on it? Of course, it can't be a 1950, either. But it is certainly a cool guitar!

walrus

 

[hansmoust]

To me, this new one looks like a different one - different nicks on it? Of course, it can't be a 1950, either. But it is certainly a cool guitar!

No, it's the same one! Just lower quality photos with less definition that do not clearly show all the scratches and flaking of the finish.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Sleeko]

Kind of an Epi shaped pickguard :rugby:

 

[JazzBoxJunky]

Looks like it may have a really fat neck, also a really strong break angle over the bridge. Think maybe they were trying to place that front pickup like a Gibson 175.

 

[Walter Broes]

Yep, looks like a good neck angle/tall neck set. I have a '60 double pickup CE100D, with the neck pickup more towards the neck, poles line up right under the 24th fret harmonic node. Same on my X175's.