It sounds amazing to me, HUGE. The p'up has a lot of B*ALLS, for lack of a better word. I don't play it often, but when I do the cats run and the neighbors dogs go into hiding ;]
I keep meaning to measure the DC resistance on the p'up, it must be quite hot, or maybe it's just the resonant peak - Henries - but it has a lot of authority through a decent amp, like my old Ampeg 1x12 combo, very loud. The last 2 numbers on the guitar's volume dial are whoppers.
Clean it sounds fabulous, would make a fantastic recording guitar for laying down clean = clearly audible rhythm tracks.
With dirt, it will not cop any kind of EVH tone, the p'up placement is too far north, but it will do is cop that rare warm bluesy old time Blues sound. raspy warmth, a tone that's actually a lot harder to find on the typical Gibson/Fender guitars than you would think.
It has the tuning stability of a fixed bridge guitar, but the beautiful Hagstrom Tremar gives it the ability to quaver chords.
The fit, finish, burst, quality of hardware is on the par with anyone from that era, quite possibly superior actually.
The unsung hero of the vintage guitar world, a whole lot of vintage goodness for a fraction of the price of a Gibson, I would describe it as three times the guitar for a third of the money.
With original from day one upsell hardcase, a deluxe Ace strap that was quite possibly bought new with the guitar, the hang tag, case keys, overall very clean with wonderfully naturally relic-ed condition, a very solid value as a collectible. With the "Special" designation, it is instantly in the top offerings for this model to be seen, and will remain so. The case/guitar smell wonderfully neutral, no mildew odor no toxic "new age" Febreze/drier sheet odor "remedy" that's unbearable to me.
100% original, never tinkered with, never a pickguard screw turned or a knob pulled, which would border on the unheard of in the Gibson/Fender world.
Also light, easy on your back. The Alder body is lighter and more musical than the Cherry Mahogany counterpart I had, a little less "SG-ish" and more like its own thing altogether.
The odd body shape and reverse headstock make it more unique than any Gibson/Fender product from the 60's, also to note the scooped bottom makes it more stable leaning against an amp than any of the previously mentioned "big brands".
Guild innovation and quality at this time is still something to fully realize to this day.
Belongs in a collection, or in a live/studio setting where unreal expectations aren't put on it. It's a one pickup guitar, and it's great for someone who can just play, rather than needing to twiddle knobs and switches for a radically different tone every for bars of playing.
Clean into an amp is where the guitar shines. The volume knob can really work some magic, as well as the tone knob feels like a second volume, the treble cut tames it. Without unreal expectations, it is actually quite versatile and also feels like playing a nearly new guitar from nearly 50 years ago.
It's a time machine.