1970 Guild S-100 Overview YT Video

Groundwire

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Hello LTG Members,1970 Guild S-100 Overview

First I want to thank you all for answering so many rookie questions for me when I first purchased my 1970 Lefty S-100. LTG was the first online music forum I have ever signed up for, and I find it to be the most supportive and positive online music community I have come across.

So, I finally got around to posting a full video review of my S-100 on YouTube, including a comparison to my SG. I'd love any feedback you all may have. I am just getting the channel started, but I plan to feature the S100 in plenty more videos in the future.

Thanks in advance to anyone who spends a few minutes listening to me wax poetic about how awesome Guild Guitars are, and tolerates my stale classic rock riffing.



Cheers,

NICK
 

Groundwire

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Can you do one where you just play?

I started jamming with it note for note, need more ;]
Haha. I am not sure whether to take that as a compliment to my playing, or as a polite way of letting me know that I talk too much…

I can certainly post some additional clips, although I’d probably want to be playing over a backing track or something… hmmmm…Wheels turning…
 

awagner

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Nice job.

Now you have to get a Starfire IV and compare it to a Gibson ES 335.

And then a Bluesbird to compare with a Les Paul.

Then we can discuss which archtops to start with.:)
 

Groundwire

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Nice job.

Now you have to get a Starfire IV and compare it to a Gibson ES 335.

And then a Bluesbird to compare with a Les Paul.

Then we can discuss which archtops to start with.:)
Well I’m always up for a challenge. Find me a lefty Starfire… I have a 335 that I adore and would love to put it up against a starfire. I’ve only ever seen a couple lefty Starfires though. Seem pretty rare.
I remember when Guild was promoting Bluesbirds heavily in the late 90’s. I really wanted one back then. I have since learned that I don’t get on with Les Pauls, and I fear a Bluesbird may be the same… now an old M75 Bird… that’s a different story.
 
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jp

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Nice demo, Groundwire!

My '76 M-75 Bluesbird with HB-1s has the same snap to it that you talk about. I credit some of that to the ebony fretboard, but it also has to do with the airy nature of HB-1s that make them unique. I recently sold my Gibson LP Studio Lite that I set up to have a similar sound. These Studio models have ebony fretboards, and I had an early Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck and a Betty Bridge PU from Hottie Amp Co--really just a rebranded SD Custom Custom--in the bridge position. It also had a really lively snap to it that made it an outstanding rhythm guitar.

One thing I noticed about the S-100 vs SG is that, since the body is a bit larger, it's not prone to the neck dive that some SGs are afflicted with.
 

Groundwire

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Nice demo, Groundwire!

My '76 M-75 Bluesbird with HB-1s has the same snap to it that you talk about. I credit some of that to the ebony fretboard, but it also has to do with the airy nature of HB-1s that make them unique. I recently sold my Gibson LP Studio Lite that I set up to have a similar sound. These Studio models have ebony fretboards, and I had an early Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck and a Betty Bridge PU from Hottie Amp Co--really just a rebranded SD Custom Custom--in the bridge position. It also had a really lively snap to it that made it an outstanding rhythm guitar.

One thing I noticed about the S-100 vs SG is that, since the body is a bit larger, it's not prone to the neck dive that some SGs are afflicted with.
Thanks JP!
I agree, the HB1’s have an airiness to them I have not heard in any other humbucker. Quickly becoming my favorite classic rock rhythm guitar (maybe even over a Tele, which is tough to beat). It really kind of combines the best parts of a humbucker and a Tele bridge pickup.
Agreed on the balance issue. Every SG I’ve ever played has neck dive. I even put extra lightweight Grover tuners on mine to help this issue. The S100, on the other hand, balances perfectly. Such a badass guitar.
 

lungimsam

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Thanks for the cool comparisons!
You forgot to mention the Guild headstock design is way cooler than on most guitars. :)
The Guild is definitely a more lively sounding guitar.
More lively attack than the duller SG sound, assuming the strings are the same set and same age.
Would love to hear an S-100 totally clean direct thru an interface to monitors.
But I would not hesitate to get one if they were offered in natural or walnut.
I have also heard they have no neck dive, which is a good thing.
 

Groundwire

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Thanks for the cool comparisons!
You forgot to mention the Guild headstock design is way cooler than on most guitars. :)
The Guild is definitely a more lively sounding guitar.
More lively attack than the duller SG sound, assuming the strings are the same set and same age.
Would love to hear an S-100 totally clean direct thru an interface to monitors.
But I would not hesitate to get one if they were offered in natural or walnut.
I have also heard they have no neck dive, which is a good thing.
Thank you! I do agree, the Guild Headstock looks awesome, although from a functional standpoint, it’s not my ideal design. I much prefer the straighter string pull of a fender style headstock.
Dull is a good way to describe the SG in comparison to the Guild. That duller sound actually works well with higher gain, but for what I like, the Guild has a richer, livelier tone.
My S100 balances perfectly on a strap, which is a bonus for sure.
 

AcornHouse

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Nice job! One thing I’ve noticed comparing my ‘71 S-90 (same as the S-100, but only two knobs) with the SGs I’ve played, is that the neck, while still slender like I like, doesn’t move like the SG neck. I was constantly pulling the SG out of tune because the neck was so bendable. The S-90 is rock solid.
 

Groundwire

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Nice job! One thing I’ve noticed comparing my ‘71 S-90 (same as the S-100, but only two knobs) with the SGs I’ve played, is that the neck, while still slender like I like, doesn’t move like the SG neck. I was constantly pulling the SG out of tune because the neck was so bendable. The S-90 is rock solid.
Thanks Acorn! Agreed. Neck joint in the S100 seems to have a lot more wood and is more solid overall. SGs are tough to play in tune unless you have a soft touch. Same issue with a 335, but not because of the neck joint; it’s because the body is so large you rest your whole arm on it and push it out of tune.
One thing about the S100 neck joint though: because it’s bulkier, you kind of need a strap that tapers narrow at the end. Otherwise the end of the strap will get in the way of upper fret access.
 

cupric

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Such a great video! One of the best comparison, and standalone, demos I've ever seen. You have to do others!
Only problem is.....now I want one!!!!
Ray
 

Groundwire

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Such a great video! One of the best comparison, and standalone, demos I've ever seen. You have to do others!
Only problem is.....now I want one!!!!
Ray
Thanks very much Ray. That’s very high praise and I am humbled.
On my channel, I also have deep dive videos for my Strat, Tele, and 335. Those don’t have any direct comparisons, however, but there are some good setup tips etc.
The S100 is the only Guild I own, but if you can find me a lefty Starfire, M-75, or Thunderbird, I’ll be most happy to demo and compare. 😁
Oh, and yes, you do need an S100. Cheers!
 
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