1983 S-25

[GuitarGrity]

Hi ...

I posted this on another forum earlier in the week. Through more internet searching I found this forum so I'm going to post here as well.

Here it is ...

I've owned "my baby" since I was 11. Unfortunately, the idiocy of youth had caused me to be not so nice to her. So, I've decided to fix her up ... problem is I'm having trouble finding parts and specs on it.

It is a 1983 Guild S-25. (Serial# AC100314) It has all the hardware of the S-25, but has the pots and switch on the S-250.

My biggest problem is the xr-7 pickups. The black plastic casings that hold the pickup in are cracked at the corners. The adjustment springs are shot. I'm also missing 2 screws and springs for the top of the neck pickup. (I had the pickups way too high and the springs are compressed and have surface corrosion.)

Another problem is one of my pots is broken. It works electronically, but half of the piece that the knob sits on was snapped off.

Any suggestions on where to find the parts I need. Or maybe where I can get replacement pickups. I'd love to get original, but if that isn't possible, any suggestions on what will fit, produce a comparable sound and preserve the original look?

I could post some photos if that would help, I just don't have any at this time. Thanks for reading.

So what has changed?...

I've been to the DiMarzio site and can't tell which, if any, of their pickups would be a good replacement. Truth is, they work and if I could just find the plastic holders, springs and screws I'd keep the originals.

After removing 25 years of dirt and grime from the fretboard and body, I think I may need to have her re-fretted. I'm just not sure because they are still tight and snug into the rosewood. They are just flattened and a little scored from 25 years of use. The stickers I had on the body, I know I'm a J*ck*ss, have left an outline in the finish. I think the adhesive may have altered the lacquer.

I cleaned the bridge today and only found a few things that may need attention. The adjustment screw for the B string is a banana, and the movable rollers for the B and High E will not spin freely.

So, I'm going to restring her now and check the radius and intonation. I'm not a rich man so I'm trying to get this done without sending it to a shop. Any advice and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I still don't have any pictures but will take and post them if it will be helpful. Thanks for reading my wall of text.

 

[hansmoust]

It is a 1983 Guild S-25. (Serial# AC100314) It has all the hardware of the S-25, but has the pots and switch on the S-250.

Hello GuitarGrity,

Welcome! There are several slightly different versions of the S-25. The most obvious difference is in the layout of the controls.

My biggest problem is the xr-7 pickups. The black plastic casings that hold the pickup in are cracked at the corners. The adjustment springs are shot. I'm also missing 2 screws ansprings for the top of the neck pickup. (I had the pickups way too high and the springs are compressed and have surface corrosion.)

The mounting rings for these pickups are not easy to get but they do come up for sale every once in a while. The adjustment screws and the springs should not be any problem.

Another problem is one of my pots is broken. It works electronically, but half of the piece that the knob sits on was snapped off.

Again, that should be an easy fix.

Any suggestions on where to find the parts I need. Or maybe where I can get replacement pickups. I'd love to get original, but if that isn't possible, any suggestions on what will fit, produce a comparable sound and preserve the original look?

If the pickups work there is no reason to replace them. Unless you don't like the sound!

I cleaned the bridge today and only found a few things that may need attention. The adjustment screw for the B string is a banana, and the movable rollers for the B and High E will not spin freely.

Might be able to help you with the bridge parts.

I still don't have any pictures but will take and post them if it will be helpful.

Yes, make some photos and post them here, so we can see what you need and what might have been changed on the guitar.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[guildzilla]

Before you toss and replace the pickup rings, try removing them and repairing all the cracks with Super Glue. Original Guild rings with the two "tilt adjustment" screws on the bass side are among the toughest parts to find.

Do one crack at a time and give the glue time to set before addressing the next crack. If it works, just make sure you don't overtighten the mounting screws when you reinstall the rings. I'll bet that's how the cracks occurred.

I rather like the XR-7's very much myself. Perfect fit for the 80's sound.

 

[Stephen]

While it may be near impossible to find the exact-fitting plastic replacement pickup rings, it's certainly possible that some luthier parts dude somewhere can fashion a nice set of wood replacement rings from ebony or black-stained maple which would look great. There's lots of talented hobbyists out there.

 

[coastie99]

While it may be near impossible to find the exact-fitting plastic replacement pickup rings, it's certainly possible that some luthier parts dude somewhere can fashion a nice set of wood replacement rings from ebony or black-stained maple which would look great. There's lots of talented hobbyists out there.

http://www.pickuprings.com/home

 

[GuitarGrity]

Hi everyone ... thanks for taking the time to reply. I'll get some pics taken and posted before the end of the week.

I thought about the super glue but was afraid it would eat the plastic.

She's restrung and the only thing I can't seem to work out is a very slight buzz from the D string. (but not in the open position)

And I keep going over the process of the intonation but haven't attempted it. Truthfully, it may be beyond my skill to do it. I may just send her out for that after I make all these little repairs.

Again, thank you very much everyone and I'll get the pics on soon. Rock on!

 

[GuitarGrity]

Here are the pics ...

Original Case ... the foil Guild sticker fell off years ago

Some of the hardware ...

Cracked Pot (lol) ...

Pickups ...

Couple more ...

Hope it helps

 

[hansmoust]

It is a 1983 Guild S-25. (Serial# AC100314) It has all the hardware of the S-25, but has the pots and switch on the S-250.

Hello GuitarGrity,

Looked at the photos and the layout of the controls is what you would expect of an S-25 from that period. From what I can see in the photos everything is pretty much there, except for the original metal toggle switch tip. That might be a hard one to find, but then again......... it's not a big deal.
Have it set up by someone who knows what he's doing. This is a great no-nonsense guitar!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[GuitarGrity]

Thanks Hans.

I have the togle tip somewhere, just can't remember where I put it so I wouldn't loose it.