‘63 A500 ready to play..

Mapleman54

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I’ve been the proud owner of this beautiful’63 for about 10 years now and hardly used it outside my house. But, a big inspiration listening to Jim Mullen support Georgie fame with a full 16 piece band at Ronnie Scott’s this week has lit the flame for acoustic sounding jazz guitar again! Jim plays thumb.. not a Wes clone in any way, but that tone!! So new strings (chrome 12’s), fiddle a bit with set up, and into my Vibrolux… heaven! Got this guitar from Nationwide with the Pat no. Gibson pu showing about 7.8 k. Someone did this replacement well.. too bad, but it really works. I have a spare neck position HB1.. thinking of a replacement for Gibson. Does anyone know this guitar from its American years? Hans said it was one of a batch of 6 done in ‘63. Beautifully narrow at 3” tapering a fraction on forward bout.
 

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GGJaguar

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Wow, that's stunning! The pickups and controls in the top make me sad (I don't like modifying vintage guitars), but it's still pretty.
 
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Mapleman54

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Yeah GG I share your feelings about the mods.. Probs the fair pricing when I got it took that into account, but against that it’s a great sounding pickup! (And a very beautiful instrument with many amazing Guild touches at their best!)
 

Mapleman54

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HeyMikey, totally agree, thanks! My problem is too much enthusiasm… I get easily diverted where the gig is and valuable things get pushed aside! Just retired from college teaching, maybe now is the time to take your advice!!
 

Mapleman54

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Mapleman, I presume this was refinished at some point? Very beautiful archtop. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thanks very much Chazmo.. it is a joy to have and play. No there is no sign of a refinish.. the label is A500 Bl so indicates original blonde. Also the nitro varnish is very thin, and there are quite a few marks. Under the bridge the spruce is blonde, but much paler. (See photo)
 

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