71-72 M75

[hansmoust]

Hello folks,

Sorry to make you all wait! Too many other things that needed my attention first.

Anyway, I would think that most of you have already figured out what’s going on with the guitar in this thread after reading my earlier posting.
http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtop ... 15&t=18109

This guitar is also one of those early ‘70s try-outs that I mentioned in that posting.

Here’s a shot of the one that is in my collection:

It is the hollow body version of an M-75 Standard, with 3 HB-1 humbucking pickups and the metal switchplate with the 3 slide switches that was borrowed from the ‘defunct’ Thunderbird.

P.S. Sharp readers may have noticed the 'wrong' period bridge in the photo of the same guitar in my earlier posting. The bridge shown in this photo is the correct one.


The guitar under discussion is a true solid body, also with 3 HB-1 pickups and the slide switches, but it had an extra Master Volume control, which I believe was original on this guitar.

By the time this guitar was produced, the solid body M-75 still had the ‘60s style stairstep pickguard; not the pickguard that is shown on Kurt’s M-75, so there was enough room on the treble cutaway bout for that extra knob.

I’ve seen earlier solid body versions that still had the ‘harp’ tailpiece, but this one already has the slanted ‘stop’ tailpiece.

Note that all the routing looks somewhat crude, giving the impression that they are modifications that were done at a later date. The reason is that they were all done by hand since these were experimental guitars and no routing jigs had been made yet.

So basically we’re looking at an original Guild with no modifications, but with a few parts missing. Obviously, the M-75 was never produced in this configuration, which is also true for the hollow body version in the photo.

I guess that's pretty much it; an interesting reminder of what you see is not always what it seems........especially when it comes to Guilds!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[blakeley311]

Sounds like a new Fixit thread may be in the works? Someone care to put together the theatrical trailer?!?!

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Just for reference, here's some photos to go along with Hans' information. Which once again (as always) is spectacular!

It is the hollow body version of an M-75 Standard, with 3 HB-1 humbucking pickups and the metal switchplate with the 3 slide switches that was borrowed from the ‘defunct’ Thunderbird.

Here's the switchplate on a Thunderbird:

By the time this guitar was produced, the solid body M-75 still had the ‘60s style stairstep pickguard; not the pickguard that is shown on Kurt’s M-75, so there was enough room on the treble cutaway bout for that extra knob.

Here's the "stairstep" pickguard on my '72 "semi-solid" M-75C Bluesbird:

And a shot of the rear binding:

 

[parsox]

Thanks Hans, The Guilds of Grot, and eveyone else who has chimed in.

Looks like its time to go on a quest for parts.

I think i have a lead on a bridge pickup and bezel

Anyone have and leads on the following

1) Small master volume knob
2) Thunderbird 3 way switchplate
3) Back plates for the bluesbird (tried the ones from my les paul and the circle one is too big while the pot cover is too small)
4) Stair Step Pick Guard

...or anybody with the skills to make repros

Parsox

 

[hansmoust]

Anyone have and leads on the following

1) Small master volume knob
2) Thunderbird 3 way switchplate
3) Back plates for the bluesbird (tried the ones from my les paul and the circle one is too big while the pot cover is too small)
4) Stair Step Pick Guard

Hello parsox,

Might be able to help you out with an original pickguard from that particular period.
Just contact me through my website.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[parsox]

Update

Can you spot the difference(s) :lol:
Big thanks to Daryl and his POC John

 

[matsickma]

Wow! I am amazed you got a Thunderbird plate. I assumed that would be your hardest part to find.

In regard to the Master vol knob...check the distance from the center of the hole to the brass nail marker and compare it to the other knobs. It looks like a full size knob may have been the origional item for the Master Vol.

M

 

[SFIV1967]

In regard to the Master vol knob...check the distance from the center of the hole to the brass nail marker and compare it to the other knobs. It looks like a full size knob may have been the origional item for the Master Vol. M

That's a very clever idea! I never thought about that! But you are right, that might be the giveaway what was mounted.
Ralf

 

[SFIV1967]

Update
Can you spot the difference(s) :lol:

What switches do you plan to use? Are those standard Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang switches that fit in there?

Ralf

 

[parsox]

"What switches do you plan to use? Are those standard Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang switches that fit in there?"

Not Sure but that's what I ordered....should be here this week

Also trying to get screws which are near impossible to find

#2 3/8 inch for pickup bezels (can;t find black but can find brass...I hear you can dye them with birchwood casey perma blue (for gun barrels) so i will be trying this)
#3 48 thread machine stainless pan head slotted 1 and 1/8 inch for pickup height
#4 3/8 stainless for 3 way switch attachment

 

[parsox]

Getting Closer

 

[parsox]

Closer Still

 

[laverda]

Looking good, very very good indeed!

Cheers,
Mick

 

[SFIV1967]

Piece by piece you get there!
So you still miss a thin pickup mounting ring for the neck pickup as it looks.
The shaft of the master volume pot seem to be too long, or?
Ralf

 

[blakeley311]

Parsox -

So what's next and what are your final plans? Are you gonna have it refinished, buffed out or leave it as is? Are you doing all the wiring yourself or having a tech do it. Details! We need...details!

Looking good so far.

 

[Thunderface]

Very cool, parsox. Very cool.

 

[Los Angeles]

This is getting REALLLLLY COOOOL!

 

[parsox]

Piece by piece you get there!
So you still miss a thin pickup mounting ring for the neck pickup as it looks.
The shaft of the master volume pot seem to be too long, or?
Ralf

Regarding the pickup ring....I had to go check....2 thin one thick....but current middle one is slightly smalle in lenght than the top one...?? I believe they are all vintage...and the screws align up...I will place the smallest in the top position.

The master volume and replacement pot at the bottem have a 1/2inch bushing....kind of hard to find as most had .375 and thats not long enough to stick out through the face of the gutar and leave room for a washer and nut to grab.

The master volume knob is not pushed all the way on yet as the pot is not wired and the knob is kind of hard to remove from the pot shaft....good catch though

 

[parsox]

Parsox -

So what's next and what are your final plans? Are you gonna have it refinished, buffed out or leave it as is? Are you doing all the wiring yourself or having a tech do it. Details! We need...details!

Looking good so far.

I have a vintage tone knob heading my way so that should be on the guitar soon....(if anyone has a vintage volume knob for trade I will have an extra tone knob)
The wiring remains from the previous owner but I think I will leave that to the luthier....I have a couple of other guilds at his shop so I will trade this guitar in when I pick up the others.

I do not know about refininshing....what do you'all think....is it worth it....does it affect collectability or future resale?

I am excited to hear how it sounds....getting the screws(that hold the pikcup to the bezel) for the 3rd pickup was difficult
I could not find the correct length 1 and 1/8 inch machine screw,
Was able to find #3-48 x 1" Slotted Pan Head Machine Screw 18-8 Stainless Steel....just 1/8inch shorter but fits and holds the pikcup fine

Also I believe the screws that hold the bezel to the face of the guitar are size 3 3/8 inch....could not find these in black
What I could find is #3-24 x 3/8" Phillips Flat Head Wood Screw, Brass
Note: putting the brass in perma blue (used for gun barrel dying) turns the screws a black color

 

[Los Angeles]

Sometime in the mid to late 70's they made the pickup rings just a *little* bit longer. So your long rings are likely from that time.