Guild Acoustic Archtops

[Guilderagain]

Hello all,

I was toying with the idea of an acoustic archtop and naturally thought of Guild. I found this on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1967-Guild-Mode...6287500QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

The seller states its an A-50 (I thought that was a model number for a Guild flatop). Anyone out there that played one - your impressions? Is this a pressed plywood top? Looks like it was refinished.

Thanks in advance,

Alex

 

[walrus]

Hi Gilderagain - that guitar looks a lot like my blonde 1965 X-50, without the pickup. I am extremely happy with my X-50, plugged in and unplugged.

But to more specifically answer your questions, I had a 1961 A-50 until very recently - I put it on consignment at my local music store when I got the X-50 I have now. I really liked the A-50 a lot - very cool sounding guitar. Certainly not as "full" sounding as an acoustic when playing full chords, but any type of swinging jazz chords, or soloing, it was very very nice. Also a great conversation piece!

The only question I have is the price. My opinion is this one is a little steep. Even though it is blonde, I would think it should not be more than $850 - $900. Perhaps you could visit the seller's store and try it, see if you like it, and make an offer?

walrus

 

[Graham]

Hey Alex I have an A-50

As does Grot here somewhere.

I like it. Has a slim neck and a very different sound. As walrus says not full because of the depth. SFIII (Howard) played it Ohio at Guildstock and with his finger picks, he got some great volume and sound out of her.

I love the looks of it for sure. Depending on condition, the price may be a tad high, but it's close if it's in VG shape. IMO

 

[Guilderagain]

Graham,

Thanks for sharing your review. Nice specimen. Is the finish original? Oh, and is the top laminated?

Regards,

Alex

 

[Graham]

No problem Alex.

It is original finish and laminated maple body.

Mine is a '72 which I believe is the final production year.

 

[guildzilla]

Graham's A-50 is totally gorgeous.

 

[walrus]

Graham, that is a great looking A-50! That "light" blonde is the way my X-50 looks, beautiful...

My 1961 A-50 was a sunburst, a much more common finish, I'd say.

Go for it, Gilderagain!

walrus

 

[Bubby]

Hey Walrus, what store did you put your A 50 on?
I might be interested. I've been looking for a fingerpicker, is it a Hoboken?

 

[walrus]

Hi Harry - it's at Union Music in Worcester, MA - see their web site for directions, etc. As of yesterday, it was still there. 1961 makes it Hoboken, right?

walrus

 

[nopedals]

On a 1 to 10 scale, with 1 being a cheesy small body laminate kay/silvertone or gretsch new yorker, and a 10 being the most expensive full bodied luthier archtop, it would be a 2 or 3. I would put the CA100 at about a 4, and an A350 at 7.