Guild S-100 Deluxe

[mrnowhere]

Hi folks,
I've got a few questions for all you S-100 owners out there. I'm in the UK and there aren't that many S-100 over here, even the famous guitar shops in Denmark St London see them very infrequently.
The lacquer/varnish seems to be rubbing off on some parts of the rear my deluxe's neck, any remedies? Also the neck & body seems to have a dull matt finish which looks dirty & feels slightly sticky so collects all types of marks like fingerprints. Mines a cherry red colour.
Also the Guildsby spring is quite pitted and doesn't "give/spring" as much as my other Bigsby guitars, it also squeaks. The tuners are also pitted, any tips on cleaning them and the Guildsby? Lastly a couple of the higher frets have heavy string indentations, should I replace them?
Has anyone else had any of these problems, any suggestions on if they could/should be repaired, particulary the neck, are welcome.
Cheers.

 

[fronobulax]

No answers for you, but welcome to LTG.

 

[Thunderface]

Welcome, mrnowhere. Always good to have another Deluxe owner. You should definitely post some photos and give us some more info on that one, like the serial number and such, so we can add you to the S-100 Owners roster.

Seems to me that Hammer has posted some info about cleaning tips, and you will undoubtedly get tons of advice about what to use and how to clean it up. If you know of a decent luthier in your area, you could always take it there as well.

The S-100 Deluxes known to be owned by LTGers. Ironically, all are 1973 models

 

[Qvart]

Ask Walter Broes about the Bigsby, try naptha (lighter fluid) on the grime, have the frets assessed to see if they can be filed down (if not replace them), and find a good luthier.

Welcome! Pics please.

 

[Hammer]

There really is no solution to fixing that. The only way to alleviate your suffering is to send it to me. I will suffer for you. :mrgreen:

 

[tele4tone]

Hammer you crack me up. I get a kid at every outdoor show I plat at that asks, "Can I have your guitar?". Were you that kid? No matter how many times a kid asks me that I always feel bad for saying no. I wish I could supply the kids with Guilds and Teles..... Better than stupid Guitar Hero......wanker game

Jeff

Sorry for the veer...WELCOME to the S-100 club :lol:

 

[Thunderface]

Let's stay on the veer wagon for just a second longer. Jeff, were are those photos of your new S-100? I mean, c'mon. I think we've been more than patient with you.

 

[tele4tone]

duuuuuuuuuude... haha... ok.. I have been lazy :shock:

Jeff

 

[Thunderface]

We just need some fresh guitar porn. :shock:

 

[Hammer]

Hammer you crack me up. I get a kid at every outdoor show I plat at that asks, "Can I have your guitar?". Were you that kid? No matter how many times a kid asks me that I always feel bad for saying no. I wish I could supply the kids with Guilds and Teles..... Better than stupid Guitar Hero......wanker game

Jeff

Sorry for the veer...WELCOME to the S-100 club :lol:

Nah...I was the kid buying unknown treasures at pawn shops and working my arse off to buy the SG I had on layaway. :wink:

 

[Default]

Squeaking bigsbys. :?

Sometimes, the handle isn't tight enough and the handle squeaks. On older bigsbys, there is a nut and a small spring that holds the handle on. I either remove the spring and replace it with a washer, or I crank the nut down until the spring totally compresses. That give a more solid and expressive feel to the the vibrato, at least in my opinion. additionally, these things were oiled at the factory and over the years, it can turn into a gummy substance. On the side opposite the handle, there is an "e" clip. If you take that off, the bar will slide out. Be careful, DO NOT LOSE THE NEEDLE BEARINGS!!! They are little slivers of metal that the bar rotates on. Get a cotton swab and clean the inside surfaces with rubbing alcohol or lighter fluid. Get rid of the gunk that has collected over the years. Put the needle bearings back in and add a few drops oil 3-in-1 oil, or sewing machine oil. Put the e-clip back on.
Enjoy!

Lighter fluid to clean the neck and body of the guitar and the gummyness will be gone there.

Pics please!

 

[mrnowhere]

Hi Folks,
thanks for all your comments.
Unfortunately no pix just yet as I'm a wholly analogue bloke (apart from this PC!) so I only use film cameras, will get around to it when she's had a clean up and ready to fly.
According to Hans the serial number of my Deluxe would indicate it was made in 1977, which goes against the general knowledge that they were only available '73-'75.
On a side note the current issue of my fave guitar mag in Britain "Guitarist" happens to have an article on the Guild S-100 in the vintage section and pictures a Deluxe model.
Cheers

 

[Thunderface]

On a side note the current issue of my fave guitar mag in Britain "Guitarist" happens to have an article on the Guild S-100 in the vintage section and pictures a Deluxe model.
Cheers

Really?! I've got to get a copy.

 

[bluesypicky]

On a side note the current issue of my fave guitar mag in Britain "Guitarist" happens to have an article on the Guild S-100 in the vintage section and pictures a Deluxe model.
Cheers

Really?! I've got to get a copy.

Ditto!!! :mrgreen:

 

[Thunderface]

On a side note the current issue of my fave guitar mag in Britain "Guitarist" happens to have an article on the Guild S-100 in the vintage section and pictures a Deluxe model.
Cheers

I picked up the August 2010 issue of Guitarist (No. 331) and the Guild article is not in there. So it must be in issue No. 332, with Brad Paisley on the cover. Those haven't made it as far as the Midwest yet, but when they do ... I'll be buying it.

While we're on the subject of magazines, and I know this has been mentioned before, but I'll mention it again -- the October 2010 issue of Vintage Guitar magazine (with Alvin Lee on the cover) has a big article entitled "Round and Round She Goes: Guild in the post-Fender Era," starting on page 30.