Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
When did Guild make its first gold-plated Guild bigsbys?
Guild smallsbys
- Thread starter Darryl Hattenhauer
- Start date
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Northy,
The old testament doesn't say that the goldies came out at a different time, so they probably came out at the same time as the others. Like you, the earliest I know of a goldie is 1962. But I'll bet they are on a few 1961s.
One of the things I like about Guild is their willingness to make exceptions. Whatever the first year was, I wouldn't be surprised to find gold Guild bigsbys on some but not all 500s, 350s, 375s etc of that year.
The old testament doesn't say that the goldies came out at a different time, so they probably came out at the same time as the others. Like you, the earliest I know of a goldie is 1962. But I'll bet they are on a few 1961s.
One of the things I like about Guild is their willingness to make exceptions. Whatever the first year was, I wouldn't be surprised to find gold Guild bigsbys on some but not all 500s, 350s, 375s etc of that year.
coastie99
Enlightened Member
Darryl Hattenhauer said:
I think this one might be 62.
Certainly looks a bit tarnished......................
http://images.askmen.com/galleries/actr ... ture-1.jpg
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Ya fooled me again!
I think the implants are about 1962.
I think the implants are about 1962.
coastie99
Enlightened Member
Looks like they crashed in '87, along with the Newsyland share-market !
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Shame on us, Coastie. We should be attracted to her mind.
Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Good point Daryl. I think what I was thinking of was... there's a picture of a T500 or some kind of proto-Duaner in the book with a gold Bigsby and the picture caption says something about "...this model wasn't available with a Bigsby for another year, so it must be an after-market mod..." or something like that. Let me see if I can't track it down. Or maybe I'm imagining the whole thing. Sadly, not unlikely... :roll:
Oh the shame.
The thing about the "added later" Bigsby is on page 71, and it's a 63 Aristocrat with a Bigsby B7 model with the string-under bar. Not a B6 like you'd find on a DE. My bad. The copy states that "The vibrato must have been added later, because this type of Bigsby was introduced in 1967."
Still, I think I was pretty close with my original guess. Now back to regularly scheduled programming...
The thing about the "added later" Bigsby is on page 71, and it's a 63 Aristocrat with a Bigsby B7 model with the string-under bar. Not a B6 like you'd find on a DE. My bad. The copy states that "The vibrato must have been added later, because this type of Bigsby was introduced in 1967."
Still, I think I was pretty close with my original guess. Now back to regularly scheduled programming...
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Northman,
I'm pretty sure I used to own that red Aristocrat. The one I had was identical, and I doubt there were two. If I had known that a pic of it would be in Hans Volume One, I would have kept it.
I'm pretty sure I used to own that red Aristocrat. The one I had was identical, and I doubt there were two. If I had known that a pic of it would be in Hans Volume One, I would have kept it.
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Hello Darryl,
The earliest Guild that I've seen with a gold plated Guild Bigsby was a T-500 from 1961. The S-300 on page 167 of The Guild Guitar Book had a lower serial number than the T-500 but I believe that particular guitar had the Guild Bigsby added at a later date than the serial number would suggest.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Thanks Hans. That's an interesting page.
I have a 1962 X-500 with gold kolbs, gold dynasonic mounting rings, and gold tp. If I put a bigsby on it, what would be period correct, a Guild bigsby or a Bigsby bigsby? Did Guild ever use gold Bigsby bigsbys? I've seen gold Bigsby bigsbys on -ibsons as early as 1959.
I have a 1962 X-500 with gold kolbs, gold dynasonic mounting rings, and gold tp. If I put a bigsby on it, what would be period correct, a Guild bigsby or a Bigsby bigsby? Did Guild ever use gold Bigsby bigsbys? I've seen gold Bigsby bigsbys on -ibsons as early as 1959.
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Hello again Darryl,
Bigsby units were introduced as an option at the end of the '50s. On page 170 of The Guild Guitar Book is a small photo that shows Merle Travis with a Custom order X-500 that is equipped with a Bigsby branded Bigsby. Since the X-500 had gold plated hardware I would assume that the Bigsby would be goldplated as well. Anyway, the specific features of that guitar would date it to 1959-1960. A Guild Bigsby would be period correct for your '62 X-500.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Thanks Hans. Would you happen to have a gold Guild bigsby (without the extension bar)?
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Sorry Darryl, don't have any of those right now!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
I'll have to get Coastie to steal one for me.
Walter Broes
Enlightened Member
Judging by the prices Guild Bigsbies are fetching on Ebay, I think it's safe to assume a lot of people are looking for them.
Fender seems to be asleep at the wheel yet again, I think if they had one batch made up, it would sell out in a matter of weeks.
Fender seems to be asleep at the wheel yet again, I think if they had one batch made up, it would sell out in a matter of weeks.
