Hi everyone,
I have been a big, big fan of these gorgeous Guild archtops for many years. I recently bought an X-500 Special and I am keen to learn as much about its history as possible.
[img<096 Guild X-500S 001b 400>[/img]
This guitar has been popping-up on the internet for a while. I saw it on Craigs List a few years back. It seemed to have some history with it, then I saw it again in August and managed to buy it.
I have spoken with its third owner, Joe Giglio who still plays the Clubs and Bars of NY and who remembers the guitar. Fortunately he also remembers the first two owners as well.
Here's an extract
"The blonde, one pkup, X500 that I owned was purported to have been ordered by George Mell. He was an elctric bassist/guitarist, & guitar collector/broker. For years he was the go to guy in nyc, when it came to vntg/used archtops.
I was told that he special ordered 2 or 3, 1 pkup X500s in the early/mid '70s. If I remember correctly I acquired the guitar from a jazz guitarist that was involved in George's guitar business. George was from Staten Island, & this other guy had a teaching studio there. I believe that by the time I aquired the guitar, George Mell had passed away.
I can try to find a pic of me with my X500 & send it to you.
I am holding it in a pic on the back page of the booklet from my 'Inside Out' CD".
Joe sold the guitar to a well known Texas collector and a while later it featured on philsrareguitars.com website. Then, in August this year, I bought it from a pro jazz guitarist in California who knew Joe from way back when they were both part of the NY jazz scene.
So, I have been able to close the loop but there are still some gaps in its history!
If you know this guitar, or knew of it, or can add to this story I would be most grateful.
I have been a big, big fan of these gorgeous Guild archtops for many years. I recently bought an X-500 Special and I am keen to learn as much about its history as possible.
[img<096 Guild X-500S 001b 400>[/img]
This guitar has been popping-up on the internet for a while. I saw it on Craigs List a few years back. It seemed to have some history with it, then I saw it again in August and managed to buy it.
I have spoken with its third owner, Joe Giglio who still plays the Clubs and Bars of NY and who remembers the guitar. Fortunately he also remembers the first two owners as well.
Here's an extract
"The blonde, one pkup, X500 that I owned was purported to have been ordered by George Mell. He was an elctric bassist/guitarist, & guitar collector/broker. For years he was the go to guy in nyc, when it came to vntg/used archtops.
I was told that he special ordered 2 or 3, 1 pkup X500s in the early/mid '70s. If I remember correctly I acquired the guitar from a jazz guitarist that was involved in George's guitar business. George was from Staten Island, & this other guy had a teaching studio there. I believe that by the time I aquired the guitar, George Mell had passed away.
I can try to find a pic of me with my X500 & send it to you.
I am holding it in a pic on the back page of the booklet from my 'Inside Out' CD".
Joe sold the guitar to a well known Texas collector and a while later it featured on philsrareguitars.com website. Then, in August this year, I bought it from a pro jazz guitarist in California who knew Joe from way back when they were both part of the NY jazz scene.
So, I have been able to close the loop but there are still some gaps in its history!
If you know this guitar, or knew of it, or can add to this story I would be most grateful.
