Is this M-80 original?

[Midnight Toker]

I have no idea about these guitars and their history. From a pic search on Guild M-80's, I've only ever seen four pots...or w/ a single mini toggle and a 5th pot (master vol?)

Just wondering...as I might have this fall in my lap for relatively cheap. (and if cheap enough, I won't really care if it's modded. Just would like to know, so I can maybe use it as a bit of leverage. )

my guess is aftermarket pups and independent split coil mini toggles.

 

[BradHK]

I have no idea about the two toggle switches. Mine only has one. I think the fifth knob is for the master volume. If you look at the distance between the “nail” markers in the body and the edge of the knobs, that one is closer to the knob than the other four. The original master volume knob is smaller so these markers were closer to the pot.

nice looking M-80 and good luck!

 

[Midnight Toker]

I have no idea about the two toggle switches. Mine only has one. I think the fifth knob is for the master volume. If you look at the distance between the “nail” markers in the body and the edge of the knobs, that one is closer to the knob than the other four. The original master volume knob is smaller so these markers were closer to the pot.

nice looking M-80 and good luck!

correct, but if my memory serves me correct, (at least according to a M-75 I worked on for a friend) the top master volume knob was typically a smaller 1/2-3/4 size knob, which would correlate w/ the nail spacing. I'd wager the knobs aren't original either.

edit: like this...

 

[BradHK]

correct, but if my memory serves me correct, (at least according to a M-75 I worked on for a friend) the top master volume knob was typically a 3/4 size knob, which would correlate w/ the nail spacing. I'd wager the knobs aren't original either.

Agreed, I do not think those knobs are original. Sorry if my previous post was not clear. Here is a photo of my M-80 for comparison:

 

[Midnight Toker]

sorry, I must have misread. You were perfectly clear.

 

[Rocky]

My first guess is that the original pickups were replaced by DiMarzio DualSound humbuckers - four wire Super Distortions. The two added switches are probably series/parallel switches for the coils in each individual pickup. Series being louder, traditional humbucker sound, and parallel being slightly quieter, slightly brighter, but still hum cancelling.

Not my first choice, but lots of great records/concerts were done with that sound.

 

[Mapleman54]

I think this is original except new knobs on bridge pickup have different lettering. Interesting to see the tailpiece closer to the bridge on mine - Hans mentions this change on page 159. (excited to get this back later today following some electrical tidying-up, and a few fret repairs)

 

[jp]

I would say that the knobs and the extra mini switch aren't original, but some M-80CSs came stock with Dimarzios. Those pickups could be original.

 

[mushroom]

Give the three adjustment screws in the top of the pickup surrounds, I would guess that the pickups aren’t original.

I would think the knobs aren’t original either as well as the extra switch.

The tail piece being a little further from the bridge suggests this is an earlier example.

Also hard to tell from the photo but appears the switch tip is missing?? Maybe that’s just my eyes though.

Still in all, if the price is right, grab it.

 

[GAD]

Those are Gibson knobs. Rings have been drilled so likely not original pickups.

Coil split and phase were an option if I recall (but I might be thinking of XR7s) so the switches could be original but given the other changes I’d assume not.