Just acquired a Guild guitar--not sure what to do with it.

[vintageMagnet]

Hello There,

I'm new to this forum, and I joined because I just acquired an old Guild guitar and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it. I am not a guitarist, but a drummer who repairs/restores drums, and a customer gave this to me along with some other vintage items.

So far, my research has led me to understand that it's a 1958 M-65 Freshman 3/4 scale with the older trapeze tailpiece, the soap bar Franz pickup, and stove-type knobs. The headstock is cracked at the base (as if the guitar fell over backwards, or someone pushed down on the neck while the guitar was lying down), but not badly enough to be loose. So far (one day), it's held the tuning on the 3 remaining strings. I've hesitated to put new strings on it...

Other than that, the issues seem to be cosmetic or minor (the bridge is moving around), though I haven't plugged it in yet.

A 50-year-old Guild is, I'm guessing, like a 50-year-old Gretsch drumset. But I don't know whether that kind of crack makes this near useless. Is this guitar worth repairing? Selling? Hanging on my wall? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome.

The traditional response to questions such as yours would be "post pictures, please". I'll defer to the guitarists/collectors concerning your specific questions although there is a strong element of "Guild: Made to be Played" among the knowledgable posters.

 

[vintageMagnet]

Thanks. I'll get some pictures together.

I've had a few guitarists tell me that once there's damage to the neck or headstock that compromises tension on the strings, it's never quite the same.

But I share the view you describe: if this guitar can be fixed, I'd like to put it in the hands of someone who would appreciate it properly and play it.

--Scott

 

[Walter Broes]

If it looks like it càn be repaired, it's worth repairing I think. Sounds like you got a nice little gift there.

 

[dklsplace]

If it looks like it càn be repaired, it's worth repairing I think. Sounds like you got a nice little gift there.

Absolutely! Though it will forever be a player's guitar rather than part of a collector's stash. Value is always in the eyes of the beholder with repairs like this. In the past several months I've watched M-65's on ebay go anywhere between $600-$1000, with a rare few exceptions.

 

[vintageMagnet]

Wow! That's helpful information.

I just took some shots. I'll get them up in a bit.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[chazmo]

Scott,

Welcome aboard!

I have to admit, my first reaction was to laugh! Without even reading the post, the obvious answer is "play it!"

Seriously, good luck. A '50s Guild is a collector's item and you'll get a lot of great feedback here (though not from me since I wasn't around that far back).

 

[tmoll]

I have to admit, my first reaction was to have you just send it to me and let me take the problem off your hands!!
If that's not possible, by all means, fix it!
Tom Moll

 

[john_kidder]

Sounds like a score, all right. But I would suggest you get thee to a luther ASAP to get the headstock fixed before you bring it to full tension for any length of time. If it does fail under tension, it will break, and that's a much more difficult issue than sealing/strengthening a crack.

 

[vintageMagnet]

Thanks for the feedback. The enthusiasm I hear is similar to the enthusiasm I feel for vintage drums: they're made to be played, and don't let them go once you've got them!

I'm still working on getting the shots up (camera batteries dead and recharging), but I should have them later.

I understand about the string tension--that was my thought. I don't want to snap the neck completely.

Anyone happen to know any reputable luthiers on the North Shore of Boston? I'll bet there are several. I could ask at my local Guitar Center, but that's a last resort.

Thanks again,
Scott

 

[chazmo]

Thanks for the feedback. The enthusiasm I hear is similar to the enthusiasm I feel for vintage drums: they're made to be played, and don't let them go once you've got them!

I'm still working on getting the shots up (camera batteries dead and recharging), but I should have them later.

I understand about the string tension--that was my thought. I don't want to snap the neck completely.

Anyone happen to know any reputable luthiers on the North Shore of Boston? I'll bet there are several. I could ask at my local Guitar Center, but that's a last resort.

Thanks again,
Scott

Bill Tippin is a top-end guitar maker up your way. You should consult him in Marblehead (I think). He may not be able to do the work (he has a rather good business building guitars), but he might know a luthier near you.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Scott and welcome; I agree with the others - if it's in otherwise good condition, it's worth the cost of a professional repair. Good luck! CJ

 

[danerectal]

From the folks I've spoken to about neck and especially headstock repairs I hear that a neck repair can even be stronger than the original binding the wood provides. It could be blarney, but I've played Dreamlanders Starfire IV post-repair and can't find a reason to put it down.

 

[vintageMagnet]

Hello,

I posted some images on a photo album site. Here's the link:

http://s536.photobucket.com/albums/ff32 ... =slideshow

The scuffs you'll see are cosmetic, with exception of the cracks in the base of the headstock. There are two spots where the ivory trim is compromised.

It's hard to see in the photo, but the label has nothing written in for the model or serial, unless it's completely faded. This is from the Hoboken period, serial 6348.

Dane, that's good to know about neck strength. Thanks, Chazmo, for the Bill Tippin recommendation. I'm going to call him re: repair or recommendation of someone in the area who can do this. Thanks for all the comments! I'd love to hear your thoughts after seeing the photos.

--Scott

 

[billydlight]

That's a T100 my friend. Looks fixable. Also the neck is not short scale. A VERY cool axe non the less.
Have at it!

 

[vintageMagnet]

That's a T100 my friend. Looks fixable. Also the neck is not short scale. A VERY cool axe non the less.
Have at it!

Oops. Did I mention I'm not a guitarist? Thanks for clearing that up. I guess I could've just counted the frets...

What's the story with the T100? Was this a lower end model? I'm basing that guess on something I read in "The Guild Guitar Book."

Thanks,
Scott

 

[BluesDan]

Certainly looks like a T100.
Fix it! Play it! Or find it a good home!
Definitely NOT a wall hanger!!!
:wink:

 

[Default]

.

What's the story with the T100? Was this a lower end model? I'm basing that guess on something I read in "The Guild Guitar Book."

Yes it was one of the cheaper ways to get out of the door with a Guild. I'm horribly jealous! :lol:

 

[vintageMagnet]

I have to say that you guys (and girls?) are the friendliest bunch of people, with so much love for guitars! It's fantastic. Thanks for all your comments and advice.

I'm currently talking with Bill Tippin about repair. Apparently he usually focuses on acoustic guitars, but for the neck I'm hoping it's irrelevant.

We'll see what we're looking at...I'm guessing a couple hundred bucks is appropriate for this kind of thing? I have no sense of it yet.

 

[chazmo]

I have to say that you guys (and girls?) are the friendliest bunch of people, with so much love for guitars! It's fantastic. Thanks for all your comments and advice.

I'm currently talking with Bill Tippin about repair. Apparently he usually focuses on acoustic guitars, but for the neck I'm hoping it's irrelevant.

We'll see what we're looking at...I'm guessing a couple hundred bucks is appropriate for this kind of thing? I have no sense of it yet.

Scott, neck work can be costly. You'll just have to get an estimate from Bill. Let us know what he quotes you. By the way, he's one of the most highly-regarded custom builders out there; your guitar could not be in better hands. Don't try any of his acoustics -- you'll want one!