My new to me Hank Williams Jr. G45-BL need help with info on it

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arcadewacko74

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Hi all. Ok well I’ve owned more than enough guitars in my life but this one is special. It’s 1 of 67 made. From what I read and I’m only going off the internet as I can find any for sale or sold or any real actual numbers made or legit info on it so here I am. But if I’m correct Hank got the first 3 personally they made only 67 total and I own serial number 67 so assume it’s the last one made. I’d like to know more about it am I correct on the amount made, and did Hank take the first 3? What did this guitar cost new and what’s a realistic value of it now? Is it so rare it shouldn’t be played to preserve it. It’s only got one light ding on the front and a miner mark on the binding on the back lower body. Here’s some pics of her so you can see but I have roughly 20 or more I took from every angle. I’d love to hear what you have to say and think. She plays like a dream!!! Hope you all enjoy seeing it. It’s way more stunning in person. Rob
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Welcome to a great forum with lots of knowledge and nice members. Guild maples are highly thought of on this forum.
The G45 is a wonderful guitar and many with more knowledge than I will be along to answer your questions.
The Hank Williams, Jr. model has been discussed here on LTG and you might enjoy reading what others have, previously, said.
Come around often.
 
Welcome to LTG!

From Beesley's Guitar History vol 5: Guild Guitars, the G-45 "Hank Williams Jr" model, which was based on the G-37/D-30 arched back maple models, was first introduced in 1982. The first "run" lasted until ~1987, and from the SN lists, it appears 89 were produced (Guild SN lists are known to have errors and be incomplete, so I would take that as an approximate number). According to Beesley, the 80's version was available with or without the Hank Williams Jr signature on the pick guard, and it listed for $1250 in 1985.

A second run occurred in the mid-90s (1994-?), and from the SN lists, it appears there were 67 made during that production run. The only difference I can see in the two runs was the shape of the head stock... the earlier models had the older "center-raised" or "domed" headstock, while the 1990s version had the "snakehead" headstock introduced into the Guild lineup during the Gruhn years.

Similar spruce-topped, arched maple backed Guild dreadnaughts included the D-65 from the mid-80s and the D-65S from 1994.

I am sure that others (particularly Hans Moust, our resident expert) could tell you more. Suffice it to say, you have a really nice Guild dread... from my own perspective, I'd play it... Guilds were "Made to be Played!"

Enjoy!
 
arcadewacko74 said:
Is it so rare it shouldn’t be played to preserve it.
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This is when "collecting" and "investments" stop making any sense at all.

And to be clear, even if it's amazingly rare, it's worth 1 10th of a comparable Gibson.

This must be why Guilds were "made to be played" because you're never going to get anywhere financially collecting them. I have several Guilds for sale locally on FB Mktplace, and a '65 S-50 on Reverb, and it's quiet as a church mouse, nothing, nada, zip, not even folks trying to trade you their broken down old boats, offering you their list of ten First Act and Starcaster guitars that need work, nothing. Even on this site they're a hard sell.

To be fair, it's the same with all the extra Danelectro/Silvertones I accumulated.

Never EVER buy a guy you don't like/love with the intent to resell, because you may own it for a long time, maybe forever.
 
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I'm surprised that no one has picked up that your G45 was the last of the run FG000067! I have owned a G45 (FG000043) for over a decade. I put in a K&K. Great looking guitar. I love the pickguard.
 
Aristera said:
I'm surprised that no one has picked up that your G45 was the last of the run FG000067! I have owned a G45 (FG000043) for over a decade. I put in a K&K. Great looking guitar. I love the pickguard.
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My point. If this is something super special being the last and only last one of its better to only it I won’t. Mine is in hard protective Martin case from same time era. I’m not sure if they even offered a HANK case to go with it. Anyone know what a real value is?? I’ve it’s a crazy $$ I need to add it to my insurance cause god forbid it lie damaged or lost I can never replace it as of 2022 I saw on the market the last one offered up for sale. But any info on if I need to start a hunt for a HANK case to complete it. Thanks everyone for the help and kind words
 
Mine has the original case and I will post a pic. Nothing special except the word Guild stenciled on the top.
 
arcadewacko74 said:
My point. If this is something super special being the last and only last one of its better to only it I won’t. Mine is in hard protective Martin case from same time era. I’m not sure if they even offered a HANK case to go with it. Anyone know what a real value is?? I’ve it’s a crazy $$ I need to add it to my insurance cause god forbid it lie damaged or lost I can never replace it as of 2022 I saw on the market the last one offered up for sale. But any info on if I need to start a hunt for a HANK case to complete it. Thanks everyone for the help and kind words
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Google may bring up more but Reverb history shows three sales ranging from $1050-2500.

 
HeyMikey said:
Google may bring up more but Reverb history shows three sales ranging from $1050-2500.

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I saw that but that was almost what 4-5 years ago…so not one has been offered for sale in all that time?? Or auctioned off? I mean sure 67 with 3 going to Hank so who knows who has them…doesn’t mean rare = $$ I know that but I’d have to thing they have gone up. I mean everything has. Even eggs lol… Are they that coveted? Or is it cause they only mage 67 and hand took 3?? So yes low number but nobody cares as they have Gibson Hank models too? I think it’s super cool to have number 67 the very last one and yes if you read this I’d love to see what the og case looks like. I’d like to find an original case for the guitar unless it’s $1k’s but again only 67 so maybe it’s. I’m hope all you Guild collectors can tell me all you guys know. Thanks everyone you all rock!!!
 
Aristera said:
I'm surprised that no one has picked up that your G45 was the last of the run FG000067! I have owned a G45 (FG000043) for over a decade. I put in a K&K. Great looking guitar. I love the pickguard.
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Thank bro heavy guitar but sweet still. Post picks of your “43” and case when you can. You remember what you paid? What was the original price and did it come with the case or was that extra back then? Thanks
 
I saw one at a store maybe ten years ago, I think they were asking $1500. I even took a picture to send to my dad.

It sounded pretty close to my F-50 with some minor differences in dynamics and tone, but overall pretty close. So needless to say, I liked it a lot.

But it's probably never going to become anywhere near the guitar you can sell in 30 years and retire on. Likely a much better player.
 
Assuming the braces are scalloped, what makes these different from just a standard D30 besides the pickguard and aesthetic appointments?
 
davenumber2 said:
There was one at GC a couple months ago for $2500 if I remember correctly. I doubt they’ll ever bring big big money.
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So roughly worth $2500?? Then it’s no trailer queen it needs to be played then. Being a low run and last number I had zero clue to value and like I said if it was a stupid $$ I’d rather not risk damaging it but if it’s around $2500 then it doesn’t matter I play more $$ guitars with no worries. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and input.
 
It's a wonderful model. Love mine. Personally, I don't buy with the expectation of flipping it for a big profit. Doesn't interest me all that much. I typically lose money on every guitar I sell and I'm fine with that. I had a chance to play it, enjoy it etc. and that's worth something, at least to me it is.
 
richardp69 said:
It's a wonderful model. Love mine. Personally, I don't buy with the expectation of flipping it for a big profit. Doesn't interest me all that much. I typically lose money on every guitar I sell and I'm fine with that. I had a chance to play it, enjoy it etc. and that's worth something, at least to me it is.
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Well my main point is one I’m not really much of a hand William jr fan so his name being on it means zero. I’d rather have a Guild that was same quality and put this in a hank fans hands. Not for profit but for the fact it’s a Hank model. Example I’m a huge slash fan so if some had a slash les Paul and they don’t care it is slash signature edition it would mean more to me to have them them…same here. I know we’re talking apples and oranges with a Les Paul and a guild acoustic but I think you get my point. That’s why was asking about its rareness and should I leave it and not play it and its value. Not to profit but possibly down the road after I enjoy it and it’s an amazing sounding beyond the best I’ve ever played acoustic but yes it’s a heavy sucker lol, but I’ve had so many and yes had to or choose to sell some I to this day regret but I honestly don’t know the value or is it really that rare even. Normally I can somewhat figure out ok if I need to sell it to help my son (I had to sell my 87 Les Paul traditional to help him buy his 84 trans am…and yes that’s one of the big ones I regret but it was for my boy so I did what I had too do) but not finding one that sold or any listed other than backing o think it was 2022 or what ever year and it was $2500 it sold for so has it stayed the same or gone up or down. I don’t see them going down so I’m sure $2500 is a good guess but you never know what life is going to bring so yes I look at everything as a investment while I own them I enjoy them look at the them all that but we can’t take anything with us so that was mainly my question. Hope I made since I’ve been working 6-11 hour days with little sleep.
 
richardp69 said:
It's a wonderful model. Love mine. Personally, I don't buy with the expectation of flipping it for a big profit. Doesn't interest me all that much. I typically lose money on every guitar I sell and I'm fine with that. I had a chance to play it, enjoy it etc. and that's worth something, at least to me it is.
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It's a plus when a dozen people tell me how awesome my guitar sounds when I play out, I know it's not just me :)
 
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