Vintage X-500 question

Joined
Feb 9, 2020
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Hello,
Thanks for welcoming me to your forum! I just picked up a great 1966 X-500. I have a quick question about the truss rod cover, mine has a GB on it, has anyone ever seen one of these?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
 

hansmoust

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
9,201
Reaction score
3,505
Location
Netherlands
I just picked up a great 1966 X-500. I have a quick question about the truss rod cover, mine has a GB on it, has anyone ever seen one of these?

Hello Brian H.,

Welcome! Personalized truss-rod covers were available during that particular period. I have no idea if your cover with GB on it is one of those, but here's a photo of one that has somebody's initials (KWD) on it:

KWD_trcover.jpg


Does your truss rod cover look something like that?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
 

sailingshoes72

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
1,477
Reaction score
414
Location
Virginia, USA
Welcome to LTG, Brian. A 1966 X-500... that's a wonderful acquisition. Congratulations! Hans Moust is our resident Guild expert. He wrote "The Guild Guitar Book (1952-1977)". It is a great resource if you can locate a copy. We would love to see photos of your guitar.
 
Last edited:

sailingshoes72

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
1,477
Reaction score
414
Location
Virginia, USA
Thanks, Hans! I was relying on my memory for that reference... and my memory ain't quite what it used to be! :witless:
 

The Guilds of Grot

Enlightened Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
Messages
9,547
Reaction score
4,716
Location
New Jersey Shore
Guild Total
117
Thanks, Hans! I was relying on my memory for that reference... and my memory ain't quite what it used to be! :witless:

Not totally your fault. Fender revised history when after missing the 60th anniversary they decided to claim Guild starting in 1953 instead of 1952. Their defense reasoning was it wasn't until 1953 that Guild shipped their first guitar!
 
Joined
Feb 9, 2020
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Thank you all for your replies! Hans, I did not know that you could personalize the shield back then, that explains it.
I think George Benson played some X-500’s back in the 60’s, I can only dream it was one of his!
I would like to post some photos but can figure out how, any suggestions?
Thanks again!
 

GAD

Reverential Morlock
Über-Morlock
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
22,585
Reaction score
17,803
Location
NJ (The nice part)
Guild Total
112
Thank you all for your replies! Hans, I did not know that you could personalize the shield back then, that explains it.
I think George Benson played some X-500’s back in the 60’s, I can only dream it was one of his!
I would like to post some photos but can figure out how, any suggestions?
Thanks again!

Once you get I think another post in, you'll move from moderated user to a regular user and then you can post pics.
 

shihan

Senior Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jan 18, 2013
Messages
1,540
Reaction score
796
Location
Ventura CA
Welcome! That’s a beautiful way to make an entrance. Enjoy that fine guitar in good health!
 

hansmoust

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
9,201
Reaction score
3,505
Location
Netherlands
Hello Brian,

Looks like a nice one! The initials on the truss rod cover look like they were added later. At the time they used a technique where the letters would be 'raised' above the black surrounding area, just like the 'shield' outline and the letters should be 'chrome' colored as well.
Take a close look at your truss rod cover and you will see the difference.

Since your guitar has what looks like Schaller M-6 tuning machines, I assume that the guitar originally had the DeLuxe Kolb tuners?
Is there an extra screw hole just above the tuner?

By the way, who's the player on the photos that are attached to the inside lid of the case? Just curious!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
 

Quantum Strummer

Senior Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
2,382
Reaction score
118
Location
Michigan
Oh wow, that's a very handsome X-500! A big Guild hollowbody with anti-hum pickups is something I've had the pleasure of playing but not owning. Enjoy it!

-Dave-
 
Joined
Feb 9, 2020
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Hi Hans,
Thanks for letting me know about the lettering, I appreciate it!
Yes, someone had replaced the tuners with Schallers.
Here is a pic of an old newspaper photos that was pasted to the inside of the case, pretty cool!
Cheers,
Brian
IMG_5091.jpg
 

hansmoust

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
9,201
Reaction score
3,505
Location
Netherlands
Yes, someone had replaced the tuners with Schallers.
Here is a pic of an old newspaper photos that was pasted to the inside of the case, pretty cool!

Thanks for the Joe Pass photos!

You probably missd my earier question. Since your guitar has the Schaller M-6 tuning machines, I assume that the guitar originally had the DeLuxe Kolb tuners? Is there an extra screw hole just above the tuner?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore
 

kakerlak

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
2,354
Reaction score
128
Location
Oklahoma
Thanks for the Joe Pass photos!

You probably missd my earier question. Since your guitar has the Schaller M-6 tuning machines, I assume that the guitar originally had the DeLuxe Kolb tuners? Is there an extra screw hole just above the tuner?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore

It's probably got an extra hole both above and below the Schallers, since they have the mounting tabs coming off to the side.
 
Top