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Seems I keep seeing references to the mid-90's Guild AA's having a skinny neck. Is that the case? It's been decades since I've played one but I recall it being a very good sounding guitar.
For reference: I really like at least a .85". Skinny "60's profile" nuts can be played certainly.. but life is short.
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12-20-2025 05:59 PM
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I had a 76…not same era admittedly…that was prob skinnier than .80”. It was still fun to play despite not preferring skinny necks. I’ve played two 90s and a Benedetto…the Benedetto neck was super nice and a proper medium thickness. The two 90s ones I remember being slimmer than i prefer, but again still fun guitars.
an aside…I never minded the stock 90s era pickups. People seem to hate em.
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I have a '94 and a G-B from 1999. I'll return later with some dimensions. -Phil
Originally Posted by Spook410
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All of the Artist Awards from recent year productions I’ve tried have been quite small amd shallow in depth.
I definitely prefer chunkier 1950’s Gibson neck shapes!
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My 71 AA had a very slim C shaped neck with a 1 5/8 nut. Scale length was 25.5.
My two Westerly built GB AA's has a medium chunky D shaped neck with a nut that was slightly over 1 11/16ths. Scale length was 25 5/8.
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86 Artist Award here. 1 11/16 nut, 25 5/8 scale, slim D shaped neck, RC1000 factory pickup.
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I had an early sunburst 1970's that had standard neck and played to me just like a Gibson neck pretty much. I had a one that I think was about 1988 and it seemed to have just bit bigger profile in the neck but same basic width. They both played and sound good very nice guitars. However, in general I find Guild AA to be underwhelming in most respects. I never played one that had a real rhythm driving sound and yet they were not a Johnny Smith Gibson and certainly not an L5.
I think it is like brewing beer depends on the waters around the brewery for the taste. Move away and the same ingredients don't quite add up.
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Appreciate the comments. Was thinking about buying one but seems I might think it's great.. or not. Since there's only so much room for another guitar around here think I'll shift my attention to more sure things. (when what I should really do is start selling off ones I already have.. sigh)
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1994 Guild Artist Award (Westerly) Originally Posted by Spook410
Nut width: 44.31mm / 1.7445"
Depth @ 1st fret: 0.834"
Depth @ 9th fret: 0.8577"
1999 Guild-Benedetto Artist Award (Corona)
Nut width: 43.92mm / 1.729"
Depth @ 1st fret: 0.8964"
Depth @ 9th fret: 0.926875"
Yes, the G-B has a slightly narrower nut, but slightly more depth than the '94.
I have various Gibson guitars that have fuller-hand necks, and some thinner. I don't have a problem with Guild's longer scale.
There's a strong Gibson bias on this board and anything that doesn't sound or feel exactly like a Gibson gets relegated to 2nd tier in archtops. I can't comment on what guitars a given poster here bonded with or didn't, but the Artist Awards from all eras were impeccably crafted, gorgeous, sonorous guitars. I have several Gibsons, three Guild AAs and have owned more Guilds in the past, and have a vintage Epiphone Emperor in the house. Within Gibson, an L-5, Super 400, LeGrand, L4 and others all have distinct sounds and feel. The differences between Gibson, Guild and Epiphone are further distinct from each other. I have an L-5 Acoustic and the Guild AA is soundwise much closer to it, than to my Super 400s. The LeGrand is closer in sonic kinship to a Guild-Benedetto Johnny Smith Award than it is to any other Gibson I have or have played. So, all of these choices are personal and subjective and hard to argue with. If you started out being open to something not branded "Gibson," don't let the Gibson fan club here fill you with fear that you won't be happy with a Guild, particularly given that a Guild AA is financially more accessible than a Gibson equivalent.
Phil
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Dangit Phil.. had it all figured out then you blow my neatly crafted rationale out of the water.
Thanks for taking the time. Seems like a Guild AA is back on the list.
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FWIW Spook, selling my Blonde 71 AA to a fellow forum member (That was a smart buy Matt!) is one of those things in life that I would reconsider if I could. Originally Posted by Spook410
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Here are the neck measurements for my 1996 Artist Award and 2005 Guild-Benedetto JSA.
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I have had a chance to play several of the Artist Awards through the years. And I did like the Benedetto Version from Corona the best,at least for me.
It seemed to have a more robust build and a fuller neck shape,from recollections.
Again this is just personal preferences,and many here will feel different. So it’s best to try before you buy!
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Originally Posted by jads57
Yea.. wish I could. But living in southern Oregon kind of constrains options on that front. Still.. it's really nice to be part of a forum with so much expertise and willingness to help out.
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OK.. Guild Artist Award incoming. 1997 model. Fingers crossed on neck (at the last second I forgot to ask seller to measure for me). Missing pickup. Non-original pickguard. Supposed to be flawless otherwise. Very credible seller. Good price. Will do a NGD when it arrives sometime after Christmas.
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The AA is the only guitar I wish I never sold.
The neck is perfect. Not too fat, and definitely not thin.
I also owned a GBAA. Even it had the perfect neck shape.
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Fantastic!! Originally Posted by Spook410
If it's missing the pickup, you may want to source the older pickguard and use one of the Rhythm Chief models.
The AA is every bit as good as Gibson. They are in the same league. The Gibson bias around here is strong. It's understand as people want to protect their investments. Human nature I guess.
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