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in 1957 named: Award Model was £297 for a sunburst finish.
in 1960,61 it was called the Johnny Smith Model. The body depth was 3-1/8" price was $650 for the sunburst finish.
in 1961: Overall length is 43 1/4 in. (109.9 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
mid 1960s body shape changed.
in 1963 scale length: 24.75”, Nut Width Is The Wide 1.66” (Like Gibson 1&11/16”), Body Is 17” Wide At the Lower Bout And Measures 3.18” At The Deepest Point.
in 1966: Scale Length 24.75?. Nut Width 43 mm / 1.69?
in 1968 the depth was 3-1/8, 1.65 inches at the nut
in 1969/70/71 the body depth was 3-1/8" and the scale length was 25-1/2" and the AA was "Special order Only" (need to check this data as a 1971 AA has Scale Length 24.75? and nut Width 42,70mm / 1.68")
in 1973 the price was $950
in 1976 the price was $1500
in 1977 the price was $1650
in 1978 it came with a Guild-developed custom suspended pickup. It was 3-3/8" deep, scale length was 25-5/8" nut width is 1-5/8"
in 1979 it was $1875
in 1980 it was $1925
in 1983 it came with a "Guild custom suspended pickup with volume control. Body depth: 3-3/8, scale length: 25-1/2" and nut width: 1-5/8". price $2395
in 1986 it came with Grover Imperial Tuners, and only 12 Artist Awards were made a year. Body Depth: 3-1/2", Scale length: 25-5/8", nut width: 1-11/16". The back is hand-carved maple, selected for use in cellos. price was $2515
in 1990 the scale length was 25-5/8", it was 3-3/8" deep and the nut was 1-11/16". The back is handcarved maple, selected for use in cellos. The pickup is described as a special unique D'Armond type floating single coil pickup. (the square looking one without pole pieces). Price was $4000
in 1993 the Guild Artist Award cost $5499 (including case)
in 1996 the Guild Artist Award cost $6299 (including deluxe alligator case)
in 1997 Guild says the PU is a Floating single Coil.
in 1998/1999, Guild states in the 40 year history only 1,600 Artist Awards were made. the scale length was 25-5/8", nut width 1-11/16". The pickup is called "JS Floating PU"
in 2001 (still called the Artist Award) now redesigned by Benedetto was listed for the price of $10,000
in 2002, 03, 04 etc. (called the JS Award) the scale length was 25-9/16", nut width 1-11/16", body depth: 3". US retail: $11,000.
in 2007 no mention of the Artist Award in the Guild Catalogues
in 2013 Guild American Patriarch Artist Award was listed for sale for $9,999.00 (1000 dollars cheaper than the earlier redesigned by Benedetto )
Last edited by Navigator; 04-27-2026 at 03:45 PM.
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01-27-2026 04:02 PM
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Nice list. The body shape changed from the 50’s to the modern shape in the mid 60’s I think around 65.
I have a 61 johnny Smith Award and a 2000? Benedetto Johnny Smith Award. I did briefly have a 90’s Award too last year.
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Nice! Why did you sell the 90s one?
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A friend wanted it more than I did. There’s one for sale that I’m interested in so might grab that.
Originally Posted by Navigator
I’m also on the look out for a Gibson Johnny Smith
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[PSA] 1977 Gibson Johnny Smith Archtop Guitar - Used $7,000.00 [PSA] 1977 Gibson Johnny Smith Archtop Guitar - Used $7,000.00 Originally Posted by Archie
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Guild made some AA's in the old Ovation plant (New Hartford, CT) with a 24.75 scale in the 2000's
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Some of the listed pricing is wrong. My 1994 GAA bought new in 1994 was $3499 from a non-discounting dealer in NorCal. The guitars weren't plentiful then. I have the original receipt. I think the 1990, 1993 & 1996 prices are incorrect for the US. Prices rose faster after the Fender acquisition and Benedetto was brought in. -Phil
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Originally Posted by 213Cobra
I got all this info from official Guild Catalogues and guild price lists so either you need to check your paperwork or the shop gave you a great discount.
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Thanks Wintermoon. Originally Posted by wintermoon
I've been in negotiations with Gryphon on that. It’s got a pretty nasty neck join and is a ’Second’. I was going to buy it yesterday but on receiving more pictures of the neck area, I’ve made a lower offer. I doubt they’ll take it but I’d rather pay 1-2K more for a better example.
Here’s the pic they don't show in the add.
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That's nasty!
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I did a photo shoot with my Awards which i’ll release in full at some point.
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Yes no wonder they didn't want to show it. I thought Gryphon had a good reputation but hiding this type of damage and passing it off as a misaligned heal cap, gives me pause for thought. Originally Posted by Navigator
I get that you don't want to emphasise damage as a picture can make things look worse but I would have thought being upfront about this is kinda important.
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amazing Archie I look forward to that- I've played a lot of guitars in my time (including a dozen bursts from '58 - '60) JS, 40/50s L5s Super 400s, (owned by MK and used on the Neck and Neck album) , however the Artist Award is my all time favourite (and mines just a beat up '94 model). I would love to try an early 60s AA.
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Exactly and if you don't gel with that guitar and have to sell it then you are going to have the issues selling a guitar with that crack!
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If you’re ever in south east England, let me know, we can arrange that. To be fair the JS needs a re-fret and i’m a but reluctant to get it done until I trust the right person to do it. Originally Posted by Navigator
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Ah cool I will PM you as Im actually originally from Essex!
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Can't blame you, I knew it was a 2nd but that's one of the worst I've seen. The heel cap is covering up a lot viewed from the back. Personally I'd pass altogether, somebody will buy it at some price eventually but probably why it hasn't sold yet. Originally Posted by Archie
Thanks Wintermoon.
I've been in negotiations with Gryphon on that. It’s got a pretty nasty neck join and is a ’Second’. I was going to buy it yesterday but on receiving more pictures of the neck area, I’ve made a lower offer. I doubt they’ll take it but I’d rather pay 1-2K more for a better example.
Here’s the pic they don't show in the add.
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Frankly it does not look that nasty to me in the picture. As long as the guitar has held up and no issue it may not be that huge of a deal except you cannot get top price. It is by far the least expensive GJS I have seen by dealer in a long time. Assume TRM had this guitar and said it sounded acoustically very good that would be a positive.
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That's the thing w me, it very well may be a solid joint and a great guitar but I hate explaining issues when selling. I'm in the pay a little more for a guitar w less issues camp. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
Now if I had limited $ and bought it in person so I could inspect it w the idea I'd never ever sell it that may be different.
Gibson 2nd's make people pause even if they have undetectable flaws, but this one...
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My thoughts entirely....if it's a keeper for life then zero issues. Selling it is going to be the problem as people with this kind of money to spend on a guitar generally want pristine condition instruments. Pro Jazzers who might not necessarily be worried about cracks etc would not be able to afford even a reduced price. UKs best jazz guitar player...Jim Mullen has been using a £500 Aria for all his gigs for the last 2 decades. Originally Posted by wintermoon
Last edited by Navigator; 01-28-2026 at 02:38 PM.
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WInter you a fellow who likes a guitar played a bit too and not so taken by wear, but I do understand the difference. I cannot see it well in the picture it could look very different in person and up close. Honest I just cannot tell in the picture it is dark and at the wrong angle to pick up much. Originally Posted by wintermoon
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yes Mark, I'm more than cool w/ playing wear, that's why I mentioned an in person inspection might clear things up, like how far back the gap goes into the heel. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
I know you're a check it out and buy in person guy which is the best way, I wouldn't want to be on the hook for shipping both ways on a return.
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I know this has been covered plenty in the past, but what are everyone’s thoughts on the Artist Award? I’ve never played one, but I’ve always been curious. I’ve heard that they are great electric guitars but they don’t have much of an acoustic voice.
My ghost-label X-500 is one of my all time favorite guitars, so I know how good a Guild can be.
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Well I can only tell you about a 1994 AA which I currently own, I've spent a lot of time with it acoustically as the scratchplate gassed out and crumbled. So it's effectively just an acoustic now. I think it's my favourite acoustic jazz sound. Very direct and crisp. It's what a dumble amplifier is say to a strat or Les Paul. A highly sophisticated sound which dosnt allow for any sloppy playing so maybe that's why a lot of people don't like it because it's not at all forgiving. The chordal sounds are refined and you can hear all the strings. Maybe I got lucky with mine, who knows? Originally Posted by andrew
I play a lot of Jazz and Blues and it fits perfectly in that zone the neck is great to bend strings on and grip is perfection. It's a beautiful design.
I would say you can tell that it's origins are from those great old Epiphones and that lineage, however the shape and sound is still to this day a modern classic. This is all my opinion of course and some may not like it but it's my favourite archtop for sure!
As for it being long scale, it's great for playing chords in tight spaces. George Benson cut the Giblet Gravy album on an AA which is arguably his best tone ever. According to some, he based his ibanez signature model off the neck on his old AA. In interviews when people ask him about playing an Artist Award he always changes the subject quickly and refers to his ibanez so you'll never really know what he thought of it.
Worthy of note, Benson went on to a GJS after the AA and then an Ibanez laminate copy of a GJS so he stayed in that area for a while, in fact one might dare to say an Ibanez GB is just a baby AA?
Just my 2 cents...Last edited by Navigator; 01-28-2026 at 04:10 PM.
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I have owned 2 one from the early 70's Sunburst and a 1990 Blond. Both good guitars the Sunburst had a better acoustic sound but not by huge margin. On the whole they are as good of a guitar for jazz as you can get however, speaking purely from acoustic response and performance they have underwhelmed me. Never heard one that I though was loud but the Benedetto ones might have been I just have not played more than 1 or 2 of them.
I will take an L5c over an AA all things being even for sure but naturally you have to play the guitar to see where it sits. I will take a Heritage Golden Eagle over an AA even though they don't draw as much value. I am speaking strictly of acoustic sound when I make this comparison. Most AA I have played have good necks and play well mine both did if fact the blond one had a better neck of the 2. It does appear some are 1 5/8's neck and I would not want one of them but otherwise nice. The ones made when Bob B. was doing his oversight or design might be better over all but not necessarily. For what it is worth a Guild x500 is a nice guitar too, but it is not in any way a Gibson L5ces and does not pretend to be, but I throw that out for thought.
Here is what I see. AA out in the market lets say at $6200, or an equivalent L5 at $8500-9000. What do you want? For playing jazz they both will work fine so the choice is playability and cost. However, when you go to sell which, guitar do you want to put on the market and expect it to sell faster and do better job. Not necessarily that you made money at all, but which one might you take the bigger loss.
I don't have an answer for everyone, but I take the L5 at least in this comparison.
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