1964 Guild CA-100

[stringmaster]

My '54 X550--my longest companion!

[rabbit]

stringmaster!

That amp and guitar shot is Pornographic!

Gee, thanks.

[snoskier63]

stringmaster!

That amp and guitar shot is Pornographic!

Gee, thanks.

+1

[Hep To The Jive]

Well when the flagship Artist Award is sold for $3200 and there are no takers I'd say that's a reflection the market is real soft on that brand. Heritage owners feel the pain of guild owners. Probably even more so.

I got no complaints. I got my x50 for $1300, and it's not going for sale ever. A comparable Gibson (es 150) would cost me twice as much, but I don't like Gibsons, never wanted it, and happy that Guilds are affordable. So no pain for me!

[Hep To The Jive]

Hep,

You missed out on the AP line that Guild produced in 2013 and 2014. They obtained a Johnny Smith Award, an X-500, and an Aristocrat from the 50's and made nearly exact versions of them. Less than 20 were made of each one, they are all spoken for, and I have yet to see any offered up for sale used...I don't expect to either as they are beyond nice. I have been in contact with CMG since they acquired Guild, and they assured me that the AP line will be continued. What they would not tell me is which models that will include. They are on the verge of getting their first two USA acoustics out the door, and as the new factory gets up to speed I would expect a few of their more popular acoustics to follow before any electrics are made. I'm hoping USA electrics will be available by early 2017, but I have no inside information supporting that date. I'm on the LTG site often, so when it happens the word will get around.

Thanks for this info! I did try GSR Guild x-150, and I didn't like the neck too much, it felt like Fender 90's neck that I can't play. Didn't have the specs of vintage Guild necks.

Funny, my first Guild was Korean 2013 x-175B, and it had the perfect neck, and looked just great! If Guild ever makes the same guitar in US, I'd pay good money for it!

[snoskier63]

The GSR's are a bit different than the American Patriarch (AP) line. I have the GSR Starfire VI, and aside from the name it has little in common with any other Guilds ever made. It plays and sounds great, but if you like the vintage Guild neck the AP's were pretty much an exact copy. The NS X-175 and the AP X-500 are very similar dimensionally, only the AP has better woods, better electronics and hardware, a nitro finish vs poly, and was made to order by Ren Ferguson and his team in the New Hartford, CT facility. The NS line is actually quite good for a Korean made guitar, and for under $1k. Stay tuned as Ren is in charge of developing the Guild line for CMG, and he is a vintage kind of guy from what I have seen.

[Archie]

Mmm Guild

All things being equal, I think previous Guilds were the best "off the shelf" American Archtop you could buy. You're in for a good time

[Little Jay]

Would love to own something like this:

[zizala]

Its been some time since I've posted here but am always looking in. I'll take a leap.

I spread my appreciation and playtime around with old Gibsons, Epiphones and Guilds.....there's lots to love about many models by these makers. Lots of interesting history too.

I still keep a few old Guild archtops around and have posted about them here in years past. My experience and favorites span 1953-63 but by no means do I discount those that came later.
Theres so much to like about some of these very under appreciated guitars and I've found some of the most basic models to be fine and useful musical instruments.

Addressing the OP's CA-100.....I've kept this '61 around even after a few collection purges. Some of you have seen this one before I'm sure.



Acoustically its quite responsive, and has good volume and projection with exceptional clear and fat treble and upper mid tones. The lower strings also project and balance well but are lacking in deep bass. I'd attribute that to the shallower body....about 2 7/8" compared to the 3 3/8" rims of my '49 Gibson L-4c.
Both have carved tops and pressed laminated backs which I also think has something to do with the somewhat spunky outward projection these have rather than a more balanced acoustic tone that one associates with a decent fully carved archtop. Its a nice and useful sound.....but different.

It sports my homemade McCarty style pickguard/pickup unit which makes it quite capable as an amplified jazz guitar.
I've played and enjoyed a '60 CE-100 but decided that this CA-100 with the floating pickup was more versatile for me.

A comment about necks and nut widths. Guild necks can be slim and/or narrow, but are not always.

Generally speaking from my experience, the earliest New York period Guilds, circa 1953-55 will have bigger more Epiphone like 25.5" scale necks. Post '55....the earlier Hoboken years, 24 3/4" scales and the narrower 1 5/8" nuts almost became the norm. Even with these, I've always found the necks to have a comfortable full round profile.
Circa 1960-63 I've played enough Guilds with 1 11/16" nuts to believe that it was a "trend" of sorts to make them a tad wider. After that I know very little as I've never owned a Guild newer than 1962!

Thats all I've got right now...time for more coffee....

z

[HeyNow]

'78 X-175 incoming also now

Collect them all!

[Archie]

'78 X-175 incoming also now

Collect them all!

Yep I've got a GSF4 incoming on monday (a 96 Westerly). I also have a 63 X500

I've had and have a

X700 (97)
X500 (63)
X175 (81)
SF2 (96)
SF4 (96)


All of them have been stellar guitars that I genuinely enjoyed, not only for their playability and QC but for the value you get in the second hand market compared to others.

[petermelton]

My '61 T-100 BDP with my Heritage Golden Eagle and CB Hill Clipper 7 string.
Mine has a 1 11/16th" nut and a relatively skinny carve. I looked for months before I found a blonde one with the wider nut and harp tailpiece. CB Hill did an amazing neck reset and refret on it. I highly recommend him for any repair or restoration work you might need.