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I'm in love! Mint! The pinnacle of the luthier's art. Words can't describe its perfection. A lifetime purchase. Body size at lower bout:17" Scale length: 25-1/2" Nut width: 1 1/16" Materials: Handcarved bookmatched solid spruce top; highly figured tiger flame maple neck; handcarved bookmatched fiddleback flame maple back; flame maple sides; ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl/abalone split-block fingerboard; ornate "pitcher and star" abalone/pearl peghead inlay; 9-ply (yes, 9 ply!!) body and headstock binding, 5-ply pickguard binding, triple-bound f-holes, bone nut. Hardware: 100% original hardware, including engraved gold-plated tailpiece; compensated ebony bridge; gold Grover Imperial tuners; original quintuple-bound tortoise pickguard; floating gold humbucking pickup. Notes: On August 31st, 2001, Guild rolled the last guitar off its factory line at Westerly, Rhode Island, thus ending an era of quality fretted instruments lasting almost half a century. A favorite of players from George Barnes to Johnny Smith, Guild guitars have always represented a high standard of craftsmanship at prices the working pro could afford. Which is why we're pleased to be able to offer this outstanding examples of Guild's top of the line archtop jazz guitar: the Artist Award. Individually handmade by the most experienced builders at the shop, the Artist Award continued to sport appointments seen only on ultra-deluxe instruments of the 30's and 40's. Inspecting the fit and finish, we were surprised to note a full nine plies of binding on both the body and the peghead. The deep ebony fingerboard is trimmed with three plies of inner binding on the face, just like the old Epiphone Emperor, whose ornate split-block inlay pattern was continued in the AA as well. Even the f-holes are triple bound. Who does that anymore? The back, sides and neck are carved from extravagantly figured chevron bookmatched tiger flame maple. The overall condition of this example we would characterize "as new", without finish checking, plating tarnish, or fretwear. A genuine 10/10 investment guitar. An original Rhode Island guitar, the last list on these was around $US6500. We understand the new California Guild Artist Awards are listing somewhere in the $US9K range. If you've been waiting for a top-line all-carved American jazz guitar at a price within sanity, don't wait too long. These beauties are hard to find, and are outstanding value. These will soon without doubt be deemed vintage guitars. Setup: This classic instrument is strung with medium gauge flatwound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge. Case: Original black plush hardshell case - built like a battleship! E-mail via the link below if you would like more details. Sold to Neale
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