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1976 Guild Stuart X-500, Blonde
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Serial #: 137068, Westerly, RI label
Body size at lower bout:17" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 10/16"
Materials: Solid 5 piece maple neck; arched multi-laminate Sitka spruce top; arched multi-laminate tiger flame maple back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl/abalone V-block inlay; G-logo peghead inlay; 8-ply body binding, 5 ply fingerboard binding, triple bound headstock and f-holes, bone nut.
Hardware: 100% original hardware, including hand-engraved gold tailpiece; compensated ebony bridge; gold Guild Schaller tuners; beveled art deco stairstep pickguard.
Notes: Introduced in 1953, the Guild Stuart X-500 remained the top of the Guild electric line for over four decades, and incorporates design features from a number of its ultra-premium competitors. Like the Gibson ES-350 and Tal Farlow models, the Stuart X-500 features a 17" Venetian cutaway body, mounted pickups and controls, deluxe multiply binding and gold hardware throughout. From Epiphone's Emperor, the X-500 adapted the abalone/pearl V-block fingerboard inlay. And another New Yorker, named D'Angelico, supplied inspiration for the art-deco pickguard.
In 1963, the X-500 model was equipped with humbucking pickups, and a master volume control appeared by 1971. This example is a product of the Rhode Island factory, where Guild enjoyed its greatest years, from 1966 until its closing in 2001. A classic working jazz box, the X-500 has a sleek neck profile and a full-depth body that is warmly resonant yet notably feedback resistant.
This fine example of the rare blonde 500 shows handsome fiddleback flame figure in the back and sides, and a solid ebony fingerboard with abalone and pearl split-block inlays. Well played and well loved, this great old player sports a deeply aged amber blonde finish, without pick or buckle wear, but showing fairly extensive checking, especially around the lower bass bout where the owner's arm rested in play. The instrument is without cracks or repairs; the top centerseam is tight and solid, and a lacquer line may be seen to run along it. The neck profile is sleek and fast, ideal for the player looking for warm classic archtop tone, but unwilling to wrestle a big traditional neck. Truly a best buy in a pro-quality full sized electric archtop, the X-500 is an exceptional find for the serious collector and working player alike.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.012-.054). 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 Guild black plush hardshell case.
