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1994 Guild Artist Award
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial #: AA000010
Finish: Vintage sunburst finish, nitrocellulose type
Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25-1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16"
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 body and headstock binding, 5-ply pickguard binding, triple-bound f-holes, bone nut.
Hardware: All original gold hardware includes floating Guild humbucking pickup with volume control and endpin jack; engraved harp tailpiece; Grover Super Rotomatic tuners; quintuple-bound tortoise pickguard; compensated ebony bridge.
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 example of Guild's top of the line jazz guitar: the legendary 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 are pleased 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 bookmatched fiddleback flame maple, with a vintage sunburst finish subtly shaded over a bookmatched carved spruce top. This example is fitted with a full size floating Guild humbucking pickup, volume control and endpin jack. Action is smooth and low over a gentle D profile neck, and the voice is clear and brilliant, with excellent balance. The instrument has been lovingly maintained without playwear or checking and is fitted within its original Guild logo deluxe hardshell case.
An original Rhode Island Guild, and a perennial favorite of working players, this distinguished instrument is a top-line all-carved American jazz guitar at a price within sanity. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel 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 brown arched plush lined Guild logo hardshell case.
