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1997 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 #: AA000143
Finish: Amber blonde finish, nitrocellulose type
Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25-1/2" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .80/.92, 1st/10th frets
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 hardware, including engraved gold-plated tailpiece; compensated ebony bridge; gold Grover Imperial tuners; original quintuple-bound tortoise pickguard. Floating Armstrong PAF pickup installed, original gold Guild humbucker in case.
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 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?
This guitar is surely one of the most handsome examples of this legendary model to be made in recent times. The back, sides and neck are carved from extravagantly figured chevron bookmatched tiger flame maple, and the guitar has a warmly ambered natural blonde finish subtly shaded over a bookmatched carved spruce top, liberally interlaced with extensive cross grain "silk". This example is fitted with a handwound Kent Armstrong floating PAF pickup, in addition to the original gold Guild humbucker which is included in the case. The instrument has been carefully maintained without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear or finish checking. Apart from a few superficial lacquer nicks, and some tiny hairline cracks on the neck binding, the instrument appears virtually unplayed, and is accompanied with its original Guild deluxe alligator case and factory paperwork.
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 roundqound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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 alligator arched plush lined Guild logo hardshell case.
