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1980 Guild Stuart X-500
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Serial #: JB100077, 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 Sitka spruce top; arched 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 laminate 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 highly figured body that is warmly resonant yet notably feedback resistant.
This fine example of the rare blonde Stuart X-500 shows handsome fiddleback flame figure in the back and sides, and a solid ebony fingerboard with abalone and pearl split-block inlays. Maintained in exceptionally fine condition, this gleaming guitar sports a warmly ambered blonde finish, without pick, buckle, fret or fingerboard wear, and is notably free of the finish checking common in instruments of this vintage. The instrument is without cracks or repairs, and apart from a small patch of thumbwear on the back of the neck, appears much as it did when it left the Rhode Island factory some three and a half decades ago.
The gentle D neck profile is sleek and fast, with smooth low action over a solid ebony fingerboard, ideal for the player looking for warm classic tone, but reluctant to wrestle a clubby traditional neck. Complete with original sales receipt and all factory paperwork, this guitar is truly a best buy in a pro-quality full sized electric archtop: an exceptional find for the serious collector and working player alike. One only: call now.
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 deluxe arched Guild black plush hardshell case.
