Guild Artist Award 1971 Sunburst

Note:  Please make 100% certain you want this item because I will not accept a return.

Body type: Hollow; Dexterity: Right handed; String Configuration: 6 string Region of Manufacturer: USA Sound Quality: Excellent  Condition: Used/Excellent condition

Guild Artist Award

+ Original Hard Case 

Headstock serial #54440  

1971 Guild Artist Award 

A beautiful instrument well-cared for and well-loved 

Gold harp shaped tailpiece. Original Ebony pickguard with volume knob mounted.

1 11/16" width @ nut

2.12" width @ 12th fret

2 1/8" width @ Body Joint (14th fret)

25 1/2" scale length

17" x 3 5/8" Body dimensions

Original Gold DeArmond floating pickup

Refretted and Rebound

Original Ebony pickguard

This is my story:

I first came across my Guild Artist Award in early 1982.   A friend that taught guitar at Guiliano’s in White Plains, NY gave me a hot tip when Guiliano acquired it.  Guiliano Balestra was a master luthier and had trained and worked with the best craftsmen and artisans in Italy and New York.  Among his many achievements, was the “resurrection” of a DeAngelico “Tear Drop”.   For more on Guiliano and this particular restoration, see the following link:   

To make a long story short, it was love at first sight.  How would I bring this magnificent guitar into my life?  Simple! I would start saving my nickels and dimes and some $10’s and $20’s as well.  I would work overtime to generate the money necessary to purchase this must-have instrument. 

After having haunted Guiliano’s store a dozen or more times to play it and to make sure it was still there, one Friday in May of 1982, I walked into the store and plunked down in cash the agreed upon price and brought my new guitar back home.  Owning and being able to play an instrument of this caliber is a great feeling.

This “axe” has been with me during good times and a source of consolation during bad.  But over the last 15 years, it has rarely been out of my apartment, as my commitment to practicing has been replaced by the piano.  However, my appreciation of this very excellent instrument has not changed. I had it refretted and rebound, again by Guiliano, just prior to his retirement, during the winter of 2000-2001, and since then it has been played less than 20 hours.  

It seems a waste to have such a fine example of high-end craft left unplayed though well-loved.  I’ve decided to make my Guild available for purchase in hopes that it will go to a good home and a skilled player or collector who will love and appreciate it as I have.     

Contact with any questions.

Sincerely,

John