Mesa, AZ, United States
About this listing
FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO JOE’S VINTAGE GUITARS in Mesa, AZ with any questions, or to chat about the instrument.This is a 1975 Guild Artist Award in sunburst, and it’s about as clean as you’ll find one from this period. It hasn’t seen much playing time. The finish is in excellent shape, and the frets show very little wear.The Artist Award sat at the very top of Guild’s archtop line. It started life in 1956 as the Johnny Smith model, and when the name changed to Artist Award, Guild kept the same idea: a full 17 inch carved archtop built for jazz players who wanted the best guitar the company could make. By 1975 Guild was building in Westerly, Rhode Island, and the archtops coming out of that shop were still made in small numbers by hand. These mid seventies Artist Awards were built with real care, and players and collectors seek them out today because the quality held up while so much else in the industry was cutting corners.The back and sides are tightly flamed maple, and the figure on this one is lovely. It moves across the wood when you tilt the guitar under a light. The sunburst has aged into a warm, even shade that frames the carved top nicely.Tone And PlayabilityIt sounds fantastic. Played acoustically, the carved top is loud and woody with a quick, clear attack, and every note in a chord comes through on its own. Plug it in and you get that round, warm jazz voice: full lows, smooth highs, and a sweet midrange that sits right where a jazz guitar should. Single note lines have a singing quality, and comping chords sound rich without getting muddy. It’s the kind of tone you hear on classic jazz records.It plays great too. The action is set low and the neck feels comfortable all the way up. The neck is straight, and the truss rod works, so it can be adjusted however you like.Included With The GuitarOriginal caseKey to the caseOriginal Guild polishing clothHaving the case key and the polishing cloth still with the guitar tells you how carefully it’s been kept over the years.At Joe’s Vintage Guitars, your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind every instrument we sell, and we want you to feel completely confident in your purchase. That’s why we offer a 7-day return policy with no restocking fee. Take a full week to inspect, play, and fall in love with your new guitar. If for any reason it isn’t the right fit, simply return it in the same condition for a full refund—no hidden fees, no hassle. We know that buying a vintage instrument is a big decision, and we’re committed to making the process as comfortable and transparent as possible. Shop with peace of mind knowing that every guitar from Joe’s Vintage Guitars is backed by honest service and years of expertise.
Price$6,650
+ $155 Shipping
