1954 Guild X-550 Resto

[fdesalvo]

Hi, all.  I can't recall if I ever posted this here, so pardon me if I have.

I just wanted to share a few pics of this light resto.  This is a special little thing, isn't it?  Owner brought her in with the original case (found a french fry from 1959 under the crushed velour backing) and asked for a little clean up, so I did a little work on the body binding and neck inlays before giving it a nice once or twice over.  Had a blast and was finally able to use my clamps.

When you are dealing with vintage instruments, discretion is the order of the day.  Every item you fix may yield 3 more to repair.  You have to really ensure that your techniques won't create collateral damage.  If you apply too much heat to stretch the binding, you are going to upset the finish.  The wrong chemicals can ruin the patina, exposing the repair.  I decided to go easy and just take a few decades off of this one.

Here are a few pics of this interesting guitar.  Next week, I'll have a 60s SG Special in near mint condition and a couple of original blackfaces to service.  I'll try to get some shots of the action up.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

What a treasure!
Oh the stories I bet that guitar could tell!

 

[Tonar8352]

Now that there is a guitar!!!!!!!!! I bet it smells so cool.

 

[fdesalvo]

That sucker's a baby maker, TFS!

 

[fdesalvo]

Now that there is a guitar!!!!!!!!! I bet it smells so cool.

The case smells amazing!

 

[mayfly]

That's a crazy ass guitar!  How does it sound?

 

[fdesalvo]

It's sounds nice unplugged and great plugged in. Honestly, there's no way I'd gig this thing. It's an antique and not up to the rigors of live shows. In fact, I don't even think it's up to being played at home. It's very fragile. she's seen some hard times.

Edit: oh the radius is insanely small on the fretboard. It feels like a baseball bat!  It's like the neck is on backwords!  Like a reverse 59 roundback.

 

[swarfrat]

Sweet! I love Guilds. But...it smelled sweet and there was a 50 year old french fry in the case?

 

[fdesalvo]

:toothy12: man I was just messin about that French fry. Haha, just testing who was reading.

 

[DangerousR6]

Very cool, looks like that ol' girl is in need of some TLC. I love old guitars, as someone mentioned the stories they have...

I have a couple of my own to work on. A 1954 National and a 1957 Silvertone Espanada...

 

[fdesalvo]

Love it man. That toggle is in the best spot too!