Posted 14 years ago
mbrindell
(1 item)
Hello Everyone, first post in this forum. I have always loved Guild guitars. But when I came across this Guild X 440 I had to have it. Any info you folks have would be very helpful. I have had starfires, X50, T100. This 440 is a 1953 with serial # 1008. From what I have read, Guild started their serial numbers at 1000, so I am assuming this is the ninth guitar Guild made. It is in excelent condition as you can see in the photos. The pots and input jack are the only things replaced on it. I have seen x400s posted but I have yet to find anyone else with an X440. I really wanted a 50s X500, like Dave Gonzalez of the Paladins, but from my reaserch it seems that the 400 series is pretty much the same as the 500 series except the hardware is chrome instead of gold. Is this true?
I would like to install a guild logo bigsby on it because I would like to have it for my playing preferences, but I am torn. A bigsby would not hurt the guitar since it installs with 3 screws on the bottom just like the tailpiece that is on it now. Of course I would never sell the tailpiece. If I ever decide to sell it, which may be when I am dead, I would put the original tail back on. Does anyone know the original selling price? Or how many of these were even made? I have also read that the 400 series were put together with parts from the x350s and other, but it was in guild's original catalog so I disagree with that notion. At least for the first year anyway. Any one have a Guild with a lower serial number than 1008? I play blues mainly which is why I am thinking about the bigsby. The Franz pickups on this guitar will go from a mellow bassy jazz tome to an all out screan on the bridge pickup. It seems very versatile to me. Well anything you folks can tell me about this guitar would certainly be appreciated. Thanks for letting me ramble on about my new addition.
Cool guitar! I found this while trying to find out how rare my 1964 Starfire III in factory WHITE is! I also have a 1963 Guild, s/n 1024 (I also assume it is either the 24th or 25th Guild ever made). It is a X300 though, basically identical to your guitar but sunburst with one black covered Franz pickup. Mine has some binding shrinkage issues, and the hardware is nickel plated not chrome. Same type of tailpiece (they were made by Kluson, and also used on some Gibson ES 300s from the late 40s early 50s and are very rare and worth a lot of money). My 53 also has the same "G" headstock inlay, same Kluson Deluxe "no line" tuners, same knobs, and block inlays. Same shaped thick multi ply guard also, though only cut for a neck possition pickup. Very cool guitar! I think you will be pretty hard pressed to find an earlier Guild, and yours could very well be the first X440 ever made!
hey guys i have a guild x440 with the serial number being 1004! unfortunately it is only the body neck tuners and some original wiring. it does not have the cutaway in the body and i was just wondering if this thing is valuable or not.....id like to sell it but do not know what to ask for it. If anyone has any information please let me know thanks
i have a 1953 guild x220 , it doesnt have cutaway , serial no. 1012