Guild guitars from the 1950s and '60s remain, in our view, among the most underrated vintage instruments on the market, particularly the early Manhattan and post-1956 Hoboken, New Jersey built models, which offer exceptional craftsmanship at a comparatively accessible price point in the vintage market. This 1954 Guild X-150 'Savoy' stands as a prime example of a ‘50s New York made Guild archtop from the first production year of the model, boasting the kind of tone and build quality that easily holds its own against the top hollow body guitars of the era.
Featuring a 17" wide Maple body with a Spruce top, rounded cutaway and a rich two-tone sunburst finish, this 1954 X-150 will have been one of the first produced, with the earliest examples featuring no neck binding. What truly sets these early Guild archtops apart, in our opinion, are the remarkable P90-style pickups made by Franz. These overwound single coils deliver a beautifully full sound with arguably greater clarity than their Gibson counterparts, and they cut through with real presence when paired with a driven tube amp. This Franz P90 features its original black cover, again an indication of this being a very early production model. Additional features include the original Waverley tuners, trapeze tailpiece and separated 'triangle' Guild pearl inlaid headstock logo, used by the company for one year in 1954.
This guitar is in vexcellent condition, with only the most minor signs of play wear and patina to the finish. The electronics, finish and hardware are all original and in full working order, and this guitar retains its original case.
As with all our vintage instruments, this guitar has been given a thorough service by the Vintage Instrument Workshop and is guaranteed for 2 years in line with our vintage instrument warranty. Get an additional 3 years workshop warranty cover with the No.Tom Guitars Extended Warranty.
