1989 Guild Artist Award, Sunburst

Stunning Westerly made Guild Artist Award in deep Sunburst finish and in excellent condition.
The Artist Award is Guild Guitar's flagship instrument, directly descended from the Johnny Smith Award guitar of the mid 50’s and renamed the Artist Award in 1961. A 17” archtop it features a carved solid Spruce top, solid highly figured Maple back and sides, 5 piece laminate figured Maple neck with a 25 1/2" scale length, Ebony fingerboard with Guild’s distinctive inlays and elaborate headstock design. The guitar has a factory fitted pickup with controls mounted on board the bound celluloid tortoiseshell pickguard. Guild didn’t produce many of the Artist Award model instruments and reserved materials and construction for only the highest skilled craftsmen and women. 1989 saw only 24 of these instruments come off the production line. The guitar plays effortlessly well and is in great condition. The neck is straight with no kick at the body. There is a small amount of oxidation to some of the gold hardware but the finish is excellent with nothing more than gentle playing wear. Comes complete with it’s original owner's manual, warranty and registration card as well as it's original plush lined Case.