GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 2015 Guild M-75 Aristocrat

All images and text copyrighted and property of Greg Gagliano.

FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The M-75 Aristocrat was introduced in 1953 to compete with the likes of the Gibson Les Paul and Gretsch Duo Jet. It's actually closer to the Gretsch in terms of chambered construction and single coil pickups, but it's still different enough to need in addition to having a Duo Jet. In 2013, Guild launched their Korean-made Newark Street line of retro models. They have the visual cues of the originals, but lack a lot of the details that would make them true reissues. Accordingly, the vintage inspired M-75 certainly looks the part with its chambered mahogany body, laminated spruce top, 3-piece neck, and Franz-style soapbar single coil pickups. Unfortunately, the headstock shape is wrong - it should be the old "moustache" style. Maybe Guild was afraid of a lawsuit from that other Brand G guitar company (not G&L, not Gretsch, not Godin) that has moustache headstock. On the plus side is the chunky neck fitted to the guitar. It's very vintage, but a handful if you like thin or skinny necks. Soundwise, the Franz-style pickups are bright with plenty of chime, but are on the hot side compared to vintage originals. The strident tone can be tamed a bit with a rosewood bridge (like the original had) and some pure nickel strings. Perhaps the only downside to this guitar is the thick poly finish that detracts from an otherwise excellent instrument.

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT (2015)

Body: Hollow; 1-piece solid mahogany back, laminated mahogany sides, double bound 2-piece laminated spruce top