1974 Guild® MARK III NATURAL, Very Good, Original Hard, $645.00

According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the Guild Mark III classical guitar was manufactured from 1961 to 1986. Gruhn’s Guide and Vintage Guitar Price Guide basically agree, although there is some disagreement as to specific features. Like most classical guitars, it’s smaller than the dreadnought or jumbo series, measuring 14 ½” at the lower bout, with a scale of 25 ½.” Like its rival, the Gibson C-100, it may have been designed more for the coffee house of the 1960s folk music scene or classical performance than for the blue grass stage. However, it still has enough carrying power for anybody and is a beautiful example of Guild craftsmanship.

The Mark III features a solid spruce top with mahogany back, sides, and neck in a glossy natural finish, a rosewood wrap-around bridge, and a 12/19-fret rosewood finger board. It has an ornate patterned rosette and full three-ply binding on both the top and the back. The slotted classical headstock has no logo, but its rosewood overlay is set off beautifully by the pearloid buttons on the open nickel tuners. The serial number of this particular guitar (102666) is displayed both on the back of the headstock and on the label (see pictures 5 and 12), which dates its production year as 1974.

After 40 years of making music, there are very few cosmetic or structural concerns: there is some obvious crazing or cracking in the finish (“To let the sound out” as my old luthier says), and virtually no wear at the frets. However, if you look closely at the pictures you will be able to see a number small dings, chips, and dents, most obviously a ¼” dent in the top lower bout and some finish chips in the lower bout treble side. The nut and saddle are probably replacements, and the bridge has clearly been replaced or re-set; the tuners are apparently original and work fine.There is slight wear at the top of the sound hole rosette, a 3” finish scratch above the sound hole, and a few small dings on both the front and back of the headstock, but it basically looks and plays like a well cared-for guitar of about a tenth its age.

The action is fine, the neck is straight, the top is flat, and of course playing music for 40 years has made that Guild sound even better, more resonant, and more powerful. I have left it strung as I found it with what I guess are hybrid “folk” strings because they sound really good (and because I didn’t have any new classical strings). Despite its very good condition, this guitar is not for a collector to put in a museum; this is a player’s guitar, and I sincerely hope that its next owner is someone who will play it well and often.

The case is definitely the original arched-top deluxe hard shell case, which naturally fits this guitar’s dimensions perfectly. It is in very good shape, inside and out, with a faded but clean interior, hardware which is tarnished but functions perfectly, and the bold Guild nameplate conspicuously displayed. The handle is solid, and it has a locking latch (no key) to keep curious hands off it (there will be some). It affords outstanding vintage protection for this fine vintage guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $50 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures on REVERB.com and ask any questions you might have before purchasing this sweet guitar.

Thanks.