Vintage 1956 Guild Aristocrat

"Too often forgotten among the Fenders, Gibsons, Gretsches and Rickenbackers of the day, Guild only got up and running in 1952 but was producing first class instruments from day one. Much like Gretsch's Duo Jet, the M-75 Aristocrat has a semi-hollowbody made from a chambered mahogany back capped with a carved solid spruce top. It was clearly launched as competition for both the Duo Jet and Gibson's Les Paul, but original examples are usually pounds lighter than either at well under 5 pounds. Also like the other "Big G" makers of the day, Guild targeted both the jazz and rock 'n' roll crowds with this model, which ultimately became best associated with electric blues and took the name Bluesbird in later reissue incarnations. The pickups look outwardly like Gibson P-90s and are similarly designed, but they tend to have a little less of the gritty midrange hump and somewhat more snap and upper-midrange crackle. Combined with the usual construction, these pickups help give the M-75 Aristocrat a voice all its own, which is to say some of the airy richness of a good archtop but with more bite and definition." (Tony Bacon. 365 Guitars, Amps and Effects you must play. p.66).