Guild has officially resurrected one of its most distinctive solidbody icons from the late 1970s and ’80s. The cult-classic shape is back, but it has received a premium, modern promotion: meet the new Guild S-300 Deluxe.
Blending unmistakable vintage geometry with contemporary hardware upgrades and an aggressive aesthetic, this reissue is built for players who want to stand out both sonically and visually.
Classic Bones, Refined Playability
At its core, the S-300 Deluxe honors the original’s legacy with a deeply contoured Mahogany body and a matching set-in Mahogany neck.
Quirky body shape
Vintage Neck Profile
The neck features a comfortable Vintage Soft U profile, paired with an Indian Rosewood fingerboard, a modern 12.5″ radius, and a 24.75″ scale length.
Unlike standard vintage reissues, the Deluxe elevates its visual flair with striking ivory binding and elegant pearloid block inlays replacing the old-school dots.
Versatile Electronics & The Famous Phase Switch
Under the hood, the guitar is driven by a pair of Guild HB-2+ Alnico V humbuckers designed to handle everything from glassy, pristine cleans to high-gain, mid-forward crunch.
Phase Switch
The control layout offers maximum tonal sculpting with individual Volume and Tone knobs for each pickup and a 3-way toggle. Most notably, Guild has brought back the original 2-way phase switch, allowing players to access the hollow, nasal, out-of-phase textures that defined the experimental rock tones of the late ’70s.
Road-Ready Hardware Upgrades
Guild didn’t just reissue the guitar; they re-engineered it for modern stability.
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Bridge: A redesigned Ultimate Angle Tune-o-matic bridge and compensated tailpiece maximize sustain and fix historical intonation quirks.
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Tuners: Genuine Grover G2 tuning machines offer rock-solid reliability for aggressive string bending.
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Finishes: Moving away from standard wood stains, the Deluxe drops in two striking metallic options: Neptune Blue Metallic and Vintage Sterling Metallic.
Verdict & Score
Pros
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Distinctive, ergonomic retro body shape.
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Highly versatile electronics with the return of the 2-way phase switch.
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Excellent hardware upgrades (Grover tuners and redesigned bridge).
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Great value for a bound neck with block inlays.
Cons
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The offset, angular body shape may not appeal to traditionalists.
Total Score: 9.1 / 10
The Verdict: The Guild S-300 Deluxe is a triumphant comeback. It successfully rescues a forgotten offset icon from the history books, keeping its quirky retro soul intact while upgrading the hardware, finish, and playability to meet modern gigging standards. At under $800, it’s a steal for anyone hunting for unique tone and style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What finishes are available for the Guild S-300 Deluxe?
The guitar is available in two modern metallic finishes: Neptune Blue Metallic and Vintage Sterling Metallic.
What is the price of the Guild S-300 Deluxe?
The Guild S-300 Deluxe is priced at $799.99.
What does the 2-way phase switch do?
When both pickups are selected, the phase switch flips the wiring polarity of one pickup. This cancels out certain frequencies, producing a thinner, hollow, “nasal” tone popular in funk, reggae, and experimental classic rock.
What are the key differences between this and the original 70s S-300?
The Deluxe version adds elegant ivory fingerboard binding, pearloid block inlays (instead of dot inlays), upgraded HB-2+ humbuckers, modern Grover G2 tuners, and a redesigned Ultimate Angle Tune-o-matic bridge for better tuning stability.
Where To Buy
Available at Guitar Center in Blue or Silver
#Guild #S-300 Deluxe #offset guitar
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