Anybody own a Guyatone/Antoria LG50?

[Bob K]

Mine looks all original, but I'm curious about the pickup selector switch settings. Middle position appears to be bridge pickup only. I'd like to know if this is the case with other LG50's of the same era (1959 or so). With modern guitars one can tap the pickups to figure out which are engaged, but these things are so microphonic it's hard to tell because you can tap anywhere on the pickguard and it echoes like crazy .
Anyway, I'd appreciate the comparison to other LG50's here.
Thanks,
Bob

[pinktwanger]

Hi Bob
I had one in 1959 and it had normal 3 position pickup switching as you would expect. Neck only, neck+ bridge and bridge only. Hope that helps.
Ben

[Hank2k]

I have an eastwood LG50 which is a modern replica and that has the same 3 way switch and it operates as per telecaster etc

1. Bridge.
2. Bridge and Neck
3. Neck

[Bob K]

Thank you, gentlemen - I appreciate the advice.
Bob

[Gatwick1946]

Hi Bob,

I have dug out my Antoria/Guyatone to see if I can assist.

The pick-up selector has three positions - it also has on it, the letters S and either W or M, depending on the direction from which you view the switch.

If the switch is turned towards the neck, this selects the neck pickup. Turn it then towards the bridge and this powers up both pickups. Turn it towards the bridge again and this selects the bridge pickup.

The model number sticker on the underside of the headstock is very small and faded. I cannot be sure if it reads LG60H or LG50B ???.

I agree that the pickups are very microphonic - I believe this accounts for the clicking noises on The Drifters' recording of "Drifting".

Kindest regards,
Christopher

[Bob K]

Thank you, Christopher. I may take a look at the selector switch and related wiring to make sure it appears in order.
Bob

[cockroach]

Some of the old German made pickup selectors (like Framus, Hoyer used etc) had that sort of setup..

They also used rotary switches like the Guyatone/Antoria- '1, 2, 1+2, rather than the usual toggle switch layout of 1,1+2, 2...

[Uncle Fiesta]

To find out which pickup is activated, you could try holding a tuning fork over each in turn.

(Don't forget to tap it on something first.)

[Gatwick1946]

Hi Bob,

PS I forgot to mention, if you go to this website's board, 'Guitars, Amps & Effects', and look for the old post named 'GUYATONE LG60 '59, 1st February 2012 and scroll through the entries, there are some pictures of my Antoria/GUYATONE.

I do not think they stuck rigidly to a standard spec when building these old guitars back in the 1950's.

PPS If you go on YOUTUBE and do a search on GUYATONE, scroll down to a site by a guy using the moniker 'drowninginguitars', you will see an American gent demonstrating several models of old Guyatones. Just thought I would mention this in case you were not already aware of it.

Kindest regards,
Christopher