Guild Duane Eddy DE-500 Deluxe 1962 – Sunburst, DeArmond Dynasonic Pickups, Vintage Hollowbody

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he Guild Duane Eddy DE-500 (1962) is a rare and highly collectible hollowbody electric, created in collaboration with rock ’n’ roll pioneer Duane Eddy, the “King of Twang.”

Unofficial estimates suggest only 50 or so DE-500s with Dearmonds were made in 1962/’63.

Finished in a striking Sunburst Deluxe, this model epitomizes the early 1960s era of Guild craftsmanship and artist-driven design.  Unofficial estimates suggest only 50 or so DE-500s with Dearmonds were made in 1962/’63.

The guitar is in pretty fabulous condition.  It is all original and is stunning to behold in person.  The frets are in excellent shape.  The truss rod is effective.  There is a little hump in the fretboard where the neck hits the body, but that's pretty much the case with all archtops like this.

The case appears to be original, but it could be a later Guild case.  I did read that Guild made so few of these guitars that they didn't actually order a perfectly fitted case for the model.

Built with a large hollow maple body, the DE-500 offers rich resonance and exceptional projection, making it equally suitable for rockabilly, early rock, and country styles. Its defining feature is the pair of DeArmond Dynasonic pickups, prized for their articulate clarity, powerful attack, and sparkling top end. These pickups capture the unmistakable twang that made Duane Eddy’s sound legendary on records like Rebel Rouser and Forty Miles of Bad Road.

This 1962 example retains its vintage authenticity and embodies the golden age of Guild’s artist signature models. Collectors value the DE-500 for its rarity, ornate appointments, and its direct connection to one of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century.

In ’62, Duane Eddy was the first rock-and-roll artist to lend his name to a signature instrument. A bit of an anomaly, Eddy didn’t sing (or even talk much). But what he did was play guitar, making hit records centered on a signature sound dubbed “twangy.”

Between 1958 and ’63, he sold 12 million records including 15 hit singles and numerous charting LPs. And he didn’t rely on virtuoso playing, but rather a sonic template he created with producer Lee Hazelwood; Eddy played licks and melodies on the bass strings, doused with echo and vibrato to sweeten the sound. He was more versatile than what’s heard on his singles, but only occasionally got to show off his Travis picking or blues licks.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, we carefully inspect, document, and professionally set up every guitar so you can buy with confidence.

Explore more at maharsvintageguitars.com:

• Vintage and Used Electric Guitars
• Vintage and Used Guitar Amplifiers
• Vintage and Used Effects Pedals

Specs:

• Color: "Starfire" Sunburst Lacquer / Sunburst
• Weight: 7lbs 6oz
  
• Top: Arched, bound spruce
• Body: Maple
  
• Neck: Maple
  
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Pearl-and-abalone split block
• Frets: Original
• Fret Count: 20
• Nut: Original
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
  
• Radius: 12"
• Scale: 24-3/4"
• Neck thickness at 1st fret: .88"
• Neck Thickness at 9th Fret: .955"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Overall Length: 41-1/4"
• Lower Bout: 17"
• Waist: 10-5/8"
• Upper Bout: 12-5/8"
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 2-1/8"
• String gauge: 10-46
• Hardware Color: Gold
  
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: DeArmond Dynasonic Pickups
  
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: DeArmond Dynasonic Pickups
• Original?: Yes
• Pickguard: Original
• Bridge: Orignal with Guild Bigsby Style Vibrato
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Way
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC
• Notes: 

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