My workhorse, the guitar I usually play in church.

I found this in a PawnShop for only $100 WITH the original Hard-Shell Case (the case is worth that much!). It also has a real Kahler locking whammy (worth more than $100!). Not only that, but the 2 single coil and 1 humbuckingEMG pickups are active, they actually have a preamp built into the pickup! Serial Number HC100451 dates it as 1984 for either an S-280 or S-281. I'm not sure which one it is. The Pickguard has a crack and one small corner is missing, there's a few dings, but it's my main electric while I'm putting the other 2 back together.

I like the body shape on this guitar, it doesn't look exactly like a Strat and it has a racy angle to the back. The only problem is the guitar stand bottom cradle is at an angle too, small problem.

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what model this is.  Most 281's have a normal flat bottom, most 280's have a different machinehead.  I also see I mis-spoke about the preamp in the pickup - it should be that the battery acts to create a stronger magnetic field like an electromagnet - no preamp.  Still a great deal for a hundred bucks!

A.K.A. Flyer and Aviator - these may have different features and headstock, and possibly the rounder bottom body.  Basically Guild's variations of the Strat.