Guild X 170 Natural

Jazzophobe · #1 03-08-2010, 04:53 PM

I'm about this close to buying a Guild X 170 archtop (which I need like a hole in the head...). I was just curious to get some opinions. Guitar Center has had it for a few days, so I went in and played it, and played, and played...like butter! Looking at $1199.00 and it is in VERY nice shape.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #2 03-08-2010, 05:01 PM

On the Telecaster forum there was a popular thread, "Do you own any guitars your wife doesn't know about?"

Jazzophobe · #3 03-08-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

On the Telecaster forum there was a popular thread, "Do you own any guitars your wife doesn't know about?"

Oh no...

X-500 · #4 03-08-2010, 05:28 PM

Jazzophobe,

I have a 2000 Tennessee Orange that plays like butter too. I installed D'Addario 11's. The only caution that I would advise on this guitar is the smaller nut at 1 5/8" which might be too small for some players. It does take me some adjustment after playing my other Guilds with wider nuts. It's a nice compromise in size too; being slightly smaller at the lower bout and thinner (2-1/2") than full size archtops. The internal block under the bridge helps cut down on feedback. Technically, this would make it a semi-hollow, but not on the order of an ES-335. (The block is quite small). I paid $1,500 for mine but it was an absolute minter - probably on the high end for an X-170, but man they built this beauty to perfection!

Have fun with your soon to be X-170.

PS Ask brad4d8 for his opinion, he's got one too.

brad4d8 · #5 03-08-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-500

The internal block under the bridge helps cut down on feedback. Technically, this would make it a semi-hollow, but not on the order of an ES-335. (The block is quite small).
PS Ask brad4d8 for his opinion, he's got one too.

brad4d8 checking in here.
Alex, are you sure yours has a block? I haven't looked in mine, but I was under the impression that they had a sound post, much like a violin, and that would make it a true hollow body. I'll have to dig out an inspection mirror and see if I can tell.
As to the neck size, mine is the only short scale guitar I own, at least of the ones that I know the scale length, and I've had no trouble adjusting to it. I do find the longer scale of my Artist Award makes it a little easier for some chords above the 12th or 14th fret, but I don't play chords up there very often. No problem for melody up there. When I got it, my main guitar for at least 20 years was a classical with a 2" nut, and, again, I had no trouble adjusting to the narrower fingerboard.
I think $1199 (especially if it has a good case) is a reasonable price. As X-500 said he paid more for his (in mint condition). I paid a lot less for mine, but then I got it new in '87 or '88 (and got a good deal even for the time)
If I could have only one archtop, it would be either the X-170 or a Guild X-500, they are definitely players guitars and, IMHO, unmatched by any guitar anywhere near their price range.
Brad

X-500 · #6 03-08-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad4d8

brad4d8 checking in here.
Alex, are you sure yours has a block? I haven't looked in mine, but I was under the impression that they had a sound post, much like a violin, and that would make it a true hollow body. I'll have to dig out an inspection mirror and see if I can tell.

The block is approximately 1/2" x 2" x 4-1/2" set on a base pedestal block - not the typical soundpost (dowel) that is found in a violin. As I said, it's not the massive block found in a ES-335, but now that you mentioned it, I would call this a hollowbody all day long ...

Jazzophobe · #7 03-09-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad4d8

brad4d8 checking in here.
Alex, are you sure yours has a block? I haven't looked in mine, but I was under the impression that they had a sound post, much like a violin, and that would make it a true hollow body. I'll have to dig out an inspection mirror and see if I can tell.
As to the neck size, mine is the only short scale guitar I own, at least of the ones that I know the scale length, and I've had no trouble adjusting to it. I do find the longer scale of my Artist Award makes it a little easier for some chords above the 12th or 14th fret, but I don't play chords up there very often. No problem for melody up there. When I got it, my main guitar for at least 20 years was a classical with a 2" nut, and, again, I had no trouble adjusting to the narrower fingerboard.
I think $1199 (especially if it has a good case) is a reasonable price. As X-500 said he paid more for his (in mint condition). I paid a lot less for mine, but then I got it new in '87 or '88 (and got a good deal even for the time)
If I could have only one archtop, it would be either the X-170 or a Guild X-500, they are definitely players guitars and, IMHO, unmatched by any guitar anywhere near their price range.
Brad

This guitar is in really wonderful condition...hence the reason I'm so interested in it. I haven't seen the case, but the Sales guy at GC (who took it on trade) says it's in really nice shape. I'm going to assume it's not that old...perhaps even Corona made, but it plays and sounds excellent. Once I get it home, I'll check the serial number. I'm done with archtops for awhile (this will make number four)...

Jazzophobe · #8 03-09-2010, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. Brought the guitar home and haven't been able to put it down. It's a '98, made in Westerly, with a mint TKL case! VERY CLEAN!

brad4d8 · #9 03-09-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzophobe

TBrought the guitar home and haven't been able to put it down. It's a '98, made in Westerly, with a mint TKL case! VERY CLEAN!

Great! Now check out:
let's talk Guild forum
You'll find answers to any questions you may have about your new Guild.
Brad
PS plus a lot of good people...

X-500 · #10 03-10-2010, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzophobe

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. Brought the guitar home and haven't been able to put it down. It's a '98, made in Westerly, with a mint TKL case! VERY CLEAN!

Jazzophobe,

You're welcome and conratulations! Welcome to the Guild club and have many joyous hours playing it it. I second brad4d8's suggestion to look at Letstalkguild.com.

SamBooka · #11 03-10-2010, 09:19 AM

I didnt know that Guilds had a block/post. I saw this this weekend on a Hagstrom H500 (not the same class/quality of guitar, I know..).

What is this common with Guilds? It is a structural thing or intended for tone enhancement?

X-500 · #12 03-10-2010, 01:38 PM

Hello SamBooka,

The block/post is suppose to inhibit feedback. I think it does an adequate job of that. It was standard on the X-170 archtop, perhaps on the X-160 but not on the other X series. I understand there are some the factory installed on the X-500s' (perhaps custom order). Of course, as Brad and I had mentioned, you can always ask at www.letstalkguild.com
for more expert answers.

brad4d8 · #13 03-10-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-500

Hello SamBooka,

The block/post is suppose to inhibit feedback. I think it does an adequate job of that.

I'm not sure how it works soundwise in a guitar, but the positioning of the soundpost in a violin affects the sound in some ways. At least in part by transmitting vibrations directly from the top to the back, adding some body resonance. Or something like that, I used to play some fiddle, but never really understood that part of it.
Brad

Jazzophobe · #14 03-10-2010, 06:27 PM

Well, guys, I have noticed that if I leave the guitar sitting on the stand for a minute or two (by the amp), the feedback slowly creeps in. I get this with my Heritage H575 also (my number UNO), but it is not really a problem to control. I just cut back on the volume (and raise the gain on the amp), and everything seems to work itself out. Funny though, I also own a Gibson ES 135 (which, for the $900.00 I paid, is beautiful), and, with the chromolite center block, I get no feedback issues whatsoever. No matter though, I'm one happy camper with my Guild X 170, my Heritage H575, my Gibson ES 135, and (last but not least, my surprisingly well sounding) Epiphone ES 175 Reissue. Thanks again for all of the comments!

SamBooka · #15 03-10-2010, 09:31 PM

I have noticed on my EpiEmp Reg. a change (improvement even) in acoustic tone when the back of the guitar isnt pressed against my belly.

Violins have shoulder rests that also keep the back up away from the shoulder (KUN make a very popular model).

Youtube Gourmet guitar, there is a great vid from a luthier on the importance of tone woods and properly carving the back. Must be a reason for that.

bob32069 · #16 03-21-2010, 12:03 PM

Jazzophobe-

Congrats on your purchase. I too own a Westerly Guild X-170 and love it. Mine came without a case (bought it on ebay). Does your TKL case have a model number? I'd like to purchase a case for mine.

Thanks and happy playing!

12ax7el34 · #17 03-28-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzophobe

I'm about this close to buying a Guild X 170 archtop (which I need like a hole in the head...). I was just curious to get some opinions. Guitar Center has had it for a few days, so I went in and played it, and played, and played...like butter! Looking at $1199.00 and it is in VERY nice shape.

Anything from Rhode Island is going to be as good as anything you will ever find. Brian.