Guild X-180

**Timbell** · 04-09-2011, 10:16 AM

I have been going through ebay and online dealers of used guitars trying to find a suitable archtop. I think I have settled on the beautiful X-180 by Guild. What does the 180 stand for though?

I hear it is maybe a 1/2 inch deeper than the X-175, and it is all blonde natural finished.

Anything else specific about this model, or anyone with experience playing one?

The one I am looking at is on ebay and who knows if it will even finish in my price range, it has a couple days left.

What I am looking for is a guitar that will give me a nice joe pass tone, but wont cost me 2000+ and will still have the craftmanship and playability of a great American guitar. I have played a few guild acoustics and always found them to be incredible guitars for the prices, but have never owned one.

Guild X-180-guild-x-180-jpg

**brad4d8** · 04-09-2011, 10:22 AM

I'm not familiar with the 180, but it looks like a thicker version of my Guild X-170, although the toggle switch is in a different location.

**Timbell** · 04-09-2011, 10:34 AM

Are you very happy with the 170? I don't imagine that extra size changes the tone substantially, but I like the look of a big lam hollowbody. I see some 170s for sale that are pretty cheap so I may consider that if I get outbid on the 180.

**brad4d8** · 04-09-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Timbell

Are you very happy with the 170?

Very happy, although I don't play it as much as I could since these days I play mostly flattop acoustic and picked up an Artist Award a few years ago so that has pretty much taken over for the 170. I picked up a Gold Guild Bigsby that I'm going to put on the 170 some day, making it more suitable for rockabilly stuff. So far, I've "de-jazzed" it by putting on lighter strings than I used to have, again for different styles. Even though it's not in "heavy rotation" playing, I'd probably look to get another if anything happened to it.
Brad

**NiAg** · 04-09-2011, 11:42 AM

The 180 is different from the 170 in that it has a deeper (3" for the 180) body, and it has no soundpost at all.

Unlike the majority of 170's, the 180 has a 1 11/16 nut width (vs. the 1 10 /16 found on most 170's).

The 180 also has a slightly thicker neck profile than is commonly found on the 170.

And (please let's not arouse any web-gasbag discussion on the topic) the 180 has a so-called "poly" finish.

The overall sound is exactly as you would expect from the extra body depth and the lack of a soundpost. It is more woody (as they say) than a 170. Arguably it is right down the middle of the classic maple jazz box sound.

The only gripe I have on mine was that the stock TKL case was really a sloppy fit and the $5.00 they must have saved on the case build (stapled in the compartment and neck support) was out of line with the overall quality of the guitar.

In general the 180s have a rather dark rosewood for the FB. So expect most to be very dark.

The bridge is a pleasant departure from the classic Westerly Guild bridge with excessive compensation differences for the B vs. the G and E. The 180 uses a bridge that is the same straight bridge design as you see on the current Benedettos. But a wooden bridge is a simple thing to change out in any case.

The frets on the 180 are pretty high. ~1.25 mm (~.050 inch), so call them tall-ish jumbos.

That's about it for a summary. Expect to spend about 1,200 to 1,300 for one. But in this low-activity market this could vary downward (due to gemeral depression) or upward (due to the rarity and usefulness of the 180 configuration).

**Timbell** · 04-09-2011, 12:11 PM

Thanks Niag. From what you have told me and I have found online, I think I would be willing to pay that much for a 180, even though I have seen some 170s going for less. Sounds like it will be exactly what I am looking for.

**NiAg** · 04-09-2011, 08:29 PM

The blonde on the 'Bay looks quite good. I have seen them in blonde, burst, and (of all things) transparent blue.

It will do the Pass tone just fine. In my opinion, the sound is not exactly like a 175. The maple neck and heavier Grover tuners of the 180 give it a more consistent attack and sustain envelope from one note to the next. Also the neck PU is in the more traditional position (vs. the 175 neck PU position). If the price stays in your range I think you will like it very much.

It is a rare bird with a great layout, so a motivated buyer may send it into the $1,500 range.

They went for around $2,000 street price new. I think the "list price" was around $2,800 or $2,900.

**Tom Karol** · 04-10-2011, 12:49 PM

FWIW, I like where they located the pickup selector switch.

**cmajor9** · 04-10-2011, 04:25 PM

I can say that I love to play jazz on my X-170; I'd imagine the X-180 would only give a more trad archtop tone with the thicker body and bridge.

Niag, thanks for mentioning about the bridge being different. I might investigate whether a more 'normal' bridge is worth considering for my Guild (although I haven't noticed any tuning or intonation issues with what I've got).

**NiAg** · 04-10-2011, 04:50 PM

If you have no intonation issues, then I don't see any reason to fool with the bridge.

For most string sets, that older Guild-type bridge is a sort of exaggerated version of a bridge cut to better compensate the B string on a set with a wound G.

In my opinion, the compensation is so over-done that it is less accurate than a simple straight-line (albeit set at an angle) bridge.

But thousands of Guild archtops out there play and sound just great with the arguably over-compensated bridge.

**NiAg** · 04-10-2011, 04:58 PM

I see the 180 on the 'Bay is now 1.025 large.

Ya know, I hope you get this fine guitar (mine is a burst, but the blonde looks a little better, for all that means,...).

All I can do is promise to not bid on it.

Market value is maybe subjective, especially so for this guitar - of which rather few seem to have been made.

I do not think someone who pays $1,500 will be disappointed with the instrument vs. a US built guitar that costs 2.5X as much.

(I do not know the seller, just think the 180 is a very good noisemaker.)

**Timbell** · 04-11-2011, 12:19 PM

up to 1400 with a few hours left, sheesh I bid up to 1375, maybe I'll try to go up another 10 or 25 right before it ends. Not looking like I will win this one, so my attention has turned to the 170 again. Just nervous it wont have the depth I want. I am not interested in an instrument that will be "versatile" I want the best archtop exclusively for jazz that I can afford. I already have some very decent solid bodies and flattop acoustics that take care of my other playing needs. If I had it I would pay 1500 for the guitar but I cannot. so, I will be prowling ebay for heritages and guilds and with some luck a beauty will come my way.

edit: x170 with a roland installed for only 1200 used on guitar center's site. Very very tempting.

**X-500** · 04-11-2011, 07:53 PM

Don't overlook the X-150 Savoy. It has a slightly flatter neck (compared to my X-500 and X-700) that is made of mahogony and rosewood fretboard with smaller frets than the X-180. It is a full size jazz box that'll give you a very well rounded jazz sound - I can attest to that!

The X-150D has a bridge pickup while the X-150 has only a neck pickup. Oh, and the trim is chrome on the Savoys.

Good luck and you can't go wrong with Guilds!

**Timbell** · 04-11-2011, 08:49 PM

I would love a 150, just sucks waiting for one to pop up on ebay or somewhere else. Ahhhh, but I know if I just be patient I will end up with a better guitar than if I grab the first thing close to it.

**Timbell** · 04-19-2011, 01:23 PM

I bought an X-150 yesterday, so hopefully it arrives later this week and I can update about it.

**X-500** · 04-19-2011, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Timbell

bought an x150 yesterday, so hopefully it arrives later this week and I can update about it.

Congratulations and I hope it arrives safe! Is this your first Guild? What finish; blonde, sunburst? Pictures please!

**NiAg** · 04-19-2011, 07:32 PM

Hey Timbell,

Way to go. Is it the one PU or two PU version?

Arguably the mahog' neck sounds better to some vs. the 180 maple neck.

It is really hard to go wrong with this choice - an undervalued (assuming you paid typical $$$) classic.

Please do post your impressions when you get to make some noise with it.

In my unsolicited opinion, it was a good move to go with the 150 vs. the 170 based on:

>>>I am not interested in an instrument that will be "versatile" I want the best archtop exclusively for jazz that I can afford.

Of course Marshall Crenshaw uses a 150 (asbestos I recall) for some pretty versatile pop stuff these days,...

**Timbell** · 04-19-2011, 08:57 PM

Yep, first guild I have owned. Never played on any of the archtops but from my impressions of the older and even recent guild flats I expect excellent quality. It is the blonde 1 pup model. I think I will like the mahogany neck, the appearance bugged me for a bit in the pictures but it has already grown on me and I haven't received it yet. Went a little over my budget for it. A little under $1400, but the salesman said it was in perfect condition, and for the blonde model I was willing to stretch. More info when it arrives.

**Timbell** · 04-19-2011, 09:08 PM

There is an x170 used on guitarcenter.com, I was going to pick that one up because it was $1200, but when I called I found out it doesn't include a case, so that would have been $1300+ with shipping. It looks nice though.

**Timbell** · 04-26-2011, 11:08 AM

Sorry I have not been able to post about the guitar when I wanted to. Between studying for finals and not wanting to put this guitar down I have not had a lot of time. To start, I have never owned a guitar that felt this..solid? Just a very well built, great quality guitar. The neck and fretboard feel like a dream, and my only problem is that it still needs to be set up by a pro, and maybe needs a fret buzz fixed. Not a complaint to be had, I love the sound, playability, and looks of this guitar.

**Thomas S.** · 06-22-2011, 04:10 AM

Hi all,

as I read here the Guild X-180 seems to be a great Jazz-guitar. Actually I got an offer for a X-180 in sunburst from a (in Germany) well known professional player. The Guitar is made in 2000 and less but well played and in a very good condition. I don´t have any idea if there are some additional parts on this guitar.

He didn´t sell it on ebay for the prize he asked for. The prize for negotiation shall be € 2.200,-- (= $ 3.160,--). Is this a fair prize for this guitar? Or is € 2.000 (= $ 2.870,--) or even € 1.800,-- (= $ 2.580) a fair prize for it?

Many thanks in advance for your replies! :-)

Thomas

**Drifter** · 06-22-2011, 12:29 PM

I think it is too expensive. Ali Claudi is not Kenny Burrell. 1500,- Euros would be a fair price and not a Euro too low. But only because it's a Guild and we all know that for whatever reasons Guilds don't sell for high prices like Gibsons. The guitar itself is worth it, no doubt. Great guitars, those Guilds.

**Thomas S.** · 06-22-2011, 02:00 PM

Hi Drifter,

many thanks for your reply. It´s a good advice you gave. Perhaps there are some additional parts that can increase the prize a little. But you are right € 1.500,-- is a good indication. Again, thanks to you!

Thomas

**AlohaJoe** · 06-22-2011, 03:39 PM

Congratulations! You won't be sorry you got the Guild. I have an blond X150 that gets played every day. Great neck, great feel and a great sound. It the #1 grab around the house. I did customize mine a bit, but they're superior guitars just the way they came and the best value on the market IMO.

**Thomas S.** · 06-23-2011, 05:11 AM

Hi Joe,

I think this is a great guitar, too. And many thanks for the congratulations but I haven´t her. At the moment I´m still negtiating about the prize. If it doesn´t works I took a look at a Guild X-500 ... but she seems to be in some kind of reddish (sunburst?) finish ... but maybe only the colours on the pics are bad ... we will see! :-)

Thomas