Guild Benedetto X-700 Stuart vs. Gibson L5

**djelley** · 01-20-2016, 09:16 AM

Question for anyone who might have played both of these guitars. I recently had the very good fortune to purchase a mint Guild Benedetto Stuart. I couldn't believe it when my wife told me to go for it! (best wife ever)

My two "Holy Grail" guitars are a Benedetto and an L5. I've never had the opportunity to play an L5 but read somewhere that the Guild X-700 was as close as Bob Benedetto has ever come to an L5-like model. How close do they feel to one-another? I still hope to acquire an L5 someday, but was just curious about the similarity between the two models.

Thanks!

**Archie** · 01-20-2016, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by djelley

Question for anyone who might have played both of these guitars. I recently had the very good fortune to purchase a mint Guild Benedetto Stuart. I couldn't believe it when my wife told me to go for it! (best wife ever)

My two "Holy Grail" guitars are a Benedetto and an L5. I've never had the opportunity to play an L5 but read somewhere that the Guild X-700 was as close as Bob Benedetto has ever come to an L5-like model. How close do they feel to one-another? I still hope to acquire an L5 someday, but was just curious about the similarity between the two models.

Thanks!

They feel and sound totally different imo. An L5 CES? is big and heavy (ish) with a strong sound that can be well balanced but wil generally fall apart after the 12th fret.
A benny is light smaller, feels more like a peerless (dont shoot me benny owners). The sound is not as strong but more balanced and holds together no matter where you put your fingers.
An X700 is big and heavy and with a thick top and es175 scale length with a fat nut. Doesn't sound too far off an L5 lack some of the refinement in the note but seems to hold together better higher up the fretboard. Acoustixally not that strong but plugged in, it sounds big and fat and creamy. More thunk than an l5 bunt in the same ball park.

Personally id probably take the X-700 again factoring in all thing like price etc. Not a fan of benny sound.

Hope that helps?

**djelley** · 01-20-2016, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the feedback. When I mentioned that my "Holy Grail" guitar was a Benedetto, I meant an archtop like an Americana, not specifically a Benny. Now that I have the Guild Benedetto, I almost feel like that itch has been scratched!

My take-away from your post is that the X-700 and the L5 are somewhat similar, which is what I suspected. Thanks again. I would love to hear from others who have played both.

**MaxTwang** · 01-20-2016, 11:09 AM

Is that the Guild Benedetto X-700 Artist Award with floater or set in? There seems to be some diversity in Benedetto X-700's: 2 pickups, 1 pickup, floater.

I have a Guild Artist Award (not Benedetto) and L5-CES and they are apples and, um, apples and oysters! Both are 'holy grail' instruments but very, very different. The L5 has about 2 lbs of pickups in the top and is carved & braced accordingly - the sound isn't great acoustically but plugged in it is full, creamy and every other superlative used to describe a jazz guitar with set-in pickups; the Guild is lighter and very, very lively - acoustically and plugged in.

Most desert islands have room for both the Guild & L5, and the wife.

**Bebop Tom** · 01-20-2016, 11:51 AM

I own what is likely Benedetto's most L5CES-like guitar. It is a Fratello CES model with two built-in humbuckers. Bob built it for me in 1991 when he still made his guitars himself. I had it made because I wanted to retire my 1966 L5CES from gigging. I actually described what I wanted as Bob's take on the L5CES. It is a great guitar, but not at all like an L5. Its weight, neck, and tone are very different. Lighter weight, flatter neck profile with low flat frets, and a bright, sweet tone with more sustain and much less bottom end when you hit the low strings. Tonally, I believe Bob is more in the D'Aquisto/D'Angelico camp than the Gibson camp.

**djelley** · 01-20-2016, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by MaxTwang

Is that the Guild Benedetto X-700 Artist Award with floater or set in? There seems to be some diversity in Benedetto X-700's: 2 pickups, 1 pickup, floater.

Sorry - should have said. It is the version with two set-in pickups. I'll post photos when I get a chance.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I WILL get an L5 someday, but it will be a while. I'm amazed that I got approval for the Guild given my insane collection.

**Stringswinger** · 01-20-2016, 01:03 PM

Not many Guild Benedetto X-700 guitars were made. Most have never played one. A non Benedetto X700 is a different guitar as is a Fratello. As is a Gibson L-5.

I have played a Westerly built Guild Benedetto Stuart X-700 and have played many L-5's. A Nashville built L-5 CES would be the closest for comparison.

My thoughts are this:

Both are superb jazz guitars. The Gibson is warmer and plays a touch easier due to a slighly shorter scale and C shaped neck. The guild, with its D shaped neck, 25 5/8 scale, Benedetto pickups and European tone-woods is a brighter, more articulate instrument.

Either guitar would serve me well on a desert island (assuming electricity), but given the choice, I would take the Gibson. That said, I would take a good L-5 over a Fratello made by Bob. My L-5 Wesmo does not lose a thing over the 12th fret.

Congrats on getting the Guild. It is a great and very worthy jazz guitar. Still, you want to keep the L-5 on your bucket list. Their iconic status is well justified.

**Max405** · 01-20-2016, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

An L5 CES? is big and heavy (ish) with a strong sound that can be well balanced but wil generally fall apart after the 12th fret.

Hope that helps?

Archie, Are you talking about a GIBSON L5? I've had 3 (2 WES's and one CES). I don't generally play a tremendous amount of stuff above the 12 fret, but NONE of my L5's fell apart after the 12th fret. They were all pretty easy to play up there. All my L5's had TI 12's setup with "feeler gauge action". I remember I used to play Al DiMeola's "Casino" on my 1st L5 (CES) and I was always blown away by how easy it was to play up there. The only guitar I ever owned that rivaled it was a beautiful Midtown Custom (another one I shouldn't have sold)..
I guess, different stroke for different folks..
Joe D

**Stringswinger** · 01-20-2016, 01:22 PM

Joe,

It sounds like Archie may have had a lemon of an L-5. I have played a few lemon Gibbys in my day. Especially Gibsons made in the late 70's, but also some made after 2000. It is always wise to play before you buy, or have an approval period.....

I will say this, I have never played a lemon L-5, but I have played a Lemon Johnny Smith, so even at the high end, Gibson has shipped some guitars that should have not gotten past a good quality control system...

**MaxTwang** · 01-20-2016, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by djelley

Sorry - should have said. It is the version with two set-in pickups. I'll post photos when I get a chance.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I WILL get an L5 someday, but it will be a while. I'm amazed that I got approval for the Guild given my insane collection.

An L5 WesMo would be a nice compliment to the X-700 w/ 2 pickups: 25.5" scale, single pickup, louder acoustically, a little more 'open' plugged in, a bit lighter.

**vinnyv1k** · 01-20-2016, 02:29 PM

Being a huge Gibson & Guild fan I say win/win. I personally will never go without both but if I could only have one it would be a L5 but I would miss my Guild daily. They are different animals as stated but in a real good way. I will say I am always prowling a good Guild. There is something magical that a good Guild has that a Gibson doesn't and vise versa.
Hey Marc I bought a brand new Johnny Smith in 1980 that had a neck like a roller coaster also. Complete pile of junk.

**helios** · 01-20-2016, 03:03 PM

Here's a Guild Benedetto Masterbuilt Stuart:
Photo from "JustJazzGuitars Collection"--link to additional info:

The justjazzguitars Collection

**vinnyv1k** · 01-20-2016, 03:05 PM

Gorgeous !

**WilliamScott** · 01-20-2016, 03:31 PM

I've had a Guild Benedetto X-700 and a couple of L-5's over the years, all at different times. I'd say I miss the Guild Benedetto more than the L-5's, mainly because it always felt better -- other people with other sized hands might feel differently. It was easier to get a warm jazz tone out of the L-5's but I always felt the Guild was more versatile. Congrats on snagging a great guitar.

**Marty Grass** · 01-20-2016, 03:44 PM

I had the experience of an L-5 that lost all sustain about the 14th fret, and that included the 20th as well. I thought that it was the way the neck was built with the overhang about the soundboard.

Then I put on lighter strings (13s) and used a different bridge saddle. I was very surprised that the Gibson sustained very well immediately. I can't explain why, only speculate.

My X-700 sounds very nice amplified. I hesitate to compare it to other dual pickup archtops because even those of the same brand and design sound different from each other. My X-700 does not have HB-1s, which makes a bit of a difference, too.

But I don't think you will get much better than the X-700. My opinion is that it is wiser to focus on improving your playing skills rather than chasing after other guitars. Now if I'd only listen to myself.

**djelley** · 01-20-2016, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Marty Grass

My opinion is that it is wiser to focus on improving your playing skills rather than chasing after other guitars.

Never were truer words spoken and then so often ignored. I totally agree.

Now, if I can just order that guitar from Mr. Wu, and the Peerless, then I can save for the L5...