1980 Guild X-175 $2,300

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 11-16-2025, 06:01 PM

Selling my Guild X175. I bought this used in the late 1980s; it already had the checking in the finish when I got it, though it never impacted playability. I had it setup by Philly base luthier Audric Jankauskas, who was really THE luthier in that area in those days. The action is still perfect.

I haven't owned an amplifier in over ten years; it worked the last time I plugged it in. I suspect by now the pots are a little crackly with dust.

This guitar has mostly been in its case or hanging on my wall for the last 35 years.

I have a case that I have to assume is the original. It's beat up on the outside, but in good shape on the inside.

I'm seeking $2,300 for it. I'm in the Southeast New York region and will do in-person transactions only. I can meet you in the city or the Hudson Valley.

I know I'm new to the forum, which makes a discerning buyer suspicious; I'm happy to do a facetime or zoom to show the instrument.

1980 Guild X-175 ,300-img_6513-jpg

**arnie65** · 11-16-2025, 09:43 PM

Great guitar, this is a workhorse.

Good luck with the sale!

Cheers,
Arnie..

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 11-17-2025, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by arnie65

Great guitar, this is a workhorse.

Good luck with the sale!

Thanks! It's time it found a new home.

**Topper Roth** · 11-19-2025, 01:20 PM

Am I correct that this is a 16" all-laminate guitar with spruce top and maple back/sides? Also, what is the body depth and, if possible, what is the neck depth at frets 1 and 9? Thanks very much!

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 11-19-2025, 04:23 PM

Hey Topper, I have no idea about what kind of wood it’s made of, honestly. I suspect folks on this forum know way more than I do.

I’m happy to get those measurements, but I’m out of town until after Thanksgiving.

I do have some additional photos if you’re interesting.

**Topper Roth** · 11-19-2025, 04:36 PM

Thanks for getting back to me. Yeah, based on my own informal research, the top is laminated spruce and the back is maple laminate. And body depth is 3 & 3/8". I would still be interested in those neck depth measurements, once you're back in town. I expect to be passing through the Hudson Valley myself between Christmas and New Year's, so there's a chance I could stop by.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 11-21-2025, 02:21 PM

Cool. Maybe throw an amp in your trunk if you want to try plugging it in. I don’t think I have a working amp.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 11-27-2025, 09:57 AM

By the way, I'd be open to a trade of an equal value banjo.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 12-08-2025, 10:00 PM

Got some photos of the case. I think the duct tape is original. Though you can see some wood through the scrapes, so it's not cardboard.
It's almost Christmas; get yourself a present!
1980 Guild X-175 ,300-img_6652-jpg

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 12-13-2025, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Topper Roth

Am I correct that this is a 16" all-laminate guitar with spruce top and maple back/sides? Also, what is the body depth and, if possible, what is the neck depth at frets 1 and 9? Thanks very much!

Hey Topper,
Yes, the body depth is about 3.5".

I dug out my calipers. I didn't want to take off the strings to get an accurate measure of the neck depth, so here's the measurement with the strings on:
At the 1st fret it's about .91" with the strings
At the 9th fret, it's about 1.07" with the strings

Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

**Mick-7** · 12-13-2025, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by reallyabanjoplayer

It's almost Christmas; get yourself a present!

1980 Guild X-175 ,300-img_6654-jpg

Worth it for the case alone....

Think of the story you could build around it, "Did I ever tell you about the time the cargo plane went down and the only thing that survived the crash was the guitar in this very case?"

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 12-13-2025, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Mick-7

Worth it for the case alone....

Think of the story you could build around it, "Did I ever tell you about the time the cargo plane went down and the only thing that survived the crash was the guitar in this very case?"

See, this guy gets it! You walk into a gig with that case, people stop and listen!

**Jimmy Mack** · 12-14-2025, 06:37 PM

Album cover !!! Better when covered with snow. I'm from Buffalo, so that IS the way it was on many a gig.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 12-14-2025, 10:14 PM

BTW, I'd also be open to a trade on an equal value mandolin.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 12-23-2025, 04:13 PM

Happy holidays, folks! Just an FYI, I'm going to be in NYC on xmas day and likely the day after. I wasn't planning on bringing the guitar down unless someone messages me they're interested.

If you're thinking about a great player's guitar for a stocking stuffer... dude, your stockings are way too big!

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 12-29-2025, 10:34 AM

Did you all get what you wanted for Xmas? Me either. But if what you wanted was a solid workhorse guitar, suitable for gigging or travel, the Guild is still available.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 01-17-2026, 04:01 PM

Good news! I got an old Pignose amp sufficiently working and I can confirm that all the electronics work.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 01-22-2026, 10:36 PM

Friends, I found a banjo I want that is $1,800. That means, I'll take $1,800 for this guitar for as long as that banjo is available.
(If it sells, and I don't already have a deal on the Guild, I'm raising the price again.)

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 02-16-2026, 01:02 PM

Hi again. Folks over on banjo hangout are always talking about not trusting people who have only posted once. And I know this guitar for sale is only my second post, which could hurt credibility. So I wanted to point out that I've also got it listed at banjohangout, where I've been active for years.
1980 Guild X175 Jazz Guitar - Banjo Hangout

Also, I just sold something else for $200, so I can be a bit more flexible on price as long as that banjo I want is still available.

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-16-2026, 02:32 PM

If you were in the UK, even better, Edinburgh, I’d offer a Deering Eagle II open-back 5-string for it. But you’re not, and that shows lack of foresight on both our behalves! Good luck ?

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 02-16-2026, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

If you were in the UK, even better, Edinburgh, I’d offer a Deering Eagle II open-back 5-string for it. But you’re not, and that shows lack of foresight on both our behalves! Good luck ?

Oh man! The Eagle II would be a great trade. Maybe I need to take a boat trip; I'm a very adept kayaker.

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-16-2026, 08:15 PM

I’ll get my binoculars out, and look out for you!

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 03-05-2026, 07:48 PM

The thing about being open to interesting trades... is that you get to see some interesting stuff!

Another banjo adventure weekend. Came close to a deal, but then noticed a showstopper bit of damage. Man, banjos have a lot of parts on them.

Anyway, I still got it and I'm in a deal-making mood if anyone's feeling the Guild love.

**reallyabanjoplayer** · 05-11-2026, 04:02 PM

Hey friends, just a reminder that this guitar is still in my attic, waiting for a new home.

Also, I saw the Squirrel Nut Zippers a couple weeks ago in NYC. Man, what a show! Yes, they still exist.

So I'd definitely be open to a trade for a tenor or plectrum banjo. Love that New Orleans sound!

**Jimmy Mack** · 05-11-2026, 05:58 PM

Keep on hawking this guitar. Someone will find it and maybe it's someone who really deserves this guitar. I've seen it happen.
If I didn't already have a great jazz guitar.........
I love Guilds, and the way their finishes check!
I'm in NYC. Maybe the next time you are coming down??????????

And I did have a Guild back when, and the case DID look like yours.