‘90’s X-500 question

[shihan]

I recently sold my ‘84 X-500. I did so very reluctantly; I loved everything about the guitar except...the narrow neck. I tried to adapt, but It just was to thin for my fat fingers.
my ‘97 SF4 has a (for me) perfect profile, wide and some thickness that fits my hand just right.
So my question is: do ‘90’s X-500 necks have a similar profile? Before I start obsessing over getting one, I would appreciate any knowledgeable answers. I know some of you guys have a LOT of guitars...
Thanks!

 

[AcornHouse]

I believe my (former) ‘93 had a 1-5/8” nut width, but a little more rounded profile. But I like thin necks and I cannot lie.

 

[shihan]

Thanks Chris. That’s kind of what I expected. I can certainly see why you would like a narrow neck; it sure is great for single note stuff. Playing more complicated chords was the problem for me and my fat fingers; always stopping or muting strings I didn’t want to.
Probably the guitar I’m looking for will be something unobtainable like a Paladin or a Benedetto.

 

[GGJaguar]

My 2001 X-500T has a 1 11/16" nut width.

 

[shihan]

My 2001 X-500T has a 1 11/16" nut width.

Thanks! There’s hope for me yet!

 

[GAD]

My ‘97 X700 is 1 3/4”!

Guild 1997 X700 Stuart | GAD's Ramblings

The Guild X700 is a guitar that was pretty difficult for me to come by while also being high on my list of guitars that I wanted to review. Once I got one did its high-end nature make me a better player? Could I rip George Benson licks without thinking about it? Did the very quality of …

www.gad.net

 

[shihan]

My ‘97 X700 is 1 3/4”!

Guild 1997 X700 Stuart | GAD's Ramblings

The Guild X700 is a guitar that was pretty difficult for me to come by while also being high on my list of guitars that I wanted to review. Once I got one did its high-end nature make me a better player? Could I rip George Benson licks without thinking about it? Did the very quality of …

www.gad.net

I didn’t remember that from when I read your review. 1 3/4 would be perfect! I think an X-700 is out of my price range, though...
thanks

 

[Canard]

X180 PAs have a 1 11/16ths width, 1/16th inch shy of GAD's X700.

Ref: https://www.ggjaguar.com/x-180.htm

The neck on mine is quite deliciously chunky, fits my larger hands nicely, lots of room between strings for finger picking. It is not my dream guitar, but it is very nice.

 

[shihan]

My first Guild was an X-170. It was an excellent guitar, but didn’t float my boat like the X-500.
A 170 or 80 is definitely an first rate option, if I can’t find a suitable X-500.

 

[BradHK]

Reverb has a 1995 X-500 and the description says it has a 1 11/16” nut width. Not sure of neck profile and depth but you could reach out to the seller and check

Guild X-500 Stuart (1993 - 2003) | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[Walter Broes]

I don't mind the smaller nut widths at all...and judging by a bunch of posts on LTG, that should mean a whole bunch of Hoboken archtops are standing in some dusty corner, neglected, waiting for me to pick them up cheap...right? Right?

 

[shihan]

Thanks, Brad, that’s what I have in mind. If the owner comes to his senses about the price, I’ll definitely be interested. Thanks.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Reverb has a 1995 X-500 and the description says it has a 1 11/16” nut width. Not sure of neck profile and depth but you could reach out to the seller and check

Guild X-500 Stuart (1993 - 2003) | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Looks like SS Vintage in Chicago is a pricey establishment. Any store with the word "vintage" in its name I'd stay away from.

 

[shihan]

Rich, that’s good advice. That price is ridiculously high.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Here's a 1976 Guild X-500 for 3,850 at Guitarsnjazz.com in Summit, New Jersey. I know the owner, Lou del Rosso, from who I bought my A500 recently. He's an archtop specialist. You can make an offer of 3,500 -- he might accept it.

http://guitarsnjazz.com/product/guild-x-500-blonde-1970s-archtop-guitar-near-mint-ohsc/

 

[GGJaguar]

Here's a 1976 Guild X-500

Be aware that this guitar likely has a 1 5/8" nut width. My '76 X-500 and '76 X-175 both have similar skinny neck profiles.

 

[shihan]

Yeah, that’s why I don’t lust after vintage Guilds.
I want to; but the narrow necks stop me.

 

[mad dog]

Width is not the only dimension. My '62 X50 has a 1 5/8" nut width, also this near perfect, not thin, rounded back of neck shape. So comfortable, I didn't even know it was 1 5/8" wide til long after I got it. Fits my hand just right. My '61 X175 has a 1 11/16" wide neck. A touch shallower back to front down by the nut, compared to the X50.

 

[Default]

The radius of the curve, fretboard to centerline, has a lot to do with the feel. I have one guitar where my hand hurts after a few minutes because of how sharp the radius is from back to binding.

 

[shihan]

The radius of the curve, fretboard to centerline, has a lot to do with the feel. I have one guitar where my hand hurts after a few minutes because of how sharp the radius is from back to binding.

Yeah, what’s a comfortable neck is really subjective. My favorite neck is on my ‘35 L-50; 1 3/4” with a hard V. A lot of folks would not care for it. That’s why I asked about a specific era of X-500’s; I know I like that eras neck profile.
Ideally, one could try before you buy, but, as you know, not possible with vintage gear.