X-170 over the years...

[guildman63]

And for my first post since registering, can anyone tell me what changes have been made to the X-170 since its inception in (1985?)? I have a 2001 that sounds very good, but I have heard that in some of the guild models the pickups were changes toward the late 90's, and that some X-170's have a center block and others don't. Also, slightly off topic, what, if any differences are there between a 1991 Starfire 4 and a late 60's Starfire IV? Thanks!

Dave

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome.

Good questions but I have no answers for you.

 

[matsickma]

I have owned 4 different X170's over the years and they span all the models from the later 1980's to early 2000's. All the X170's have a solid block called a "Sound post" under the bridge that connects the bridge to the back of the guitar. It cuts down on body air chamber feedback. No X170's had a solid block that I am aware of or have seen. The differences of the guitars over the years is in the pickguard type and mounting arrangement. Some are multi layer pickguard material and others are clear with black paint on the back a a gold Guild emblem. The mounting of the pickguard has varried a little. On the earlier models the pickguard material overlaps the pickup bezel and on later models it is cutout to clear the bezzel. The pickups over the years have been standard Guild HB-1's and on later models they are HB-1 that have exposed pole's for the two bobbins. These are often referred to as "Fender" HB-1's. However the ones I have seen on guitars from the last years of the Westerly plant had a Guild stamp on them. It is reported that Guild guitars out of Corona had Fender markings. Amoung Guild guitar players the general opnion is that there is a tone difference between the pickups. I agree with this assessment. However HB-1 were made for a long time and their have been subtle changes to the pickups over the years so their is likely tonal differences throughout the life of the pickup. It is safe to say the early HB-1's sound different than later HB-1's.

The main differences between late 60's SF IV's and early 1990's SF4 are: Pickups (mini HB verses HB-1's), Stop (Harp verses Gibson style hard Stop), Body Thickness (Early SF IV have a thinner body over most reissued SF 4's. However their is a lot of variation and Hans Moust is the only one who can provide the specific info.) and Wood density (1960's guitars tend to weigh less than the reissued models-my own experiance, not based on guitar specifications.)

M

 

[guildman63]

Thanks for the info M, very helpful.

Dave

 

[GAD]

The pickups over the years have been standard Guild HB-1's and on later models they are HB-1 that have exposed pole's for the two bobbins. These are often referred to as "Fender" HB-1's. However the ones I have seen from the last years of the Westerly guitars had a Guild stamp on them. It is reported that Guild guitars out of Corona had Fender markings. Among Guild guitar players the general opnion is that there is a tone difference between the pickups. I agree with this assessment. However HB-1 were made for a long time and their have been subtle changes tothe pickups over the years so their is likely tonal differences throughout the life of the pickup. It is safe to say the early HB-1's sound different than later HB-1's.

Yes. The difference is that the Fender HB1s suck and the real vintage Guild HB1s rock.

Sorry - couldn't let a Fender HB1 jab go by so easily.

Seriously though, the only that vintage HB1s and Fender HB1s have in common is looks and perhaps the material from which they're made. Every vintage HB1 I've ever played has been drool-worthy. Every Fender HB1 I've played has been uninspiring. I've played easily 10-20 examples of both.

That said, the X170 is the only guitar where I haven't minded the Fender HB1s, but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that my X170 is an X170T with a coil-tap.

 

[matsickma]

It is not easy to write an objective answer with GAD around!

 

[guildman63]

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Stevo]

I have an x-170 from 1987 or 88 and it has a 5 piece neck. All later models I've seen have a 3 piece. The neck on mine has a very round 'C' profile that I quite like but it is just too narrow at the nut for my fat fingers so it mostly sits in it's case

Steve