Hi all, this is my first post and after going back and searching this topic I'm still a bit confused. I've been wanting to purchase an X170 and was told its a reissue, about 15 yrs. old and made in Rhode Island. I haven't received an answer as to exactly what kind of top it sports. My question is, does this particular guitar have a carved or a laminated top? I saw one blonde on a site for sale that said it had a carved top but have seen others that were maybe laminated. I'm kinda leaning toward the carved mainly as I'm a bedroom player and only plug in occasionaly. BTW, I've owned a blonde Artist Award before (new in 1981 for app. $1100) with a maple top when I was in my Kenny Burrell and Joe Pass stage. I unfortunately gave it up as I returned to more blues and R&B. Its been a toss up between a Gibson 137 mainly because of the cost similarities (personally I've just always liked the Venetian cutaway of the X170 too). I love Guilds with their distinctive headstock, harp style tail piece, action and just the build quality in general. Thanks all.
X170- Carved top or Laminated?
- Thread starter Ravon
- Start date
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Pretty sure its laminated, but you'll know for sure shortly....welcome aboard, sounds like you'll fit right in here....I'd bet there are a majority of us who have sold a Guild and have regretted it....at least 2 in my case... :? 
Steffan
Steffan
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Ravon said:
You might as well add the link, If you're willing to drop it, some one here might be willing to pick it up, and perhaps that is a little high, you'll soon know...regards Steffan
All X-170s should be laminated top, back and sides. To my knowledge, the only carved top Guilds (solidbody guitars aside) are the Johnny Smith/Artist Award and X-700, both of which have carved, solid spruce tops.
If you had an Artist Award with a maple top, you had what's probably a one-of-a-kind guitar as they are normally spruce-topped instruments.
I wasn't really familiar w/ that model Gibson, so I did a little Googling. It looks like that's a semi-holle guitar, with a 335-style solid block down the middle. If you're after acoustic volume, a fully hollow guitar, regardless of construction, should be a great deal louder than a semi-hollow.
Bottom line, if you have a chance to, play a few and see what you think!
If you had an Artist Award with a maple top, you had what's probably a one-of-a-kind guitar as they are normally spruce-topped instruments.
I wasn't really familiar w/ that model Gibson, so I did a little Googling. It looks like that's a semi-holle guitar, with a 335-style solid block down the middle. If you're after acoustic volume, a fully hollow guitar, regardless of construction, should be a great deal louder than a semi-hollow.
Bottom line, if you have a chance to, play a few and see what you think!
guildman63
Senior Member
The X-170 is definitely laminated. I have an X-170T (with Bigsby) and it's a very versatile guitar for anything from the cleanest jazz to heavily distorted blues or rock. $1559 seems a bit much. I sold one recently for $1285 (2001 mint guitar and case). I don't think there is much of a difference between the earlier models and 2001 (both Westerly) so the price shouldn't change much. There was never a break in production to my knowledge (1985 - 200?) so there shouldn't be any that are considered vintage vs reissue. The pups pre 1998 may be original Guild HB-1's, but others can speak to that.
guildman63
Senior Member
Ravon said:
The Ebay listing is as follows:
http://cgi.ebay.com/GUILD-X170-MANHATTA ... 3f070e75e1
And it is by our buddy Petopeterson. Tread his way with caution! By looking at the pics it appears that the bridge is quite low and doesn't have much more room for adjustment. Other than that it appears to be in good shape based on the pics. This Ebayer is known for buying up Guild guitars and reselling them for a profit. On its face that is fine, but just be aware that he paid much less than $1559 for that guitar, which means that with some patience you should be able to get one at least as clean for between $1200 and $1300. Best of luck!
I agree. I think I've seen them for as low as $1100, but $12-1300 seems more likely.guildman63 said:
Brad
Thanks all for clearing it all up. The Artist Award I bought new around '81 was sold to me with the understanding that it was unusual in the fact it had a maple top (unflamed). I went several years thinking it was so (it did have a brighter sound than most spruce top guitars I've played) and I sold it as having a maple top. The blonde X170 I mentioned for $1200 was advertised on Craigslist in Nashville (azmadoc) a week or so ago. Its advertised as a "slab top" which I just assumed meant "carved". I emailed him and told him I was interested. He emailed me back and said someone was coming to look at it and if they weren't interested then he'd let me know but haven't heard anything back. I still want one though, laminated or not. Thanks again
A one of a kind Artist Award? Of course I'm the one one who'd get rid of something like that! I'm real good of getting rid of a number of collectible guitars. I hate to even think about the ones I've sold and traded off. I would list them all but Id just start crying again.