Best of the new lineup for Semi & full hollowbody electrics

[Hellz Kitchen]

Looking at new guilds for either a semi body or full hollowbody guitar for some rock gigs. Out of their current lineup, which models are more of the top tier, best quality, and sound the best? I know they have a good amount of options but trying to narrow it down to the top of the line and then chose from there.

 

[DrumBob]

I'm very happy with my Newark Street series Starfire IV; cherry red with stop tailpiece. I've had it for years now and it's a keeper. I also have two Newark Series S-200 T-Birds in white and black, also keepers. The body shape is controversial, but I always loved the graceful, swooping lines.

 

[mavuser]

the Aristocrats w the P-90s are pretty sweet. the brand new ones are chambered. when they first reissued it they were more like true hollow i think. so either of those

 

[GAD]

I think the answer you're looking for is a bit occluded by Guild marketing (by design). While all of the Newark St. guitars are pretty good, there is a hierarchy that goes something like this:

Koerean > Chinese > Indonesian. That's not really set in stone, though in my experience the Korean Guilds electrics are better than both the Chinese and Indonesian.

While there's no simple way to tell the difference by looking at the models, the easiest is probably MSRP.

The Korean-made NS Guilds are the highest priced models, while the Indonesian made models are the least expensive, though they're often in-line with the Chinese models. For example: X-175 Manhattan Special (Korean) has an MSRP of $2100 while the Starfire I SC (Indonesian) has an MSRP of $835.

 

[Ned Dana]

I love Starfires in general but if your playing a super high volumes the single cut thin lines can feedback. just something to think about.

 

[Longnose Gar]

I love my Newark Street X-175B. I've been through several Korean and Chinese electrics, including Guilds, and the X-175B is the one I've kept. I've even let go of Gibson ES-175/295's with P90's because they didn't sound better. But I only play at low volume in my home studio, so feedback on the hollow body is not an issue.

 

[shihan]

I totally agree with Dan above. My NS X175 is becoming my main guitar, shouldering aside Several vintage favorites. Although the X 175 probably won’t suit your needs; don’t be afaid of the Korean NS guitars.
unless you play at ear splitting volume, a NS SF would suit you well.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

the Aristocrats w the P-90s are pretty sweet. the brand new ones are chambered. when they first reissued it they were more like true hollow i think. so either of those

I believe that both are available. Guild's website lists both the Aristocrat P90 (chambered solid body) and M-75 Aristocrat (hollow body)

 

[mavuser]

I believe that both are available. Guild's website lists both the Aristocrat P90 (chambered solid body) and M-75 Aristocrat (hollow body)

thank u, i missed that but see it now.

The full hollow one is the one I played, and the one I strongly recommened.