CE-100 vs M-65 vs X-500

[nmiller]

Hi,

First post here - definitely a cool forum!

I have a recent (2002) X-500 with humbuckers, and I'm looking for another archtop to play a mix of blues, country, folk and rock & roll. I love the X-500, but I've found that my favorite sound is of a single coil in the neck position. I'd like to get an old archtop with Franz pickups, and I currently have leads on both an M-65 and a CE-100. Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to play either of them in person before I pull the trigger, so any advice from other Guild fans is welcome.

Does anyone think that the CE-100 might sound too similar to my X-500? I imagine with the maple top and Franz pickup it should sound brighter. I also imagine the M-65 should sound similar to a Les Paul with P-90s - right? Thoughts?

 

[Guildmark]

Wish I could help you, Noah, but there are so many more knowledgeable guys here when it comes to the electrics, it would be best to wait for one of their responses. Just didn't want you to think no one was paying attention.

Darn interesting collection you've got going there!

Welcome aboard!
Post well. Post often.

 

[count_scrofula]

Personally I think the M65 sounds nothing like an LP with P-90s. Afterall, it's a fully hollow low-end archtop, compared to a high-end slab guitar.

 

[jp]

Hi Noah,
I think it's pretty hard to make a recommendation since those three guitars are quite different physically. Also, because you're throwing out those three different guitars, which have vastly different pickup variations, I'm not quite sure what sound you're hearing in your head.

My experience with the CE-100 is that it's an extremely versatile guitar. It can IMHO give a Gibson ES-175 a serious run for it's money, especially with the 60s Guild miniHBs like mine. With the Franz PUs, it's a riproaring rockabilly and country axe. Compared to an X-500 (only played one example), it is definitely has a brighter sound and more attack. The most I can tell you much about an M-65 is that I want one! :wink: As mentioned above by the count, I think it sounds quite different than a LP and won't offer you as much sustain as a solid body. Great guitars, though. The closest I can compare it to is a Hofner Club 40 or 50.

For samples of the CE-100 with Franz PUs, check out http://www.billydlight.com/. He's got a lot of vids on youtube as well.

Also, I'm not just saying this because I'm selling one (in the FS section), but a T-100DP with Franz PUs is also a super, all-around guitar for blues, country and folk. It won't get you that deeper resonance of a full-bodied archtop, but for Americana styles, I think it (and it's uptown cousins the Starfires) are some of the best Guild offers.

Nice collection BTW and interesting research you're doing.

 

[teleharmonium]

IMO none of those guitars are going to sound anything like a recent X500 so you've not no worries as far as any Hackensack era Guild with Franz pickups sounding too similar to what you have. The Guilds of that time seem to me to have thinner tops and backs and thinner finishes which have by now receded into the wood so they are thinner than they started out. They are generally lighter and more acoustically resonant than the more recent Guilds (all other things being equal such as laminate vs. carved top models), and the Franz pickups don't sound quite like anything else out there.

 

[70sSanO]

I have a 1964 M-65 that has the chrome cover single coil pickups. I like the small size and light weight. I set the amp with the treble boosted a little and the bass backed off a bit and I just work the tone knob. While not a Franz pickup it is a good blues and jazz box. Has that archtop overtone that you won't have with an LP.

Since I own an M-65 I am partial, and I can't make the choice for you, but as the original owner I've had my M-65 for a long long time and I'm glad it has a full scale. Almost 40 years ago I had a late 50's Guild thin body, DP Franz, with a 3/4 neck and the intonation was always a problem. Others may have not found this, but it was always a problem for me. Something you may want to think about with a 3/4 M-65.

I would think both the CE-100 and M-65 would work well.

John

 

[valcotone]

For samples of the CE-100 with Franz PUs, check out http://www.billydlight.com/. He's got a lot of vids on youtube as well.

Interesting... this is what Billy D. says about the old Guild wiring:

"BTW: Those white soaps (pickups) on all my 50's Guilds sound awesome. They kind of get a bad rap but I know the secret: shhhh, don't tell anyone but Guild used to put capacitors right at the switches and sometimes in line, to enhance the jazz tone. Take out the caps and these thing have unreal bite, snarl, and some real Rockabilly Blues, and Retro Mojo. These guitars are versatile as well, I play Hendrix in the same set as the Fabulous T-Birds, and the Stray Cats, and it all sounds killer."


What's he talking about? Is this true of CE-100DP's as well? (I have a 1960).

Thanks!

 

[billydlight]

Actually the CE's did not have the caps but most of the other ones X350, 175, 440 did.
The CE is Magic.

Check here http://www.myspace.com/thebillydlighttrio
Recent CE goodness

Check out the videos turn off the tracks first

 

[Xstian67]

Pure delight, Billy...