DeArmond

[cc_mac]

Hi,

I'm pretty new around here and I'd like to ask some questions about the DeArmond (By Guild) X-155 but I am not sure if that's cool to do forum. So far I really like it here and don't want get kicked off

Thanks,
Chris
1969 Guild Starfire IV
200X Ibanez Artcore AK95

 

[Walter Broes]

Hey Chris, welcome to the forum, and ask away - lotsa members who love their DeArmond guitars on here!

 

[AlohaJoe]

I don't know too much about the 155s, but I suspect there are others here who do so ask away. If you already have a 155 post some pics... we love all kinds of guitar porn. I look forward to seeing the progress on that Starfire too.

 

[Default]

So far I really like it here and don't want get kicked off

They let me stay after Grammy told me about the Standard Induction Fee, the Post Per Topic Fee and well as the Fund to Free Tim Hortons Fee.

I think that Tim Hortons must be an important political prisoner, cause Graham is always hitting me up for donations.

 

[cc_mac]

Re: DeArmond (X-155)

Thanks for the thumbs up! I was trolling the local music stores today and there is one in town that has a lot of used instruments. While there I noticed a harp tailpiece across the room and went over to investigate. The headstock said DeArmond and I recognized it as an X-155 (natural finish) but I didn't pull it off its hanger just then. The shop guy was chatting with another customer and I got into that conversation for a while. He then invited me to play an Ibanez George Benson he had stashed in the back. It appeared to be a late 80s or early 90s. The GB was about $1700 which was way out of my price range and I frankly I didn't dig it all that much. I inquired about the DeArmond and he got it down for me. Inspected it and there was no label on the inside. The truss rod cover did not have the Guild shield and X-155 on it such as http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/2e/ec/20c8_3.JPG
but it did have the Chesterfield design on the headstock. The back of the headstock also had "Crafted in Korea. " The pickups appeared to he the Corona ones and the volume/tone knobs had the script D on them as seen in the this pic.
http://i10.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/2e/ec/1704_3.JPG
All indications are that the guitar I saw was an X-155. The shop guy could not tell me what year it was made or much more about it.

I spent quite a bit of time playing it and really enjoyed it's look, feel, and sound. I'd been thinking recently that I was ready for something new in a hollowbody and a Guild X-175 is on the short list but it would require the sale of a few other guitars around the house and maybe an upturn in the economy

So here I am in this music store really digging what I believe to be an X-155 and thinking to myself, "This could be the right guitar for me for the next year or so. " I've read some favorable things about the X-155 and enjoyed my time with it. The advertised price on this was $700 with hardshell case.

So, if you have thoughts, opinions, or stories about your X-155 or any anecdotes you'd like to share I'd be glad to hear them. It might help me sort out my decision.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[cc_mac]

So far I really like it here and don't want get kicked off

They let me stay after Grammy told me about the Standard Induction Fee, the Post Per Topic Fee and well as the Fund to Free Tim Hortons Fee.

I think that Tim Hortons must be an important political prisoner, cause Graham is always hitting me up for donations.

So, about once a year I make the trek from NC to Toronto to visit friends. There's a TImmy's on every corner and I love me an Iced Cap in the summertime! There used to be a place on Queen St (maybe it's still there) called Capsule Music. I've never seen such a fine collection of vintage guitars and amps. They were very cool and let me play whatever I wanted to. The last time I was in there a few years ago there were several Starfires on the wall from the 60s and early 70s.



Chris

 

[coastie99]

Welcome Chris; hope that you enjoy it here.

Seems fairly expensive; there are two less expensive ones on Gbase and you might consider Ebay as a source. I looked for recent sales there in order to get a ball-park selling price but alas, none sold recently.

How's your haggling skills ??

Looks promising ................... http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-Dearmond-Guild ... dZViewItem

 

[taabru45]

Fender kept them pretty close to the Manhattan model, I have the 135, single pickup model. Like it a lot, make sure it comes with a case as the wider hips don't fit in a standard case. People like them and this people does too. :lol: Steffan
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... X-155/10/1

 

[taabru45]

I think that Tim Hortons must be an important political prisoner, cause Graham is always hitting me up for donations.

The Canadian arm of LTG is in constant need of refreshing the Tim Horton cause, Send money to myself, Graham, 12 stringer, or any other member you identify as Canadian, eh. We will generously support TH with your donations, they not only have the best coffee and donuts etc, around but a small amount of their profits go to support camps for wanting girls and boys, they have several, and disadvantaged kids go for free. So we collectively urge you to send any and all 'spare change' and folding money our way, it will do a lot of good, and preserve the presence of these common gathering places/watering holes to make available to you the experience of joining with us in a united cause, should you happen our way. Be generous now....its for the kids. right?!
Thanks Graham for helping spread the word of this worthwhile cause, (have you tried their blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese? mmmm.) Steffan

 

[AlohaJoe]

In the current market I'd bet you could haggle down 10-15%. It would also help if you knew how long it had been there. Of course, the asking price is just what they'd like to get for it, but keep in mind that there is generally some increased value if it's a blonde finish. Anyway, buying a guitar you can hold in your hands, inspect and play is worth a few extra bucks too... the risks of eBay are many, thus somewhat lower prices.

The Harmony Central reviews that Steffan posted look darn good. It sounds like you might be able to get a good deal there if it's a guitar you like, and when you're dealing locally you often have the added advantage of a return policy and/or warranty (and no shipping headaches). Good luck and let us know what happens!
- Joe

 

[mad dog]

CC: Welcome. This is a most friendly and tolerant group you'll find. I came here lusting after Guilds, ended up with 3 Dearmonds and yap about them frequently. And haven't been booted yet. Perhaps cause they all know Guild ownership is predestined, inescapable, and simply the right thing to do.

 

[Graham]

Hey Chris, welcome to LTG.

I briefly owned an X-155.

Real sweet guitar, I'm just not ready for the 'lectric side of things yet so moved onto a guy that was really wanting one.

While they may be worth the asking price in playability and build, yada, yada, yada, their value I think is lower on resale. If you want it to keep it, like most of us think when we buy something, perhaps $700 would be the top IMO, but if you want to sell it down the line, chances are you won't get the same for it.

Still, very kewl and fun guitar to play with.

And I do still support the TH foundations, most daily. :wink:

 

[cc_mac]

Hi,

Thanks for all the commentary on the X-155. I agree that $700 was over the top. When I left the shop I was thinking $500 was more like it which is why it was so easy to walk away. I'll check back in a few weeks and see if it's still on the wall. In the meantime there are 4 X-155 on eBay at the moment. I'll watch those and see if and how they close. I don't know that I'd buy off of eBay. I've always liked the idea of holding a guitar in my hand before I forked over cash for it. Also, I'm not so bad at haggling

Thanks to Graham for sharing the pics of his black and chrome X-155. It's good to know those are out there as that color scheme really appeals to my sense of aesthetics.

Chris
1969 Guild Starfire IV
2005 Alverez AC60SC w/Recital Box
2006 Fender Telecaster
200X Ibanez AK95