Getting back to the NS X-350 ...

[dhdfoster]

That would make sense, and this one doesn't budge - up or sideways.

That's a terrible way to do it. That's too bad.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Thanks for bringing this back up. I have kept a look out for the 350. Only a few online have it, but they have had it a long time. No buyers. I noticed a few stores are starting to get new shipments in. But the price hasn’t been low enough for me to bite the bullet. At full price, if i dont bond with it after a few months, i can sell it for maybe 900? Hard to say as no used ones are out there. Had someone had a 25 percent off sale i would have bitten. Only two videos out there, the one open the guild site and another thats even shorter. Neither show what i am looking for in the guitar. I am interested in the middle pickup going in and out, and by itself. I dont play jazz or rockbilly. So i wonder if its just a three pickup version of the gretsch’ 5420 or the X175.

I can try to upload some audio of those configurations, keeping in mind it's strung with flat wounds and might not be the sound you're looking for. I played it briefly with the factory round wounds and it sounded like my X-175B when the middle pickup was not engaged. I think using the middle pickup is nice for jazz rhythms as it softens the whole sound, but not good for leads as it takes a lot of bite out.

 

[freddyfingers]

Thanks for the info. The few guitars i have with three pickups, i use the middle pickup alone for leads and such. I was hoping to do that with this model. The bridge situation sounds odd. The pinned bridges i have had in the past are usually two small dots on the body that prevent the bridge base from sliding. It would seem weird if they glued a bridge base down. Until all the strings come off it may be hard to tell. But either way, thanks for the info. I’m still on the fence.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Here's some audio with descriptions of the pickup settings. Flat wounds through a very clean setting on my Tone King MK II Imperial amp. Apologies for the sloppy playing. I wish I could blame it only on a couple glasses of Friday night wine.... But I really like the tone of the middle pickup only for lead. Thanks freddy for the tip!

 

[freddyfingers]

Thanks for taking the time. Its helpful to hear something.

 

[freddyfingers]

I Took a chance today. Found a place online that was willing to i negotiate and as setup prior to shipping. Should have it early next week. I would be happy to add to this thread once i have it, and give another review.

 

[freddyfingers]

I keep playing Walter's short video with this red guitar. Can't find one locally to try. Very curious about it, how it plays and sounds. Does anyone here have one? Any comments??

Where can i find that clip? Is it public?

 

[guitarlover]

 

[freddyfingers]

Thanks!

 

[freddyfingers]

Waiting is no fun.

 

[Longnose Gar]

There's another quality problem with this guitar. The tune-o-matic bridge sticks on the treble side. If I dial it down, the wheel goes down but the bridge doesn't move. I can only move it down by banging on it with a hard metal object (screwdriver). Dialing the action up is impossible. The bridge is also pinned to the guitar, which the promo video touts as an advantage. But it prevents me from taking the bridge off the guitar so I can work on it. I don't see the advantage of the pinned bridge. I've never had an issue with floating bridges on my other archtops. Plus, I'm guessing it makes it harder to swap the bridge to something else. I can't tell how it's pinned. My iPhone won't fit in the F-holes deep enough. I can't feel anything under there. Maybe it's glue. Anyway, I'm going to contact Cordoba and see if they will send me a new bridge top under warranty.

Cordoba is sending me a new bridge under warranty. Quick response and no hassle. I've also inquired about how the bridge is pinned (glue or otherwise) to the top.

 

[freddyfingers]

Cordoba is sending me a new bridge under warranty. Quick response and no hassle. I've also inquired about how the bridge is pinned (glue or otherwise) to the top.

Its good to know they support. I will know early this week. I would really not like the bridge base glued down. but at least the bridge needs to come off as I am not a fan of the adjustomatic And would use a Compton or similar.

 

[Guildedagain]

"Waiting is no fun."

Tom Petty agrees.

 

[Longnose Gar]

I was finally able to get the bridge off. The bridge posts screw through the bridge, the top, and down into the bracing.

 

[Walter Broes]

That's how I expected they did it. Nothing wrong with doing it that way if it's well executed.

 

[shihan]

Now the bridge on my NS-175 makes sense; I didn't know it was screwed into the top like that. I didn’t understand the purpose of the set screws in the posts; now I do. Thanks for the photo.

 

[freddyfingers]

Usually a wooden bridge base has the posts scored in. I have not seen them screwed into the body like that. Usually there are two small nubs on the body top, and two small indentations in the bridge base. Thats how my gretsch G6120 setzer hotrod is. The bridge wont slide, but its also still pressured to the top by the strings. I wonder if those screws change some of the sound transfer.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Its good to know they support. I will know early this week. I would really not like the bridge base glued down. but at least the bridge needs to come off as I am not a fan of the adjustomatic And would use a Compton or similar.

I’m curious about changing the bridge too, now that we know the factory one can be removed just leaving two holes behind. I have an extra compensated rosewood bridge. I don’t use the Bigsby, so maybe the strings wouldn’t dig away at the bridge? Anyone tried a rosewood bridge with Bigsby?

 

[freddyfingers]

I’m curious about changing the bridge too, now that we know the factory one can be removed just leaving two holes behind. I have an extra compensated rosewood bridge. I don’t use the Bigsby, so maybe the strings wouldn’t dig away at the bridge? Anyone tried a rosewood bridge with Bigsby?

I have had this question going on for a while. I have a gretsch G5034tft. It looks like a acoustic with a bigsby. But its really a electric guitar as the woods are too thick to generate sound without a magnetic pickup. I have searched for a piezo type pickup to replace the solid bar bridge it comes with To give it an acoustic sound while plugged into a PA, and still have a bigsby. So far mostly manufacturers have said their bridges will wear down with bigsby use. It just files away at the wood. So I haven’t found one yet. Unless you get one that’s inexpensive and you can swap them out easily

 

[freddyfingers]

It arrived today Over all its a looker. Needs a bit of tweaking to get action where I like it, but not much to complain about. The pickups sound really good for what is a import guitar. I played original franz pickups once or twice on a 54 guild a local shop had. Those were killer. These are really good in their own way. They push my twin easily, which I like. The bigsby is tight, and the handle is thin. If I keep it on, I will replace the handle, but i dont use it much, so I will either leave it or replace it with a guild tail piece. I have not put it side by side with the savoy 150, but the neck feels different. Then again that one has flat wounds and the local guy leveled some frets to get the action really low.
the red doesn’t look tacky, it’s sharp. And the white covers work with it. The binding looks aged, not stark white. Very nice. So I will play it a bit, replace the bridge with a solid compensated Compton or similar and see where it takes me. Gas has been relieved until the next new batch of guilds come out.