New LTG member and a question

[Danny F]

Hi, I'm brand new here so let me just first say Hello - I've really enjoyed reading the postings here and have learned a lot already.

My question today is: Are there better and worse years for Guild archtops? I'm wondering in particular about the 80s guitars - and also wondering if the Corona archtops from the 90s are held in any less esteem that the pre fender Guild guitars, and if so why?

I've been looking for an x-500t for a long time but will post a more detailed note about that as a WTB posting in the for sale forum.

Thanks! d

 

[Walter Broes]

Welcome to the forum Danny.

I think between NYC, Hoboken, and Westerly, it's mostly a matter of taste, and what you're after, but I don't think any of them are bad or sub-par instruments, they're just different.

I don't have any first hand experience with Corona Guilds, but from what I've read and heard, IF there are any Guilds that suffered a little in the quality control department, it'd be the Corona made ones. That said, I've seen plenty of comments from folks who absolutely love their Corona Guilds.

As for the X500T - weren't most of them Westerly-made? Hans would probably know, I'm really not sure. There seems to be a lot of demand for those all of a sudden!

 

[krysh]

welcome.
the overall quality should be the same, esp. with the higher price models.
so:

BIN

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Welcome to LTG, Danny. Don't know much about archtops, but as you can see, we have folks who do.

 

[cjd-player]

Hi Danny.
Welcome to the forum.


I don't really know much about archtops.
I'm looking for an arched back to fit my belly (a reverse Ovation :shock: ) :mrgreen:

 

[Squawk]

I have one Corona electric - Bluesbird - and see no difference in quality compared to my Westerly electrics.

 

[AlohaJoe]

Welcome to the LTG forum!

There is a previous thread on this subject that might be of help here:
http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9547

And the most stunning X-500 I've ever seen here:
http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11081

 

[northbayj]

Howdy Danny - welcome aboard. You're going to love it here. I'm the very proud owner of a 2000 Corona X500. It's an extraordinary instrument, the intonation is amazingly precise up and down the neck and it holds tune better than any guitar I've ever had. If you're on the market for a laminated archtop, it's a great choice. I've played only a few Westerly x500s and X175s, and I really couldn't tell any difference. I play a buddy's Gibson 175 pretty frequently and my Guild is way better in all aspects - but I'm biased. The older Franz Guilds like what Walter plays are very different from the recent models. The ones I've played are a lot lighter than the newer ones and, of course, the pickups are single coils. Keep your eye on eBay. The price range for regular x500s has been in the $1,700 to $2,000 range, the x500Ts going in the low $2ks. Keep us informed!

 

[Guilderagain]

Welcome Danny,

I too have a Corona built X-500 and agree with northbayj that it's an outstanding instrument. Hand's down, it is my favorite to play. Compared to my Westerly built X-150 and X-170, I see no difference in sound or quality (I do enjoy them immensely too).

The truth is, I'm not sure why there is this myth lurking about that Corona built, or Westerly owned by Fender are somehow inferior to pre-Fender period Guilds. Perhaps there is some harboring resentment that a small company like Guild was gobbled up by a large entity such as Fender (it is a shame that they eventualy discontinued the Guild electric line). Perhaps it's just good bragging rights. In some part, I think that sellers in E-Bay like to point this out and therefore perpetuate this Corona vs Westerly vs Hoboken argument. In my opinion, I believe it'll make their sale more alluring or "rare." Boy, if I had a dollar for everytime that word is used in E-Bay.

One more thing; If you're not buying local, be careful with shipping this time of year. The extreme cold can cause significant checking on nitrocellulose finishes. It happened to my X-150 last January when it was delivered to my home via UPS. Good luck with your search and keep us posted.

Alex

 

[chazmo]

Welcome to LTG, Danny. Don't know much about archtops, but as you can see, we have folks who do.

Ditto.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Danny F]

Thanks everyone for all the informative replies (and the funny one too!). It hadn't occurred to me that the more recent guitars might weigh a bit more. That's been my experience with Fender and Gibson solid body instruments, but I've only had one archtop thus far, and so had nothing to compare it to.

At any rate, I'm looking forward to participating more, and with luck it won't be too long before I have a guitar to report back on and some pics to post