newbie question about Guild x700

[Tony van Heemschut]

Hello,
I just joined the forum. I have two guilds and hope to own lots more in the future.
I recently purchased a x700. From this forum I understand that the serial numer indexes on the net are unreliable. Could anyone tell me from which year my x700 number ak 700 252 is?

Furthermore, it is a beautiful guitar, but I dont understand that the edges (or sides) of the frets are very sharp. I cut my thumb sliding up and down the fretboard a couple of times. I think this is a bit strange for such a high end guitar. Could it be it is probably one of the last of the line of the Westerly factory and quality control wasn't all that anymore?

 

[jazzmang]

Furthermore, it is a beautiful guitar, but I dont understand that the edges (or sides) of the frets are very sharp. I cut my thumb sliding up and down the fretboard a couple of times. I think this is a bit strange for such a high end guitar. Could it be it is probably one of the last of the line of the Westerly factory and quality control wasn't all that anymore?

This happens when a guitar is not properly humidified. The previous owner is the likely culprit. When the guitar dries out, the fretboard wood shrinks, but the metal frets don't. Therefore, the frets stick out and are quite sharp sometimes.

Check out this video for some pretty cool info: http://www.taylorguitars.com/see-hear/Video.aspx?file=Humidity_1_High.wmx

More than likely, you should allow the guitar to become properly humidified. If the frets remain sharp, take it to a luthier and have them smooth it out if you need to. But remember, a properly humidified guitar is a happy one!

Congrats on your purchase!

 

[Walter Broes]

Don't have anything to add, but LOVE the username!! :lol:

 

[kakerlak]

Hello,
I just joined the forum. I have two guilds and hope to own lots more in the future.
I recently purchased a x700. From this forum I understand that the serial numer indexes on the net are unreliable. Could anyone tell me from which year my x700 number ak 700 252 is?

Furthermore, it is a beautiful guitar, but I dont understand that the edges (or sides) of the frets are very sharp. I cut my thumb sliding up and down the fretboard a couple of times. I think this is a bit strange for such a high end guitar. Could it be it is probably one of the last of the line of the Westerly factory and quality control wasn't all that anymore?

Hey, sorry about the lack of help on SN, but somebody'll come along and take care of you. My 700 had the same thing going on. Actually, my '74 SF-VI had it too, now that I think about it. The edges were just sharp and not just popped out or wood shrink; they weren't dressed well. Ends were shaped kind of erratically and unevenly. They were sharp and outright dangerous. I had the same "what's up w/ this fret work on such a well-made guitar" question too. Anyway, $50 to a luthier for a fret dress and all was well. It's a valid question and kind of weird, but inexpensively correctable and what a slick guitar afterwards!!!

and the SF:

[EDIT]:BTW, mine's SN AK000016, which I believe makes it first year, 1994-ish?

 

[jazzmang]

Wow that flamed maple is unbelievable!

 

[kakerlak]

Wow that flamed maple is unbelievable!

Yeah, it's a good'un eh? I'd put that guitar up against anything.

 

[Tony van Heemschut]

thanks for the fast replies. I don't think the frets popped out after the woodwork shrank, as the fret are not really outside of the fretboard. It is likely the same problem as kakerlak described. It is a pity they didn't address this problem in the factory. it remains a cool guitar anyways!

I will bring it to a luthier. It will probaly need a new set up (or trustrod adjustment) as I want to switch to a heavier gauge (from 0.11 to 0.12).

Also, the gold plating has deteriorated a little bit. I don't really mind, but didn't any of you ever had the hardware redone?

O yeah and Walter, don't tell me you are familiar with Van Heemschut?

 

[Tony van Heemschut]

Oh I love the natural finish (and beautiful maple). I only saw one x700 in that finish and it was twice the price of mine (which is sunburst).

 

[kakerlak]

thanks for the fast replies. I don't think the frets popped out after the woodwork shrank, as the fret are not really outside of the fretboard. It is likely the same problem as kakerlak described. It is a pity they didn't address this problem in the factory. it remains a cool guitar anyways!

I will bring it to a luthier. It will probaly need a new set up (or trustrod adjustment) as I want to switch to a heavier gauge (from 0.11 to 0.12).

Also, the gold plating has deteriorated a little bit. I don't really mind, but didn't any of you ever had the hardware redone?

O yeah and Walter, don't tell me you are familiar with Van Heemschut?

Yeah, with mine the fret ends weren't dressed parallel w/ the edge of the fretboard, they were crooked and jagged. I have to assume it didn't feel quite as bad at the factory as it did later and some of that may be due to settling and shrinkage, but it's still funky work. At any rate, you'll love the thing once that's cured. As for hardware, I've never heard of anyone having the stuff re-done. I know gold guitar parts always seem to wear away pretty quickly and I personally prefer chrome for that reason.

 

[BluesDan]

I'm sure Hans will chime in for certain, but I may be able to narrow it down for you. Mine is 700293 and is a 1998. So I'm guessin yours would be 97 or maybe 98 also?

No sharp fret issue with mine but maybe it was addressed by previous owner.

Welcome to LTG.

Heck...any chance to post pics......here's mine:

 

[Walter Broes]

O yeah and Walter, don't tell me you are familiar with Van Heemschut?

I'm a big, big fan!

 

[kakerlak]

...
Heck...any chance to post pics......here's mine:

Alright then, pull 'em out of the closet, let's see 'em. Who else here has one?

 

[BluesDan]

Yeah! Let's see those X-700's!

Oh....and I found a pic I had saved of another x700, serial #217 that was also a 1998. So my most excellent sleuthing skills tells me that Van the Man's is a 1998 also.

How did I do Hans? :wink:

 

[BluesDan]

Hello,
I just joined the forum. I have two guilds and hope to own lots more in the future.
I recently purchased a x700. From this forum I understand that the serial numer indexes on the net are unreliable. Could anyone tell me from which year my x700 number ak 700 252 is?

Furthermore, it is a beautiful guitar, but I dont understand that the edges (or sides) of the frets are very sharp. I cut my thumb sliding up and down the fretboard a couple of times. I think this is a bit strange for such a high end guitar. Could it be it is probably one of the last of the line of the Westerly factory and quality control wasn't all that anymore?

Hey, sorry about the lack of help on SN, but somebody'll come along and take care of you. My 700 had the same thing going on. Actually, my '74 SF-VI had it too, now that I think about it. The edges were just sharp and not just popped out or wood shrink; they weren't dressed well. Ends were shaped kind of erratically and unevenly. They were sharp and outright dangerous. I had the same "what's up w/ this fret work on such a well-made guitar" question too. Anyway, $50 to a luthier for a fret dress and all was well. It's a valid question and kind of weird, but inexpensively correctable and what a slick guitar afterwards!!!

and the SF:

[EDIT]:BTW, mine's SN AK000016, which I believe makes it first year, 1994-ish?

That is a beauty Kakerlak!!! The blonde x700's have some of the BEST flamey maple on the necks and backs!

 

[kakerlak]

Yeah! Let's see those X-700's!

Well, here's a few more of mine:

 

[BluesDan]

Blondes have more fun!

 

[hansmoust]

Hello,
I just joined the forum. I have two guilds and hope to own lots more in the future.
I recently purchased a x700. From this forum I understand that the serial numer indexes on the net are unreliable. Could anyone tell me from which year my x700 number ak 700 252 is?

Hello Tony,

Welcome! Well, you already heard it from other people but I can confirm that your X-700 with ser. # AK700252 is from 1998.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Tony van Heemschut]

Hans, that's what I thought. Thank you very much for the confirmation. Maybe this question has been asked in the past, but why isn't there an accurate source for sn numbers on the net? Or isn't there any? For instance what is the last sn for a x700 (before benedetto took over)?

 

[hansmoust]

Hans, that's what I thought. Thank you very much for the confirmation. Maybe this question has been asked in the past, but why isn't there an accurate source for sn numbers on the net? Or isn't there any? For instance what is the last sn for a x700 (before benedetto took over)?

Hello Tony,

There is no reliable source for serial numbers on the net for the period after 1979.
For the reliable list you will have to wait for Part II of The Guild Guitar Book.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[kakerlak]

Hello Tony,

There is no reliable source for serial numbers on the net for the period after 1979.
For the reliable list you will have to wait for Part II of The Guild Guitar Book.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

Hans, we all look very much forward to it and clever answer!

So is my memory correct that 1994 was the first year for these and mine (AK000016) a '94?