NGD: NS X175 Manhattan Special

GAD

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5D3_2852_1600.jpg


Another eye-catcher from Guild!

This one is also a factory second, this time due to a bit of a finish chip up near the nut. I even got to peel the plastic from the pick guard and TRC.

The finish is a sort of satin with a very unique feel, and while the color certainly caught my eye, I had to have it because of the pickups, and I must say I'm kind of impressed so far. While I don't have a true Dynasonic-equipped guitar to compare it to, I do have a set of the real deal (along with all the other variations) from my pickup experiments, and since these NS pickups have quick-release cables I might even use this guitar as a test-bed to compare them all. I don't want to get ahead of myself with another multi-year project that never gets finished, though (SOON!)

We'll see how it shakes out when I take it apart, but just from playing it for a while I can tell you that the middle position sound alone makes me glad I bought it.
 

GGJaguar

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Congrats it's blue! Waiting for the inevitable comparison with X-160 as a sidebar in your review. :)
 

shihan

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Looks like a fun guitar. Sure is easy on the eyes. Looking forward to your in depth analysis.
 

Bonneville88

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SWEET - can't feel blue gazing at that - looks ready to be played -congrats!😊
 

guitarlover

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Looking forward to your review 😄! I've seen this guitar in my local guitarshop and it looks promising indeed.
 

kakerlak

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Does the finish look like it'd buff out to a gloss if you wanted to give it a go with Mirror Glaze or do you think it lacks a top coat of clear? I'd be hesitant to try to cut into the metallic with an abrasive polish if it's just shot single stage
 

guitarlover

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Would be very nice in sunburst too ! ( this video shows a vintage x 500)
@kakerlak : next time I'll have a look when I visit my local guitarshop !
 

Quantum Strummer

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IMO the original Dynas offer one of the prettiest dual pickup sounds you can get. From what I've heard in demos these new ones are up there too. The current SF II ST is tempting.

-Dave-
 

Walter Broes

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Do the Dynas have the same footprint as the LB-1s?
They're a little smaller lengthwise, you'd need a custom spacer to cover up a small gap.

I just spent some time with the X175 Special, we have one at the shop I work at, and it's a pretty cool guitar. The pickups sound great, but they do seem extremely similar (if not the same) as the 90's version Guild put on the X160 Rockabilly. Kind of a "Diet DeArmond"

Probably a more practical pickup than the original DeArmonds : they're not as hot, and the magnets polepieces are quite a bit smaller, so there's a lot less string pull as well. The old ones are glorious sounding and much louder/more powerful, but they can be strident, harsh and ice picky into the wrong amp (hint : they don't like Blackface Fenders or other bright amps at all). These are an altogether more civilized and polite. They do get a lot of that same twang, but they remind me more of an overwound Fender pickup if that makes sense. Still bright and percussive, but I imagine they'd be more compatible with modern rigs than the originals.
 

Default

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I was wondering from an engineering standpoint. If I was redesigning them, I would be inclined to standardise drilling the top.
 

guitarlover

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Does the finish look like it'd buff out to a gloss if you wanted to give it a go with Mirror Glaze or do you think it lacks a top coat of clear? I'd be hesitant to try to cut into the metallic with an abrasive polish if it's just shot single stage
I passed by the guitar shop today and had a closer look to the manhattan special. There does not seem to be a clear coat above the blue metallic coat.
 

matsickma

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I've installed a set of vintage DeA pups on a DE400. I was able to angle the screws to match up with small Guild HB bezel holes. You have to look pretty close to see its not a factory install. Since the DE400 shows some players wear a few cocked screws and tiny gap is not readily noticed.
M
 

matsickma

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BTW...is the new NS X175 with DeA pups and Guildsby the size and style similar to the X160 Rockibilly but with a set of Vol/Tone controls for each pickup?
M
 
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