Questions about my just purchased X-170

[jazzrat]

I am the lucky buyer of FNG's X-170.
First let me say what a smooth transaction it was with a fine gentleman.
He put up with my fussy questions, and the
guitar is absolutely in better shape than he described.
I do need to educate myself on the features and characteristics of Guild archtops
that might be unique as compared to the Gibsons and Heritages I've had.
So if you all can bear a few questions I am all ears.
1. The neck angle seems to be shallower than what I'm used to.
evidence being that the bridge is very low. Definitely can't use the tune-o-matic
I wanted to put on. I did a search here and that seems to be the norm but
anything you can add would be appreciated
2. I am used to med-jumbo or jumbo frets. The X-170 has pretty thin vintage style frets.
3 The radius also measures much flatter than the 12" that I thought Guild's were.

Everything looks perfectly stock and as far as FNG knows it is. I am just
tying to fill in the blanks as there are some characteristics that seem to be
unique to Guilds. This is no criticism of a great guitar...just trying to learn
Thanks in advance.
And for your viewing pleasure...here it is at it's new home.

 

[Brad Little]

I can't help you with the neck angle or fret size as I don't have a guitar to compare mine to. However, I can tell you that the bridge on mine measures 1" from the from the body to the top of the bridge between the 3rd and 4th strings and has 1/8" between the top of the base and the bottom of the top of the bridge itself. The action at the 12th fret looks to be about 1/8" on the sixth string. These measurements may be slightly off as I can't find my modeling rule and used a regular metal tape.
Hope this helps.
Brad
PS I know this is stock as I bought it new and have never had anything done to it.

 

[GAD]

Frets sound right. I have jumbos on my Strat and Jackson, and vintage on my S300 Guild, and both of the X170s I've owned are more like the vintage.

Every Guild I've owned has also had a great low action, which is one of the things I've liked about them.

That is one beautiful guitar. I'm partial to flame myself, but I stared at that one long and hard considering it. Great score!

 

[yettoblaster]

...can't use the tune-o-matic
I wanted to put on...

I've been known to grind down the undersides and "ears" of import tune-o-matics (AllParts makes an ABR-1 copy, but measure the span first: my '06 Savoy has a 3" post span so I needed a base too). You can also deepen the string grooves in the saddles and get some more string height reduction as well. Theres tons of cheap import bridges out there. I've trashed a few going too far on the bottoms and getting into the bottoms of the saddles, etc.

 

[jazzrat]

Good info guys...keep it coming.

Yetto...I have an Import TOM and foot and may try a modification.
The current bridge at my preferred action measures .76 guitar top to bridge top.
The TOM measures .97. That's .21 I'd have to sand off the foot and off the bridge under the thumbwheels. Might work.
I noticed you tried a Compton on yours. I have a wanted note posted at the Gretsch pages but I think I'd prefer
a TOM if I can make it work.
The wood bridge sounds terrific but my plain G string is way sharp so I'd like to fix that.

 

[yettoblaster]

...I noticed you tried a Compton on yours. I have a wanted note posted at the Gretsch pages but I think I'd prefer
a TOM if I can make it work.
The wood bridge sounds terrific but my plain G string is way sharp so I'd like to fix that.

You have a compensated for wound B wood Guild bridge and want a Compton to try?

I'd be willing to trade if you want a brass Compton, but I must warn you the Compton is as tall as a tune-o-matic (could be ground down quite a lot I'm betting). The Compton's span is 3" so fits Guild bases fine. I went back to a Gibson ABR-1 with nylon saddles under the plain strings for fluffy treble jazz duties on my Savoy. The Compton is cool, but likely to be a drawer queen here. If you want to keep your original bridge I wouldn't blame ya. Maybe you have other stuff to trade?

The brass Compton really fattened up the punch on the Savoy, but I'm kinda stuck on intonation up the neck for jazz, and though the Compton worked as well as the straight wood (FMIC) bridge, I wanted to ALSO get a better balance in string amplitudes when transitioning to plain strings. I was able to get that with the nylon saddles mixed with steel under wound strings, and some polepiece adjustments.

 

[jazzrat]

Thanks Steve,
I think I would like to keep the stock bridge with the guitar but I do appreciate your trade offer.
Sounds like my best bet is to mod a TOM to fit to get the improved intonation I like.
In the end, really, I might have to leave it alone. It sounds fantastic and I have the action about where
I want it. So other than the G string being a couple cents off I'm golden.

A happy surprise...I knew this was a '96 but further investigation of the serial number shows it's in the last 60 or so guitars made in that year
so it was likely made the same month my son was born.

 

[yettoblaster]

...might have to leave it alone. It sounds fantastic and I have the action about where
I want it. So other than the G string being a couple cents off I'm golden...

I hear that. I generally much prefer wood bridges on archtops for the sound I like, especially acoustic response (while practicing unplugged).

Rarely (like maybe on a Gretsch) I'll deviate for awhile. But usually on a jazz ax like a Heritage H-575 or the like I keep 'em wooden.

I've got a couple more gigs up the coast with our quintet, after which I wouldn't doubt me going back to wood for more at home unplugged woodshedding.

Also kinda depends on the amp. I like the honkin' sound I'm getting right now with my little Tech 21 TM 30. The TOM with mixed saddles is working well, and has a bit more sustain and eveness, as it's presently set up. But in bigger places with more amp like my TM 60, I could easily be convinced that wood is IT, again. :?

Classic pic, BTW. Beautiful sunburst done just right.

Also, what strings are you using or going to use?

 

[jazzrat]

I'm using Thomastik BB111's Yetto. If I was using flats on this guitar I'd have to change the bridge for sure as
I prefer a little more modern tone and flats can sound a little too thumpy in the bass with a wood bridge.
These strings, with this bridge sound terrific. In fact if my hands would tolerate 12's or 13's the intonation would likely
be better and we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

I hear you on the amp making a difference. I am excited to say that I have a Henriksen JazzAmp arriving next week.
The two should be a great combo

 

[Brad Little]

if my hands would tolerate 12's or 13's the intonation would likely
be better and we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

Yes. I used .013s or .014s on mine until I got my A-A. Now I use .011s or .010s (but always with a wound 'G').
No intonation problems.
Brad

 

[yettoblaster]

...excited to say that I have a Henriksen JazzAmp arriving next week.
The two should be a great combo

Intriguing amp. I'd like the head version I'm sure. Lately I've been thinking of loading a monitor cabinet with a old JBL so I can tilt it back 45* and not worry about it tipping over.

I like Tech 21 amps, but they do try to sound like guitar amps for solidbodies sometimes. Sometimes I use an old Bogen amp, but it usually needs a Sonic Stomp and some reverb to help it, and besides I usually need it for a simple PA: the trumpet player sometimes uses a mute and needs a mic then, and we can talk to the crowd or have a vocalist sit in.

I like Thomastik-Infeld "Be-Bops," a lot: usually in 12's, or "Swings" in 13's. Flatwounds don't sound right at club levels for me, but I sure like 'em at home for gliding around on the neck.

 

[AlohaJoe]

I am excited to say that I have a Henriksen JazzAmp arriving next week.
The two should be a great combo

I'll bet they will! I had a chance to spend a little time with a Henriksen a few months ago and I was seriously impressed. It had a very nice clean Jazz sound, plenty of power and a nice transparency. I'd love to hear your impressions when you've had a chance to play with it a little.

 

[CajunBlues]

Gosh that guitar looks familiar...
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17941
Nothing better than the darker tobacco-like burst...

 

[jazzrat]

Gosh that guitar looks familiar...
http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/vie ... =3&t=17941
Nothing better than the darker tobacco-like burst...

Yup, very similar though yours is more flamey. I actually really like this finish on a 'plain top'.
It is definately sunburst done right. The red is not as pronounced in person, I've noticed as compared to pics.