Of course, there are those of us that can't yet justify the approx $1500 and up price of a nice vintage Guild electric. I keep watching for that killer deal, but it is too easy for people to figure out what the going price of their guitar should be. So, for me, when a NS X175B was offered for less than even the $800 price, I bought it. It's a lot of fun, and makes we want to try to learn different styles of music. Would I sell it and buy a nice X175 with the right pickups, made in the US, if the price was right. Sure. But, I keep asking myself, would anyone but ME hear the difference ? I might find more of a change with a vintage amp than changing the guitar.
Personally, I think all the NS guitars are good for brand building. You get the feel and look and a lot of the tone for a lot less. When you really know what you want and what your missing, THEN you can get a more expensive Guild and be sure of what your getting. The question is, can Guild build a new, Made in USA electric at a competitive price that will entice people to buy it over other brands ?