X-170 pricing question

[sonicreducer]

Is $1375 too much for an orange X-170 with the Guildsby and the coil tap on the lower bout? I don't know how often these come up. I've given up on my search for an SF-V, as my dollars have dropped significantly. How do these compare to the SF-IV in sound and value?

 

[Qvart]

Is $1375 too much for an orange X-170 with the Guildsby and the coil tap on the lower bout? I don't know how often these come up. I've given up on my search for an SF-V, as my dollars have dropped significantly. How do these compare to the SF-IV in sound and value?

Were you the one looking for a Starfire with a Bigsby? I've been keeping an eye out, but nothing has come up lately. Can't tell you about the X-170, but don't despair. It doesn't usually take too long.

By the way, were you thinking of a certain era? Vintage? '80's? '90's? etc?

 

[sonicreducer]

Yes sir, that would be me. I've come across two starfires, but in the 2500-2800 range, but anything short of a Starfire V, I'd stay at 1400. I'm not picky about the particular era,

 

[rhcole]

The X-170 pushes a lot more air than a SF IV. It has a woodier, jazzier sound. However, it can get pretty aggressive and snotty with a metal bridge and a bit of overdrive.

It will tend to feed back more than a SF, due to its mostly hollow construction and medium body depth. It has a sound post inside to stiffen the top vibrations, but is otherwise hollow.

I have one, I think its a fine guitar.

A steal for one is about $1,000; fair price, around $1,200; unusual examples (such as the one you refer to) can go for $1,400 or more. The most expensive in the current market I have seen was for slightly under $2,000. But, it was a one-of-a-kind X-170.

It is probably sonically closest to a SF III as spec'ed by you.

 

[sonicreducer]

Is the bigsby the same feel as the one on the SF-III? The III I'd tried has much less angle than a Gretsch bigsby, more subtle and makes dive-bombs impossible altogether. I walk the line between alt-country and rockabilly as far as playing style goes, so uncertain whether a Bigsbified SF-IV or X-170T is for me (I've never laid eyes or hands on a Manhattan)

 

[jmac]

sonicreducer

I think the price is fair. If you want a quality archtop hollowbody with a bigsby, then you grab it.

Jmac

 

[mad dog]

Sonic:

I haven't seen an x-170 with the Bigsby, but that is a real nice instrument. It's more on the jazzbox side, actually looks like a slightly smaller version of the Guild X-175. Different cutaway than the SF III. I tried a couple X-170s when I was curious about the X-175. The 170 has a great feel in the hands. It's just the right size. That soundpost is a real advantage too if you're going to play at reasonably loud volumes.

The SF III feels slimmer. The later P-90 version is especially nice, but these are not too common.

MD

 

[Qvart]

Yes sir, that would be me. I've come across two starfires, but in the 2500-2800 range, but anything short of a Starfire V, I'd stay at 1400. I'm not picky about the particular era,

Well, this one's a 3, so maybe not, but just in case:

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/msg/1471889349.html

 

[sonicreducer]

She is awful pretty though! Who knows where this search will take me

 

[guildzilla]

As is the case with an SF III with a Bigsby B-3, B-6 or the Guild B-2, you won't have a lot of break angle if you install the same Bigsby on an X-170. It will be closer to just enough.

The SF IV uses the Bigsby unit that has the additional bar that the strings go under before crossing the bridge to the peghead. Stronger break angle there. Tougher to experiment with this type of Bigsby, though, because it screws into the top.

 

[GAD]

Is $1375 too much for an orange X-170 with the Guildsby and the coil tap on the lower bout? I don't know how often these come up. I've given up on my search for an SF-V, as my dollars have dropped significantly. How do these compare to the SF-IV in sound and value?

I think that's a fair price, though it might be a tad high these days. I paid $1600 for mine mint not too long ago, but I'm plain nuts.

 

[sonicreducer]

GAD, how do you like it in contrast to your 'hog Starfire-IV? Those seem to be my two options thus far. I'm not much of a jazz player, but intend to use it for country/americana type things. A lot of bends, that sorta thing.

 

[GAD]

GAD, how do you like it in contrast to your 'hog Starfire-IV? Those seem to be my two options thus far. I'm not much of a jazz player, but intend to use it for country/americana type things. A lot of bends, that sorta thing.

They are two VERY different guitars.

The Starfire is semi-hollow
The X170T is full hollow

That alone is a big enough difference. Add in the Guildsby and the coil tap and you're a very different world with the X170. The 'hog Starfire was vintage with vintage wood and HB1s. It was warm sounding and soulful.

the X170 is a 90's instrument with 90's pickups. It's much brasher - twangier. Like I said - very different guitars. With the coil tap engaged it's got some serious single coil bite. Not as much as if it had TV Jones in it, but I like the option of having humbuckers for heavier fuller sounds. Someday I might have the pickups rewound because I like the look of them, but they're a pale comparison to vintage HB1s.

I sold the 'hog SFIV because I liked the neck on my '99 SF4 better. The sound on the 'hog was delicious, but the smaller neck wasn't as enjoyable as the newer ones to me.

I would not try to pick between a Starfire and an X170 of any flavor. Play them side by side and you'll know why right away. They're just too different. I would be interested to play an X170T next to a SF3 though! In fact an orange SF3 might temp me away from the X170.

 

[sonicreducer]

Well if it ever came down to that orange SF3 and that X170T ends up on the free market, send her my way! For the time being I might just blow my hard-earned dough on a pedal steel instead of making difficult decisions between beautiful Guilds!

 

[matsickma]

I agree with GAD that the X170/T and the SF4/5 are very different animals. I have a hard time picking a favorite. I probably have played X170's more than SF4/5 simply because of the acousticness. I particularly like how tight the X170 sounds. A X170 has much more of the feel of a SF2/3 because the neck mounts to the body at the same fret. The SF4/5 has great access to the upper frets.

M