X-175 (P90s) vs M-75

[pagedr]

Hi all, hope everyone's new year is off to a nice start. I've been looking at the X-175 reissue with P90s for a while and have been close to pulling the trigger on one. But every time I get close, I start to look at the M-75's and second guess myself. I would be looking to play mostly folk rock and singer-songwriter type stuff with the guitar...video references below where each is being used to give a couple examples (I know both are vintage but you get the idea).






Anyone here have experience playing both? Would love to hear from owners of each as well. I think I would be pretty happy with either of the, and I'm sure I'll have that feeling of "maybe I'd like the other one more" regardless of which one I end up buying, but figured I would pose the question here so I'd have some people than other just myself to blame!

 

[Stefan Eff]

I‘ve owned the X-175 and bought the M-75 a few weeks ago. You‘re talking about the Aristocrat, the completely hollow model, not the cheaper chambered ones made in china?

Both are great guitars. Keep in mind that the Manhattan is a huge guitar with her big 17“ body. The Aristocrat is a small, super lightweight guitar. Both share the same Franz pickups (not really P90‘s) which are great. Nevertheless they sound different. I loved the big Manhattan but I love the Aristocrat a but more. Try both. Last not least it‘s personal taste.

 

[pagedr]

I‘ve owned the X-175 and bought the M-75 a few weeks ago. You‘re talking about the Aristocrat, the completely hollow model, not the cheaper chambered ones made in china?

Both are great guitars. Keep in mind that the Manhattan is a huge guitar with her big 17“ body. The Aristocrat is a small, super lightweight guitar. Both share the same Franz pickups (not really P90‘s) which are great. Nevertheless they sound different. I loved the big Manhattan but I love the Aristocrat a but more. Try both. Last not least it‘s personal taste.

Yeah looking at the Aristocrat, not the chambered ones.

Thanks for the info! Yeah the X-175 is definitely big..I also have an ES-125 so am kinda already covered in terms of having a big hollow body like that, though obviously the Gibson doesn't have a bridge PU.

 

[Walter Broes]

The 175 isn't just bigger - it's a bigger sounding guitar. You get a lot more bass and low mids because of the bigger body, and it's a little bit less focused and more woolly sounding than the M-75. In a bass/guitar/drums trio, I'd pick the 175 because there's more sonic space to fill, in a bigger band with keys and/or extra guitars, I think I'd pick the M-75, you'll find your sonic space easier without competing with the rest of the band, and it'll cut through a denser mix a little better.

My go-to guitar is a vintage 175 with Franz pickups, and I've found it works better in smaller band settings - in a bigger band with two guitars and/or keys, I'll take a telecaster or my DeArmond equipped Starfire.

 

[oscarwao]

I own both. Not many cooler guitars than the Aristocrat. I owned one, foolishly sold it when I needed some cash, then bought another, even better one made in 1960. I got lucky there. The neck is perfectly thick and it has a vibe of a guitar that wants to be heard. Oh, and it’s light as a feather.

The X-175 I have is also a wonderful guitar from 1960. However, it doesn’t get used quite as much as my more recently made Gretsch with Dynasonics when I am looking for a big box, single-coil sound and vibe.

The pickups are awesome on both and I would agree with the assessment that the X-175 is more woolly in general but especially when compared to the M-75. Not a negative assessment in any way as I love them both. Can’t go wrong either way really.