X170 Manhattan Owners
- Thread starter raywood1
- Start date
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Come on, somebody answer this please. I've been wondering aboit the same thing regarding the X170 and X180.
matsickma
Senior Member
Well I can tell you that they are are a lot better at feedback control than a Starfire 2/3, T100 and X375. In fact they are one of my favorite Guild models. They are smaller and thinner than most Guild archtops. I have two X170T's and a X160T (not Rockabilly) and I changed pickups on two of them. I had X170's about 5 years ago and sold them. Over time I really missed them and so picked up a few bargains as they popped up. Presently I have one with standard Guild humbuckers that was a special edition Mars Music model with a bridge coil tap, one with Harmonic Design humbucker size P90 called Z90's and one that I am almost finished installing a set of Dynasonic re-issue single coils. (If I am not happy with the Dynasonics I may try a set of Dimarzio HB's.)
I don't think you can go wrong with a X170. If you are patient you can pick one up for around $900.
M
I don't think you can go wrong with a X170. If you are patient you can pick one up for around $900.
M
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Mat,
Would a 180 be better? Do any of the 170s or 180s come with sound posts?
The prices are so low on these it's laughable.
Would a 180 be better? Do any of the 170s or 180s come with sound posts?
The prices are so low on these it's laughable.
matsickma
Senior Member
Well the 180 are deeper and do not have a sound post. That is the reason I have stayed aay from a X180. They are beautiful and have the cool binding around the head but I thought they would be more prone to feedback when compared to the X170.
All X170's have the sound post. The older, less ornate X170's known as X160's have a sound post.
The newer X160 Rockabilly guitars with the DeArmond 2000 pickups are a deep hollowbody without a sound post.
I beleive the X160 Rockabilly's made in Westerly are a little thinner than the ones made in Corona.
In terms of cost typically the X170 can be had for $900-$1200. The X180's usually run $1200 - $1500.
M
All X170's have the sound post. The older, less ornate X170's known as X160's have a sound post.
The newer X160 Rockabilly guitars with the DeArmond 2000 pickups are a deep hollowbody without a sound post.
I beleive the X160 Rockabilly's made in Westerly are a little thinner than the ones made in Corona.
In terms of cost typically the X170 can be had for $900-$1200. The X180's usually run $1200 - $1500.
M
Maybe related, maybe not, but while on the subject of soundposts, I have a question. My recent GAS acquisition was an X700. No soundpost, but zero problems with feedback that is typical of archtops. Is it due to the larger bout size? Did Guild do something with the X700's to correct the feedback issues? I have plugged her in to several different amp set-ups and have had no problems. Just lucky? Anyone have an opinion on this???
matsickma
Senior Member
Hey BluesDanI think some guitar manufacturers like Gretsch use a lot of bracing of the soundboard to help control feedback. Possibly the X700 is more elaborate than other Guild archtops.
Also it certaintly makes a difference on the volume, amp proximity and the amp tone settings. I had found the slim Jim T100 and Studio ST302 guitars to be very feedback prone.
M
Also it certaintly makes a difference on the volume, amp proximity and the amp tone settings. I had found the slim Jim T100 and Studio ST302 guitars to be very feedback prone.
M
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Thanks M and Dan for the useful info.
In my limited experience, the proximity of the amp is a big factor. Also, I keep the amp behind me because I get mich more feed back if I face the amp.
I don't have a Guild with soundposts, so it looks like an X 170 for me. I imagine it would would be a lot like a Duane Eddy, and a lot lighter than a starfire 4, 5, 6, or 12.
In my limited experience, the proximity of the amp is a big factor. Also, I keep the amp behind me because I get mich more feed back if I face the amp.
I don't have a Guild with soundposts, so it looks like an X 170 for me. I imagine it would would be a lot like a Duane Eddy, and a lot lighter than a starfire 4, 5, 6, or 12.
Thanks for the info. M. I don't know much about any difference, if any, in the bracing of the X700 vs. the x170 or x180, all I know for certain is the lower bout size of the 700 is larger (17"). It would make sense about a difference in the bracing. With regards to amp volume, position, etc., I have tried numerous different settings in attempts to induce feedback and have found (so far ) that I only get feedback if I really WANT to get feedback. No problems with situations where it appears unepectedly. Just double checked the guitar, yup, no soundpost. While surfing the net for info. on the 700 I did come across a review that stated the following:
"An elegant and resonant working jazz box, the X-700 has a sleek neck profile and a full-depth body that is notably feedback resistant."
It's the "noticeably feedback resistant" statement that I am inclined to agree with. I guess my question remains as to "Why?" Is it the bracing as you suspect? Something else? Guilden Magic? Just curious.
Thanks again,
Dan
"An elegant and resonant working jazz box, the X-700 has a sleek neck profile and a full-depth body that is notably feedback resistant."
It's the "noticeably feedback resistant" statement that I am inclined to agree with. I guess my question remains as to "Why?" Is it the bracing as you suspect? Something else? Guilden Magic? Just curious.
Thanks again,
Dan
matsickma
Senior Member
It is amazing what you can pick up on a general ebay search.
Every once in a while I do a general Guild search and I end up with pictures of male nudes! :?
M
Every once in a while I do a general Guild search and I end up with pictures of male nudes! :?
M
I've actually found the opposite to be true. My Starfire II resists feedback very well while my X-170 absolutely screams. I actually use the X-170 when I want to generate feedback. And my X-170 is considerably heavier than my SF2.
Still love them both, mind you.
Still love them both, mind you.
matsickma
Senior Member
It really amazes me to see how we all view our Guilds. Over time preferences change, if even for a short time. For the longest time I really loved the Venetian rounded cut away look of the X170, etc. Lately the sharp look of the Florentine cutaway of the SF2/3 and T/CE100 is my favorite. I also steered away from hollow bodies and now I'm into them.
All-n-all the best advice I can give is not to expect one guitar to do it all for you. Plan to try a number of guitars to help refine you taste in guitars. You will also find that each guitar type has various attributes that you dig. If you can hold on to a few so you can spend time evaluating the features and tone under a variety of scenerio's ( loud, soft, bright, smooth, electric, acoustic, etc.).
The variety of Guild guitars, pickups and types offers many years of enjoyment just to explore the possibilities.
M
All-n-all the best advice I can give is not to expect one guitar to do it all for you. Plan to try a number of guitars to help refine you taste in guitars. You will also find that each guitar type has various attributes that you dig. If you can hold on to a few so you can spend time evaluating the features and tone under a variety of scenerio's ( loud, soft, bright, smooth, electric, acoustic, etc.).
The variety of Guild guitars, pickups and types offers many years of enjoyment just to explore the possibilities.
M
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matsickma said:
Fixed that for you!
At least it seems like that to me sometimes. :mrgreen:
matsickma
Senior Member
I hate to admit it but your right!
However I didn't want to scare away someong new to the world of Guild guitars. He needs to progress in his propensity for GAS.
M
However I didn't want to scare away someong new to the world of Guild guitars. He needs to progress in his propensity for GAS.
M
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Mat,
From this and other threads, you've got me thinking that I'd like to try an x160 or x170 with a Dimarzio PAF and super distortion. Have you seen any colors other than blond, amber, orange, sunburst, and this red one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=017
I like this color, but I won't bid because the ad is suspicious and he won't answer emails.
darryl
From this and other threads, you've got me thinking that I'd like to try an x160 or x170 with a Dimarzio PAF and super distortion. Have you seen any colors other than blond, amber, orange, sunburst, and this red one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=017
I like this color, but I won't bid because the ad is suspicious and he won't answer emails.
darryl
matsickma
Senior Member
The late 1980/early 1990's X160's have interesting colors. The one I have is Cherry Sunburst. I have also seen a transparent charcoal color.
See the auction to get a look at what Cherry Sunburst looks like. This is not a good photo but may be of use.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200193189512&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010
Hans may know of other color choices.
M
See the auction to get a look at what Cherry Sunburst looks like. This is not a good photo but may be of use.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200193189512&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010
Hans may know of other color choices.
M
Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
Thanks Mat. I like that color. It gets that peachey shade that Guild has always done so well.