GGJaguar
Reverential Member
I decided to do a “taste test” after reading GAD’s excellent review of his ’83 X-175 and his conclusion that he prefers this 175 to his (former) X-500s. So, I sprung my 1976 X-175 and 1976 X-500 from their cases, re-strung them with DR Pure Blues 11s (but with an .18w third string) and commenced testing. I don’t have anything to record with other than a cell phone/mobile/handy so I’ll just have to describe what I hear the best I can.
In a nutshell, the X-500 has a brighter voice with more clarity in the midrange compared to the X-175. In addition, the X-500 is louder at any given amp setting, i.e. – I had to turn up the amp’s volume for the X-175 to be equally loud. The X-500 was definitely better for chord work due its clarity, but the X-175 held its own for single string playing. Overall, the 500 is more versatile while the 175 hits the sweet spot for blues and jazz. And that makes sense as I got the X-175 from the original owner who was a jazzbo so he may have heard what I hear in the guitar.
The acoustic tone of each guitar, which naturally is the basis for the amplified sound, follows suit. Both guitars are resonant and with my eyes closed I can’t tell a difference in “feel” between them with regard to neck shape, playability and resonance. Acoustically the X-500 is bright and chimey and louder than the X-175 which is warmer and bit more subdued, but not muddy.
Since a guitar’s tone is due to the sum of its parts, I don’t know if tonal differences can be associated with any single difference between the two. The X-500 is slightly heavier and has a maple neck, ebony board and bridge, and heavier (cast) tailpiece. The X-175 is lighter is weight with a mahogany neck, rosewood board and bridge and lighter (stamped) tailpiece. Moreover, the pickup DC-R is about 0.6 K-ohm higher on the X-175 (yeah, I know DC-R doesn’t tell us much). I have no idea what the pot or cap values are.
I haven’t done a side-by-side with these two until now and never really thought either guitar was “weak” in any way. But hearing them together, I prefer the X-500. A little tweaking of the amp’s controls is all it takes to optimize the X-175 for my ears. But isn’t that the way it is with any guitar? :smile-new:
In a nutshell, the X-500 has a brighter voice with more clarity in the midrange compared to the X-175. In addition, the X-500 is louder at any given amp setting, i.e. – I had to turn up the amp’s volume for the X-175 to be equally loud. The X-500 was definitely better for chord work due its clarity, but the X-175 held its own for single string playing. Overall, the 500 is more versatile while the 175 hits the sweet spot for blues and jazz. And that makes sense as I got the X-175 from the original owner who was a jazzbo so he may have heard what I hear in the guitar.
The acoustic tone of each guitar, which naturally is the basis for the amplified sound, follows suit. Both guitars are resonant and with my eyes closed I can’t tell a difference in “feel” between them with regard to neck shape, playability and resonance. Acoustically the X-500 is bright and chimey and louder than the X-175 which is warmer and bit more subdued, but not muddy.
Since a guitar’s tone is due to the sum of its parts, I don’t know if tonal differences can be associated with any single difference between the two. The X-500 is slightly heavier and has a maple neck, ebony board and bridge, and heavier (cast) tailpiece. The X-175 is lighter is weight with a mahogany neck, rosewood board and bridge and lighter (stamped) tailpiece. Moreover, the pickup DC-R is about 0.6 K-ohm higher on the X-175 (yeah, I know DC-R doesn’t tell us much). I have no idea what the pot or cap values are.
I haven’t done a side-by-side with these two until now and never really thought either guitar was “weak” in any way. But hearing them together, I prefer the X-500. A little tweaking of the amp’s controls is all it takes to optimize the X-175 for my ears. But isn’t that the way it is with any guitar? :smile-new: