X-175 vs X-500

GGJaguar

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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:

x-500%20x-175.jpg
 

shihan

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Thanks for your comparison; very interesting, especially since they are from the same year.
That pair is pretty easy on the eyes, too. You’re a pretty lucky guy to have them both!
doesn’t your X-500 have bound ‘f’ holes? Or is it just the photo?
 
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walrus

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From that angle they look like differently dressed twins - beautiful!

walrus
 

GAD

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Very cool!

To add something to the mix:

In 1975 the X500 was $1050 while the X175 was $725
In 1981 the X500 was $1540 while the X175 was $1075,

I'd say that the X175 is far more than 70% of the X500!
 

GGJaguar

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I'd say that the X175 is far more than 70% of the X500!

Ha, so true! The answer is "No" to the question: Is the X-500 really 325 better than the X-175?
 

swiveltung

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Isn't the X500 25.5 scale and the X175 24.75?
If so, how do notes on the low E compare? I find the longer scale to be much better down there.
 

GAD

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Isn't the X500 25.5 scale and the X175 24.75?
If so, how do notes on the low E compare? I find the longer scale to be much better down there.

The only X500 I'm aware of that's 25.5" is the X500 Paladin. Can't speak to the older Hoboken models, though.
 

The Guilds of Grot

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Here are my X-175 & X-500. I know the X-500 on the right is a 1966. The X-175 is either a '66 or '67.

x-175-500.jpg

(I obviously had my floating guitar stand set differently at the time of each of these photos!)
 

hansmoust

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Here are my X-175 & X-500. I know the X-500 on the right is a 1966. The X-175 is either a '66 or '67.

Yes, the X-175 is from 1967. Note that Kurt's X-500 is not a regular X-500; it's in fact an X-500 Special. In this case the 'Special' designation was given for the additional Master Volume, which was not a standard feature at that time.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
 

The Guilds of Grot

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Note that Kurt's X-500 is not a regular X-500; it's in fact an X-500 Special. In this case the 'Special' designation was given for the additional Master Volume, which was not a standard feature at that time.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Not sure I remember informing me of that. Very cool though! Especially because it matches my '66 DE-400. (The Plainer Duaner!)

DE-400.jpg
 

parker_knoll

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Here are my X-175 & X-500. I know the X-500 on the right is a 1966. The X-175 is either a '66 or '67.

x-175-500.jpg

(I obviously had my floating guitar stand set differently at the time of each of these photos!)

the difference is surely fancier fixtures. Any sonic differences could just be the individual differences between the two guitars and who built them, we can't derive wider inferences from that
 
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