Finding the right archtop for me

[dallasblues]

Hi guys. I'm new to this site and really like what I've read so far.

I'm considering buying an electric archtop this fall and really want to consider all my options. So far, I've been seriously looking at early-mid 50's era Gibsons (I'm especially fond of P-90's) but am also curious about Guild archtops. I've only recently started researching them. I've read a little about x175's, 500's, and 700's. Can anyone tell me about these guitars? I typically play very traditional blues, jazz, and styles with the occasional country and rockabilly thrown in. How would these Guilds work for those types of music?

Thanks.

 

[Ravon]

Welcome! I'm partial to these I think either could handle 'bout any kind of music

 

[bluesypicky]

Welcome Dallasblues!
Have fun, regardless of which Guild you opt for (they're all good :wink: )

 

[dallasblues]

Wow! Those Guilds are gorgeous!

 

[Ravon]

Wow! Those Guilds are gorgeous!

Thanks! I love the X170's (obviously :wink: ). I'll reiterate whats been said though, you can't go wrong with any Guild you choose. Good Luck

 

[AlohaJoe]

Wow! Those Guilds are gorgeous!

So is the amp in your avatar!!

My musical taste is very similar to yours. The Guild archtops I've seen were all great. All were well built and sounded good. I don't think they made a bad one, although some had fancier appointments than others. The X700s and the AAs were carved, a plus or not depending on the application.

I have a 50s Gibson ES125/P90 and a newer Guild X150 (I swapped the hummer out for a Biltoft CC Blade). I like them both, but the Guild is a heavier laminate that's less feedback prone, and has a slimmer neck.

Also, since Ravon has 2 X170s, I think he should send one of them to me. :lol:

 

[dallasblues]

Thanks! That amp is my little baby. It's a '59 Champ. It's my practice and recording amp. I gig with a '51 Pro, but this little amp has a special place in my heart and home.

 

[guildman63]

I second the X-170 recommendation as it can do a little of all you mentioned. But for the rockabilly you have to throw in the "T", and you must go orange...

 

[Walter Broes]

I typically play very traditional blues, jazz, and styles with the occasional country and rockabilly thrown in. How would these Guilds work for those types of music?

I think maybe you should try to play a couple. You can't just generalise about the model names, because they were around for to long not to evolve : a late 50's X500 with Franz or DeArmond pickups is different from a typical mid-60's one with small humbuckers, and different yet from a 70's example with large humbuckers. All great guitars quality-wise, but different in more than just nuances.

As you might have gathered from this forum : it's a great idea to get Hans Moust's Guild book. Apart from it just being very nicely done and great reading for any guitar geek, it's the best way to familiarise yourself with the different eras and models in Guild guitars.