Gibson equivalent to the Guild X700?

[archtopbob]

:?:
Would the Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 CES be an equivalent to the X700- aside from the difference in scale length? Has anybody had a chance to play them?
Thank you
Bob

 

[Ravon]

Hi Bob. Can't help you there as I've never played either, however that seems like a good comparison judging by their carved tops... Ok, I confess, actually your post just gives me an opportunity to ask if you'd ever consider posting a picture of your cherry'burst AA, I'd love to see it! 8)

 

[AlohaJoe]

From Archtop.com:

Introduced in 1994, the X-700 Stuart is the top of the Guild electric line, their only such model with a solid carved bookmatched Sitka spruce top. Like its counterpart, the Gibson L-5CES, the X-700 has the 17" Venetian cutaway body, mounted pickups and controls, deluxe multiply binding and gold hardware throughout.

To the best of my knowledge, unlike the Wes, all X-700s had double pups.

 

[archtopbob]

Thanks you guys for your replies.

 

[Brad Little]

There are no Gibson archtops equivalent to Guilds, after all they are just guitars, while a Guild is a Guild! :wink:
Brad

 

[jerzy]

Hi.I am a musician,not a collector and my opinion is fom musical point of view:Guild X 700(Westerly made) is not even close to L5 soundwise,both electrically and acoustically.I own a Gibson L5 Studio(same as L5CES,the only differences are: nickel hardware instead of gold, dot inlays on the fingerboard instead of block inlays and simpler binding).Last year I bought a Guild X700 because I'd read many enthusiastic reviews about the guitar.It was a beautiful blonde guitar,outstanding craftsmanship.I put D'Addario flats(12-52)and started playing.First for a while acoustically.Disappointment!The sound was not as rich and full as L5,kind of "plastic"(sorry X700 lovers).I was surprised,because X700 is a big guitar,even deeper then L5,with handcarved spruce top,maple sides and back,same as L5.Well,I was pretty sure that nothing good will happen when I plug in the guitar.I use a Polytone Mini Brute 2.Same thing.The guitar sounded good,one could say very good,but....I played the guitar on a few gigs,still wasn't convinced,other musicians as well.I sold the guitar.
Once again.Its a very good,versatile,beautiful guitar,but the question was:Would the Gibson Wes Montgomery L5 CES be an equivalent to the X700?My answer is NO.If you want the Gibson L5 sound,buy one.If you want a nice archtop you can buy a Guild X 700 if you are lucky to find one.
PS.Both guitars were made in 1997.
Best.Jerzy

 

[archtopbob]

Jerzy,
Thank you for your post- that's interesting.
I'm too am a player although I must admit if I had loads of cash I could easily be a collector as well!
Regards,
Bob

 

[AlohaJoe]

At two or three times the price, does the Gibson sound two or three times better? Not to me. Will some folks prefer the sound of the L5? Sure... it's a great guitar! Do other folks like the X-700 better? Yes again. Each guitar is different as is each player.

To me an X-700 or a laminate X-500 is the preferable gigging guitar since it's more readily replaceable cost wise and I like the neck much better. It doesn't matter how wonderful or expensive a guitar is to me, if the neck doesn't feel great in my hand it's going to end up living in the case until I sell it. I learned that one the hard way.

To be honest, after 40 years of gigging, taking a 6 or 7 thousand dollar guitar out of the house seems foolish to me unless you're rich and don't care. Most of the pro players I know are not rich and don't take their best instruments out... they get functional but replaceable guitars for gigging and put in better pups and maybe tuners. The nice guitars come out for special occasions.

I have some beautiful vintage carved guitars I love playing, but it's generally the tailored X-150 that goes to work. It's about sound, feel and function. With the laminate top for feedback resistance and a great custom pickup it's perfect for medium to bigger gigs. It sounds and plays just right for me and I could replace it in a heartbeat for $12-1400 (including the pickup) if damaged or stolen. Carved top guitars are a pain in bigger venues. For acoustic playing or smaller rooms with a floating pickup they're fine, but really, once you've cut a few holes in the top of a carved guitar and screwed some mass to it you've stiffened the top enough to lose 75% of the overtones gained by carving it.

If you're not playing out and you want (and can afford) an L5, get the L5 (or an L4 CES)... it's a great guitar, no question. So is the X-700, but do yourself a favor and play it first.

I've posted this before but here it is again... the best archtop advice I've seen.
Seattle Guitarist Rik Wright explains it all:
http://www.rikwright.com/Content/Content.aspx?page=custom&pgid=622

Just my 2 cents... oops, maybe that was 3 cents! :lol:

 

[twocorgis]

Great stuff Joe! No wonder I love that old X175 so much. 8)

 

[Ravon]

Well put Joe. I personally always had a hard time wrapping my head around the practice of spending all that time carving and tap tuning a beautiful instrument then to cut two big holes in the top and plunker in some big whopping humbuckers! Just seems a little counterintuitive to me. But what the hell do I know :mrgreen:

 

[AlohaJoe]

Hang on to that 175 Sandy, those are killer diller! Oh wait... I mean those are no good, send it to me! :lol:

Well put Joe. I personally always had a hard time wrapping my head around the practice of spending all that time carving and tap tuning a beautiful instrument then to cut two big holes in the top and plunker in some big whopping humbuckers! Just seems a little counterintuitive to me. But what the hell do I know :mrgreen:

Well, you know how to apply logic! On acoustic archtops good carving makes a huge difference, but on electrics w set-in pups I think it's more about marketing. There will be a tonal difference, but it's pretty subtle.

 

[archtopbob]

Thanks again LTGers.
Luckily - depending on which way you look at it -
in the past 4/5 months 2 Gibson WM L5s I've seen haven't been anywhere near 3 times the cost of 2 recent X700s - and all sold by the same shop.
Joe, of course you're right in recommending that I should play them first but here in the UK opportunities to compare a range of quality instruments doesn't happen. For me it may have to be a decision based on comments and opinions such as those expressed here.

Cheers,
Bob