Help - Which guitar am I looking for?

[jcwu]

When the day comes and I have the funding, I would like to add a Guild electric to my stable. But I'm not sure which one I should be looking for. I was wondering if I could get some help from those well-versed in the hollow and semi-hollow world.

I own an Epiphone Dot, and while I love the sound, I've really been itching for something with a single sharp cutaway, in sunburst, and if possible, a deeper body (but that's not absolutely necessary). Something along the lines of the Gibson ES175, I suppose. But I don't understand the difference between all the different Guild Starfire and X-series models. What's going to be the main difference between a full hollow-body and a semi-hollow?

Also, I've always been used to a stoptail and tune-o-matic bridge. Not sure what difference the harp tail piece will make.

Sure would appreciate any help in pointing me in the right direction!!

 

[CajunBlues]

When the day comes and I have the funding, I would like to add a Guild electric to my stable. But I'm not sure which one I should be looking for. I was wondering if I could get some help from those well-versed in the hollow and semi-hollow world.

I own an Epiphone Dot, and while I love the sound, I've really been itching for something with a single sharp cutaway, in sunburst, and if possible, a deeper body (but that's not absolutely necessary). Something along the lines of the Gibson ES175, I suppose. But I don't understand the difference between all the different Guild Starfire and X-series models. What's going to be the main difference between a full hollow-body and a semi-hollow?

Also, I've always been used to a stoptail and tune-o-matic bridge. Not sure what difference the harp tail piece will make.

Sure would appreciate any help in pointing me in the right direction!!

My opinions.

Best shallow hollowbody -- X170
Best semi hollow body -- Starfire 4
Best deep hollowbody with a distinct hollowbody sound -- x500 (but x175 does come close enough imho)
Best deep semi hollow -- Gibson ES137 (not sure Guild makes a semi this deep but I could be wrong)

Describing the difference in sound between a semi and a full hollowbody -- go to youtube and listen to some examples. I really have a hard time explaining in words.
IMHO, I dont think harp/trapeze tailpieces vs stop tailpieces make a difference on semis

 

[Default]

Hmmm. Don't know if I would consider an X175 as shallow. I would say a Starfire II or III. As you found out with the Epi, stop tailpieces add sustain and the guitars that have them have less resonance due to the center block. Starfire hollowbodies have much more acoustical resonance and depending on the year, range from bright and sharp, to bassier and ballsy to, uh, Fender humbuckers. ;-) the deeper the body, the more bass. You really should not worry about the harp. It's classy and it isn't as big a deal as the difference in construction between a semihollow(SFIV) and a full hollowbody(SFII and III).

 

[Walter Broes]

[

My opinions.

Best shallow hollowbody -- X175
Best semi hollow body -- Starfire 4
Best deep hollowbody with a distinct hollowbody sound -- x500 (but x175 does come close enough imho)

An X175 is exactly the same depth as an X500, nothing shallow about it.
You must be thinking of the X170.

My reply to the original question : Sharp cut, medium deep body, Guild CE100! Very nice guitars, and still fairly affordable, depending on the pickup type and configuration you're after.

 

[Treem]

I concur with Walter. The CE-100 is what you are describing in your description. 8)

 

[jcwu]

I listened to a few clips from Lucie Thorne this morning, and fell in love with the sound. I guess I'm loving the resonance of the hollow body. My guess/understanding is that stop tailpieces won't work with a hollow body, hence the harp?

So here's the other question - I'd prefer a tune-o-matic bridge. I assume the existing bridges (whether aluminum or wood) can be changed out?

 

[CajunBlues]

An X175 is exactly the same depth as an X500, nothing shallow about it.
You must be thinking of the X170.
.

Yep, I wrote that post too quickly... sorry... I meant the X170 Manhattan...

I did an edit above :wink:

 

[Los Angeles]

Just don't drill holes or lose the original bridge!

There are plenty of aftermarket "tune-o-matic" style bridges out there for hollow bodies. You still have to position the bridge just right when you put on strings, but after that you can tweak it to your preference.

A couple here: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_ta ... uitar.html

 

[AlohaJoe]

What they said... it sounds like you're describing a Guild CE100, like this:

From the archtop.com archives:

Introduced in 1956, the Guild Capri CE-100 was positioned as a direct competitor to the Gibson ES-175, but today is a much rarer model. This twin pickup version (CE-100D) debuted in 1959, and like the Gibson, has a 16" arched maple body, 24 3/4" scale and Florentine cutaway. With its 2 7/8" depth body, the Capri is slightly shallower than its Gibson counterpart, very easy under the arm, and anticipated by decades the slimmer body profile of the D'Aquisto-inspired electrics so popular with players today.

Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 10/16" Body depth: 2 7/8"
Materials: Figured slab-cut maple body; mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; 3-ply body binding, bound fingerboard, bone nut.

ps - A TOM bridge is an easy change, but it will substantially alter the tone. It all depends on what you want to hear.

 

[Default]

And to answer your other question, no, if you put a stop tail piece on a hollowbody, it will rip right out. The tops are only 1/8th of an inch thick.

 

[jcwu]

I don't know if it's just the samples I'm coming across, but from what I'm hearing on youtube, the CE100D is quite bright and jangly, whereas the Starfire III sounds a little more full/woody/warm. I'm not sure if I'm using the right terms to describe it.

I like the looks of the CE100D, but much prefer the sounds of the Starfire III (from what I'm hearing). Sound trumps looks, for sure!

 

[jcwu]

Oh, and thanks for all the help so far! Much appreciated.

 

[CajunBlues]

A note to add... I tried to replace an X150 bridge (97 model) from a wood to tune-o-matic about 3 years ago and I could not find a replacement that would work.. None of the StewMac parts were compatible... and I searched the web up, down, and side to side....

All replacement bridges I know of are geared towards Gibsons...

 

[CajunBlues]

I like the looks of the CE100D, but much prefer the sounds of the Starfire III (from what I'm hearing). Sound trumps looks, for sure!

Starfire III is a great choice :wink:

 

[Los Angeles]

A note to add... I tried to replace an X150 bridge (97 model) from a wood to tune-o-matic about 3 years ago and I could not find a replacement that would work.. None of the StewMac parts were compatible... and I searched the web up, down, and side to side....

All replacement bridges I know of are geared towards Gibsons...

Yes, many times aftermarket archtop bridges have to be shaped to the specific guitar it was purchased for. If you don't know a luthier who can do it, it would require files and sandpaper or a belt sander and a delicate touch.

I've done it once, but I should say twice. I botched the first one and had to buy a second. I leave it to real luthiers now.

 

[Walter Broes]

I don't know if it's just the samples I'm coming across, but from what I'm hearing on youtube, the CE100D is quite bright and jangly, whereas the Starfire III sounds a little more full/woody/warm. I'm not sure if I'm using the right terms to describe it.

I like the looks of the CE100D, but much prefer the sounds of the Starfire III (from what I'm hearing). Sound trumps looks, for sure!

Must be the youtube samples you came across. I have a '61 Starfire III, and I've played plenty of CE100's, and the guitars have exactly the same silhoutte, but the (considerably) deeper body of the CE100 makes it a woodier, bassier, jazzier, more "acoustic" sounding guitar than a typical Starfire III.

 

[AlohaJoe]

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/40U-5128.htm

 

[jcwu]

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/40U-5128.htm

Wow. :shock: That... like fits almost everything I'm looking for. Except... my budget.

Does Elderly budge on their prices at all?

 

[CajunBlues]

Sure you have to have a guild...

I really love my ES137 ... here it is...

Its my main guitar for the Band I play for... We play mostly jazz and bit of blues/rock/r and b.

 

[jcwu]

It doesn't have to be a Guild, but I have grown rather fond of the brand..

I do have an Epiphone Dot, and a Gibson Vintage Mahogany Les Paul. Would the ES-137 end up sounding closer to those two than a hollowbody?