I'll take (a) Manhattan

[Thunderface]

There is a '59 X-175 Manhattan with hardshell case at Twin Town Guitars in Minneapolis (http://www.twintown.com) which I've always been curious about. Then I spied a nearly three-year old thread by Valcotone who had just bought a similiar 1959 X-175B Manhattan (http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9700).

And then I noticed that the one at Twin Town is a little different. Different inlays, different headstock overlay, different bridge, different pickguard, possibly different knobs, although it's hard to tell from the photograph. Maybe they're just missing the G shield logos. The price ($1,650) for a 1959 instrument leads me that the Twin Town Manhattan is not all original or all its supposed to be.

It also appears that the '67 Starfire V that I went and checked out a few weeks ago is now gone. I don't see it on the website.
http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25141

 

[powerwagonjohn]

I have played the Guild at Twin Town and it has a replacement pickguard, bridge and a couple other things that just don't look right. If I remember correctly it has been resprayed and may have had a neck break at one time but it has been a while since I played it. I played it through a Vox Night Train and it sounded really good although a little noisey in the pots. looks like it is still there on there web site.
Thanks John

 

[Thunderface]

Thanks for the scouting report, John. I had only seen it on the wall and hadn't even held it, let alone played it. I was basing my observations on the photographic evidence, and you confirmed my suspicions.

 

[Walter Broes]

The Chesterfield inlay on the twin-town one is actually "correct" for a Manhattan - they're not supposed to have the G-shield.

The possible neck break is potentially a dealbreaker depending on the repair, but if you're looking for a guitar to play (as opposed to "collect"), the missing hardware is a minor issue I think, and the guitar is priced right.

 

[parker_knoll]

what Walter said.

The scratchplate, bridge and knobs are definitely not original. Can't see the tuners properly but I think they should be Kluson Deluxe.

The price is not bad if you want a player. If you wanted to source an original scratchplate you might have some trouble finding one and somebody is probably going to charge you a lot of money for it. Similarly a set of 50s clear knobs went on ebay recently for about $150.

How does it play? is the action low?

 

[powerwagonjohn]

I will be in the area today and i will take closer look if it is still there and I will let you all know what I find.
Thanks John

 

[Thunderface]

Thanks, John.

 

[powerwagonjohn]

I went to Twin Town guitars and played the Guild X-175 yesterday. The guitar has serial #8325 so I would say it's a early 1959. The label is inside and clean but the writing is faded so it can't be read. I would guess the knobs are orig. as used in late 1958 but they would be easy to make, the clear knobs had lots of little bubbles in the plastic. The electronics are a little noise but work fine. Pickups look orig. and the wires inside look to be in some kind of clear tubing, I don't know if that is correct or not. The neck had been broken at the nut and has a pretty good repair but I have seen much better so I don't know how strong it is. The headstock also has a approx. 1/16" layer of wood under the faceplate[which has a chip out of the corner that I don't remember from the last time I looked at it]. I don't know if this layer of wood was orig. or part of the head stock repair. Kluson tuners look and work good. The neck needs a reset, when I look down the neck I am looking at the middle of the bridge pick up. the pick guard is a replacement as is the bridge and base but the tail piece is nickle plated so may be orig. Binding is lose and very hard at bottom back, at waist and heal of neck wit heal cap missing but finger board binding is real nice. Body has lots of little cracks in outer layer on back and sides but spruce top is very nice shape. I would guess this guitar is or was really dry but that is not surprising in our MN climate. Now the good stuff... sounds and plays great with only minor fret buzzing in the middle of the neck and the neck is straight. Body seems sold with no problems or damage, possibly the back is coming lose a very little bit where the neck has moved forward but maybe not. Very nice and lively acoustically and of course plugged in to a Vox Night Train sound as fantastic as expected. I could have sat and played it for a couple hours but I live across town and wanted to beat the traffic. I did take a bunch of photos and when I learn to post them I will along with my Guilds and another 1954 X-175 I found last year. I hope this helps out anyone interested.
Thanks John

 

[valcotone]

I was in Minneapolis on a trip in Feb 2010 and I remember this guitar at Twin Town... I played it then and it sounded good to me.

I think the price is a little high for a repaired headstock though, IMO.

BTW, thanks for posting the link to my old thread, fond memories of that guitar... but I do prefer the '54/56 X-175 I have now.

 

[Thunderface]

Twin Town is a great guitar shop. I got my '82 M-80 there, and love going back to browse. We're really blessed with a lot of great places to get guitars in the Twin Cities. It's fun to have options.

 

[fronobulax]

I did take a bunch of photos and when I learn to post them

Short answer - host them somewhere such as PhotoBucket or ImageShack and use the IMG tag to have them show up here.

Long answer.

 

[fronobulax]

I can't take it any more.

When someone in my house "I'll take a Manhattan" this is what they get.