My first Guild in a X-500

[2bornot2bop]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the encouragement on the former blonde X-500 I'd been considering.

After owning a pair of DeArmond's (X-135 and X-155) I received a shipment of my first true Guild guitar in a X-500 2 days ago.

Serial number: AK500035 Westerly, R.I. built and near as I can tell it's a '95 model.

Question: Does anyone know the back story (history) of when the X500 was produced, discontinued, and then again built at the Waverly plant?

Also, does anyone know the story on the X-500 displaying the "Guild" logo on the pick guard? I'm asking because I've observed several X-500 pics that did NOT display the "Guild" logo on the pick guard and several that have the logo. My guitar HAS the logo on the pick guard.

Here's a few pics. And thanks again to all for the assist!

2b

 

[coreyman97]

Hey Greg-
Beautiful X-500. Looks like a '95 as you mention, but the serial number chart is so sketchy. I had the similar challenge with my '92, as you might remember. Here is a chart so you can see what I mean: http://www.guitarnucleus.com/guildserial.html.

Bottom line is that you have a great git at a great price. Enjoy and best wishes for some great times together.

 

[walrus]

Wow! That's a beauty!! Enjoy!

walrus

 

[2bornot2bop]

Hey Greg-
Beautiful X-500. Looks like a '95 as you mention, but the serial number chart is so sketchy. I had the similar challenge with my '92, as you might remember. Here is a chart so you can see what I mean: http://www.guitarnucleus.com/guildserial.html.

Bottom line is that you have a great git at a great price. Enjoy and best wishes for some great times together.

Hey Corey,

Thank you! I'm about to drop it off at the luthier for an evaluation and setup.

Anyone have string recommendations for the X-500? I'm a straight ahead jazz player.

Thanks for the link, I'd not discovered that website before!

What's the production history of the X-500? The chart on the above link displays NO production for year 1996.

X500 '94 AK500008 '95 AK500009 to AK000010 '96 AK000010 N/A

2b

 

[AlohaJoe]

Some info here too:
http://www.archtop.com/ac_87X500.html
ps, it's Westerly, RI.

 

[hansmoust]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the encouragement on the former blonde X-500 I'd been considering.

After owning a pair of DeArmond's (X-135 and X-155) I received a shipment of my first true Guild guitar in a X-500 2 days ago.

Serial number: AK500035 Waverly, R.I. built and near as I can tell it's a '95 model.

Hello 2bornot2bop,

The X-500 you just got is a model from the year 2000. I'm actually traveling in the U.S. right now with very limited access to the internet, so this will have to do.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[guildman63]

Anyone have string recommendations for the X-500? I'm a straight ahead jazz player.

Congrats, 2bornot2bop! I have Thomastik flat 12's on mine now and they are very good, but I previously had the D'Addario Chromes in 12 and I may prefer those (and they are much cheaper)...can't go wrong either way. Mine is a 1984, and here 'tis...

Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Ravon]

Both those X500's are stunning. Congratulations

 

[2bornot2bop]

Hello 2bornot2bop,

The X-500 you just got is a model from the year 2000. I'm actually traveling in the U.S. right now with very limited access to the internet, so this will have to do.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

Hello Hans,

Thank you for the input. So the Guild charts suggesting the serial number is a 1995 model is incorrect?

Does that mean since the Rhode Island facility closed its doors in 2001 that this guitar is one of the final X-500's produced?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. If you're anywhere near Seattle you're welcome for a stay. I've lot's of room!

 

[twocorgis]

Both those X500's are stunning. Congratulations

What Ravon said! That dark sunburst is outstanding. 8)

 

[2bornot2bop]

Congrats, 2bornot2bop! I have Thomastik flat 12's on mine now and they are very good, but I previously had the D'Addario Chromes in 12 and I may prefer those (and they are much cheaper)...can't go wrong either way. Mine is a 1984, and here 'tis...

Enjoy your new toy!

Thanks Guildman!

Any on-line suggestions for strings?

My local shop doesn't stock anything but rock strings. I'd like to avoid a trip to Seattle just to buy a pair of strings.

Hot lookin' '84! I don't recall having come across that finish. Everything I've seen was either blonde or sunburst.

Thanks again!

2b

 

[2bornot2bop]

Some info here too:
http://www.archtop.com/ac_87X500.html
ps, it's Westerly, RI.

Great link thanks!

Yep, I knew that, I guess my fingers thought otherwise :wink:

 

[2bornot2bop]

Thanks to all for the congrats!

I neglected to mention that the first thing I noticed playing the X-500 was how comfortable the neck is. And the biggest bonus is being able to sit near my amp without having to struggle with feedback issues. The two Yamaha AE1200S carved tops I sold to acquire the X-500 were a nightmare to play due to the constant feedback! I miss them but not the chronic feedback!

BTW...in case anyone's interested, Corey has an almost identical '93 model for sale in the same finish.

Can any X-700 owner's elaborate on how the X-700 plays in comparison to the X-500?

Enjoy,
2b

 

[coreyman97]

2b-
When I got my X-500, the dealer put D'Aquisto Jazz Signature Series 110 Ex. Lights (11's) on her. I didn't have any experience with flat wounds before, but I really like the sound and feel. Rather than heading to Seattle (though I wouldn't mind it), check out http://www.juststrings.com/
I'm sure you can find whatever you need and even get some great recs on which strings to try.

I agree wholeheartedly about the comfort of the neck. Between the neck and the action, it's my most comfortable guitar by far. Thanks for the shout out on your last post.

My best to you and your new family member.

 

[AlohaJoe]

I'm a big fan of Thomastik-Infield George Benson Flats 12-53 for straight-ahead jazz. The less expensive D'Addario Chromes I also like and they may be a little brighter, but they don't seem to last as quite as long for me:
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/thgebeniflwo.html

 

[guildman63]

Any on-line suggestions for strings?

Here are a few sites for you...

http://guitarsnjazz.com/products/strings/
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/

 

[guildmann]

i prefer the D'addario Chrome 12's

 

[2bornot2bop]

I'm a big fan of Thomastik-Infield George Benson Flats 12-53 for straight-ahead jazz. The less expensive D'Addario Chromes I also like and they may be a little brighter, but they don't seem to last as quite as long for me:
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/thgebeniflwo.html

Nice, Music123 sells the Thomastick-Infield GB flats on eBay with free shipping. Thanks for the recommendations ev1. I'm giving these a sample.

enjoy,
2b

 

[hansmoust]

So the Guild charts suggesting the serial number is a 1995 model is incorrect?
Does that mean since the Rhode Island facility closed its doors in 2001 that this guitar is one of the final X-500's produced?

It's a conclusion that one could draw when looking at the serial number lists but I don't think the Guild charts suggest that the guitar is from 1995. Anyway, the guitar is from the year 2000 and even though the production numbers for the X-500 weren't all that high during that particular period, they made quite a few after yours before the Westerly plant was closed during the second half of 2001.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[2bornot2bop]

It's a conclusion that one could draw when looking at the serial number lists but I don't think the Guild charts suggest that the guitar is from 1995. Anyway, the guitar is from the year 2000 and even though the production numbers for the X-500 weren't all that high during that particular period, they made quite a few after yours before the Westerly plant was closed during the second half of 2001.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

The Guild chart list for '95 reads: X-500 AK500009 to AK000010.

I don't know what to make of the fact the list ends in AK000010, but if '95 began with an X-500 serial number of "09" I thought it was a fair assumption that my number "35" being twenty six numbers from "09" that it was created in '95.

What suggests to you Hans that it was created after 2000? Anything for public consumption that one can read?

The Guild chart from the guild site lists NO X-500's produced in 1999 but instead only X-700's. Did the X-700 replace the X-500 at some point and was the X-500 rereleased after the X-700 was discontinued?

I asked that question earlier and I'm still waiting for a reply or comment on the production history of the X-500...meaning what years was it produced and when was it not produced. It's all a bit confusing for this newbie for web searches reveal zilch :|

Thanks again for any input that allows me to date the guitar and become more familiar with its history.

enjoy,
2b