guildman63
Senior Member
What we have all been waiting for. Hey bluesypicky, give us a translation! :abnormal:
1953 X-175 versus a Newark Street X-175...
- Thread starter guildman63
- Start date
guildman63
Senior Member
Hey Pascal, any.idea what this guy is saying? He had better not be bad-mouthing Guild or Americans :angry:
Walter, what do you think? Sounds pretty darned good to me.
Walter, what do you think? Sounds pretty darned good to me.
jcwu
Senior Member
This kind of video review is prefect - you're not swayed by what he's saying, because you can't understand it. All you can do is listen to the guitar and judge for yourself! 
jcwu
Senior Member
As for me, the only difference to my inexperienced ears is that I could hear more of the actual unamplified strings with the NS X-175 recording, at least in the beginning of the clip, as if the amp wasn't turned up as loud and therefore wasn't drowning out the room.
Other than that, both sounded really good. I'll take one of each.
Other than that, both sounded really good. I'll take one of each.
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
In summary:
He says everything you can hear on the demo: that the sound difference is not huge (more bass and warmth, a more "woody" tone on the 53, as opposed to the re-issue), but also that he finds the new model more comfortable and easier to play than the older one.
He started the clip by advising everyone not to get fooled by the "made in Korean" stamp, as in this case, it does not reflect the "cheap quality" often associated with the label, because it is in fact a very nice and well crafted instrument.
He says everything you can hear on the demo: that the sound difference is not huge (more bass and warmth, a more "woody" tone on the 53, as opposed to the re-issue), but also that he finds the new model more comfortable and easier to play than the older one.
He started the clip by advising everyone not to get fooled by the "made in Korean" stamp, as in this case, it does not reflect the "cheap quality" often associated with the label, because it is in fact a very nice and well crafted instrument.
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
He is definitely convinced it's a 53, he even mentions that it's one of the very first ever made, and the 60 years gap between both.....
So what are the clues?
(I'm at work, can't go to your book now)
Last edited:
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
A 1953 X-175 will have only one volume and one tone control, no Chesterfield headstock inlay, no 'Lucite' pickguard and there are a few other differences but you can look for them when you get home tonight.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
Will do... thanks Hans.
Walter Broes
Enlightened Member
Yep, I was about to post that too, doesn't look like a 53 at all.
Walter Broes
Enlightened Member
Honestly, I'm not crazy about the guy's playing or the sound he's getting out of either of them, but yes, they sound pretty similar, don't they? Still waiting to get my hands on a new one.
drc
Senior Member
I thought it was alright, I mean he's no WALTER, but how many of us are?! ha-ha
Just making fun.
Just making fun.
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
Agreed. It's very rare to find a demo that actually gives a good sense of the guitar potential under every possible sound that may or may not appeal to the viewer...
But here, the choice of a "muddy" sound is definitely not very helpful for the purpose, and does not serve the re-issue well I must add.....
guildman63
Senior Member
Even if it is a 59 or 60 it is still nice to hear a comparison between the original Franz pups and the new ones. I agree that the tone could have been better. I would have used a vintage Fender amp, or maybe a Guild amp. :tongue-new: As for his playing, I am in no position to criticize it, just his choice of amp and settings. I suspect there will be more similar comparisons very soon between the other NS models and their vintage counterparts, and I can't wait!
Walter Broes
Enlightened Member
Oh, the old guitar he's playing is actually perfect for the comparison, because it's obviously the era of X175 that the Newark Street one is based on!
+1 that a "clean" sound would have been very interesting to hear. I'd like to hear the guitar, not the effects. Pretty interesting attempt to compare, though.
walrus
walrus
HI guys and gals, Here is a photo of my '53 X175. Serial # 1172. All is original except it has a repro pickguard.
I also have a '61 X175B. Both fantastic instruments, but they do sound different. The '53 has a mellower, more woody tone, but will scream on the Bridge pup.
I also have a '61 X175B. Both fantastic instruments, but they do sound different. The '53 has a mellower, more woody tone, but will scream on the Bridge pup.
john_kidder
Senior Member
He says in the video that it's a '63 ("soixante-trois"), which seems to fit with the styling and decoration. Definitely not a '53 - I have a SB 53, like it a lot.
He also says the older guitar is not as bright as the new one, but overall, comparable.
He also says the older guitar is not as bright as the new one, but overall, comparable.