Description

"The big mellow" - Guilds are famous for their ability to create mellow tones, and this one certainly does mellow.

This first year of production vintage Guild guitar dates to 1953, which is the year before appeared in the catalogue, making it one of the earlies examples of one of Guilds most iconic guitars. The black-cased single-coil "soapbar" pickups, and especially the neck pickup are insanely powerful, providing mellow and resonant lush jazz tones, with plenty of depth from that big sonically rich body as well as the big rockabilly sounds of the 1950s.

The fine Guild three piece neck is very fast and comfortable, and the grain that shows through the mahogany is beautiful, reminding us that the Guild craftsmen chose only the very best materials for their instruments, and the X series was the one they were most proud of.

Condition: There’s a tiny ding on the top at the upper bout, another on the back of the neck behind the first fret perhaps from a guitar stand. Otherwise this guitar is in perfect condition. The grain is showing through the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which is a really nice feature. Everything is original, including the case.

Gibsoon ES-175 and ES-350

You might be thinking the Manhattan X-175 was introduced by Guild (in 1954) as their answer to Gibson’s ES-175. But this is a 17" body with a Venetian cutaway (rounded), where the 175 is 16”, so the X-175 is closer to Gibson's ES-350. However, although the legendary 350 was a carved top, even it didn't come with such a fabulous 8-ply pickguard!

So, for the collector, investor and player in you, here is a truly innovative instrument of the Golden Era, for about £2-3000 less than you’d have to pay for the Gibson of the same caliber.

X-175 Features

• 17” full bodied f hole guitar with rounded cutaway
• 3 3/8" deep
• Laminated maple back and sides
• Laminated spruce top
• Three piece mahogany/maple neck
• 24 3/4" scale length
• Two single coil Soapbar pickups
• Three way pickup selector switch
• Volume and tone controls with clear speed knobs
• Guild harp-shaped chrome tailpiece
• Compensated rosewood bridge
• 7-ply pickguard
• Open tuners with metal buttons
• Original brown Guild hardcase

Condition

There’s a tiny ding on the top at the upper bout, another on the back of the neck behind the first fret perhaps from a guitar stand. Otherwise this guitar is in perfect condition. The grain is showing through the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which is a really nice feature. Everything is original, including the case.

Vintage Guild Manhattan X-175

Guild Manhattan X175 vintage electric guitar