1997 Guild X-170T Manhattan

Since the Hoboken, New Jersey days, the Guild name has always been tied to quality archtop guitars. Guild released the X-170 in 1985 as a slightly more compact, more approachable take on their flagship Manhattan archtop. The X-170T is a shorter scale–24.75″—and the X-170 is only 16-5/8″ across on the lower bout instead of the full 17″ of the Manhattan. What also sets the X-170T apart is the 1/2″-wide sound post block underneath the bridge. In higher volume situations, hollow body guitars can be tricky, but the sound post helps to reduce feedback and make this Guild archtop ready for the stage. 

Made in Westerly, Rhode Island in 1997, this X-170T sports a gorgeous Sunburst finish that highlights the stunning Flamey Maple on its front & back of its body. The laminate construction also helps keep this archtop more stable than a Spruce top. This X-170T can handle pushing the volume and using overdrive/distortion and other effects. Its 2 humbucking pickups deliver rich, powerful tone. It has an adjustable rosewood bridge, engraved Guild harp tailpiece, and Grover Rotomatic tuning machines. The nut width measures 1-11/16″, and the neck is a fast shallow C profile. 

In many ways, this 1997 X-170T would make the ideal jazz box, but it has more range than you expect ! The neck pickup is big, wooly, and dark—especially as you roll off the tone knob & the bridge pickup has good cut and surprising bite ! Because of the block underneath the bridge, this archtop remains more stable and predictable for overdrive, high volume, and rock and roll. In combination with the comfortable body size and slinky 24.75″ scale, this Guild X-170T is versatile hollow body with a lot to offer.  It’s truly exceptional & comes w/an original bill of sale from the “Sound Post” in Rossville, Georgia, its original Guild owners manual & hang tag all in its original black tolex hard case.