1979 Guild X-175 Manhattan

Since the Hoboken, New Jersey days, the Guild name has always been tied to quality archtop guitars. By the late 1970s, the X-175 Manhattan stood as one of Guild’s premier full-bodied electric archtops, offering classic jazz box tone with a refined feel and elegant styling. With its fully hollow 17” body, Spruce top, laminated Maple construction, and dual humbuckers, this guitar balances warmth, articulation, and projection—equally at home comping chords or soaring through a solo. Made in Westerly, Rhode Island, this 1979 X-175 sports a blonde finish that highlights its graceful lines and understated aesthetic, while also showing off the beautiful Maple grain. We especially love the discreet master volume control, which provides practical flexibility on stage or in the studio. In the late '70s, this was a relatively new feature for Guild,, and it allows you to control the overall volume level without adjusting the pickup balance. This is particularly useful in the middle position, and it's one of few small details that separate Guild archtops from the other legacy American brands.  Comfortable to play and rich in tone, this X-175 is a fine representation of Guild’s late-’70s craftsmanship and a reminder of why the brand’s archtops remain so sought after. It shows some play wear, but it is in impressive condition for its age (see photos). There are some minor bumps around the binding edges and some finish checking around the top. Also, there is wear around the bridge area and some dings on the edges of the headstock. It is currently setup with .011-.052-gauge flatwound strings. The action is low and inviting, and the slim '70s neck profile has a subtle taper that doesn't hold you back from diving into the upper register. The nut measures 1.650". This 1979 Guild X-175 is a great-sounding American-made archtop with a lot to offer. There's something about the Guild stylings—and the subtle differences in pickup designs—that set this apart. There's a vibe! It includes its original hardshell case.