GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 2020 Guild X-175 Special

All images and text copyrighted and property of Greg Gagliano.

FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

Like the other models from Guild's imported Newark Series, the X-175 Manhattan Special takes its design cues from the X-175 Manhattan of the 1950s and early 1960s. It's not a true reissue, but still looks the part. Introduced in 2020, the X-175 Special is an upscale version of the Newark Street X-175B Manhattan. The main differences are in the fingerboard, finish and pickups. The X-175B has a rosewood fingerboard (and bridge base), reissue Franz pickups and a natural gloss finish. The X-175 Special has an ebony fingerboard (and bridge base), DeArmond 2000 pickups, bound headstock and F-holes, and a satin Malibu Blue finish. However, beginning in late 2020 through 2021, Guild also offered the X-175 Special in a natural gloss finish as shown here. This natural flame maple version was a non-cataloged, limited finish that was discontinued in 2022. Guild wasn't done with different finishes and in 2021 issued the model in Faded White (similar to Fender see-through Blonde) as a limited edition production run of 50 guitars. Dubbed the GLR (Guild Limited Run) X-175, the guitar was fitted with gold hardware. The pickguard was made special by replacing the Guild chevron logo with a plain G logo embellished with laurel leaves. In late 2022, three additional satin finishes were offered: Fjord Green, Gold Coast and Canyon Dusk. In 2022, Guild added three new color options for the X-175 Special: Canyon Dusk, Fjord Green and Gold Coast.

GUILD X-175 MANHATTAN SPECIAL (2020)

Body: Hollow; laminated 2-piece spruce top, laminated 2-piece flame maple back, and laminated flame maple sides; 3-ply bound top and back