Guild X-160 Rockabilly in transparent Tennessee Orange. Built in the US at Guild’s Westerly, Rhode Island factory featuring a laminated maple hollow body, rosewood fretboard with pearloid “block” inlays over a mahogany neck, two DeArmond 2000 pickups, a Guildsby (Bigsby) tailpiece.

Going by the serial number, this is a 1999 guitar in MINT condition with the original hardshell case included. It looked like a brand new guitar when I opened the case. Even the case looks new. The comparison to Gretsch Pro series hollow bodies is enviable. The guitar compares very well in build quality to the Japanese built Gretsch Professional series which are great guitars. Don’t let the big orange guitar fool you it is not just for rockabilly. Guitar is prettifying adapt a roots music, jazz, blues, etc. Unlike any other Guild Jazz guitars, the Rockabilly was available in four distinctive color options, including: Black; Tennessee Orange; Metallic Blue and Fiesta Red.

I was looking for a while for the transparent Tennessee Orange that shows off the wood grain for a while. These guitars are a bit hard to find, especially in great condition. These where not inexpensive guitars and not that many were made. These should not be confused with the older smaller bodied Guild X-160 which was less fancy version of the Guild X-170.

The essence of Swing/Rockabilly is captured in the X160 Rockabilly. These are the first production instruments to have the original DeArmond Model 2000 pickup in over twenty years. The body of the X150 Savoy is used to re-create an American Classic. The laminated maple body has a mahogany neck with a block inlayed rosewood fretboard. The high gloss urethane finish comes in the amazingly cool colors of Tennessee Orange, Fiesta Red, Cantina Blue and the always cool Black.

The Guild X-160 Rockabilly was only made for a few years between 1999 and 2003. This Guild X-160 uses the same body and neck as the X150. Pickups were two DeArmond 2000s, which different that the DeArmond 2K pickups – the X-160s were the first production instruments to have the original DeArmond Model 2000 pickup in over twenty years. 2K and 2000’s are completely different pickups. The 2K are very much like P-90’s, whereas the 2000 are more like DynaSonics.

  • 7 lbs, 9 oz.
  • Tennessee Orange Finish
  • Bound Laminated Maple Body with 16 3/4-inch lower bout, 11 1/2-inch upper bout x 3 1/2-inch deep fully hollow
  • Mahogany Neck with Rosewood Fretboard with Block Inlays and Binding
  • 24-3/4-inch Scale Length
  • 1 11/16-inch (43 mm) Nut Width
  • .870” Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
  • .940” Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
  • Body Depth: 3 1/2-inch
  • Body Width Upper Bout: 11 3/4-inch
  • Body Width Lower Bout: 16 1/2-inch
  • Two DeArmond 2000 Pickups
  • Master Volume and Tone Controls
  • 3-way pickup selector switch
  • Aluminum Bridge
  • Grover Rotomatic Tuners
  • Black Stair-step w/ Gold Guild Logo pickguard
  • Chesterfield w/ Mother of Pearl Guild Logo on headstock
  • Two f-holes
  • Thin polyurethane finish

The Guild X-160 Rockabilly is has no sound post. Take a look at the pictures I took inside the guitar with my iPhone.

Since this is a fully hollow guitar that has 3 1/2-inch deep it is quite resonant and if played on a loud stage could be more prone to feedback at high volumes. The laminated top helps, but a soundpost can be added pretty easily bu a luthier if feedback is an issue. I personally do not play loud and have not experienced any feedback issues. It is a fantastic guitar and U.S.A, built!

1999 Westerly Guild X-160 Rockabilly and 1966 Hoboken Guild X-175

1999 Guild X-160 Rockabilly and 2005 Gretsch G6120RHH

Pickup Replacement

I ordered a set of TV Jones T-Armond pickups with white plastic tops to replace the Two DeArmond 2000 pickups that came stock on this guitar. This is a total reversible mod. I will save the stock pickups. Removing the pickups and replacing them is a fairly easy job on this guitar. Only need to remove the 3-way switch to desolder the stock pickups. Far easier than some hollow bodies that you need to remove the pots, the jack and the wiring harness.

The DeArmond 2000 pickups are OK, but the T-Armonds sound better in my opinion. Happy with the results.

Tape down the bridge before I removed all the strings

I planned on re-stringing the guitar and lowering the action a touch.

Removed the strings and the pickguard

Unscrewed the stock pickups

Removed the 3-way switch

Once you loosen the 3-way switch you can unsolder the stock pickups and install the new TV Jones pickups. I left the wire leads on the new TV Jones the full length and just used same type white cable ties to secure. Just in case the pickups are to be used in another guitar one day (but I doubt it).

New pickups installed, restrung and pickguard re-installed

Since the TV Jones T-Armonds with white tops look the similar to the stock DeArmond 2000 pickups the guitar retains the same classy look. Pretty simple swap for better tone.

Please read this excellent review on the Guild X-160 Rockabilly by GAD.