"AAA" Bluesbird Tops.

[coastie99]

It's not unusual to see BB's with "coloured" ( most usually red ) tops advertised as having AAA tops. There's a red one on Ebay right now.

Was "AAA" maple used on these guitars, or only on the bursts and naturals ?

 

[hansmoust]

Hello Coastie,

Are you talking about this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1997-GUILD-BLUE...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

That's definitely not an AAA-top. Needs to have much more dramatic figuring to be called AAA.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[coastie99]

Yes Hans, that's the one.

I'm just curious about whether Guild actually used AAA maple on the tops of red / green / trans. black Bluesbirds.

 

[chazmo]

I wouldn't throw that one out of bed.

Seriously, it seems to me to be a waste of beautifully-figured wood to use with a colored finish. But, maybe that's just me; I guess I'm just a natural-finish guy. The translucent finishes, like on this Bluesbird, certainly do show *some* of the wood grain, but I'm left with the question "why bother?" I have seen a couple of translucent, wine-colored finishes on figured, light wood that I've liked, but I still think they look better natural.

I try to imagine what my quilted Taylor would look like in a translucent red or green (or black) finish, and I'm left wanting. I'm glad they showed some restraint.

 

[coastie99]

Chaz .... I have to say that I'd prefer 'burst tops on acoustics and other than natural tops on BB's. I've never been up close and personal with a natural top BB, but in pictures at least, a natural top just doesn't do it for me. And some natural, quilted tops that I've seen here and there, have been just way too much of a good thing.

But !

How about this ................

Ain't that the most beautimous thing ??

 

[chazmo]

Hehe... I can appreciate that point of view. That BB has a very high beautimousity factor! No argument here.

 

[BluesDan]

Coastie man, that quilt Sunburst BB never disappoints!!! Gorgeous!
And for the record.......I don't think good wood is wasted on green either!!! :wink:

 

[coastie99]

Blues ..... that r/h photo. always reminds me of the old curtains at our local movie joint, ca 1968. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[BluesDan]

Blues ..... that r/h photo. always reminds me of the old curtains at our local movie joint, ca 1968. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Now that you mention it............ :lol: :lol:

 

[chazmo]

OK, I think I sit corrected!

 

[NeoFauve]

That may or may not be AAA. The size of the "flamey/tiger" pattern looks similar to what I had on my Blusebird. But there's not much contrast.
If that's a "AAA" top, the seller didn't do a good job of lighting it when he shot those pictures.
Mine could look very different depending on the lighting.

Here it is shot indoors with flash.
http://images.lilypix.com/displayimage.php?album=2039&pos=1

Here it is out in the sun.
http://images.lilypix.com/displayimage.php?album=2039&pos=0

Blues Dan- that would be my dream Bluesbird. Nice!

 

[Noun0]

Hi, take a look on this post, viewtopic.php?t=10885

natural or coloured top , it's a difficult choice ...

 

[brianeharmonjr]

And for the record.......I don't think good wood is wasted on green either!!! :wink:

Wow, I've never been a huge fan of the green ones, but that is a beauty.

 

[gtraddict]

Yes it is quite a looker, I always liked the unique looking tops myself

 

[BluesDan]

Yes it is quite a looker, I always liked the unique looking tops myself

Thanks guys,........

Gtraddict, looks like you have a green Blues90 in the mix, got pix? We can continue to "convert" the non-believers in green machines.... :wink:. And there will definitely be additional Blues 90's in my future, mine is fast becoming my favorite go-to guitar. I'm thinking red is next.

 

[gtraddict]

I have one green Blues 90, the "odd topped" ones always reminded me of what I always remember the true '58-60 flame top Les Pauls being. Where Gibson was using a lot of Western maple and they had some wild patterns
here are some pics of the green of I need to take another family portrait since I got a goldtop

 

[chazmo]

I guess I'm seriously eating my words from earlier.

Wow, what nice tops, addict.

 

[gtraddict]

Thanks Chanzmo, out of all them my favorite as far as looks is the burst in front here. For some reason I like the way it is halfway betweem a quilt and flame

 

[fab467]

Thanks Chanzmo, out of all them my favorite as far as looks is the burst in front here. For some reason I like the way it is halfway betweem a quilt and flame

Hi GA- Congrats.on an absolutely stunning collection! 8)

 

[BluesDan]

AMAZING collection!!!!!! Love that burst. 8)