Advice on a 1985 Bluesbird for purchase

[PreacherBob]

I’ve been looking at some solid body electrics. Last one I had was a 60s Stratocaster about 30 years ago I sold, so I like the triple single coils on this one. It’s seems to be in excellent condition. I read GAD’s write up from years back, I saw his black one. Is this price too high? It has a “make offer” option. Anybody else with experience with it? Thanks, Bob

1985 Vintage Guild Bluesbird Electric Guitar-EMGs-Kahler-Red-Excellent! - Roadhouse Vintage Guitars

1985 Vintage Guild Bluesbird Electric Guitar-EMGs-Kahler-Red-Excellent!

www.roadhousevintage.com

 

[James Hart]

I almost bought that one from him for $1700 shipped, but life got in the way and I walked away forfeiting $500. Looks like a killer guitar, good luck.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

The Setzer versions are nice. They are also full scale unlike the other Bluesbirds.

 

[GAD]

I would not pay $1800 for a Setzer Bluesbird - especially not one in a Coffin Case.

 

[PreacherBob]

I would not pay $1800 for a Setzer Bluesbird - especially not one in a Coffin Case.

Thanks GAD. I’ll pass on this one. There are other Guild electrics I’m looking at as well.

 

[GAD]

Thanks GAD. I’ll pass on this one. There are other Guild electrics I’m looking at as well.

What’re you looking for in an Electric?

 

[PreacherBob]

What’re you looking for in an Electric?

What’re you looking for in an Electric?

Good morning. Well I was trying to stay flexible. I cut my teeth late 70s on Les Paul copies, shifted to a one pup bridge double coil setup with just a volume control. I got sucked into hair metal pop going into the 80s at age of 20 where most of those guys had this basic setup. On Reverb I’ve been watching the 270, and a couple of 281 Flyers, but I really like the non-offset body of the Aviator reminiscent of the Ovation Ultra I had. Seems these have been listed for a long time. It was later I played the strat for a period enjoying the diversity of single coils before going empty on electrics. Condition’s not at a premium enough to worry about turning it over later, just really to satisfy some flashback cravings. I actually still have some crazy effects pedals, like my multi effects Dokken’s George Lynch “Mr. Scary”. Other than that I’m quite satisfied settling down in the acoustic roll playing for guys and writing for 30 years or so, mostly on the country music side. Staying under $1000 would be great. Do you have a Flyer or Aviator? I saw your Setzer Bluesbird actually had a Double coil at the bridge position with singles at the middle and neck position, vs the one I shared here. That would seem to be a great setup and cover a lot of different tonality areas.

Vintage 1986 Guild Aviator W/HSC Made in the U.S.A. | Reverb

Vintage 1986 Guild Aviator W/HSC Made in the U.S.A. in Very Good Condition ships in Ibanez Hardshell Case. Shipping $87.99....

reverb.com

 

[matsickma]

I owned a '80's Bluebird identical to the one for sale years back. It was an excellent sounding guitar! Those EMG single coils have great tone and can push the front end of an amp nicely for some distortion or when backed off have a good smooth tone. The pickups are arranged similar to a Strat so you can get a nice bell like tone in the bridge/middle position.

I never followed the Grateful Dead much but I did have the Terrapin Station album. That version of Bluebird could duplicate Jerry Garcia's guitar tone in the album cover song perfectly.

I sold it because I picked up a solid maple version of a similar Bluebird except it has a humbucker in the bridge position.

The price looks high but these days vintage Guilds are asking high prices.
M

 

[GAD]

Good morning. Well I was trying to stay flexible. I cut my teeth late 70s on Les Paul copies, shifted to a one pup bridge double coil setup with just a volume control. I got sucked into hair metal pop going into the 80s at age of 20 where most of those guys had this basic setup. On Reverb I’ve been watching the 270, and a couple of 281 Flyers, but I really like the non-offset body of the Aviator reminiscent of the Ovation Ultra I had. Seems these have been listed for a long time. It was later I played the strat for a period enjoying the diversity of single coils before going empty on electrics. Condition’s not at a premium enough to worry about turning it over later, just really to satisfy some flashback cravings. I actually still have some crazy effects pedals, like my multi effects Dokken’s George Lynch “Mr. Scary”. Other than that I’m quite satisfied settling down in the acoustic roll playing for guys and writing for 30 years or so, mostly on the country music side. Staying under $1000 would be great. Do you have a Flyer or Aviator? I saw your Setzer Bluesbird actually had a Double coil at the bridge position with singles at the middle and neck position, vs the one I shared here. That would seem to be a great setup and cover a lot of different tonality areas.

Vintage 1986 Guild Aviator W/HSC Made in the U.S.A. | Reverb

Vintage 1986 Guild Aviator W/HSC Made in the U.S.A. in Very Good Condition ships in Ibanez Hardshell Case. Shipping $87.99....

reverb.com

Love me some Dokken!

The problem with ‘80s Guild electrics is that you’ll probably never get your money back on them. The people who want them are generally people who used to have one and the people who have them think they’re some sort of rare collectable, which they’re not. The fact that most have Kahlers coupled with the fact that no one ever took care of their Kahlers just adds to the limited desirability of these guitars.

I’ve had most of the Guild ‘80s models, and while I love them for the ‘80s Guilds that they are, none of them are among my favorite guitars.

When it comes to shredders I’m usually grabbing my Jacksons or my EVH copy. I love the *looks* of some of the ‘80s Guilds, but the 1 5/8” necks and the Kahlers just can’t compete with a Jackson for me. As a result some of my favorites of the Guild ‘80s electrics tend to be guitars like my X82 Nova with the stop tail.

They were SO close and they clearly tried, but Twisted Sister and Motley Crue wasn’t enough to convince the masses.

To see all the guitars I’ve reviewed use this link:

GAD's Guilds | GAD's Ramblings

GAD's Guilds: One man's obsession with Guild electric guitars and his quest to buy and review them all. Reviews, sound clips, wiring diagrams, and more.

gadsguilds.com