Bladerunner Questions

[mr.soul1986]

I have a Bladerunner and it's paint authenticity came into question because of the white found under a paint chip and it's color never being seen on a Bladerunner. It is the same blue as seen on the x79 above and on the eBay ad witch also shows white under blue.

 

[GAD]

I think the fact that the Guild logo is on the Bladerunner adds credence to the finish being original. Solidcolor Bladerunners are uncommon but they’re out there. I had one in solid pink.



The white could just be a sort of primer or first coat to make the blue pop.

 

[mavuser]

I agree, the Bladerunner finish looks original. and for solid blue like that, there would definitley be some sort of white primer coat underneath. refinishing that guitar would be a serious undertaking! also I've seen a blue one before, or else that same one you own now.

 

[mr.soul1986]

I think the fact that the Guild logo is on the Bladerunner adds credence to the finish being original. Solidcolor Bladerunners are uncommon but they’re out there. I had one in solid pink.



The white could just be a sort of primer or first coat to make the blue pop.

That's really cool. I had a solid black one but it was a little rough and I traded it for the x79 + cash. I was going to sell this one, but because of the reverb ad from where I bought it from said it may possibly be resprayed, it scared buyers. Oh well, I'm glad to have kept it honestly.

 

[mr.soul1986]

I agree, the Bladerunner finish looks original. and for solid blue like that, there would definitley be some sort of white primer coat underneath. refinishing that guitar would be a serious undertaking! also I've seen a blue one before, or else that same one you own now.

Thanks. I personally do not doubt it's authenticity, I would just like to get the best information on if it or isn't. I would think if it were re sprayed, you wouldn't have the wood dust in the cavities of the guitar.

 

[mr.soul1986]

I agree, the Bladerunner finish looks original. and for solid blue like that, there would definitley be some sort of white primer coat underneath. refinishing that guitar would be a serious undertaking! also I've seen a blue one before, or else that same one you own now.

Maybe you saw this picture? The shade of blue drastically changes with lighting. I have only seen these in baby blue with the black graphic across the body, and only in old pictures.

 

[mavuser]

Thanks. I personally do not doubt it's authenticity, I would just like to get the best information on if it or isn't. I would think if it were re sprayed, you wouldn't have the wood dust in the cavities of the guitar.

it's the later variant like the pink one. the earlier ones had like racing decals.

the blue on your guitar can be found on other Guilds of the period, such as the Detonator, and Pilot bass. It is very possible that is the only Bladerunner in that blue, but it is the same exact blue as those other Guilds- that is the key to the originality. The Bladerunner was an extremely limited guitar, and that finish may have only been used for a single, or handful, of group paint jobs. But they painted several different models the same color at the same time, for smaller runs like those shredder electrics of the 80's.

 

[mavuser]

Maybe you saw this picture? The shade of blue drastically changes with lighting. I have only seen these in baby blue with the black graphic across the body, and only in old pictures.

To me that looks like the same blue as yours (did u take yours out in the sun?), or very, very close. There is definitely going to be some variation after 35-40 years though, depending on how it spent its life. It could be from a different spray batch also. Yours is orignal. And if it is not, @hansmoust would let us know. He would like to read more replies first and have a chuckle though, is my guess!

 

[mr.soul1986]

it's the later variant like the pink one. the earlier ones had like racing decals.

the blue on your guitar can be found on other Guilds of the period, such as the Detonator, and Pilot bass. It is very possible that is the only Bladerunner in that blue, but it is the same exact blue as those other Guilds- that is the key to the originality. The Bladerunner was an extremely limited guitar, and that finish may have only been used for a single, or handful, of group paint jobs. But they painted several different models the same color at the same time, for smaller runs like those shredder electrics of the 80's.

I can see that. I've talked to a couple people involved in the Bladerunners. I was told there was one Italian guy painting them and he hated them because of the complexity. If you notice, finish in the cutouts usually has more orange peel texture and some the paint was so thick the serial # isn't legible. That's how mine is since there is at least a few white base coats plus blue and clear.

 

[mr.soul1986]

To me that looks like the same blue as yours (did u take yours out in the sun?), or very, very close. There is definitely going to be some variation after 35-40 years though, depending on how it spent its life. It could be from a different spray batch also. Yours is orignal. And if it is not, @hansmoust would let us know. He would like to read more replies first and have a chuckle though, is my guess!

Yes, same guitar in the sun.

 

[mavuser]

I can see that. I've talked to a couple people involved in the Bladerunners. I was told there was one Italian guy painting them and he hated them because of the complexity. If you notice, finish in the cutouts usually has more orange peel texture and some the paint was so thick the serial # isn't legible. That's how mine is since there is at least a few white base coats plus blue and clear.

that's why I said refinishing would be a monumental job. all of the sanding off the old finish and prep sanding, then sanding all the layers of the new finish, in all of the corners and crevices of those cut outs...no thanks!!

 

[mr.soul1986]

that's why I said refinishing would be a monumental job. all of the sanding off the old finish and prep sanding, then sanding all the layers of the new finish, in all of the corners and crevices of those cut outs...no thanks!!

Agreed . Thanks for the info. Here's my Dad's that he baught in 1991 and freaking sold in 97 for some ridiculously low price. We've all been in those situations though. This is the guitar that started my obsession with the 80s Guilds. I've been searching for this one since 2010. Finally was able to aqire one after 10 years. I wish I could get his back though.

 

[tonepoet]

Just for reference, here's a photo of a Guild Detonator I bought in blue. Lighting, background, variations in those will make a difference. This guitar is more of an "electric blue" in person. In this photo the blue looks darker.

For the record: The bridge humbucker was not original (owner installed a DiMarzio Super Distortion) but the original DiMarzio PAF came with it, so I was able to restore it back to factory specs.

 

[GAD]

That ‘80s blue is among my favorite Guild finishes. At least in the right guitar - like a Bladerunner or Detonator.

 

[mr.soul1986]

Here's another question about Bladerunner's I have. I had a solid black one (#82) and it had grover tuners, as well as my blue one. Solid colors were said to be later in the run so I'm wondering if those ended up with grovers and not the guild octagon ones towards the end of production.

 

[GAD]

Threads split. Please keep one guitar per thread where possible when the thread is named for that model - thanks.