Bluegrass Jubilee?

[KenL]

Question: I've got a line on a D-50, and the seller says it is a Bluegrass Jubilee. However, it does not state "BJ" on the label in the soundhole, which I expected to see.

So I'm thinking it is not a Bluegrass Jubilee. Can you guys confirm or deny?

It has a Antique Sunburst finish, which I've never seen before, and is in excellent condition, so I'll probably buy it regardless. But would like to know.

It's an '81, btw.

Thanks!

 

[donnylang]

Not sure in which eras this is consistent, but if I recall- the original designations from the '60s-'70s were:

D35- Bluegrass
D40 / D44- Bluegrass Jubilee
D50- Bluegrass Special

 

[donnylang]

... I don't think the "BJ" or any designation was on the label during this era either, at least not usually. The labels would say "SB" for Sunburst or "NT" for Natural etc.

 

[KenL]

Thanks, donnylang. The label does say "SB Ant." for Antique Sunburst.

 

[SFIV1967]

The D-50 in the 1981 catalog was simply called D-50 and they had a spruce top.






Only by 2006 in the Tacoma factory they changed the specs, put a red spruce top (Adi) on her and called here again "Bluegrass Special:



Ralf

 

[adorshki]

Question: I've got a line on a D-50, and the seller says it is a Bluegrass Jubilee. However, it does not state "BJ" on the label in the soundhole, which I expected to see.

So I'm thinking it is not a Bluegrass Jubilee. Can you guys confirm or deny?

It has a Antique Sunburst finish, which I've never seen before, and is in excellent condition, so I'll probably buy it regardless. But would like to know.

It's an '81, btw.

Thanks!

Hi Ken, welcome aboard!

As Ralf said, by '81 they had dropped the "Bluegrass" names as well as the other names that were originally used to ID various models.
And a D50 was never a "Jubilee" in any case, always the "Special".

Whenever I see this I suspect seller of puffery and attempting to inflate perceived value of the item by using the "Bluegrass" designation when in fact it's not justified.

Especially since the most recent incarnations featured an Adi top, which, as far as we've ever been able to determine Guild didn't use prior to Tacoma. In fact due to over-harvesting during WWII it's most likely it wasn't even available in suitable volumes or size for guitar making until the mid '90's

I hate that bs, it spreads confusion about the brand in the market, and as long as there wasn't something particularly desirable about the instrument to me, I'd boycott.

Assuming you've got a serious interest in it, I'd ask buyer why they think it's a Bluegrass model, and if they say it's got an adi top, shoot 'em down on asking price.

I will allow that it's possible the seller's been misled themselves, so let their answer about why they're calling it a Bluegrass Jubilee be your guide.

 

[GardMan]

Just to be a little more explicit, and '81 D-50 would have a SITKA spruce top.

 

[KenL]

Hey, you guys are great, this is good info and it all makes sense.

The label on my same year ('81) D-46 says (in the same handwriting as the D-50) D-46 BLD. I always assumed that meant "blonde" because it is swamp ash.

SFIV1967, would have the same info on the D-46 that you could post? This is interesting to me, thanks.

 

[GardMan]

Yes, "BLD" refers to "blonde," more commonly used in reference to an un-stained maple guitar. Ash also fits the bill, I suppose, but my '81 D-46, says "D-46NT," where NT stands for "natural top."

As with the D-50, the top would be sitka spruce...

 

[KenL]

GardMan, odd that yours says "NT", while mine says "BLD". Part of the charm of Guilds from that era, in my opinion.

The serial number on mine ends in 319. I'd be curious to know if yours is close. The serial number on the D-50 ends in 883.

 

[GardMan]

No... not close. Mine is in the 160s... Mine's an early one from 1981, with a rosewood centerpiece in the back.

In fact, it has three date stamps from Dec 1980, one on the neckblock, one on a back brace, and one on a top brace, indicating that the top, back, and rim were actually completed in Dec 1980, with final assembly after the new year. You might look for dates on yours... the neckblock date is the easiest to see. The others require an inspection mirror and flashlight (or cell phone pic).

 

[KenL]

Thanks for the photo, Gardman. That is one gorgeous guitar! Love the stripe.

 

[KenL]

Well, I bought it. Given its condition and rarity, and a decent price, I couldn't pass it up. Played it for an hour last night and it sounded great, even with the thumpy old strings.

It's on my bench right now getting the fretboard treated with F-One oil. Then a good polish, then a new set of Elixirs.

 

[adorshki]

... I don't think the "BJ" or any designation was on the label during this era either, at least not usually. The labels would say "SB" for Sunburst or "NT" for Natural etc.

The names were never on the labels except for the Tacoma BS's and BJ's, using those abbreviations.

No... not close. Mine is in the 160s... Mine's an early one from 1981, with a rosewood centerpiece in the back.

Betcha that's why it's a "Natural" instead of a "Blonde", can't be a "blonde" with that dark stripe on the back.

 

[SFIV1967]

The label on my same year ('81) D-46 says (in the same handwriting as the D-50) D-46 BLD. I always assumed that meant "blonde" because it is swamp ash.
SFIV1967, would have the same info on the D-46 that you could post? This is interesting to me, thanks.

1981 catalog and pricelist:





Ralf

 

[dreadnut]

Is she a true blonde? I guess not, LOL.

 

[hansmoust]

It's an '81, btw.

Not that it makes all that much difference, but your D-50 was completed during the year 1980.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[KenL]

Thanks, Ralf, that is quite interesting to me. I appreciate the research.

Hans, thanks. I noticed the date on the neck block as I was cleaning it up this morning and it is stamped 1980.

 

[mike1100]

The names were never on the labels except for the Tacoma BS's and BJ's, using those abbreviations.

Al - I'm not sure of the consistency, but here's an example of a New Hartford, CT D-50 Blue Grass Special label.

 

[Br1ck]

This is why whenever possible, one should play guitar, like guitar, buy guitar. Do this and what it's made of, what it's called, what year it was made, and what factory it came out of is all immaterial. Sure you should be as informed as possible, but adi does not mean you'll like the guitar.