Getting a Nightbird

[X-170SB]

There's a Nightbird at Willies American and I notice they've had it for awhile. It seems in good condition and has Duncan pickups, although interestingly they're without covers. I'm thinking seriously of getting it, but am just wondering if there's any reason not to go for this particular Nightbird - why it hasn't sold previously.

 

[MojoTooth]

my experience with Willies just from looking at their listings online an in vintage guitar magazine is that they are over priced most of the time. Example:

http://www.gbase.com/gear/guild-starfir ... 5-sunburst

http://www.gbase.com/gear/guild-x-500-2000-sunburst

 

[X-170SB]

Thanks for the reply, Mojotooth. Some of Willie's prices do seem high, but what he was asking for the Nightbird (a bit under 2K) seemed reasonable, considering their rarity. I was wondering more if there might be anything about the guitar itself that made it less desirable. Just a bit surprised it hadn't sold more quickly, but maybe its my good luck!

 

[hansmoust]

There's a Nightbird at Willies American and I notice they've had it for awhile. It seems in good condition and has Duncan pickups, although interestingly they're without covers. I'm thinking seriously of getting it, but am just wondering if there's any reason not to go for this particular Nightbird - why it hasn't sold previously.

Hello X-170SB,

Don't see a Nightbird posted on Willies website. Do you have a link?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[X-170SB]

Hi Hans,

Here's the link:

http://www.williesguitars.com/index.cfm ... nventory/4

(hope it comes across okay)

 

[Thunderface]

I was at Willie's the other day and saw that one. Didn't look at or play it, but I saw it there.

 

[X-170SB]

Hans,

As a followup to my reply, it strikes me that you would be the best person to ask about the differences in sound and performance between a Nightbird and a Bluesbird (the later version). I know the physical differences, but would you care to describe the differences from a player's viewpoint?

Thanks,

Gary

 

[matsickma]

For my money I would go with a Bluesbird with a AAA Sunburst.

The guitars are similar but the Bluesbird has a maple cap and Nightbirds could be maple or spruce. The biggest tonal differences in these guitars is the electronics. since this Nightbird has changed pickups that becomes more of your choice and then you have the control differences. I personally like individual Vol & Tone with humbuckers. The Bluesbird doesn't have a phase switch but that would be easy to add with a pullPOT if you're into that sound.

The Nightbirds have gold hardware and beautiful binding, etc but if tone is the deciding factor you could pick up a Bluesbird and have plenty of $ left over to try different pickups.

M

 

[MojoTooth]

Hi Hans,

Here's the link:

http://www.williesguitars.com/index.cfm ... nventory/4

(hope it comes across okay)

oh yeah, that price is super! id be all over that if i havent just dropped $1400 today on an SFIV!

 

[lager86]

Anybody notice that the truss rod cover is backwards on this Nightbird?

 

[bluesypicky]

Anybody notice that the truss rod cover is backwards on this Nightbird?

I hadn't. But noticed your post number, so welcome!

 

[X-170SB]

Hi lager86,

Thanks for pointing that out. Do you think that's a sign of anything more unusual?

 

[lager86]

Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking here for a few years now, and quite frankly thought I had registered and posted before, but I guess not since that was my first post!

I don't know if the the backwards/upside down truss rod cover is a sign of anything more unusual about that specific Nightbird, but I would definitely want to inspect it in person before purchasing.

And yeah, if everything checks out, that would seem to be a fair price for a Nightbird these days. (IMHO)

 

[fronobulax]

I don't know if the the backwards/upside down truss rod cover is a sign of anything more unusual about that specific Nightbird, but I would definitely want to inspect it in person before purchasing.

Welcome.

Truss rod covers are a long standing joke here. A properly installed Guild TRC has the wide portion at the top, to mimic the headstock profile. This is in contrast to the TRCs on other brands that have the wide portion at the bottom. The joke is that an improperly installed TRC devalues the guitar by as much as 50% and is very expensive to repair. Thus a seller with an improperly installed TRC is expected to lower the asking price significantly to account for the flaw.

All the TRC really says about the guitar in question is that the TRC was improperly installed at some point. That is unlikely to indicate any kind of serious problem. After all any curious owner with a screwdriver can pop the TRC...

 

[X-170SB]

fronobulax,

Thanks for letting me (us) in on the joke! I guess I had noticed that those covers are different than other guitars, but didn't think of it when looking at the photos of the guitar. OTOH, its just this kind of thing that can be critical for collectors. :wink:

As far as inspecting the Nightbird, I'd really like to do that, but I'm pretty far from Minnesota, so probably no chance.

 

[fronobulax]

As far as inspecting the Nightbird, I'd really like to do that, but I'm pretty far from Minnesota, so probably no chance.

There are members in Minnesota who have been know to enable LTGers to purchase a non-local instrument with confidence. Seems to me that LTG was once graced with posts from someone who worked at Willies, as well, although I don't recall any recent posts from them. Perhaps someone will step up and help?

 

[Thorn]

I called them regarding that guitar last year....it took a while before the sales rep mentioned the crack on the headstock...
Request lots of pictures of that area.

 

[lager86]

I called them regarding that guitar last year....it took a while before the sales rep mentioned the crack on the headstock...
Request lots of pictures of that area.

Yikes! Certainly nothing regarding a cracked headstock in the listing...Buyer beware.