Hopping on the Guild Bluesbird train

[mad dog]

I couldn't let Jahn ride alone ...

Got the box from Montana this AM. Packed well, thank God. Out pops one of the finest Guilds I've had the pleasure of trying. Red, real red. With the hang tag on the case handle, and the owners manual inside. Very close to new condition. Here's a pic from John (previous owner, super nice guy):

I'd hoped for a not too bulky neck, got exactly the right neck. Not too deep. Mostly C shaped, the hint of a D in the shoulders. Light, under 8 pounds. Came set up with .10s, top wrapped. Action not superlow, just about right. It needs nothing ... the pickups are even perfectly adjusted in height.

Plugged in, let's just say it was worth the wait. As with the other modern Guild I had before (2001 X-500) and the '75 SF VI, this BB radiates "professional guitar" in every way. Quite impressive. I spent an hour or so going back and forth between the Guild and a much loved MIJ Les Paul. So similar and yet so very different. The Bluesbird chambering takes it someplace a little different. Lovely guitar!
MD

 

[coastie99]

Good on ya mate ! She's a beauty.

It's a pity we can't all ride this train ............. http://www.thebluestrain.com.au/

Finally, a good reason to live in Oztralia !

 

[Thunderface]

Awesome new axe, MD! Congrats!

 

[Jahn]

Congrats Mad Dog, what a beaut! Bound guitars with that cherry color is so classic! Chambered Guilds for the win for sure!!!

 

[twocorgis]

It's a beauty, and looks an awful lot like my old one Michael. I'd have kept mine if I were any kind of solid body guy. Play it in good health!

 

[Zelja]

Congrats Mad Dog, look a beaut. Love that colour. If I didn't already have 3 maple on hog guitars I would be seriously looking at a Bluesbird/Blues90 myself.

 

[hagmeat]

Very nice MD, and great scenery too. Those mountains look awesome.

 

[hideglue]

Nice, MD.
I'm a sucker for the "black ring" BBs. And clever use of tailpiece to compensate for a steeper neck angle.

 

[Russian Guy]

Both these Jahn's sunburst and Michael's red Bbirds are sweet looking and I'm sure equally sweet sounding guitars. Wish I was on the buying spree at the moment, but LTG as my witness I'm trying, Ringo, trying real hard not to crack and buy every single one solidbody with HB1s on Ebay at the moment on Ebay at reasonable prices.

I gotta hold out for the right one though though it'd be much harder to get one in a condition comparable to both Michael's and Jahn's Bluesbirds (also through in competition factor).

Anyway I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you guys for letting us live vicariously through your purchases like Thunderface says

 

[mad dog]

It's a trip alright, getting to play such fine instruments, and great fun to share about it here. After all, I started hanging here before I had a Guild. Something about Guilds has always fascinated me. Now, on my fifth Guild, it's clear that fascination is not at all misplaced, and that many interesting people (all y'all, I mean) share that Guild feeling.

A few hours logged with the Bluesbird. Turns out the strings are .10s. John G. (previous owner) tells me there's a little trick to the top wrapping, but should be obvious when I change strings. Always wanted to try top wrapping. Interesting setup. The neck angle is steeper than on my Les Paul ... looks like the stop tail actually cants in the direction of the pull, so if I strung it regular, it would be relatively steep, but not as steep as it looks in the pic. (Top wound, the front of the stoptail has actually dipped down a bit; strung regular, it would tip up rather than down.) Also, lowered the bridge some today too, as the action was on the roomy side.

The feel and sound are such that I'll experiment cautiously. Don't want to mess up a very good thing. Top wrapping might be a key factor, so that'll stay. I might play some p/u games. Not sure yet. These might not be the p/us I'd have chosen, but they do sound good, really good, in their own way.

Most important thing, my wife thinks it's beautiful. Win, win.
MD

 

[coastie99]

Most important thing, my wife thinks it's beautiful. Win, win.

MD

Well, there ya go !

When the old sheila's happy, everyone's a prize-winner ! 8)

 

[gilded]

What year is it, MD? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[hansmoust]

What year is it, MD? Inquiring minds want to know!

That should be a Bluesbird from 1997.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[mad dog]

Good morning Hans. Where was production in '97? Thanks.
MD

 

[hansmoust]

Where was production in '97?
MD

1997 was still Westerly, RI.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[GAD]

Man, you guys are making me miss my Bluesbird!

 

[Treem]

Bluesbirds are SA-WHEET!!! 8) Congratulations !!!!! 8)

 

[zulu]

Atta boy! Good Dog!

 

[mad dog]

Yes, the dog is really happy this time. Been playing the new bluesbird a lot, going back and forth with some of my other favorite HB guitars:

• Epi LQ, made in Japan LP with Ian Anderson p/us
  partscaster tele deluxe, a tom short undercover mini HB in the neck
  Peerless made Epi Riviera, stock HBs

Into mainly a Sewell Wampus cat head or Allen Encore head, into a 1x15. A fascinating exercise, which will no doubt keep me trying it for many hours. The chambering of the BB sets it apart. Not sure what these stock p/us are, Seymour Duncans? I was prepared to pull them posthaste, but they actually sound so really good here. A wonderful clarity in the bass, near perfect balance string to string. Air around the notes, somewhere between the dense solid LP sound and the airier semi-hollow. I probably will try other p/us, just to see how others do with this chambered beauty.
MD

 

[SFIV1967]

Not sure what these stock p/us are, Seymour Duncans?

Most probably:
Neck: Seymour Duncan Classic Cover™ series '59 model™ SH-1N
Bridge: Seymour Duncan Classic Cover™ series '59 model™ SH-1B
"Versatile P.A.F.-type humbucker. Great for country, jazz, blues, funk, classic rock and heavy rock.
Late-'50s, vintage-correct, humbucker sound. Warm and crystalline clean tones. Full and bright distorted tones. Smooth sustain. Classic appointments include plain enamel wire, long legged bottom plate, vintage single conductor cable and no logo. Compared to the SH-55 Seth Lover, the '59 has slightly more scooped mids and is vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance. Available in both neck and bridge models. For balanced and warm instruments. Works especially well with mahogany bodies and rosewood fingerboards."
Ralf