The Thunderbird is apparently resurrecting! Maybe they should call it the Phoenix.

[Timko]

I would be quite interested in something like this, especially around a $799 price point. As long as the body is decently constructed in terms of body and neck. Things like pickups, tuners, and wiring can be easily replaced. It would also be a bonus is the trem and the switches were decent. Anything other than that is gravy. The original guitars have just skyrocketed in price (due a lot to The Black Keys), and I'd love to get my hands on one, even if it's a reissue.

Also, don't knock MIK guitars. I have a 2007 Gretsch 5120 that has amazing feel. It's a true players guitar that I got for $400 used. Throw in some TV Jones and a sold bar bridge and that thing turns into a monster. I'll also mention I have a St. Blues 61 South from the short time they were Korean, and it also has a great finish and feel. I've been quite happy with guitars out of that country, and will continue to buy them while they are still good.

 

[Maxer]

I dunno. I'd be happy to see this model resurrected as an affordable MIK guitar. Some of my best guitars are Asian-made, including a handful of Korean ones. If it keeps the price down but the quality up, I'm all for it. Put me down as another one who'd love to see this in trans-cherry finish - I think that would be killer.

 

[Default]

My knock against Korean guitars is they don't keep any American luthiers employed. Fortunately, I've been able to do that with Guild, to this point. I am one of the few who likes to put his money where his mouth is. Looking forward to what CMG is willing to build to suit my particular needs. I don't care too much about what everyone else is willing to settle for.

 

[Thunderface]

I spy a sunburst one and a black one. I contacted my local Guild dealer and they said they saw them out at NAMM and will let me know when/if they get one in the shop.

 

[matsickma]

I wonder if that is solid black or transparent black? I had a black DeArmond Jetstar and planner to install DeArmond single coils to it. Gave up on the idea and sold the guitars 10 years ago. Maybe it's time to rethink the idea.

 

[fronobulax]

My knock against Korean guitars is they don't keep any American luthiers employed.

How about "factory worker" rather than luthier? My take, admittedly from conversational anecdotes, is that not everyone who can build a guitar in a factory setting is a luthier. No further comments since the last thing LTG needs is two Moderators trying to make political points while pretending not to be political

 

[SFIV1967]

In an early '60's Guild catalog they initially introduced the Thunderbird as a S100 Polara shaped guitar with block fingerboard inlays, bound neck and DeAromond pickups. It was red and may have been an artist rendering. When the Thunderbird was finally released it had the Gumby body.
Does anyone have that catalog and picture?

I don't have the catalog and I don't have a subscriptin for vintaxe.com, but your memory is right, it was page 8 of the 1963 catalog:

Hans writes about it in his book on page 154 (datails about the 1963 catalog page) and page 155.

Ralf

 

[Maxer]

My knock against Korean guitars is they don't keep any American luthiers employed. Fortunately, I've been able to do that with Guild, to this point. I am one of the few who likes to put his money where his mouth is. Looking forward to what CMG is willing to build to suit my particular needs. I don't care too much about what everyone else is willing to settle for.

Alas, not my problem, as I'm not an American. I do care about resurrecting a great guitar from history's dustbin, even if that means it's not made in the country of origin - for economic reasons or otherwise. So sue me!

Still, I do understand your concerns about national pride and keeping production within one's own borders. Which is why the majority of my guitars are Canadian-made.

All that said, I look forward to the new Thunderbirds. At the very least, I'm curious about how they will turn out.

 

[Default]

They don't get my money.

Next.

 

[SFIV1967]

Here's the full picture in a slightly better resolution:
(Aaron Eisenberg from The Soft White Sixties with the sunburst one and Rich Good of the Psychedelic Furs with the black one)

Source: https://www.instagram.com/guildguitars/



Another one showing Psychedelic Furs guitarist Rich Good with Amilcar Dohrn-Melendez, Guild Artist Relations, at the Guild booth:

Source: https://www.instagram.com/riichgood/

Ralf

 

[fuman]

To quote HomeStarRunner, "That is one ug-a-lee burrrd."

 

[SFIV1967]

To quote HomeStarRunner, "That is one ug-a-lee burrrd."

To me the S-200 is one of the coolest Guilds ever!

Dan Auerbach of "The Black Keys" plays one, as did the famous Muddy Waters and also Zal Yanovsky of the Lovin' Spoonful.

Ralf

 

[Maxer]

I love the body shape - ultra funky - but I'm not as enamoured with that strange headstock. But screw it, I think I'd get one anyway.

 

[AcornHouse]

I love the body shape - ultra funky - but I'm not as enamoured with that strange headstock. But screw it, I think I'd get one anyway.

I love the headstock because of its uniqueness. Not inspired by any others.

 

[matsickma]

The Thunderbird was always my guitar favorite. Loved from the first time I saw one in the 60's. They were expensive back then as only one person I knew could afford to own in.

Loved the headstock also. Very cool.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I love "ugly" guitars so long as they play nicely. Thunderbirds fall in that category. The new Music Man St. Vincent signature model might also fall in the ugly category for some folks, but I think it's gorgeous.

-Dave-

 

[matsickma]

Guild has a few in this category. I think the S300 falls into that category and there are a good assortment from the 80's. The thing is ...Guilds have a certain feel to them. Even their Strat type guitars feel like a Guild.

 

[S100]

I love "ugly" guitars so long as they play nicely. Thunderbirds fall in that category. The new Music Man St. Vincent signature model might also fall in the ugly category for some folks, but I think it's gorgeous.

-Dave-

Totally agree

 

[walrus]

Quantum, you made me look! The St. Vincent model is pretty cool!

http://www.music-man.com/instruments/guitars/st-vincent

walrus

 

[mavuser]

How about "factory worker" rather than luthier? My take, admittedly from conversational anecdotes, is that not everyone who can build a guitar in a factory setting is a luthier. No further comments since the last thing LTG needs is two Moderators trying to make political points while pretending not to be political

i have to disagree here. A Korean that builds a high quality guitar is a "luthier"

and American guitar builders also work in "factories" (like Westerly or NH)

and anyone one is capable of manufacturing crap, in any country.

nothing wrong with "Made in the USA" but some of the Asian guitar posts are just so overboard, so ridiculous.

Frono, you own a Newark Street Guild Starfire bass. Those are pretty nice! Do you think an assembly line of 8 year olds built it in a Chinese sweat shop? Your post confuses me.

again, nothing wrong with only being interested in owning a USA guitar only. I understand that fully. And vintage vs. new...like night and day yes. But Korens, Japanese, and Mexicans for decades have been churning out some nice stuff that pros don't hesitate to perform or record with.