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

[fronobulax]

^^^^
Every now & again we need to be reminded of just what a collection you have. Simply amazing! Including this one:

I presume the irony of posting the picture of that particular guitar was deliberate?

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

^^^^
Every now & again we need to be reminded of just what a collection you have. Simply amazing! Including this one:

Not sure were you joined this thread but back at post #7 I posted this newer photo on my 1965 S-200 Thunderbird.

I also noted that this very guitar made an unauthorized trip to Korea, and is the exact guitar the new Newark Street Thunderbird is based on!

 

[Quantum Strummer]

Has anyone tried another neck pickup in the bridge position? That seems like it would be easiest. and we're only talking a couple of mm difference in pole spacing.

I'd give that a shot. Or just swap the pickup positions. When you have bar magnets underneath—rather than slug magnets within—coils the resulting magnetic field is broad enough that the polepiece location doesn't need to be precise.

-Dave-

 

[Zelja]

Not sure were you joined this thread but back at post #7 I posted this newer photo on my 1965 S-200 Thunderbird.

I also noted that this very guitar made an unauthorized trip to Korea, and is the exact guitar the new Newark Street Thunderbird is based on!

I came in 2 days after that post in January. What can I say but short term memory loss from being repeatedly hit with waves of sonic bliss! :witless: They look like they did a great repro of your burst finish so that little trip your 'bird took was worth it for everybody else. Thanks again!

I presume the irony of posting the picture of that particular guitar was deliberate?

Ummm...errr...of course...and I like pretty things...

 

[amnicon]

I love the look of these. Seeing this thread has me considering making my first brand-new guitar purchase in many years.

 

[mavuser]

 

[Default]

And, again with the fuzz tone on the bridge pup.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

The video begins with both pickups on, then the neck p'up is switched off and we hear just the bridge. The dirt box, or amp clipping, is present throughout.

I'd like to hear the guitar without any fuzz/dirt/clipping…but I imagine there'll be more demo videos. I'd also like to know when the guitar will be available 'cuz I'm leaning towards getting one.

Edit: I just realized from reading GAD's Thunderbird blog entry that the T'bird and Fender Jaguar have the same functional layout. The switches and knobs are in different places but do the same things.

-Dave-

 

[mavuser]

that thing is hot if you ask me! if pickups/electronics dont work for u just change them, dont think twice. that thing looks killer though. a one way ticket to getting paid and laid for sure. sounds good/great to me in the video as well, to be honest. almost a muddy watersish inspired sound (I know he used mm pickups primarily). whatever the case they may have very well nailed this one. Guild is officially back now if you ask me. CMG just stepped it up big with this and the M-20/D-20 imo. i dont believe it makes a difference that the S-200 is Korean if they did indeed nail it. and the Korean Starfire bass is also more than holding it's own (there may have been blems in the beginning but they were few and far between, happens on USA guitars as well). The SF guitar with the stop tail and fixed bridge IMO was also an A+ move. i think the T-bird will sell well and drive sales of other Newark Street models too. the challenge for Guild is just stay consistent. Maybe some more limited USA stuff. id love to see a Merle Travis reissue like the one on page 170 of the Guild Guitar Book by Hans Moust.

 

[2nevets]

I know I am grabbing one!

 

[SFIV1967]

Gonzo posted the link to the press release before, I just thought some might have missed it:

May 17, 2016

Guild Guitars unleashes most anticipated reissue yet: the S-200 T-Bird

Guild S-200 T-Bird: Iconic Solid Body Joins Newark St. Collection Lineup

SANTA MONICA, CA – Guild is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated reintroduction of one of its most iconic, uniquely recognizable guitars: the S-200 T-Bird. This reissue is a replica of the original versions produced between 1964 and 1968, featuring an asymmetrical all mahogany body sure to catch the eye of the guitarist looking to blaze his or her own trail. However, this guitar’s appeal isn’t just about its looks – its unique controls create the widest variety of tones offered on any Guild instrument, drawing on its dual Guild LB-1 Little Bucker pickups to achieve almost every conceivable color on the palette.

The LB-1s are replicas of Guild’s original humbuckers, offering an array of tones from sparkly clean single coil-esque spank to thick and warm humbucker sounds that fatten and sing when driven. Switching capabilities include rhythm or lead modes, pickup on/off, and standard volume and tone controls. When engaged, an optional tone capacitor creates single-coil tones while maintaining the hum-free reliability of the LB-1s.
The T-Bird also features a Hagstrom Vintage Tremar, a reissue of the vibrato system featured on many of Guild’s solid body electric models from the 1960s. The Tremar’s fully adjustable spring allows everything from smooth bends and vibratos to a more stable hard-tail feel.

The T-Bird features a vintage C shape set mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays. Other period-correct details include Grover Sta-Tite open gear tuning machines, and famed asymmetrical headstock adorned with Guild’s logo and mother-of-pearl Thunderbird icon. The S-200 T-Bird is available in Antique Burst or Black, and includes Guild’s deluxe padded gig bag.

Street Price: $799

Source: http://dshowmusic.com/guild-s-200-t-bird-reissue-guitar/

 

[The Anal Finn]

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.

Thank you for saying that. I just got called a moron on the Guild Facebook page for saying essentially the same thing. It's nice to know I am not alone.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I think this guitar will be the one where I put my "swap the pickups around" idea to the test. Mind you, I have no problem at all with clean & clear bridge pickups. In fact I prefer 'em that way. But I am curious to hear how the LB-1s, given that the neck & bridge units aren't identical, will behave when installed "wrong."

-Dave-

 

[SFIV1967]

Here are the official specs for the black model, and it doesn't come with the kickstand!

There's a cool "Manual" for download! http://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/guild_s-200-t-bird_user_guide.pdf

[h=3]Body:[/h]

Body Type	Solid Body
Body Top	Mahogany
Body Shape	S-200
Finish	Gloss Polyurethane, Black
Body Depth Upper Bout	1 1/2″ (38 mm)
Body Depth Lower Bout	1 1/2″ (38 mm)
Body Width Lower Bout	12 3/4″
Body Width Upper Bout	11 3/4″
Overall Guitar Length	40″ (1016mm)

[h=3]Neck:[/h]

Neck Material	1-Piece Mahogany
Neck Shape	C
Neck Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Scale Length	24 3/4″ (628 mm)
Nut Width	1 11/16″ (43 mm)
Nut Material	Bone
Neck Binding	Cream
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12″ (305 mm)
Fingerboard Inlays	Pearloid Block
# of Frets	22
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Tuning Machines	Grover® Open Gear
Hardware Finish/Plating	Nickel Plated
Truss Rod	Dual-Action
Truss Rod Wrench	7mm Nut Driver

[h=3]Features:[/h]

Bridge	Guild® Tune-O-Matic
Strings	Nickel Plated Light Gauge
Case or Gig Bag	Guild Deluxe Electric Gig Bag
Bridge Pickup	Guild LB-1
Neck Pickup	Guild LB-1
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickup Switches	Mode Selector Switch, Low-Cut Tone Capacitor ON/OFF, Neck Pickup ON/OFF, Bridge Pickup ON/OFF
Control Knobs	Mode 1 Volume/Tone, Mode 1 Volume/Tone
Controls	Mode, Pickup ON/OFF, Tone Capacitor ON/OFF, Volume/Tone
Strap Buttons	Nickel Plated
Pickguard	Black
Item Number	379-1501-806

Ralf

 

[jp]

Hagstom Vintage Tremar?

Is that anything like a Foyd Rose Wharmy Hoo?

 

[Quantum Strummer]

"Tremar" is indeed what it's called. A Hagstrom thing (and maybe a Swedish thing), I guess.

I'm a big fan of the switching/tonal options on Fender's Jaguar. That's exactly what this guitar has. :redface-new:

-Dave-

 

[Zelja]

I want one - the colour choice will be problematic! No mention of the kickstand. Anyone know it will be there or not?

Wiring looks interesting & already thinking of slight mods in my head. Happy about the 43mm neck width. Sighing about the bridge pickup DC resistance (no biggie as it was expected). As QS said above, swapping the bridge & neck is an option.

 

[jp]

"Tremar" is indeed what it's called. A Hagstrom thing (and maybe a Swedish thing), I guess.-Dave-

I think you're right. It's actually the Hagström trademarked name for their tremolo system. The previous typo with the brand name made me skeptical.

Regardless, I want one too, despite all the switching options, which confuse my simplistic brain. I love to have the options, though. And I love all the black and chrome. It stuns me like a Vincent Black Shadow or Lightning!

 

[krysh]

I like this bird.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

Regardless, I want one too, despite all the switching options, which confuse my simplistic brain. I love to have the options, though. And I love all the black and chrome. It stuns me like a Vincent Black Shadow or Lightning!

We gotta get one of these to Richard Thompson so he can play an electric version of 1952 Vincent Black Lightning with it.

On Jags & Jazzmasters I use the "alternate" controls to set up a dark, warm sound that I can then switch to from any "normal" setting with a single toggle flick. On Jags I use the additional low cut (aka "strangle") switch to slice off some bass when playing dirty through amps that get farty with low-frequency clipping. It's simple once you think it through and give it a try.

-Dave-