Bluesbirds: Owners & Long Time Borrowers List

[SedanDelivery]

I'm sure this has been answered, forgive me -- I did a cursory search but couldn't find it. What's the consensus on the new Bluesbirds vs the ones from the 90s? I used to jones for a Les Paul but now I'm thinking Bluesbird is the way to go. But wondering if I should pony up for an older one or go with a new one.

*Editing this post with some info I found from our own GAD.

http://www.gad.net/Blog/2016/08/27/2016-guild-newark-street-bluesbird-guitar/


http://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/01/27/guild-bluesbird-bake-off/

 

[barrycreed]

I am the same as you @SedanDelivery . I have no LP type guitar, but like the look of the Guild Bluesbird. I have seen some of the DeArmond M75s for sale too, but apparently they are pretty heavy, which puts me off.

 

[Hobbesickles]

I have never owned or played one of the Newark St. Bluesbirds but I've now owned 4 of the 1997-2003 run of Bluesbirds. I liked them more than the Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue I owned which cost 4x as much as the Bluesbirds at that time. It'll be hard to find an older Bluesbird in a local shop to try out but if you can find one I'd give it consideration.

 

[SedanDelivery]

I am the same as you @SedanDelivery . I have no LP type guitar, but like the look of the Guild Bluesbird. I have seen some of the DeArmond M75s for sale too, but apparently they are pretty heavy, which puts me off.

I own a DeArmond 75. Moon Blue, it's gorgeous. But I've been thinking of selling it bc I already have 2 guitars with those Gold Tone pickups and think I want something with a more conventional set of humbuckers. You are right it's heavy. That doesn't bother me because I sit down to play, mostly for recording. When I play live I usually play acoustic.

I have never owned or played one of the Newark St. Bluesbirds but I've now owned 4 of the 1997-2003 run of Bluesbirds. I liked them more than the Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue I owned which cost 4x as much as the Bluesbirds at that time. It'll be hard to find an older Bluesbird in a local shop to try out but if you can find one I'd give it consideration.

Oh I'd love to. FWIW on the blog posts GAD said he liked the Newark St one. Sounds like it's not quite up to snuff with the 1997-2003 ones, but he liked it, and kept it.

 

[Smitch]

Black Beauty! My Corona version is my #1 gig guitar. Never disappoints.

 

[SedanDelivery]

Black Beauty! My Corona version is my #1 gig guitar. Never disappoints.

Sounds great. Do you have any threads on the forum talking about it, or photos? Cheers.

 

[Smitch]

Sounds great. Do you have any threads on the forum talking about it, or photos? Cheers.

Sorry, I thought I was responding to something else! However, I’ve played both Westerly and Corona Bluesbirds in a live band for 10 years. It’s all in the ear of the beholder of course, but for me it’s about tone. I love the stock pick ups, and I play around with pick up height quite a bit to get the tone I want. With the chambered body you really get nice options and I play neck and both pick ups regularly. I think they’re one of the most under appreciated, quality guitars out there. And no longer in production! Better get one…

 

[Teeje-o]

Made and stayed in Westerly. Have all original parts and papers. It is my number one amongst the collection.

 

[Maguchi]

So aah, mine's a 2017 black one.

 

[Noun00]

Hi
1997 Westerly, burning red !

 

[zulu]

Wow beautiful!

 

[GGJaguar]

Hi
1997 Westerly, burning red !

Beautiful flame maple!

 

[Guildocaster]

Finally got around to posting a picture.

 

[GGJaguar]

Stunning group!

 

[GAD]

That's a nice collection! I seem to recall almost buying that center Bluesbird 90 in the back, or at least one very much like it. It's just so pretty.

 

[GGJaguar]

Sometimes combing through ancient posts reveals tidbits like this one from a former Westerly worker.

Bluesbird specs... does anyone have anything helpful?

Hello all... yes, this is my first post here! I'll preface by saying that I'm still kicking myself ten years later for not grabbing a Corona Blues 90 when one was available to me nice and cheap. I thought nothing of it because I hadn't played many Gibsons at that point and erroneously assumed...

letstalkguild.com

 

[dmort]

After wanting one for years, I was finally in a position to buy a guild bluesbird and I went for it! As of this afternoon, I'm the proud owner of a black bluesbird, serial number CL000780, which I think makes it a '97 westerly?

It's easily this nicest guitar I've ever played, let alone owned, and I'm really happy with it.

I'm a middling, trying to get better, jazz and blues, player. My Ibanez AWD83 has 10.5 Ernie Ball mega slinky nickel strings on it, which I like. Any suggestions for strings for the bluesbird?

The bridge picjup volume pot is very stiff. I am no guitar tech but I can solder, do basic electronic stuff, and prefer to fix problems myself (eg, bikes and skis). Is there something to be loosened to free it up or is the pot likely just stiff?

I'm excited to go play!

 

[Guildocaster]

You can try spraying something like Deoxit D5 to clean and lubricate the pot.

 

[dmort]

You can try spraying something like Deoxit D5 to clean and lubricate the pot.

Thank you, I'll give it a try.

 

[BradHK]

You can try spraying something like Deoxit D5 to clean and lubricate the pot.

Deoxit F5 is what should be used on pots rather than D5. D5 is great for switches and such