Bluesbird custom shop question

[5pence]

Hi everyone, I've seen a custom shop Bluesbird for sale but the seller doesn't have any information on it.

The serial number is 10300120 and it's marked 'Guild Custom Shop USA' on the back of the headstock.

Does anyone know when/where this guitar was manufactured?

Many thanks.

 

[hansmoust]

Hi everyone, I've seen a custom shop Bluesbird for sale but the seller doesn't have any information on it.

The serial number is 10300120 and it's marked 'Guild Custom Shop USA' on the back of the headstock.

Does anyone know when/where this guitar was manufactured?

Many thanks.

Hello 5pence,

According to what I have on file, that particular Guild guitar with Serial # 10300120 is not a Bluesbird, but a model M-95 and it was completed in the Custom Shop in Nashville during December of the year 2000.

Show us a photo and we'll see what the deal is!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[5pence]

Many thanks for your reply, Hans.

Firstly, I'd like to say how brilliant 'The Guild Guitar Book' is - my copy is very rarely out of arms reach.

May I pm you about this?

 

[SFIV1967]

model M-95

What's a M-95? I know the Custom Shop M-70 and M-90 from year 2000, but didn't know yet there was also a M-95 model.

EDIT: Found the guitar! Number 4 of 12! Whow! What a special one with Mahogany top. Love the F-30 TRC.
So what I see is that the M-90 had an unbound top and an unbound neck, and obviously the M-95 has those things bound.
Also the M-90 had the angled solidbody tailpiece vs the normal stoptail piece on the M-95.
And the M-95 has two volume and tone controls vs only one on the M-90.

5pence: I hope you can get her home!

Ralf

 

[hansmoust]

May I pm you about this?

Sure, but it might be better to use regular email.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[walrus]

Ah, now you have my attention - we NEED to know about this guitar!

walrus

 

[5pence]

What's a M-95? I know the Custom Shop M-70 and M-90 from year 2000, but didn't know yet there was also a M-95 model.

EDIT: Found the guitar! Number 4 of 12! Whow! What a special one with Mahogany top. Love the F-30 TRC.
So what I see is that the M-90 had an unbound top and an unbound neck, and obviously the M-95 has those things bound.
Also the M-90 had the angled solidbody tailpiece vs the normal stoptail piece on the M-95.
And the M-95 has two volume and tone controls vs only one on the M-90.

5pence: I hope you can get her home!

Ralf

Thanks Ralf.

So does this have a solid or chambered body?

 

[txbumper57]

That's a Beauty 5pence! I can't attest for the model but I can attest for the Quality of Guitars that the Nashville Custom shop made. I have a Mahogany Starfire IV with 3 P90 pickups and a Guild branded Bigsby that was Made at the Nashville Custom shop, It is an Amazing instrument. Attention to detail is second to none and they really went all out on the limited number of electrics they made. That is a very special find in the world of Guild Electrics not to mention quite visually striking with the choice top on it. Good luck and I hope you can land this one!

 

[SFIV1967]

So does this have a solid or chambered body?

I don't know, it has all the general features of a "normal" Bluesbird, which would say "partially chambered" but I have never seen such a M-95 before and we have never (at least what I was able to not find) discussed a M-95 at LTG. So only Hans is able to answer about this guitar.
I am also not sure what the total of 12 refers to, if it means only 12 M-95 were made? Or only 12 with natural Mahogany top? Or any other colors? Only Hans knows.
I am surprised that never ever before one of the 11 other M-95s have surfaced on the internet (again, as far as I was able to not find them...).
I'm sure that this would be again part of Hans' second book, but maybe he is able to give us a hint already. If not, maybe he has a hint when we can buy his second book...

5pence: If by any reason you don't buy her I call dibs, since she is in Europe I would buy her if you don't want her.

Ralf

 

[GAD]

Wow!

 

[kakerlak]

Despite the color, that looks like a maple top to me. The G-shield is unusual, but aside from that, this seems to be a Bluesbird P-90?

 

[SFIV1967]

that looks like a maple top to me. The G-shield is unusual, but aside from that, this seems to be a Bluesbird P-90?

No, it seems to be a "semi-quilted" mahogany top, it doesn't look like maple to me from the grain of the wood. Have a look at this and this picture.

Also the shape of the M-95 body (and headstock) is quite different from a re-issue Bluesbird. It has the M-70 / M-90 general shape vs. a Bluesbird P90 shape.

Ralf

 

[kakerlak]

No, it seems to be a "semi-quilted" mahogany top, it doesn't look like maple to me from the grain of the wood. Have a look at this and this picture.

Also the shape of the body (and headstock) is quite different from a re-issue Bluesbird. It has the M-70 / M-90 general shape vs. a Blues90 shape.

Ralf

Yes, definitely mahogany from the other pics you linked. Didn't even notice the rounded cutaway -- it looks so right it just never jumped out at me as different, lol. Man, I'd love to have this particular guitar.

 

[SFIV1967]

I'd love to have this particular guitar.

5pence and myself in front of the line! :angel:
I am just concerned she might be a pretty heavy guitar if it is solid...
Ralf

 

[walrus]

Ralf and Hans, thanks for the information. That is one cool looking guitar! Good luck 5spence and Ralf!

walrus

 

[kakerlak]

5pence and myself in front of the line! :angel:
I am just concerned she might be a pretty heavy guitar if it is solid...
Ralf

No worries, from a stateside perspective £1500 ($2300USD) is silly money, as cool as that thing is.

 

[SFIV1967]

No worries, from a stateside perspective £1500 ($2300USD) is silly money, as cool as that thing is.

Oh, you are right, now that I calculated the Pound to Euros as well...Sometimes GAS lets one forget if a deal is good or not.
I found two Custom Shop M-70 sold for around $1300 in the past and Jay Pilzer has a M-90 with an asking price of $1850 with no takers since quite some month I think, so yes, $2300 is high...Mind that UK guitar prices are generally quite high I think.
If I buy one in the US for lets say $1300 (like the M-70, if I would find one for that price) I need to add maybe $100+ for shipping, 20% VAT and 2.5% musical instrument tax, so I end up with $1750 or so, so that is $550 lower than if I buy the one in UK.
And that Bluebird Goldtop sold this month for only $840: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guild-Blues...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Ralf

 

[adorshki]

And that Bluebird Goldtop sold this month for only $840: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guild-Blues...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Ralf

Yeah but Goldtops are a dime-a-dozen.
This is quilted 'hog were talkin', here.
Sorry, didn't mean to get you all hotted up again....
:highly_amused:

 

[walrus]

Exactly - this is a unique guitar - I've never seen one like it!

walrus

 

[txbumper57]

Just a thought, I know 5pence has dibs but I am curious about buying from the UK and shipping to the USA. Would a U.S buyer have to pay the 20% VAT tax that is included in the price? Seems I have read somewhere that if someone from outside the European Union purchased it they would be exempt from the VAT Tax. I think I was looking at Oasis Music as they still have a GSR D40 Noir listed as new and their was a section on their website about Buyers outside of the European Union (For example if they were visiting on Holiday and purchased a guitar) being able to file paperwork for an Exemption from the VAT Tax. Anyone else have any info on this?