corona bluesbird or westerly bluesbird

[gmcdeadhead]

i no this topic must have been touched upon, but which one would you guys pick and why?. thanks gmcdeadhead

 

[jte]

The one that sounded better. The only Corona Bluesbirds I've seen were all early protypical work they did, and all were labeled "Custom Shop". All four were excellent, and I would have bought one had the Fender Sales rep not told me of a really good deal he could offer me on his sample Starfire IV. I just don't think there's substantial differences to be able to make blanket statements about whether one group is really better than the other. There's a good reason FMIC moved acoustic guitar production out of Corona, but they did know how to make electric guitars really well there.

John

 

[GAD]

The only downside of a Corona Guitar is the "Fender Custom Shop" stamp on the back of the headstock. Great guitars, but we Guild snobs dislike the Fender brand, inconspicuous though it may be.

 

[fronobulax]

but we Guild snobs dislike the Fender brand, inconspicuous though it may be.

That's only because the Westerly snobs have not figured out where "Avnet" is branded on their guitars.

 

[adorshki]

but we Guild snobs dislike the Fender brand, inconspicuous though it may be.

That's only because the Westerly snobs have not figured out where "Avnet" is branded on their guitars.

OOOOOOHHHHH...... :shock: :lol:
Now that you mention it, where IS it branded? :lol:

 

[guildman63]

I have never played a Westerly bird, but have a 2003 Corona bird that I love. The neck on mine is a little fuller than what I understand the Westerly's to be (1 11/16 vs 1 5/8), but I can't swear to that. Also, my Corona version does not have a Fender logo on the back of the headstock as others have found. Corona versions have SD pickups versus Guild HB's (I'm sure others can verify or refute that for me). Also, Corona's can be had for very little. I paid $900 for mine on ebay and it is in virtually brand new condition. Compares VERY favorably to that other companies guitar in my humble opinion.

 

[adorshki]

Also, my Corona version does not have a Fender logo on the back of the headstock as others have found.

It's a decal that apparently was only used in early production, at least on the acoustics. My D40 doesn't have one, for example. I would consider it an authenticating detail, if it was there on a year model which was supposed to have it.

 

[coastie99]

Corona versions have SD pickups versus Guild HB's (I'm sure others can verify or refute that for me).

The last Bluesbird incarnation wore SD's, whether Westerly or Corona made.

I have never read any criticisms of Corona-made Birdies. I would certainly not turn one down cos it was made in Corona !

 

[workedinwesterly]

i think this was stated before, but just for the record...when westerly shut down all the remaining guitar parts were shipped to corona. The custom shop assembled the last of the bluesbirds parts , as well as a few other electric models. Once those parts were used up, the guild electrics were no longer made.....
ever see a bluesbird made in corona in the last 7 ?
ever see a starfire or x170 from corona in the last 7 years ?
Why do you think that is ? Do you really believe they tooled up to build those models then stopped production after only a few ?
So, what you're getting in those guitars is westerly made necks and bodies that were assembled and finished in corona...a hybrid, if you will.

 

[hideglue]

Do you really believe they tooled up to build those models then stopped production after only a few ?

wiw,
Well, obviously you're right as far as the parts/kits that were transported to Corona after Westerly was closed,
but the more I think back -- the more I recall that Corona eventually did tool-up, and indeed make BBs entirely on their own.

 

[gmcdeadhead]

so , workedinwesterly , all those corona bluesbirds are just westerlys with corona serial numbers, they stamped them at corona instead of when the necks were made at westerly?

 

[hansmoust]

The custom shop assembled the last of the bluesbirds parts , as well as a few other electric models. Once those parts were used up, the guild electrics were no longer made.....
Do you really believe they tooled up to build those models then stopped production after only a few ?
So, what you're getting in those guitars is westerly made necks and bodies that were assembled and finished in corona...a hybrid, if you will.

Hello workedinwesterly,

Happy New Year!

You're correct as far as the parts/kits for the acoustics and acoustic electrics that were fabricated for use in Corona after Westerly was closed, but you're absolutely mistaken about the Bluesbirds. You guys may have been too close to the fire to really see what was going on at the time but Corona did tool up to make those guitars. I did visit the Corona plant during that transition period and they didn't make the Bluesbirds from kits. I have personally made photos of the various stages of production.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[gmcdeadhead]

so hans, was any bluesbird left overparts from westerly made into guitars at corona? if so , how many ?

 

[hansmoust]

so hans, was any bluesbird left overparts from westerly made into guitars at corona? if so , how many ?

Nice try but you will have to wait for that info like everybody else. That is, if it needs to come from me!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[kakerlak]

so hans, was any bluesbird left overparts from westerly made into guitars at corona? if so , how many ?

Nice try but you will have to wait for that info like everybody else. That is, if it needs to come from me!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

lol. You got an ETA on that one, Hans? Ought to be a seriously fascinating book for us nerds when it comes out!

 

[gmcdeadhead]

hans, when will we be able to get that info?