New Blues 90 owner - some questions

[dougdnh]

Hi, I am the proud owner of a Blues 90 I picked up on Craigslist a few weeks ago. I've been lusting for a Guild for many years! Anyhow, a few questions:
The serial number doesn't seem to come up on the Guild serial number chart, it's CL002285.
Anyone know what year this might be? I assume it's a Westerly guitar?
I've also been reading on this forum about the hot Seymour Duncans that came with the Blues 90. It does seem to be a little 'in your face' and brittle sounding. Did all the Blues 90's come with these hot pickups? I just ordered a set of Seymour Duncan vintage 90's. I see from their website that the Vintage 90's are about 1/8 of an inch thicker than the ones that are on the guitar. Hopefully I won't have to do any routing?
On all my 'Les Paul' type guitars I like to rewire so that I have a master volume, since I gig 70% of the time with both pickups on. I'm considering converting one tone pot to be a master volume, and the other tone pot to be a master tone, and keep the other 2 pots as pickup volumes. Does this sound feasible?
One last question - the varnish finish along the edge of the fingerboard is a little funky and peeling. I wonder if I can scrape it back and just touch it up with a little urethane?
The guitar is a real beauty, ruby red in pretty descent condition.
Here's a picture from the Craigslist ad if anyone is interested:
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/msg/2455361279.html

thanks guys, this is a great site!

 

[hansmoust]

Hi, I am the proud owner of a Blues 90 I picked up on Craigslist a few weeks ago. I've been lusting for a Guild for many years! Anyhow, a few questions:
The serial number doesn't seem to come up on the Guild serial number chart, it's CL002285.
Anyone know what year this might be? I assume it's a Westerly guitar?

Hello dougdnh,

Welcome! Your Guild Blues 90 with serial #CL002285 was made in Westerly, RI during the year 2000.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[coastie99]

Hi Doug and welcome to the lounge. Nice Bluesy you have and certainly a nice price.

I certainly agree with your comment about the standard p/u's. You'll be much happier, I'm sure, with the replacements.

Can't help with the technical question I'm afraid but doubtless, someone will happen by who can.

More pics. would be welcome.

Gary

 

[bluesypicky]

Nice guitar.... welcome and enjoy!

 

[Bobo]

I had my eye on that guitar (I live not far from Ann Arbor) but failed to pull the trigger. Congratulations!

I've always thought that if I get a Blues 90 or a Bluesbird P90, I'd try Stephens Design reissue P13 pickups. The P13 is a Gibson design that came between the "Charlie Christian" pickup and the P90. It seems to be more "fat," raw, ballsy, etc., than the P90.

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Welcome to LTG, dougdnh. That's a nice guitar at a nice price. Regarding the finish question, you need to determine if the guitar is finished in poly or lacquer as it could be either at that time. Acetone will dissolve lacquer but not poly, test in an inconspicuous area, or with a piece of the peeling finish.

 

[Zelja]

Hey Doug. Welcome to LTG.

Another guy worth investigating for P90s (& other pickups) is Dave at http://www.zhangbucker.com/p-90s.html

I was about to give up on my Hamer P90 equipped guitar, originally with an SD, before putting one of his in. I tried 3 other replacement PUs without being satisfied. Only issue is there is a few months wait time now.

I've heard the necks on the Blues 90s are quite beeefy. How is yours?

 

[coastie99]

And, just to muddy the waters further, I'm very pleased with these guy's P90's ............. http://www.harmonicdesign.net/

 

[mad dog]

I'm with coastie on the Harmonic Design VP-90s. Have one in the bridge of a LP Special, with a Thorn GT 90 staple P-90 in the neck. Wonderful tones, big volume and power but with a clear, refined sound. David Plummer does indeed wind excellent P-90s. I can recommend his as well.

MD

 

[Treem]

Welcome to the LTG! You guitar looks very niiice! Enjoy! 8)

 

[dougdnh]

Thanks for all the great feedback. The neck is fairly thick, but I've come to like them like that. I actually got the guitar for $820 including shipping - one of my better scores. It's interesting comparing it to my trusty DeArmond M-72 Bluesbird (which I'll probably sell), which is actually a very nice guitar in it's own right. The DeArmond neck is a little thinner, and the DeArmond weighs about 1/2 lb. more than the Guild. I don't really want to compare them sonically until I swap out the p-90s on the Guild. The Goldtone Humbuckers on the DeArmond are quite nice sounding for a lower priced guitar. I'll post some more pics of the Guild when I get some time.

 

[caliban335]

The Blues 90 is a great guitar, made better with more refined pickups. I have one just like yours. I chose Lollars, but there are other good options. The DeArmond M-72 is a great guitar as well, but not in Blues 90 territory. Congratulations on your new guitar.