New model: Newark Street Bluesbird solid body/ chambered with SD pickups

[SFIV1967]

May 17, 2016
Guild updates its beloved Bluesbird with a modern lightweight reissue

Guild Bluesbird now Available in Jet Black and Iced Tea Burst

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Bluesbird reflects Guild’s return to yet another historic solid body model. Originally released in 1970 as the solid body counterpart to the M-75 Aristocrat, the Bluesbird was subject to a few design changes over the decades. Today’s reissue features a carved maple top and maintains many of the aesthetic traits of the M-75 Bluesbird of the late 60s. Its lightweight chambered mahogany body allows for improved resonance and unparalleled comfort, making this guitar one of the lightest in its class. The Bluesbird features a 24 3/4” scale, and fast-playing vintage C shaped neck. While many of the Bluesbird’s specifications remain faithful to the original model, today’s updated version comes equipped with USA-made Seymour Duncan pickups, as well as a TonePros locking tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece to offer the most versatile version of this guitar to date. Grover Sta-Tite tuning machines and Guild’s deluxe padded gig bag round out this ultimate package. The Bluesbird is available in a sleek Jet Black, and Iced Tea Burst with a flamed maple top.

Bluesbird Iced Tea Burst Street Price: $999
Bluesbird Jet Black Street Price: $939

Source: http://dshowmusic.com/guild-bluesbird-jet-black-iced-tea-burst/

 

[Walter Broes]

Goodlooking guitar, but I wonder why it has non-Guild pickups.

 

[AcornHouse]

Goodlooking guitar, but I wonder why it has non-Guild pickups.

Well, the later Bluesbirds came with SD 59s, not Guild originals; so it is somewhat historical.

 

[SFIV1967]

Well, the later Bluesbirds came with SD 59s, not Guild originals; so it is somewhat historical.

That new M-75 Bluesbird is more a bit like the early 70ies solidbodies (and I think Kurt had provided his as template) and they had HB-1s, not SDs. But it's a mixture of guitars now anyway and maybe they wanted to attract some more players with US made SDs instead of the HB-1s.
Ralf

 

[GAD]

Very nice. But... it doesn't look like a Bluesbird.

 

[twocorgis]

I thought the same thing Gary.

 

[FNG]

It looks like a 1970 Guild Bluesbird though.

 

[Smitch]

That new M-75 Bluesbird is more a bit like the early 70ies solidbodies (and I think Kurt had provided his as template) and they had HB-1s, not SDs. But it's a mixture of guitars now anyway and maybe they wanted to attract some more players with US made SDs instead of the HB-1s.
Ralf

So the SD are US made, but not the guitar correct?

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

As Ralf and FNG stated, it is based on a 1970's M-75 Bluesbird.

This one to be precise:

It's kind of a mash-up between the two Bluesbird versions. Using the later tail stop and losing and the pickguard makes it look like a later Bluesbird.

 

[walrus]

I like it!

walrus

 

[Los Angeles]

It seems to me they rounded out the upper bout as it transitions from the waist of the guitar. This is most noticable near the horn/cutaway. I actually think the brand new profile is the most elegant of the bunch, and a chambered body is just what the doctor ordered.

But I'm really puzzled by the decision to emulate the electronics package from the 90's. 90's bluesbirds are everywhere and can be bought for very little money. Why even bother to set up in an already crowded, undervalued corner of the market?

The valuable 70's bluesbirds are partly valuable because they offer two twists and the "standard" 2Vol/2Tone configuration. I feel that the phase switch and the master volume are critical oversights, and I can't think of a les paul type guitar on the market today that offers that tonal range (correct me if I'm wrong).

That said, as with all other new Guild releases, I hope this guitar sells like hotcakes and the company sees unparalelled success.

 

[Guildadelphia]

IMO, they may have missed the mark on this one...at least for Guild fans. If it was up to me it would at least have HB-1's (don't get me wrong, SD makes some great pu's) and a Guild style stoptail. It appears to me that Guild/Cordoba has the Gibson Les Paul squarely in their crosshairs...they've chosen less of a vintage reissue and more of well made, well appointed (has the pedigree of real USA SD pu's), "Guild-ish", attractively affordable "bang for the buck" alternative to a Gibson Les Paul and a much better made, higher end alternative to an Epiphone Les Paul at not that much more $$$$ assuming the Guild comes with a real nice hardshell case (Epi LP's don't come with cases). If I didn't already have a primo MIJ ESP/Edwards LP copy I'd be very interested just to scratch my LP itch at a good price. If it was more of a true reissue (HB-1's, etc) I might still be interested despite having the Edwards.

 

[walrus]

It says it comes with a "deluxe padded gig bag". I agree a HSC would be better and more "classy".

walrus

 

[jp]

It seems to me they rounded out the upper bout as it transitions from the waist of the guitar. This is most noticable near the horn/cutaway.

I think so too, LA. It doesn't quite look like the late 60s-early 70s Bluesbird. It looks like the waist is deeper and misses that slimmer and more elegant Guild M-75 profile.

I also agree that chambered is the way to go, and I think it sounds great in this demo video. You can really hear the deeper resonance of the chambered body, and I think the player is amazing. It's been a while since I've heard slide played that uniquely and tastefully.



Like other posters above, I also think it should have had Guild PUs. I wonder whether they were trying to cater to modern players' tendency to swap in their own boutique PUs, and therefore went with the standard sized SDs. I personally happen to like the classic SD '59s, and I have one in my Les Paul. That also makes it a little less special, and well, . . . less Guild-ish. I'm not going to poo-poo it too much, however, because they are trying. It's another flavor to the growing Guild line-up.

 

[DThomasC]

I hope the chambering is extensive. The Nightbird was a start. The Westerly Bluesbirds were better. Believe it or not, the Corona Bluesbirds were hogged out even more. Not a lot, but it's a step in the right direction. I'd like to see this one chambered to really allow the solid maple top vibrate on its own. It would, if nothing else, differentiate the instrument in a market that desperately needs more variety. Plus, it's the only way I'm going to buy one instead of another Westerly Bluesbird which can be had for the same price.

 

[GAD]

As Ralf and FNG stated, it is based on a 1970's M-75 Bluesbird.

This one to be precise:

[snip]

It's kind of a mash-up between the two Bluesbird versions. Using the later tail stop and losing and the pickguard makes it look like a later Bluesbird.

Mash-up is more accurate. I think it looks weird. The old shape with the new electronics? I would have greatly preferred the new shape with the old electronics!

The old shape needs the pick guard to look right IMO. I love flamed tops, and I love a nice sunburst, but that new guitar just looks off.

 

[jcwu]

I actually like the fatter upper bout - it was the one thing I never quite liked about the older M75 Bluesbirds - the upper bout looked kind of weak and anemic, lacking oomph, kind of like Steve Rogers before he got the serum and became Captain America. But that's just one man's opinion.

Here's a visual representation:

 

[walrus]

That is a very interesting and off-the-wall analogy, jc!! :laughing:

walrus

 

[JohnW63]

I a couple years, I could pick up one of these for about 600 bucks ,used, probably. Seems like a lot of guitar, that I find cool looking, for not a lot of cash.

 

[FNG]

That guy on slide on the demo sure make it sound good, regardless of how it looked.