Want info on my Bluesbird

[ltwbluesbird]

I have what appears to be a 1967 (based on serial #) Bluesbird similar to a M75, but with a master volume control. Hardware appears to have been gold plated, but has worn off on the keys where they are handled to tune. Can anyone provide some info as to the specific model number and perhaps an original selling price and a current selling price?

Here's what Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars has on the standard M75.
Electric archtop, flat back 13 31/2” wide, rounded cutaway, thin body, no f-holes, mahogany back & sides, spruce, maple or mahogany top, 2 humbucking pickups, 4 knobs, selector switch on upper bass bout, AdjustoMatic bridge, harp tailpiece, 3-piece mahogany/maple neck, 24 3/4” scale, neck/body joint at 16th fret, bound rosewood fingerboard, pearloid block inlay at 8 frets, gold-plated hardware.


Did Guild have a custom shop?
Photos below.

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. What's with the headstock? Did the overlay shrink to the point of being removed? I'm pretty sure Guild did not have a custom shop in the 1960's in the sense that you are probably using the term. I offer nothing but uninformed opinions but at least someone saw your post and the experts will be along shortly.

 

[dapmdave]

I think that in '67 the guitar became known as the M-75 Bluesbird (previously the Aristocrat). Original MSRP was $395. In perfect, original shape the guitar could bring a couple of grand, at least. Vintage Guide ranges from $2200 to $2700.

But, I guess you already know that this particular guitar is not perfect nor original.

 

[Zelja]

Looks like the overlay has been removed as Frono said plus otherwise "Gibsonified" - the minihums replaced with standard sized uncovered humbuckers, pickguard, knobs, bridge & probably pickup selector switch all changed. Tuners as well maybe but not sure.

 

[walrus]

Quick fix - TRC is upside down! Whatever you've done to it, I like it!

walrus

 

[guildman63]

That guitar may be far from original, which will potentially bring its value down quite a bit, but it looks good, and I bet it plays and sounds great as well.

 

[mavuser]

Nice one! Since it's already had some hardware changes, I would maybe consider removing the pickguard altogether. Very cool either way!

 

[dapmdave]

That guitar may be far from original, which will potentially bring its value down quite a bit, but it looks good, and I bet it plays and sounds great as well.

I agree. Probably a great player.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG!
It is a "BluesBird M-75" as it was officially called starting in the 1968 pricelist. (Source: Hans' book page 57)
A 1967 M-75 would have a serial number up to maximum DD138. I doubt it is from 1967. It has the neck to body joint still at the 16th fret but already has a back binding which would indicate it is from later than 1967.
1968 would be serial numbers DD139-DD237 for instance. I would guess it is a later 1968 model.
And maybe the guitar was sold as empty hull (happens all the time on ebay) and one of the previous owners used whatever parts he had to make it playable again and obviously mostly used Gibson parts (knobs, pickguard and pickguard bracket, pickup rings, pickups, the added volume pot, bridge) for the restoration.
The tailpiece, the (wrongly mounted) truss rod cover and the pickup switch are original at least from first look. The tuners could be original as well.
The black celluloid headstock veneer with the Chesterfield logo often shrunk and got delaminated, and as this is hard to fix the one who restored it obviously removed the headstock veneer completely. The guitar was completely refinished as well as it looks.
I don't know if this model would have had a Guild paper label inside under the pickups, if yes, it would tell you which the original color used to be. Also the label would show a "spec" or "special" if the master volume was a custom option added by the Guild factory.
Nevertheless, a cool guitar!
Ralf