New member here. Not even sure if this is the right forum. I'm looking to buy one of these two, but am not in a location where a test run is an option. I'd appreciate all opinions on both guitars. Thanks.
Yup, you're here! The Aristocrat is completely hollow - a real featherweight. I had a goldtop and that was one I wish I had back, I haven't any experience with the Bluesbird though.
Being hollow, but with no F-hole, I'm just curious, is feedback every a problem?
Biggest differences are the pickups and the tailpiece. I'm sure the build matters, as Default pointed out, but I'd bet that you'd notice the pickups most of all.
The top is spruce on the Aristocrat and Maple on the Bluesbird, but I've postulated that the top is a veneer on the Bluesbird. I can't prove that, though.
The pickups in the Aristocrat are the same as the pickups in the T-Bird-P90 that I reviewed here: http://www.gad.net/Blog/2019/03/27/guild-newark-street-t-bird-st-p90/
Hmm. Maybe I should be on the lookout for a NS Aristocrat to review...
Turn the amp up loud enough and feedback is always a problem.
Do the Franz pickups produce more him than a Strat or Tele?
No; that's the whole point of the no f-holes.Being hollow, but with no F-hole, I'm just curious, is feedback every a problem?
No; that's the whole point of the no f-holes.
Biggest differences are the pickups and the tailpiece. I'm sure the build matters, as Default pointed out, but I'd bet that you'd notice the pickups most of all.
That's more a function of the pickups now. You can feedback with any guitar, regardless of solidness, if your amp settings are a certain way. And that can be a good thing. (Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix...)I only ask because I saw online someone said they got feedback from the Aristocrat, and that surprised me, for that very reason.
The body difference is just as big in this case, and really does make a substantial difference in sound, sustain, feel,...Biggest differences are the pickups and the tailpiece. I'm sure the build matters, as Default pointed out, but I'd bet that you'd notice the pickups most of all.
The body difference is just as big in this case, and really does make a substantial difference in sound, sustain, feel,...
The Aristocrat really is a mini archtop, fully hollow body with a floating bridge that isn't supported by anything else than the top. The Bluesbird is a chambered solidbody - routed out block of mahogany with a maple top on it.
And those really are pretty big differences. The Aristocrat feels and sounds like a mini archtop - short on sustain, big on resonance and bloom. The Bluesbird in comparison is more like a lighter weight, more resonant Les Paul.
The body difference is just as big in this case, and really does make a substantial difference in sound, sustain, feel,...
The Aristocrat really is a mini archtop, fully hollow body with a floating bridge that isn't supported by anything else than the top. The Bluesbird is a chambered solidbody - routed out block of mahogany with a maple top on it.
And those really are pretty big differences. The Aristocrat feels and sounds like a mini archtop - short on sustain, big on resonance and bloom. The Bluesbird in comparison is more like a lighter weight, more resonant Les Paul.
the aristocrat has to be significantly lighter than the bluesbird. the aristocract is fantastic, i briefly owned one. people like the bb too, newark streets are nice
Only looked because you got my curiosity up.I've postulated that the top is a veneer on the Bluesbird. I can't prove that, though.
Only looked because you got my curiosity up.
Laminated tops are better for inhibiting feedback so it seemed logical even on a chambered body, besides which that's some expensive looking maple, but from the website today:
"Today’s reissue features a carved maple top"
Carved normally means solid, and I assume the description is correct but we have seen errors before, so?.....
But unless it's show to be incorrect, now assume it's there for the sustain enhancement.
I'm thinking once a pickup/mounting ring's out, one should be able to check the edge of the top to see if it's layers?
Or is that not actually possible?
The body difference is just as big in this case, and really does make a substantial difference in sound, sustain, feel,...
The Aristocrat really is a mini archtop, fully hollow body with a floating bridge that isn't supported by anything else than the top. The Bluesbird is a chambered solidbody - routed out block of mahogany with a maple top on it.
And those really are pretty big differences. The Aristocrat feels and sounds like a mini archtop - short on sustain, big on resonance and bloom. The Bluesbird in comparison is more like a lighter weight, more resonant Les Paul.