1980's Guild Bluesbird Solidbody wood type ???...Hans?

[Guest]

Hello All,

I am a new member.....but an old time Guild nut!

I have a 1980's Guild Bluesbird Solid body, with the slipper headstock, Kahler and probably non original pups....the oem's were probably EMG's....this one has a California and a Seymour Duncan. It is white which has aged to cream....black hardware.
My question is....it is heavy!! must be 8 lbs plus. I wonder if it is not poplar....ash/maple maybe? I have other poplar Guilds and they are lighter in weight. Any thoughts?

 

[hansmoust]

Hello All,

I am a new member.....but an old time Guild nut!

I have a 1980's Guild Bluesbird Solid body, with the slipper headstock, Kahler and probably non original pups....the oem's were probably EMG's....this one has a California and a Seymour Duncan. It is white which has aged to cream....black hardware.
My question is....it is heavy!! must be 8 lbs plus. I wonder if it is not poplar....ash/maple maybe? I have other poplar Guilds and they are lighter in weight. Any thoughts?

Hello bowenite60,

Welcome! The standard wood for the body of an '80s Guild Bluesbird was poplar and these instruments normally would get an opaque finish. Figured maple was an option in those days and usually these instruments would get a transparent finish, so the grain would show. Maple Bluesbirds would be somewhat heavier than the poplar version.
I would say a poplar Bluesbird would weigh around 7 lbs. If your guitar is significantly heavier than that, it is very well possible they used a maple body with less attractive grain or maybe it had a flaw that would not look good under a transparent finish. Giving it a solid finish would be a normal procedure at Guild.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl