1997 Bluesbird

[Furney]

Good morning, Had a visit with local Luthier yesterday. He convinced me to have the work done on the fretboard. So I pulled it from the For Sale Thread. Will let you know how it turns out.

Hi Folks, Relatively new to the forum as I just bought 1997 Bluesbird. It was listed as a ”players” condition with much character. I appreciate the seller who accurately described it, and with the mojo it’s a solid guitar. I bought it to try something in place of my old Les Paul. I like it fine, except the fretboard radius is too flat for me. (Picky in my old age). I spoke to a good repair guy about new frets and rounding the fretboard a bit, to which he said he could do. Looking for opinions. 1) Sell the guitar and move on. 2) new frets, and Reshape fretboard. Thanks, Cool Forum

 

[GAD]

Should be a 12” radius just like a Les Paul, no?

I love my ‘97 Bluesbird.

 

[mushroom]

A black Bluesbird.
Ooh yeah baby!

Looks awesome with the pickups without the covers too.

I know what you mean about the flattish feeling of the fretboard so I use mine for certain types of playing. I have other guitars with a rounder feeling fretboards. The right tool for the right job.

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Should be a 12” radius just like a Les Paul, no?

I love my ‘97 Bluesbird.

Is the shape of the neck different?

 

[Furney]

Should be a 12” radius just like a Les Paul, no?

I love my ‘97 Bluesbird.

Thanks for the reply. I thought it would be, as I believe that was the spec. But this is a good deal flatter than my Les Paul. ???

 

[Furney]

Is the shape of the neck different?

The profile is “60s Gibson” or a bit fatter. nice and round “C”

 

[Smeigel_12000]

When reshaping the fretboard, also change your bridge to match the new radius. All I all I think it would be an expensive mod which wouldn’t lift up the value of the guitar. I would sell it and move on.

 

[Furney]

Good point Smeigel. Thanks

 

[walrus]

Nice! Love them in black!

walrus

 

[DrumBob]

What you have in mind is a very expensive modification that would add no value at all to the guitar when and if you decide to sell it. Somebody else mentioned this, and he's right. If you don't like the feel, you'd probably be smarter to just sell it and buy another Les Paul.

 

[Furney]

Thanks for the input here. Being a relatively new member here, I must say, I like the LTG forum.
I think I’m going to go with Smeigel’s advice and sell the Bluesbird. It’s listed on the gear page, and I will list it here when I have enough posts to qualify. Thanks Folks!

 

[Furney]

Thanks DrumBob

 

[markus]

Being a relatively new member here, I must say, I like the LTG forum.

Being a relatively old member here, I must say, I like the LTG forum too.

markus

 

[Default]

Here are some freebie neck radius templates, in case you need them. You can print them out and glue them to cardboard (or the backing of your choice) and cut them out.

Pickguardian Neck Radius Gauges

Pickguardian Neck Radius Gauges

www.academia.edu

 

[davismanLV]

And now you have ten posts and you can list the guitar here. Make sure you check the rules regarding "for sale/trade" posts. That black Bluesbird is BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[Furney]

Here are some freebie neck radius templates, in case you need them. You can print them out and glue them to cardboard (or the backing of your choice) and cut them out.

Pickguardian Neck Radius Gauges

Pickguardian Neck Radius Gauges

www.academia.edu

Thanks!

 

[Furney]

And now you have ten posts and you can list the guitar here. Make sure you check the rules regarding "for sale/trade" posts. That black Bluesbird is BEAUTIFUL!!

Thanks! Will do.

 

[mountainpix]

If a '90s Bluebird neck is too flat for you, you ought to try out Guild S-300. It has a 9.5" radius fretboard, and is perhaps the most comfortable neck I've ever played.

 

[GAD]

If a '90s Bluebird neck is too flat for you, you ought to try out Guild S-300. It has a 9.5" radius fretboard, and is perhaps the most comfortable neck I've ever played.

The S300 is 1 5/8" at the nut vs 1 11/16" for the Bluesbird, so be aware of that, too.

 

[Furney]

The S300 is 1 5/8" at the nut vs 1 11/16" for the Bluesbird, so be aware of that, too.

Thanks GAD, Not familiar with the S300. I’m gonna get acquainted