70s M-75 Bluesbirds?

[Jefemaximo]

Gents:

I've been looking at a few 70s-era Bluesbirds, but have only been able to play one briefly. Can someone who has played/owned one give me their impressions? I did a search here, and most of the posts refer to the 90s-era Bluesbirds that more-closely resemble the Les Paul. The version I am looking for is a solid-body without a maple cap. Any info on tone, neck size, pickups, etc would be greatly appreciated. I have Hans's book, so I know the specs. I'm looking for information on how one feels, plays, and sounds. Thanks.

 

[Ross]

I have a 1975 M-75. Solid mahogany body, but with a maple cap.

It has master volume & phase switch, like the guitar on the right at:
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildM75.php

There is also a photo at http://www.guildsofgrot.com

I like this guitar a lot. Played it lots in the 80s & 90s, less frequently now because I prefer the acoustic. Good rock & blues guitar, but versatile. A friend got a good jazz sound out of it (see my post on the "M-80 sound" thread). I like the large frets, they're forgiving of my sloppy fingering. I don't have a lot of experience with other humbucking guitars, so I can't offer much on how the PUs compare to LPs or others.

A solid, reliable guitar. Set neck, never needs adjusting.

Enjoy the search!

 

[adorshki]

I have a 1975 M-75. Solid mahogany body, but with a maple cap.

Yeah I thought that was what made a Bluesbird a Bluesbird, any era: solid body with routed-out "resonating chambers". But I could be wrong. :?

 

[Jefemaximo]

I have a 1975 M-75. Solid mahogany body, but with a maple cap.

Yeah I thought that was what made a Bluesbird a Bluesbird, any era: solid body with routed-out "resonating chambers". But I could be wrong. :?

There was a period when the Bluesbirds were not chambered. Just to confuse matters, Guild called several different guitars "Bluesbirds" over the years.

 

[adorshki]

Just to confuse matters, Guild called several different guitars "Bluesbirds" over the years.

Now that's the Guild I know and love! :lol:

 

[Qvart]

That red '74 on Ebay is really tempting. I may have to prematurely end my GAS hiatus if the price stays low.

Would that be a chambered one? And is anyone intending to bid?

(Sorry, can't provide a link at the moment. You can find it through the thread about redheads currently on Ebay)

 

[Jefemaximo]

That red '74 on Ebay is really tempting. I may have to prematurely end my GAS hiatus if the price stays low.

Would that be a chambered one? And is anyone intending to bid?

(Sorry, can't provide a link at the moment. You can find it through the thread about redheads currently on Ebay)

It is very tempting, except for the seller's zero feedback score. Not an insurmountable issue, but an issue nonetheless.

 

[Qvart]

It is very tempting, except for the seller's zero feedback score. Not an insurmountable issue, but an issue nonetheless.

Yep, but if they're new it's a classic "we all gotta start somewhere." I sent a message asking for the SN and if there was a label on the inside of the control cavity cover. If I hear back I'll ask for more info and pics and see how the seller handles the question/answer process. Then I'll have a better sense of who I might be dealing with.

 

[guildzilla]

It's hard to generalize about the variety of Bluesbirds Guild built in the 50's-60's-70's-80's-90's.

The 50's Aristocrat had a spruce cap over a hollow body, which is sort of the birth of this line of guitars, and one of the 60's Bluesbird versions has the same construction. Other versions were solid body guitars.

But the only Bluesbird (I think) that has a maple cap over a chambered slab body is the version reissued in mid-90's. This version borrowed the construction design and single cutaway shape from the Gruhn/Walker Nightbird model, which was built circa 1985-92. I believe the Nightbird was the first Guild guitar with the chambered design.

 

[Qvart]

If I hear back I'll ask for more info and pics and see how the seller handles the question/answer process. Then I'll have a better sense of who I might be dealing with.

Haven't heard back from the seller so my interest is waning. Probably all for the better - at least for my bank account. :lol:

 

[guildzilla]

Way to show some discipline, Q.

Buy Hans' Nightbird II instead:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-Nightbird-II- ... 45f352292e

 

[Qvart]

Way to show some discipline, Q.

Buy Hans' Nightbird II instead:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-Nightbird-II- ... 45f352292e

Haha! Yeah I know, it's not like me to fight the GAS, but if I'm successful that means more money for the car. :lol:

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Way to show some discipline, Q.

Buy Hans' Nightbird II instead:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-Nightbird-II- ... 45f352292e

Haha! Yeah I know, it's not like me to fight the GAS, but if I'm successful that means more money for the car. :lol:

I heard that. I foolishly squandered some money on a car Thursday. Drove the old one to work for the last time Friday. Rode home in a tow truck. Only 22 years old and the dang thing was fallin' apart. :roll: A good guitar lasts a lifetime.

 

[Singin' Dave]

Here is my '73 BB.

For some unexaplainable reason, this one was altered prior to my owning it with a Gibson style stop-tail and bridge, but its truly a special guitar. You do need to get on with a fairly narrow nut/ string spacing and slightly small neck carve, which I do. The stock HB1's are perfect for this axe - add a sparkle and definition to the thinner than an LP mahogany body.

As someone who plays in the middle position with some slight tweaks to volume and tone knobs on the bridge and neck pup, having the master volume is great for me - allows me to roll back overall volume as needed with only one knob while retaining my settings.

I've owned a Blues 90, the 90's BBird with P-90s, which was a great guitar in its own right with flawless construction, but this one was the keeper. Would strongly recommend this era of BBird.

 

[GAD]

Here is my '73 BB.

For some unexaplainable reason, this one was altered prior to my owning it with a Gibson style stop-tail and bridge, but its truly a special guitar. You do need to get on with a fairly narrow nut/ string spacing and slightly small neck carve, which I do. The stock HB1's are perfect for this axe - add a sparkle and definition to the thinner than an LP mahogany body.

As someone who plays in the middle position with some slight tweaks to volume and tone knobs on the bridge and neck pup, having the master volume is great for me - allows me to roll back overall volume as needed with only one knob while retaining my settings.

I've owned a Blues 90, the 90's BBird with P-90s, which was a great guitar in its own right with flawless construction, but this one was the keeper. Would strongly recommend this era of BBird.

That is a damn sexy guitar! I so wish they had bigger necks.

 

[Thunderface]

Here is my '73 BB.

Darn. After seeing that photo, I kinda wish I had thrown a bid down on the '74 that went for $900 last night. :?

 

[Benlittlejohn]

Here's a pic of mine. These bluesbirds are amazing in my opinion. Blows any LP vintage or new out of the water in playability and most of the time sound.

Hopefully sometime soon i'll get the time to post some actually close up, quality pics.

 

[adorshki]

Here's a pic of mine. These bluesbirds are amazing in my opinion. Blows any LP vintage or new out of the water in playability and most of the time sound.

Hopefully sometime soon i'll get the time to post some actually close up, quality pics.

Looks pretty heavy.

 

[capnjuan]

Looks pretty heavy.

Hi Al; not so sure ... he could be bending over due to the effects of gas ... sorry ... I meant GAS ... :wink:

 

[Thunderface]

Here's a pic of mine. These bluesbirds are amazing in my opinion. Blows any LP vintage or new out of the water in playability and most of the time sound.

I like the photo, tBLJ. Good solid playing photo while keeping identity concealed. Kind of like Qvart's shot from the chest down avatar.