Blues 90: Please help me determine origin

jacoby75

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Hey all,

I have been trying to sell a Blues 90 for some time now online. When I first looked into selling it a few years ago, I thought I had found definitive information about the origin of the instrument. But now I don't remember when/where I found that, and I can't find it again. I was under the impression that it was made in the Westerly, RI factory, but someone recently brought to my attention that it might actually be a made-by-Fender model, from California. To them, this would make the Fender-made Guild much less valuable. According to the Guild website, "In 2001, Guild is moved from Westerly, RI to Corona, CA. In 2004, production moves again to Tacoma, WA, where Guild ceases to make US-made electric guitars. A few years later, production moves again to New Hartford, CT." The gentleman who brought the Fender thing to my attention indicated that a Hans Moust is an expert who might know exact information about the guitar's origin. But any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased it in 2001. The serial number is CL0027**
I attached a few pics, assuming I did that right, lol. Here is a link to the Reverb sale posting for pics, if you're interested: https://reverb.com/item/17958116-guild-blues-90-blueshawk-2001.

Thank you.


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JohnW63

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The fretboard isn't bound, so I suspect it is a Blues-90. I think those pickups are P-90s, as most of the Guild humbuckers were covered in metal, like this:

himylajnv6qjofebwvh7.jpg


Not the fretboard is bound on this Bluesbird. Note they are humbuckers as well.

And yes, Hans WILL know exactly what you have ! I may even post it in this thread.

I'm sure GAD will be along shortly to confirm. You should check out his blog
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/01/27/guild-bluesbird-bake-off/

 
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GAD

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Yes - Blues-90 without binding and with dot inlays. Bluesbird-90 with binding and blocks.

Also, anyone who says that Corona-made Bluesbirds aren't as good as Westerly has no real experience with them and doesn't know what they're talking about - and I'm a HUGE Westerly snob. Corona electrics are fabulous guitars.

BTW interesting crushed knob. Mine came with the *exact* same damage. BTW if you're interested in selling me those knobs, I'm very interested.
 

richardp69

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Really mice looking guitar. I don't play electric much but seem to always have a few sitting around here. I had two of these and just sold the green one on Reverb. (still have my red one) I think this is a really nice and fun model. The P 90's give it that growl that I personally like in an electric guitar. Good luck on your sale.
 

jacoby75

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BTW interesting crushed knob. Mine came with the *exact* same damage. BTW if you're interested in selling me those knobs, I'm very interested.
Thanks. Must be some pretty easily breakable knobs or something. That's weird. I was able to find a replacement on Ebay very easily. I'm going to include the damaged one with the sale, for the sake of posterity. But the replacement one I bought looks exactly like the original.
 

fronobulax

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Also, anyone who says that Corona-made Bluesbirds aren't as good as Westerly has no real experience with them and doesn't know what they're talking about

And anyone who thinks instruments made under Fender's stewardship are somehow inferior needs to remember that fender owned Guild for several years before production was moved. If there is a rational basis of the prejudice (and I don't believe there is one) it needs to go all the way back to 1997.
 

adorshki

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And anyone who thinks instruments made under Fender's stewardship are somehow inferior needs to remember that fender owned Guild for several years before production was moved. If there is a rational basis of the prejudice (and I don't believe there is one) it needs to go all the way back to 1997.

Actually '96, the purchase was finalized in November of '95 although yes Bluesbirds were revived in time to appear in a '97 catalog:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2010/07/24/guild-electric-guitar-catalog-1997/
 
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jacoby75

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And anyone who thinks instruments made under Fender's stewardship are somehow inferior needs to remember that fender owned Guild for several years before production was moved. If there is a rational basis of the prejudice (and I don't believe there is one) it needs to go all the way back to 1997.
There probably is not. I get the feeling it is just the gentleman's attempt to haggle me out of a hundred dollars by telling me Fender made it.
 

GAD

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Thanks. Must be some pretty easily breakable knobs or something. That's weird. I was able to find a replacement on Ebay very easily. I'm going to include the damaged one with the sale, for the sake of posterity. But the replacement one I bought looks exactly like the original.

Did you buy them recently? Those particular knobs are very hard to come by. I just bought a pair for $40 because they’re the first ones I’ve seen in months.

My knob crushed in shipping which makes me wonder if it’s a case fit issue.
 

jacoby75

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Did you buy them recently? Those particular knobs are very hard to come by. I just bought a pair for $40 because they’re the first ones I’ve seen in months.

My knob crushed in shipping which makes me wonder if it’s a case fit issue.
When I bought the guitar new from Guitar Center in '01, it was marked as "blemished" with one ding and the cracked knob. I bought the replacement set (one volume and one tone) off of Ebay in September, 2019 for $10. I must have gotten lucky. Because I don't see more on there now, with the exception of this one set, which is being sold for $67, which is just asinine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guild-Clea...275049?hash=item33c370b2e9:g:fTsAAOSwHsRYCp2Z
 

GAD

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When I bought the guitar new from Guitar Center in '01, it was marked as "blemished" with one ding and the cracked knob. I bought the replacement set (one volume and one tone) off of Ebay in September, 2019 for $10. I must have gotten lucky. Because I don't see more on there now, with the exception of this one set, which is being sold for $67, which is just asinine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guild-Clea...275049?hash=item33c370b2e9:g:fTsAAOSwHsRYCp2Z

Those are not the same knobs. Also, that person is selling cheap modern Guild knobs and letting people think they're vintage.

Here's my treatise on clear Guild G-shield knobs: https://www.gad.net/Blog/2019/09/17/identifying-guild-clear-g-shield-knobs/

In short:

GuildClearKnobs-AllFour-Top.jpg


Vintage '60s, Westerly, Corona, Modern Newark St. The ones in the middle are for the Blues-90s. The ones on the left are rare and worth money. The ones on the right (which are the ones being sold in that guy's ebay ad) are modern and sell on Guild's own site for $5: https://shop.guildguitars.com/produ...ne-knob-amber-with-silver-top/?v=7516fd43adaa
 

jacoby75

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Those are not the same knobs. Also, that person is selling cheap modern Guild knobs and letting people think they're vintage.

Here's my treatise on clear Guild G-shield knobs: https://www.gad.net/Blog/2019/09/17/identifying-guild-clear-g-shield-knobs/

In short:

GuildClearKnobs-AllFour-Top.jpg


Vintage '60s, Westerly, Corona, Modern Newark St. The ones in the middle are for the Blues-90s. The ones on the left are rare and worth money. The ones on the right (which are the ones being sold in that guy's ebay ad) are modern and sell on Guild's own site for $5: https://shop.guildguitars.com/produ...ne-knob-amber-with-silver-top/?v=7516fd43adaa

Right, thanks. I figured the guy was a crook, one way or another.
 
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