Bluesbird

[Rich Cohen]

What makes a bluesbird a bluesbird? Are there other Guilds like it?

 

[Westerly Wood]

I always thought the BB was Guild's attempt at a Gibson Les Paul, but I am not very knowledgeable re Guild's incredibly eclectic and inventive electric guitar line. I know of no other guitar mfg that offered so any different styles of electric guitars. I did not know it was created as a counterpart to the M75. How interesting...My guess is GAD has typed a small book on the BB, or Grot...

"The Bluesbird reflects Guild’s return to yet another historic solid body model. Originally released in 1970 as the solid body counterpart to the M-75 Aristocrat, the Bluesbird was subject to a few design changes over the decades. Today’s reissue features a carved maple top and maintains many of the aesthetic traits of the M-75 Bluesbird of the late 60s."

 

[GGJaguar]

GAD has some great info here:

1997 Guild Bluesbird Guitar | GAD's Ramblings

Today’s review is for a 1997 Guild Bluesbird guitar from the Westerly factory that I picked up on eBay for a great price. I didn’t need it, but it was so pretty that I couldn’t resist. Sadly, that happens to me a lot. The Guild bluesbird of this era is quite clearly inspired by the …

www.gad.net

 

[AcornHouse]

The trouble with the Bluesbird name, is that there has been numerous different body styles over the years. The 70s Bluesbird, which the current Newark Street import is closest to, then the Brian Setzer super-Strat-ty version in the 80s, then the Les Paul-ish version in the 90s.

Here’s GAD’s overview of the major variations.
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/01/27/guild-bluesbird-bake-off/

Except for the Setzer Bluesbird which is here.
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/09/12/guild-brian-setzer-bluesbird/

 

[GAD]

What makes a bluesbird a bluesbird? Are there other Guilds like it?

Nightbirds are kind of like luxury Bluesbirds.

 

[cupric]

The Bluesbird, Nightbird, Nightingale, Songbird, and GX series of the 1990s were all the same basic body. The difference was in routing and tops. The older bLuebird were totally different animals, i.e. the 80s version.

 

[cupric]

Older Bluesbird, 1980's solid body.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

That's a Setzer long scale

 

[GAD]

The Bluesbird, Nightbird, Nightingale, Songbird, and GX series of the 1990s were all the same basic body. The difference was in routing and tops. The older bLuebird were totally different animals, i.e. the 80s version.

They were the same body *shape* as in they fit in the same case. They are very different by designs, though.

 

[GAD]

That's a Setzer long scale

But it's still a Bluesbird:

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

Of course...since Chris covered that above didn't want to be redundant...just clarifying the model...and many don't realize it's not short scale like the other bluesbirds.

 

[SFIV1967]

Originally released in 1970 as the solid body counterpart to the M-75 Aristocrat, the Bluesbird was subject to a few design changes over the decades.

Not sure where that quote is from, but: No, no and no...That history is plain wrong.

October 1968 pricelist (and that was not a solid body!)



See also Hans book page 57.

Ralf

 

[cupric]

Not sure where that quote is from, but: No, no and no...That history is plain wrong.

October 1968 pricelist (and that was not a solid body!)



See also Hans book page 57.

Ralf

Was it chambered? The Aristocrat was hollow with a trapeze. The other early model had a stop tailpiece. Maybe blocked under the tail? I believe these models were both built from separate pieces, rather than routed from a solid piece of mahogany?

 

[SFIV1967]

I believe these models were both built from separate pieces, rather than routed from a solid piece of mahogany?

Yes.

Rare Sighting - early John Fogerty (not Tom) with Guild

I'm not an electric fan, is this a Bluesbird or something else? I don't know where this is from, but it is before Tom grew the mustache and Stu went to wire-rimmed glasses. http://www.stage6.com/Captain-Video/vid ... Proud-Mary CK

letstalkguild.com

Check out John Fogerty's 60's BluesBird with Guild mini Humbuckers!





Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

Not sure where that quote is from, but: No, no and no...That history is plain wrong.

October 1968 pricelist (and that was not a solid body!)



See also Hans book page 57.

Ralf

Ralf, I got it from the Guild website LMAO

so perfect. Why am I not surprised?

 

[SFIV1967]

Ralf, I got it from the Guild website LMAO

so perfect. Why am I not surprised?

Well, yes, if they decribe only the solid body version that quote is not too wrong...But if they mean "the BluesBird" they are wrong.
See page 159 of Hans book for the history of the solid body.
Ralf

 

[adorshki]

For me, this is what Bluesbirds were for:



From sweet and clear as morning mountain dew to the overdriven moans of a cougar's call.

And the psychedelic hum of a million bees:

 

[cupric]

I wonder if that is a live recording? Sounds like the studio version. I always thought he used a Tele for the studio version.
Either way the Bluesbird is great. One of my bucket list guitars along with the Aristocrat.

 

[cupric]

For me, this is what Bluesbirds were for:



From sweet and clear as morning mountain dew to the overdriven moans of a cougar's call.

And the psychedelic hum of a million bees:

what a GREAT tone!

 

[adorshki]

I wonder if that is a live recording? Sounds like the studio version. I always thought he used a Tele for the studio version.
Either way the Bluesbird is great. One of my bucket list guitars along with the Aristocrat.

Not live, you can tell especially when they change video clips. Can't actually hear a Bluesbird there, why I posted the "White Bird" clip.

Youngbloods for sure was Guild too but forget if it was actually a BB or an M75 on "Darkness Darkness".