Do you rock (or roll) the Bluesbird?

[Smitch]

Just curious how many of you play the criminally under-appreciated Bluesbird live or as your primary electric guitar? My 'Birds are my primary live guitars and my band can be loud and distorted. Chambered body, hot pickups and they take amps and pedals like a champ. Almost without fail, someone comes up to me after the show to comment on my Bluesbird. No offense to the Les Paul, but these solid body two humbucker beauties can bring it all night long! Here's me and the girls getting it done.

https://youtu.be/rp4niAOHKL8

 

[walrus]

If I played live, I certainly would use my Bluesbird, it definitely rocks! And since I only have one electric, it is my "primary" electric guitar...

That video is HOT - your band is smoking! Great playing - THAT'S how to play a Bluesbird!

walrus

 

[Smitch]

Thanks Walrus. I'm just surprised that for those guitarist that prefer solid bodies and humbuckers, that more don't play the Bluesbird. They don't know what they're missing!

 

[sailingshoes72]

Cool video! Hot band! Thanks for posting. I also enjoyed the tone of the Bluesbird on the next song "What's Going On?". The chambered body lends a warm resonance to the open chords.

Bill

 

[Fish]

Bluebirds > Les Pauls in my book! Are you using stock pickups and potentiometers? Am wondering if you guys like to customize your Bluesbirds.

 

[Smitch]

Agreed Fish! I use stock but I'm going to drop SD Pearly Gates into one of them to see. Something about the body, neck, and tone that just can't be beat!

 

[NEONMOONY]

Wow! I didn't know that place was still open. I played there years ago. Nice band, btw.

 

[DThomasC]

Bluebirds > Les Pauls in my book! Are you using stock pickups and potentiometers? Am wondering if you guys like to customize your Bluesbirds.

I have two Bluesbirds with P-90s. The absurdly overwound Seymour Duncan pickups they came with had to be replaced. The same with a Nightbird. I rarely picked it up when it had the stock EMG pickups. With a pair of vintage HB-1s it does everything from sweet cleans to rippin rock. It's a joy to play now.

 

[Hanover Fist]

Good tone. Were you playing through a Mesa Boogie?

 

[Smitch]

Good tone. Were you playing through a Mesa Boogie?

Nice ear Hanover! Yep Express 5:50 on 50 watts. I don't even use the dirt channel, but clean is so solid and takes pedals well. I know the clean Fender sound is the supposed standard, but it's all in the ear of the beholder and this ear digs Mesa.

 

[Phase Shifter 2]

Awesome! What year is your Bluesbird? Your band rocks!

I have not played my M-75 out yet because I just got it out of the shop and am waiting for a smoke free gig to play it at. I currently play an Epiphone LP out live that has been gutted/replaced with better pups, pots, caps, wiring.

 

[Smitch]

Awesome! What year is your Bluesbird? Your band rocks!

I have not played my M-75 out yet because I just got it out of the shop and am waiting for a smoke free gig to play it at. I currently play an Epiphone LP out live that has been gutted/replaced with better pups, pots, caps, wiring.

Thanks Phase. The BB in the video is a Corona '02 or '03, and I have a couple Westerlies too and they all rock. I've got an Epi LP as well and it's a great guitar too. However there's something about the chambered body and the tone with the Blues bird. I try and use other guitars at shows but I always come back to the Bluesbird. It's a perfect f'ing guitar!

 

[Horuss]

Kind of hard to see the guitar very well in this pic, but that is me playing my black 1976 M-75 live @ the Columbia City Theater in Seattle a few months ago.

 

[Smitch]

Right on!

 

[walrus]

Lookin' good, Horuss!

walrus

 

[dougdnh]

Nice clip. I use my '80 Bluesbird for everything from roots rock to Santana, to hard rock to country to BB King to jazz - it nails them all beautifully. I did pull out the stock HB's and put in a pair of Rose California alnico 2's. Love this guitar!

 

[Smitch]

Nice clip. I use my '80 Bluesbird for everything from roots rock to Santana, to hard rock to country to BB King to jazz - it nails them all beautifully. I did pull out the stock HB's and put in a pair of Rose California alnico 2's. Love this guitar!

Very cool.