Guild S4BG Barry Gibb rarity?

[the joan collins special]

Hey folks,
I’m thinking about moving along a red S4BG and this model/colour seems to be pretty rare I’m guessing? I’m having a hard time finding comparables in this combination and the couple I did locate on reverb or the like had some outrageous prices.
This seemed like a place that might be a wealth of knowledge on the topic so any help with a ballpark, reasonable value would be wildly appreciated.
Also, there’s a better place/way to go about this line of questioning, please let me know.

Thanks!

(Here it is, along with a dog paw)

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. You have made me smile by including a picture that could be here.

If you would like to list it on LTG, please rack up some more posts or make a contribution as noted here.

You are going about it right because we (the Moderators) would much rather have the price discussion before the FS listing gets posted.

I'll let someone with knowledge comment on price and scarcity.

 

[adorshki]

Hey folks,
I’m thinking about moving along a red S4BG and this model/colour seems to be pretty rare I’m guessing? I’m having a hard time finding comparables in this combination and the couple I did locate on reverb or the like had some outrageous prices.
This seemed like a place that might be a wealth of knowledge on the topic so any help with a ballpark, reasonable value would be wildly appreciated.
Also, there’s a better place/way to go about this line of questioning, please let me know.

Thanks!

(Here it is, along with a dog paw)

Hi "JC", welcome aboard.

I think that's only the second one I've seen in red, but it's "legit", and yes very rare. The most common color was the "blue".

Introduced in '98 catalog:

I'm guessing by your spelling of "colour" you're in the UK, and there is no way to compare values in the US with values in Europe or the UK, primarily due to scarcity and importation costs.

There's not much to distinguish those from the regular production S4ce's except the (gloss) finish colors and the Barry Gibb signature truss rod cover.

There was some recent commentary on value of S4ce's/Songbirds here:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/songbird-on-ebay.208326/#post-1965485

Apparently USD 2K isn't an unheard of asking price on your side of the pond, but quite frankly I don't believe that's "reasonable" for those guitars in terms of actual acoustic performance.

Their attraction is for actual performers who use 'em plugged in.

Any additional value placed on an S4BG for rarity, color or collectibility can only be determined by the buyer.

I'm thinking more along the lines of $1000-1200 US, and add cost of shipping and import taxes (if any) to estimate a UK "value", and based on the assumption the guitar has no blemishes or structural damage and includes original case.

"Rare" doesn't always mean "valuable", and one reason the red's so uncommon may be that it simply wasn't a much-loved finish color at the the time, which may still hold true today.

Hope that helps.

 

[Bonneville88]

TJCS - welcome to LTG, that's a gorgeous guitar!

I sold this S4BG Barry Gibb several years ago - I'm still getting inquiries from hopeful buyers from around the
world, asking if it's still available. It may be one of the few I've seen in a transparent color, but I'd
put yours in the same approximate value category, assuming the condition is very good to excellent,
and agree with Al's mention of having the original case.

https://reverb.com/item/13824484-guild-s4bg-songbird-barry-gibb-transparent-blue-green

 

[the joan collins special]

Hi "JC", welcome aboard.

I think that's only the second one I've seen in red, but it's "legit", and yes very rare. The most common color was the "blue".

I'm guessing by your spelling of "colour" you're in the UK, and there is no way to compare values in Europe or the UK with values in the US, primarily die to scarcity and importation costs.

There's not much to distinguish those from the regular production S4ce's except the (gloss) finish colors and the Barry Gibb signature truss rod cover.

There was some recent commentary on value of S4ce's/Songbirds here:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/songbird-on-ebay.208326/#post-1965485

Apparently USD 2K isn't an unheard of asking price on your side of the pond, but quite frankly I don't believe that's "reasonable" for those guitars in terms of actual acoustic performance.

Their attraction is for actual performers who use 'em plugged in.

Any additional value placed on an S4BG for rarity, color or collectibility can only be determined by the buyer.

"Rare" doesn't always mean "valuable", and one reason the red's so uncommon may be that it simply wasn't a much-loved finish color at the the time, which may still hold true today.

I'm thinking more along the lines of $1000-1200 US, and add cost of shipping and import taxes (if any) to estimate a UK "value".

And based on the assumption the guitar has no blemishes or structural damage and includes original case.

Hope that helps.

Hey there!
Thanks for the response. It definitely does help.
I’m actually Canadian so same side of the pond, but other side of the ditch.
Thanks for the direction to the other thread. I’ll take a peek presently.
I have certainly “actually performed” and recorded with it, but I’m certainly not the kinda guy performing in the kinda places this thing should be caught hanging around. Really only been hanging on to it for the last 20 years or so for sentimental reasons I’m fully ok with not being sentimental about anymore.
Thanks again for the info. I’ll cruise the other thread and start sorting it out!

 

[the joan collins special]

TJCS - welcome to LTG, that's a gorgeous guitar!

I sold this S4BG Barry Gibb several years ago - I'm still getting inquiries from hopeful buyers from around the
world, asking if it's still available. It may be one of the only ones I've seen in a transparent color, but I'd
put yours in the same approximate value category, assuming the condition is very good to excellent.

https://reverb.com/item/13824484-guild-s4bg-songbird-barry-gibb-transparent-blue-green

Oh man. That’s nice.
Despite having the same guitar sitting right here my immediate thought was “damn, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on that.”
Good info to know, in that there’s still some interest in them. Thanks!

 

[Cougar]

(Here it is, along with a dog paw)

Haha, we have a special thread for those: BGUF. In so many photos of guitars, people leave their feet in the frame, hence "beautiful guitar, ugly feet." But in your case, BGUDP.
Welcome to the forum! Indeed a beautiful guitar!

 

[adorshki]

Hey there!
Thanks for the response. It definitely does help.
I’m actually Canadian so same side of the pond, but other side of the ditch.
Thanks for the direction to the other thread. I’ll take a peek presently.
I have certainly “actually performed” and recorded with it, but I’m certainly not the kinda guy performing in the kinda places this thing should be caught hanging around. Really only been hanging on to it for the last 20 years or so for sentimental reasons I’m fully ok with not being sentimental about anymore.
Thanks again for the info. I’ll cruise the other thread and start sorting it out!

I just realized I was a little "cold" in my manner, knowing your relationship with the guitar warms me up.

And I want to say specifically that Bonneville88's value assessment is better informed than mine, although I do recall somebody within the last year or so insisting that if one was patient enough, a "decent" S4ce could be had in the sub-1000 neighborhood.

I based my estimate on the fact that the S4BG is more of a Songbird, so increased my estimate based on that and color, but was still conservative.

And yeah, I'd forgotten about Bonneville's S4BG, it is a gorgeous color. I'd be proud to own it. And I actually like the Crimson, too.

Probably don't have to say it but in the end it comes down to the right buyer who values that kind of stuff, whether they're a player or a collector.

And whether you think a lower bidder is more deserving of the instrument.

 

[Bonneville88]

Agreed - patience and timing and sometimes LTG.
S4CE with original case I sold a little over a year ago, a bit under 1K.
In today's market, might be asking a little more.

 

[walrus]

The blue one Bonneville posted appears to have a Barry Gibb signature on the label. Is that correct?

walrus

 

[fronobulax]

The blue one Bonneville posted appears to have a Barry Gibb signature on the label. Is that correct?

walrus

For posterity. Could be an autograph or a facsimile signature. I'd vote for the latter since the label is already custom printed compared to a typical label.

 

[walrus]

Thanks - yes, I assume a facsimile, too.

walrus

 

[adorshki]

Thanks - yes, I assume a facsimile, too.

walrus

Right, and one of the Westerly guys (Was it Hideglue? Can't recall) mentioned their regret at discovering the actual signature card they had on file for the TRC silkscreen art going to the dumpster at the close.

Label looks different than the TRC, though:

 

[the joan collins special]

Thanks again for the help, all y'all.
I got it back from the shop today with a clean bill of health and its just as sparkly clean as the day I bought it.
Almost don't want to sell it anymore.

Almost.

 

[chazmo]

Good luck with your choices! Nice axe.

 

[cupric]

I'm a Songbird nut. I have a different respect for these guitars than many others. I think it may be one of Guilds crowning achievement s.
I've been watching these for a very long time. The prices of late are much higher than they were even a short time ago. They are also listed less frequently. I would say that your guitar would easily fit into the $2000.+ catagory. It may not sell overnight, but I think you would get that. This estimate is in U.S. pricing. If I had the cash I would of that......

 

[tim foster]

Thanks again for the help, all y'all.
I got it back from the shop today with a clean bill of health and its just as sparkly clean as the day I bought it.
Almost don't want to sell it anymore.

Almost.

What Colour is you S4BG… I have the Crimson but one day for personal reasons I would also like a Blue version

 

[SFIV1967]

What Colour is you S4BG… I have the Crimson but one day for personal reasons I would also like a Blue version

Look in post #1 !

Ralf

 

[BGsFan]

Hey folks,
I’m thinking about moving along a red S4BG and this model/colour seems to be pretty rare I’m guessing? I’m having a hard time finding comparables in this combination and the couple I did locate on reverb or the like had some outrageous prices.
This seemed like a place that might be a wealth of knowledge on the topic so any help with a ballpark, reasonable value would be wildly appreciated.
Also, there’s a better place/way to go about this line of questioning, please let me know.

Thanks!

(Here it is, along with a dog paw)

Hi there I just spotted your post and your beautiful S4BG. Did you sell the guitar?
Best wishes, John