Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $620
Submitted 06/04/2006
at 02:30pm
by Max
Email: massimo<dot>bognetti at etnofonie<dot>it
Features
:9
Made in Westerly R.I. U.S.A., the rest of descriptions are the same of others rewiews. I have purchased it used on ebay. The materials are very goods, woods and electronics. The Blues '90 seems an old "Sir" of country... simple and "spartan". Great solidity
Sound
:10
My music style is Jazz and Blues, this guitar has all the qualities of jazz guitar and more... powerfull. The tonal chambers increase the warm, loudness and richness of sound, that I define "Imposing". Selecting the various positions of the 'P90 we obtain also bright sounds. The guitar is optimal in every situation: sound and powerfull.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
I have purchase it used and I cannot know the original set-up, but I have mounted several type of strings: round wound and flat wound, always gauge 0.11/0.47 or 0.49 (E bass). I prefer a low action and the guitar is always playable, the bridge and the trussrod are very sensible and allow various types of set-up, " also without to move the pillars of bridge"...
Reliability/Durability
:10
The guitar, I have already defined solid and "spartana"... no problems during live performance, to the closed one, pub or theatres, like to the open, humid, cold or warm days, the Blues '90 is a guitar "strong"...
The strap button was already changed in position "ahime"...
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I cannot say nothing the glorious Guild is dead...
Overall Rating
:10
A lot of... many years of experience and professionality...
The quality of this model as the other Guild is enormous.
Guild gave annoyance to all and in particular to the gibson, we remember the epiphone from whose ashes born the Guild... to have a Guild mean for me, to belong to people democratic, the people of the Guild...
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $800 used
Submitted 03/11/2006
at 07:21am
by Pt
Features
:8
This another update a year later.
2 years of hard usage.
The more I play this guitar the more I like it.
Played everything from heavily distorted hard rock to country.
These days I'm playing in a country rock band and I need that twang.
I normally play using the neck pickup but for twang I use the bridge pickup throgh a Marshall stack that is biased cold for best clean headroom.
This guitar out-twangs my Telecaster.
The only other guitar I have owned that had more tone variation was a US Fat Telecaster.
This a beautiful guitar and a real workhorse.
Can't really say anything bad about it.
Pre-Fender.
Made in Rhode Island.
I think 1997.
I broke one of the knobs and couldn't find a correct replacement.
So I got a set of Gibson cream colored speed knobs.
Looks much better now.
The guitar is still flawless after years of gigging with it.
Case is SKB for an ES-335.
Nice fit.
Sound
:10
The sound is what I want when I want it.
There is a little hum from the single coil pickups but that is to be expected.
Normally I don't use effects.
I put a Hipshot dropped D tuner on it and I use a Boss FV-60 volume pedal to create pedal steel sounds.
Sometimes I use an analog delay.
I am using 11's on it but may switch to 12's.
The 11's seem a little sloppy.
This is a chambered body guitar.
This feature shines when used at low to moderate volumes with a clean amp setting.
Very woody sounding.
Seymour Duncan P-90's.
Hotter than Gibson P-90's.
I also have a Gibson LP but I don't like Humbuckers after playing my Blues 90.
Not much not to like.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
With the exception of some of the hardware coming loose this guitar holds up well.
Finish is tough as nails (red flamed).
No noticable fret wear after 2 years of hard playing.
Although I don't play this guitar when I practice at home.
At home I play acoustic only.
Fit and finish are close to perfect.
No factory flaws.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Never had a tougher guitar (in over 30 years).
I always gig without a backup but occasionally I use my acoustic and/or my Gibson that is set up for Roland guitar synth.
Never a problem.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
???
Overall Rating
:10
If you are reading this then you are interested in this model guitar.
These things cost over $2,500 new and are (were) Guild's top of the line solid body guitar.
I see them on ebay for $800-$1,000.
I feel that the Blues 90 is far better quality than a Gibson Les Paul and the tone is to die for.
These guitars will go up in value, so if you should buy one and keep it in nice condition you will never lose money.
You can't go wrong with this guitar.
It can do everything from heavy metal to jazz.
It will twang with the best of them or push out punchy distortion.
Nothing beats it!
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $800 used
Submitted 04/03/2005
at 11:55am
by Pat
Email: peatea at yahoo<dot>com
Features
:8
This is an update after a year of hard playing at gigs and jams.
It still looks beautiful and I constantly get favorable comments on it.
I have had few problems with it.
They are....
The tone switch knob fell off.
I found it and replaced it.
The output jack came loose at a gig.
Easy fix.
Use locktite.
My biggest gripes are that I can not play solos on the upper frets.
The cut away is not deep enough.
I don't like big frets but it seems that everything these days has them.
The neck is too fat for me but it does not create any problems.
It does not produce twangy or quacky Fender sounds but it is not a Fender.
If you are a lead player that plays on the high frets you will not like this guitar.
I made mistakes at gigs because my hand hit the cutaway when trying to play above A.
It is a beautiful and well made guitar.
Sounds great and is easy to handle.
Be sure to get a hard case with it.
You will not find any anywhere.
Sound
:No Opinion
Action, Fit, & Finish
:No Opinion
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:No Opinion
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $400
Submitted 01/25/2005
at 11:12am
by Zack Swaney
Features
:9
Read other reviews for specs, mine's the same as theirs, 'cept mine has a transparent black finish (I don't know what Guild calls it). I agree with the criticism of the strap buttons. I replaced them with strap locks using the original endpin screw (which is about 1/2" longer than normal) and a washer to get around the huge hole problem.
Sound
:10
The sound is impeccable. The first time I played this guitar over four years ago was like meeting my soul mate. I'm a blues player who wanted a bit more of a unique sound than the typical strat or LP, and the Blues 90 delivered in spades, from country twang to B.B.-esque sweetness (without direct copy, I might add). I also have a strat with tex mexes at the neck and middle and a stacked HB at the bridge that I've all but stopped playing since I found this guitar. Play one through some tubes and you'll see what I mean.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
The set up was perfect in the store. Since I bought it I've progressed to heavier strings (11-52), and each time I went heavier was like discovering a new set of pickups. Not only does it put some meat under your fingers, but it adds power to the upper strings. No neck adjustment was needed. The guitar is beautiful with a AA maple top (that has a LOT of flame), great inlay work, and flawless binding. Also, the semi-hollow honduran mahogany body is perfectly balanced and light enough to play a blazing 4 hr gig without a trip to the chiropractor. (last comment not intended for heavy-lifting freaks like Zakk Wylde...)
Reliability/Durability
:10
In four years I have had to make no adjustments to any part of the guitar, and it still plays like the day I bought it. It is an incredibly stable guitar that has been maintenance-free with the exception of keeping it clean. I rarely have to re-tune it after having been in the case (up to several weeks). I have been gigging with this guitar for about a year and have never had to go to my backup, in fact, I've stopped bringing the backup since it never makes it out of the case.
Customer Support
:9
Never had to deal with the company for anything serious, with a good guitar you shouldn't have to. I did contact them to give me details on the production dates and specs of my guitar and they were very helpful and friendly.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for >14yrs and this is the best guitar I've ever played, hands down...And I own it!! My Strat's destined for "Closet Classic" status. Through my Peavey Classic 50 4x10 I get constant compliments on my tone. It will never be lost, but if it is stolen I will personally hunt down the SOB, repossess my guitar, and proceed to...bad things. I can't believe these guitars didn't outsell LP's, they're better!! I'm glad they didn't, though; unique guitar and higher resale value for a discontinued model makes Zack a happy boy. P.S. Who gives half a rat's @$$ about the knobs, anyway? They work, don't they?
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $800 used
Submitted 08/29/2004
at 05:25pm
by Pat Tucker
Features
:9
Features are as described in other reviews.
Mine is a 90's model made in RI, USA.
2 P-90 Seymour Duncan pickups.
Dot inlays.
Transparent red.
Not Black Cherry.
I bought the guitar in mint condition off of ebay.
It came without a case.
I figured it would fit in a LP case but it does not.
It is about an inch and a half wider at the bottom than an LP.
Guild wants an outrageous price for a case and none of the aftermarket cases seem to fit it.
I am now using an archtop case with a small pillow in it as a fill.
If you should buy one of these guitars be sure that it comes with the correct case.
Sound
:10
It has a vast variety of sounds.
Nothing I have played beats it.
P-90's are not noisy unless you stand close to your amp and play at high volumes.
Still not bad.
They are wound in opposite directions and will cancel out any hum when both pickups are used at equal volumes.
Nothing to dislike.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Perfect
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
So far so good.
I have been gigging with it regularilt for several months.
No problems.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
No longer made.
Fender/Guild now makes a Bluesbird P-90 which is not the same as the Blues 90 of the 90's that was made in RI.
Still an excellent guitar though.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing for over 30 years and have owned many guitars.
This is my favorite of solid (chambered) body guitars so far.
Nothing beats it.
Puts LP's to shame.
Guild is well known for their acoustic and archtop guitars but for some reason the solid bodies are not that popular.
This guitar retailed for over $2,300 and can be had in mint used condition for under $1,000.
With the piice of Gibson's going up and availability becomming scarce (for new ones) these guitars will probably soar in value.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $795
Submitted 01/24/2004
at 05:09pm
by AC
Email: guitarbuff<at>sbcglobal dot net
Features
:9
Year unknown, American made, 22 fret, 3 way selector with 2 volume & 2 tone controls, 2 P90s (Seymour Duncan I believe), passive electronics, routed mahogany body with maple top, over sized Les Paul type body, stop tailpiece, standard tuners, included original case.
Sound
:9
Great sounding guitar. I do not believe in giving 10s, but this is a 9 for my style. I have been playing Tom Petty type songs with it and it sounds great. Using a Banzai Fireball II and a Homebrew Electronics Power Screamer (not at the same time) through a Peavey classic 50 4x10 and a Marshall 2x12 extension cabinet. I have not noticed any noise. It has a nice full sound with a lot of warmth (nice mids without any harsh treble bite). I have been playing overdriven, and it sounds great. Resonates nicely. No dislikes. I wish I would have found this about 3 guitars ago.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Feels good in my hand. No complaints, and I was not the original owner so it seems to have been put together well.
Reliability/Durability
:9
Seems like a well built guitar. My only concern is what would occur if it was dropped - very light guitar.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
No idea.
Overall Rating
:9
I have been playing off and on for over 10 years, and have five other electric guitars (American Fender Double Fat Strat; American Strat with Seymour Duncan humbuckers; G&L ASAT; G&L F100 II; Epiphone Les Paul with Seymour Duncans). I am very happy with the purchase. If it was lost or stolen I would run out and replace it! There is nothing I do not like about the guitar. Very warm sound with great resonance. If I had to pick two guitars I would take this and one of my strats and be very happy.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $750
Submitted 12/16/2003
at 12:28pm
by bob v.
Features
:10
How do you rate features? If you want simple, easy to use, with easily accessible great sounds, then this guitar rates a 10. I give a 10 for basic simplicity on the fly.
Sound
:10
I have 15 guitars and I like variety. I've got jazz boxes, les pauls, strats, teles, acoustics, etc. I play a variety of styles but regularly fall into the blues. The Blues 90 flat out rocks. I don't understand why these aren't more popular. It can go from twang to jazz with minor knob tweaks. Great clean or distorted. Very smooth.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Overall fit and finish was flawless. Set up is a personal thing and it wasn't very close out of the factory. However, the Blues 90 is very easy to tweak and 15-20 minutes of tweaking put it 95% of the way to perfect. It is exceptionally stable and stays in tune fabulously.
Reliability/Durability
:10
What's to go wrong? Very well made. Some folks complain about the knobs. They need to get a life.
Customer Support
:10
Purchased at Stutzman's Guitar Center in Rochester, NY. If there is anyone who is more satisfying to deal with I haven't found them. (I bought my first guitar from them in 1967.) Why go to Fender/Guild?
Overall Rating
:10
Guild Bluesbird's and Blues 90's are, seemingly, very under appreciated. These are fabulous guitars.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 12/02/2003
at 06:30pm
by Gary G
Email: garygtrkarendrum<at>aol dot com
Features
:No Opinion
Just a quick follow-up to my previous post, one thing I forgot to mention that some might consider a problem is that upper fret access is VERY challenging. If you are playing a blues in B or even B flat, forget about sliding up effortlessly into the pentatonic "blues box" between frets 19 & 22 in B or 18 & 21 in B flat-it ain't gonna happen...I can get there in A (17-20th), and I can fight to get there beyond that, but it is TOUGH...so, learn your other positions, boys! Just wanted to mention that, don't recall anyone else below pointing that out. Also, as far as tones, I forgot to mention the beautiful Gretsch-like tones you can get in the middle position-pluck those wound strings near the bridge and you are in twang-heaven!
Sound
:No Opinion
Action, Fit, & Finish
:No Opinion
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:No Opinion
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $760
Submitted 12/01/2003
at 02:35pm
by Gary G
Email: garygtrkarendrum<at>aol dot com
Features
:8
US made at Guild factory in R.I., pre-Fender. 22 frets, unbound rosewood board, solid maple top on chambered mahogany body, 2 Duncan P-90's (RWRP Hot in neck, Custom in bridge), "Black Cherry" poly finish (trans red w/subtle black highlights). Big fat set neck, heavy duty tune-o-matic type bridge w/stopbar, Grover style tuners, single cut LP style, but slightly larger, lightweight due to semi-hollow insides....24 3/34" scale, medium jumbo frets. Everybody knocks the knobs on this forum, I like 'em! Pots feel very smooth, good taper. Typical 3 way switch, noise cancelling in middle position...nuthin' fancy, but suits me just fine. My only complaints in this category:
1) Pinhead sized side dots-next to useless onstage
2) Bottom strap button is similiar to a Martin endpin, only smaller-can't replace with Straplok without filling big honkin' hole! This is my first Guild, perhaps this is a "traditional" thing, but it bugs me! I use a plastic washer on the bottom button, and replaced the top button with a Straplok.
Sound
:10
I LOVE this guitar...I was looking for a P-90 solidbody, and found this NOS example (it is a discontinued model) from a mom-n-pop store on Ebay, got it for a great price ($760), not as good as the GC blowout price of a few years ago (see posts below), but still very good for an $1800 list guitar in brand new shape. I was considering a McCarty Soapbar (a little rich for my blood) and an SG Classic, and based on some previous Bluesbirds (w/humbuckers) I had played and the reviews below, I decided to chance it-glad I did! The Duncans are very hot, had to lower them somewhat, probably not the P-90 for a vintage purist, but I love 'em-the combo of the semi-hollow mahogany body, maple top and these p.u.'s gives a smokin', lively, fat but cutting tone. The middle position is great for blending tones, the neck p.u. is sweet and bluesy, and the bridge pickup is fat and nasty, but with that P-90 sweetness that humbuckers just don't have. I play roots rock/blues/alt-country/fake jazz, this guitar handles them all very well. My wife (drummer) even commented on the tone the first time I used it, for once she is pleased with my purchase! There is of course a noise factor with P-90's and other single coils, but so what? The unique tone is well worth it, IMO.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
I can't believe that after 28 years of playing, this is the first Guild I have owned-I've had just about every other brand out there. I am very pleased with the workmanship on this guitar-straight neck and fretwork, beautiful job on the headstock inlays, very nice quilted top, etc. There is a slight blem on the upper corner of the cutaway, looks like the black in the finish kind of pooled a little bit there, but no big deal. I would put the quality of this guitar up against any Gibson, even those costing five times as much...sure, with the Guild you have a poly finish, but very nicely applied, not plasticky looking, and come on, even PRS uses poly! I did some set-up work myself, but I do this with every guitar I buy, used or new. I put 10-52's on it, raised the action a little and loosened the trussrod a tad, and re-did the intonation after these changes-plays great! I love the fat neck-not for shredders, but great for me. I guess if I had my drothers, I would like bigger frets, but I am getting more used to these and am not dying to replace them. I also string any guitar with a tune-o-matic and stop bar by running the strings thru the back of the stop bar and wrapping them over, like on a wrap-a-round tailpiece. This allows me to screw the stopbar all the way down without choking the strings on the back of the tune-o-matic-I believe this helps with resonance and tone, not quite like a wrap-a-round but close...as I mentioned, I lowered the pickups, but that is a matter of personal preference.
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
I've used this guitar on one gig and three rehearsals, along with several hours of at-home use. The tuning stability is very good, use a little Big Bends Nut Sauce on the nut and bridge saddles, this helps any guitar stay in tune better. Hardware and finish seem durable, already talked about the strap buttons (aargh!) I always bring a backup, but I played 2 sets without changing guitars at all on it's initial gig. Too early to tell I guess, but I can't imagine any major, out of the ordinary issues.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I guess I'd have to deal with Fender, but I'm not worried about warranties and the like.
Overall Rating
:9
As I said, I've been playing over 28 years, I love this guitar and would replace it in a heartbeat. I love the tone, the feel, the look and the versatility...I would recommend you grab one of these if you see one! My other electric these days is an Epi Riveria that has been tricked out with all US hardware, electronics etc-the P-90's compliment the Epi's humbuckers very nicely. I love P-90's, and this guitar has delivered the tone I was hoping for.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $900
Submitted 02/02/2003
at 10:11pm
by Buttehill
Email: buttehill<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:7
I got my Blues 90 in August of 2001. It's from Rhode Island. 22 frets, laminated top. I have no problem with the chrome knobs - it looks like a Schwinn bike. The p/u's are Duncan P-90's - glad to read the tip on which is in which position. The Mahogany body is almost COMPLETELY HOLLOW! Check it out - you'll see, it's solid under the bridge, and where the neck attaches, but it is hollowed out up into the bouts, and around the pickups. The darn neck is too fat for me - I have small hands. The guitar rings like a bell, sound good unplugged, and sounds like a Guild, which is important to me.
Sound
:10
I sometimes need a more agressive or brighter sound, but this thing is as fat as a butcher's dog. The first time I took it to a jam, it got great comments. You can thin down the sound on any two pickup guitar with two volume pots by backing off the rhythm volume just slightly in the dual-pickup position. This makes it more edgey. It is the richest-sounding guitar I have ever played. I adore the sound of this thing.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
Everything is fine as far as I can tell. The neck is just like a baseball bat to me - I can deal with it, but it is the one drawback. Everything else is good. The black cherry finish is beautiful, and I like that it looks like an LP, but is bigger. I am a big fan of Guild way back from 1973, and I badly wanted to add a Bluesbird to my collection. If you remember the Bluesbird from '73, this new one blows it away. Much nicer look and shape.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Oh yeah, it'll play out live for the rest of your career. I have no problem with the hardware. The finish is fine. Guild hardware has not ever seemed to be a problem. I could keep this as my only guitar and would not miss the other ones too much. I would use it without a bcackup, except for tone options. But realistically, I like to use two or three guitars.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I tried to write to Guild and tell them how great this guitar was, and the letter came back returned. The address was in Scottsdale, AZ. The guild website is good for looking up new products, but it will turn you over to Fender if you poke around in it.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing 38 years. Lots of gear. I asked all the questions before I bought it - at that time, I thought I was lucky to get that price. Mine was a GC blowout, too, but it was in perfect shape - nobody played it!!! I would definitely replace it if lost - it is a good-sounding and high quality guitar, and it looks good on me - and that's saying something! I don't hate anything about it - I just wish it had a neck like my Guild S-100 from 1972. I compared it to the AAA Bluesbird, which I didn't think was all that great. I wouldn't trade the Blues 90 for a Bluesbird for any reason, now! I couldn't afford it, I shouldn't have bought it, I thought Guild was going belly up, so I did it any way. I love the thing. It helped get me through September 11th - good foresight.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $400.00 used
Submitted 11/04/2002
at 12:00am
by Kyman
Features
:9
Late 90's or early 2000 model. Made in America! Chambered mahogany body with maple top. Transparent cherry finish, chrome Grover tuners, and Seymour Duncan Soapbar P-90's. A very light guitar compared to a Les Paul. When strummed unplugged it rings out amazingly well. I like the use of a metal toggle switch compared to the plastic tabs used by everyone else. Has a great feel overall. Very solid. My only gripe is that the knobs have a very cheap "radio dial" feel and appearance.
Sound
:9
I play a variety of styles ranging from Rock to Shoegazer pop. So, I want the guitar to be able to cover everything from distortion to clean tones. First off, the P-90's are VERY powerful! If I plug one of my other guitars into the amp then switch to the Blues 90 the volume and power is a lot higher. I actually have to re-adjust the amp to the Blues 90. Not a bad thing. Just means the pickups are powerful! I run my guitars through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. The clean tones with the Blues are gorgeous in the middle setting. Great for the mid-tones. The bridge is a little metallic so that's not really to my taste. With the drive on the guitar is a monster! It's so meaty that it makes me play harder than I intended too. Great for rock, punk, nu metal, etc.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
I don't know if it's been setup up previously but the action is great. Very managable. The pickups don't really hum too much so that's always good. No flaws in the finish at all. Rock solid!
Reliability/Durability
:10
I would have no problems playing this guitar out. It's solid and reliable.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Haven't had to deal with them so I don't know.
Overall Rating
:10
Originally I never meant to own more than one guitar. But there's so many great guitars out there and different types of tones that I finally gave in. So, I set out to get guitars that had different pickups. The Blues 90 fits into the "P-90" slot very well. Great mid-range tones combined with solid construction makes for a awesome guitar. Also, it's very Les Paul like without the Les Paul price.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $599
Submitted 03/11/2002
at 02:43pm
by Scott F
Features
:10
Year 2000 model, Guitar Center showroom blowout. $599. You know the deal. The blues 90 is the Bluesbird with Seymour Duncan P-90 pickups in it, no neck binding, and dot inlays. Just a fantastic guitar. Everything you need. If you want one now, search the GCs across the country. I called around and found one in IL and I live in TX. Worth the several long distance phone calls.
I thought I might miss the neck binding, but the rosewood fretboard is highly polished and lacquered on the sides and it looks like a tortoise shell finish. Very pretty. Prettier, IMO, than the aged creme binding that's on the body of the guitar.
The neck is significantly thick. It's the same width as my DeArmond M-72 neck, but the depth of the Blues 90 neck is almost like my Ovation acoustic. I have huge hands though and I like the comfort of this style.
Sound
:10
The pickups are outstanding. Duncan makes 3 versions of their P90, vintage, hot, and custom bridge. Guild uses the RWRP Hot P90 in the neck and the Custom in the bridge. Nice tone when played together, somewhat of a quack sound. The bridge truly cuts through whatever is going on around you. The neck is my favorite. Just a fantastic tone. This guitar is all about tone.
Typical bit of single coil buzz when I get close to my PC monitor. Typical though.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
The Guitar Center guy actually had the guitar set up and new strings put on it before he sent it to me. I didnt have to ask. This, in my experience, is very much NOT typical GC behavior. This guy new what he was doing or Guild did it prior to arriving at the GC. This guitar sat in the showroom for a while, then went into lay-away for about a year the guy told me. Then the customer backed out, so they blew it out for 599. There are more available, if you call around. California had two that I knew of.
The top is not supposed to be AAA, but it's at least AA, beautiful quilt, black cherry finish, creme binding. Fit and finish is ten times better than any Gibson I've played in the last two years.
It had a few very tiny dings on the back edge of the lower bout from a guitar stand or something.
Reliability/Durability
:8
Guitar seems to be in very good shape in spite of the fact that it sat on the showroom floor. For the price, I cannot complain about the 3 tiny dings. There are some hairline scratches where a pickguard should be.
The only negative thing is the 3-way switch needs to be replaced. But the guitar is 2 years old and has had no telling how many people play around with it. But that's what warranties are for.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Well see...
Overall Rating
:10
I think the words "fantastic value" really apply to this axe. Cosmetics are good, action is nice and low, intonation was dead on. Tuners are great, the guitar stays in tune no matter now much I beat on it. Dot inlays are simple, but I like them. The lack of binding on the neck made zero difference to me. Frets were absolutely perfect, ends especially. I've cut my fingers on some Gibsons recently.
Now, they're just selling the Bluesbird (made in California), no more Blues 90 model. But you can still order your Bluesbird with P90s installed. The "new" Fender-made Bluesbirds are supposed to have a beefier neck, but not as thick as the Blues 90, thicker than the the old Westerly, RI-made Bluesbirds. The new CA-made ones will have the Custom Shop logo on them for a while before standard production begins.
Grab a Blues 90 if you can still find one. You'll thank me later.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $1400
Submitted 02/13/2002
at 03:09am
by D. Webber
Features
:9
Emerald Green model. Left handed. Mahogany body and neck, flamed maple top.
Sound
:10
Bought this guitar for the sound. I play blues and this guitar is right at home with that. The P90 pickups are terrific. Clean or distorted this guitar rocks!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
Everything is first rate, except the crappy tone and volume control knobs. They will be replaced.
Reliability/Durability
:9
Seems to be rock solid. Very well made. Heavy hardware, not cheap made.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never delt with them.
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing for 10 years. Own two other electrics, a Fender Strat and a Epiphone Les Paul. The Blues 90 has better tone and more sustain than the Strat or Epi. The Other guitars both have better control knobs though!!
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $599
Submitted 11/19/2001
at 09:12pm
by Michael Saulnier
Email: guitplayer at aol<dot>com
Features
:9
A 2000 edition, US made, Red, pretty quilted maple top. Two P90's, non locking tuners, Tune-O-Matic style bridge, LP body shape with sound chambers, mahogany body and neck.
I've been wanting to add a P90 type guitar to my collection, and I'd played with and been impressed with the Guilds. When I saw that Guitar Center was blowing this out at $599 to burn off inventory, I jumped on it.
All the features are fine for this type of guitar, Mahogany body and neck, nice semi-fat fairly wide neck, no fancy frills.
I'll probably replace the cheap looking volume and tone knobs, but other than that I'll keep it stock.
BTW, the previous reviewer mentioned that it shipped with 9's but the Guild website says 10's... I normally use 10's as well, but it's nice to know the nut is probably cut right.
I'll give it a 9 for what it has... all the features needed for this type of guitar.
Sound
:10
I always buy guitars for the sound, and I'm very impressed with the tone of this guitar.
The P90's sound great. I especially like the neck pickup for a very blusey tone without being too muddy. There's a big difference in the sound of the bridge and neck pickups, and the bridge is quite a bit brighter... but it really cuts through when overdriven.
The chambered body gives this guitar great sustain... you can notice it very easily when you play it without amplification. In my experience, a guitar that sounds great unamped usually has a great chance of sounding great through my rig... this is no exception.
I think this guitar is best suited to a blues/jazz/rock player... like me.
Gotta give this one a 10.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
The reason this guitar was sold at this price was the store had it in stock for some time.
Usually this means that a million people have played it and it would be full of little marks and especially belt marks in the back... but as the guitar store guy commented, "the kids aren't usually interested in this guitar... you should see some of the PRS's we have... they're all scratched up... but this one is perfect."
That's cool.
It has a very pretty red quilted maple top that is a real eye catcher, but that's only a plus... it's the sound that is the real "beauty" of this guitar.
It also plays very nice with medium to large frets, and easy to play neck and fretboard. It just felt "right" as soon as I played it.
Also, even though it's a slightly larger than Les Paul sized guitar, the tone chambers really reduce the weight. It's not at all neck heavy, but it's a lot lighter than my LP standard.
Reliability/Durability
:9
I think this guitar will be fine for live playing, although I never play without a backup. I played with all the volume and tone controls and everything was working perfectly. I expect it will continue to do so with a little loving care from time to time.
I've put strap locks on it.
Customer Support
:8
I've never dealt with Guild, but since they're part of the big Gibson conglamerate, I expect big company level service. For better or worse.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing over 20 years and I have a pretty good collection of guitars including a PRS McCarty and Standard 24, three strats including an American Deluxe Fat strat, a couple of tele's, a Les Paul Standard, a Hamer EchoTone, (335 clone), and several other guitars.
I've decided to fill a few "holes" in my collection by adding guitars with unique "voices" that none of my other guitars offer. A P90 guitar was certainly one of those holes, and I'm very happy that I caught this special deal. I think these guitars are worth the normal $1100 to $1200 or so they normally cost, but for about 1/2 price for a guitar in this condition... well it was impossible to resist.
I always carry "replacement value" insurance on my guitars, so if it was ever stolen or lost I would certainly get another one.
I'm sure Guitar Center is blowing these out throughout the chain, so if you see one at this price, check it out for yourself.
Product: Guild Blues 90 Price Paid: US $1169
Submitted 10/20/2000
at 11:37am
by Shane
Email: electrix101 at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:9
Just Purchased a 2000 USA made Guild Blues 90. 22 frets, Carved maple top, chambered mahogany body, 2 Seymour Duncan P90's, each with volume and tone knob. Transparent Emerald Green, Les Paul body style only larger and lighter. Stop tailpiece. The neck is mahogany with a rosewood fretboard, Guild tuners. Case included. Beautiful look and feel. No frills. Just what you need. Basically the Bluesbird with P90's and dot inlays instead of trapazoids.
Sound
:10
I have been playing all different styles on all different guitars. Right now I am in a band playing original material. Kind of Elvis Costello meets The Smiths. That is the only way I can describe it! This guitar can handle anything I throw at it, or on. I mostly play clean, through a Fender Blues Junior all tube amp, but, this will scream with the best of them. I have a bunch of guitars that are good for certain things but this and my Fender Lonestar Strat can handle all the sounds you need. I like the feel and tone of this better than the strat. The P90's give it the nice full, warm, round sound without being muddy. The chambered body adds to this sound as well. Love it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
The guitar comes great right out of the box. I use 10's and I think this came with 9's on it but I will play'em till they wear out. Everything seems to be fine with the guitar. I have only had it for a few days, but it feels solid and I don't forsee any issues. The craftmenship is great.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Everything on this guitar is solid. I have not used it live yet but, would not hesitate. Time will tell, but this has a great reliable feel and if Guild sticks true to their word and reputation this guitar will give me years of playing satisfaction.
Customer Support
:10
Haven't had to deal with Guild themselves and I don't thik I'll have to. Stores on the other hand, I found the best thing to do to protect your self from poor customer serivce it to buy it from a reputable dealer. Not a huge chain "super" store. Bye from people who know the products, value their customers and do the work themselves. The place I bought it from does all adjustments for free and will give you 1/2 price setups ($17) for life just for buying the guitar from them at a lower price the a "super" store. Now that is service.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing for about 11 or 12 years in varoius types of bands from Thrash to Punk to Rock to what every you would call what I am doing now. This guitar is perfect for it all. The feel, the sound, the look, who could ask for more. If you want an INCREDIBLE clean sound with the ability to scream with distortion, this is it. After playing every guitar I could get my hands on in this price range, this was the best. Especially for the money. If Gibson made this they would charge you $4000 for poorer craftmanship. Guild does it for less that $1200 with the superior quality ...not trying to knock Gison :-)... If this were stolen I would cry......then I would find a way to buy another one.