Nugent -- Gibson Byrdland?
Pete Tevonian
So who can tell me the low-down on the Gibson Byrdland guitar (I'm pretty
sure
it was Gibson...). I saw Ted Nugent recently at the House of Blues in
Chicago
and he kicked larged portions of ass with his various Byrdlands. Is the
Byrdland
especially good at one thing, a good all-around guitar, easy to play,
expensive,
what? In looking back through old album shots and random photos, it seems
to be about all Ted ever uses...
Thanks,
--Pete
Rennie Selkirk
In article <01bca836$a7f54260$0a02...@otcg3-2.pr.mcs.net>
"Pete Tevonian" <ptev...@otcg.com> writes:
The Byrdland dates from the late 50s and was developed by Gibson
in collaboration with Nashville pickers Billy Byrd and Hank Garland,
hence the name. (No relation to the famed jazz club, though I
always thought the name was a happy accident, or was it intentional?)
Anyway the Byrdland is a thinline hollow body. In terms of detailing,
headstock decoration (the flowerpot), body shape and construction
(carved spruce top), it's essentially a skinny L5CES (different
tailpiece
though.) However,the scale is almost 2" shorter than the L5 (23-1/2" I
think). Like its down-market cousin the ES350 of 50's Chuck Berry fame.
This may or may not be a significant drawback to some players.
The necks may tend to be on the skinny (pencil-neck) side. Not my
cup of tea.
The coolest-looking Byrdlands and the ones apparently favored by
Mr. Nugent are the ones with the sharp or Florentine cutaway. These
were produced in the 60s, but by the 70s Gibson had reverted to the
original rounded (Venetian) cutaway, as it did with the L5 and the
Super 400.
Most Byrdland prices I've seen are in the $3K plus territory. Not
cheap but you might be able to find an early 60's Byrdland cheaper
than a Strat of equal vintage.
Cheers,
Rennie Selkirk
OASYSCO
>So who can tell me the low-down on the Gibson Byrdland guitar (I'm pretty
Search the web for "vintage guitars" and follow the links - you'll see
pictures and write-ups and everything to make you drool. You'll see
guitars that, well, are better than sex.
>sure
>it was Gibson...). I saw Ted Nugent recently at the House of Blues in
Gibosn put out the Byrdland as well as a host of other fine jazz guitars
(ES-175, Super 400, ES-335, etc., etc). In fact, they are the only mass
mfr to successfully market jazz guitars that no costs thousands to buy.
Fender tried it with their Jazz Master, but missed the mark. Guild and
Gretch had some, though.
>Chicago
>and he kicked larged portions of ass with his various Byrdlands. Is the
>Byrdland
>especially good at one thing, a good all-around guitar, easy to play,
>expensive,
>what? In looking back through old album shots and random photos,
As I recall, the Byrdland is one of the more expensive guitars, costing in
the many thousands. Actual cost depends on era and condition. It is way
more expensive than the ES-175 which can cost $1700-$5000+.
it seems
>to be about all Ted ever uses...
That's true. I saw Ted in concert as a lead off act in the early 70's then
as the main act in the mid-70's and he always played that "jazz" guitar. I
was always impressed by the amount of volume he got out of the thing
without feedback - until, of course, he wanted the feedback. Not many hard
rockers played semi-acoustic guitars, especially ones with f-holes.
Did you know that in his heyday, Ted Nugent used to warm up for concerts
by playing for an hour and a half all by himself before the concert? Boy,
I would have liked to hear that. Ted was one of my favorites at that time.
I have since become sick of his music and prefer tastefull jazz to
screaming guitars, but I chalk that up to age, habving kids, settling
down, etc.
>
>Thanks,
>--Pete
I am at home tonight, so I do not have my set of excellent vintage guitar
sites available. Dut there is one hosted by "Clay ????" that is just
great. search on "Byrdland", "vintage guitars", "jazz guitar" and you'll
find everything you desire - and more. plus there alot of dealers on the
web - Gruhn's music in nashville among others that have prices and
pictures.
good luck,
OASYSCO
Terry Partington
Last time I saw Ted (late 80's) he mainly played a PRS. I'm glad to hear
he is playing more of the Byrdlands lately. Yup, he used to really rock
in the 70's with that great near-feedback tone. What happened? Too
much NRA?
Terry
SStone8807
Hello,
The Byrdland is a great guitar, but you will either love it or hate it -
the reason? It has a short-scale neck. If you have big fingers you won't
like hte fact that the frets are ever-so-slightly closer together. BUt if
you have smaller hands, or like to play speed-runs you may love the neck.
The Byrdland is also a shallow-body guitar. It was designed for jazz-guys
who have to play standing up.
Byrdlands are all-wood guitars with spruce tops and maple back and sides.
They go on the used market for between $2800 (for mid 70's ones) up to
$6000 (for early 60's).
If you like the byrdland except for the neck check out either an ES-350T
or a Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Both are hollow-bodies with
shallow bodies and FULL-SCALE necks.
bye,
Steven Stone
Contributing Editor
Stereophile Magazine
Pete Tevonian
SStone8807 <sston...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970820143...@ladder02.news.aol.com>...
> Hello,
>
> The Byrdland is a great guitar, but you will either love it or hate it -
> the reason? It has a short-scale neck. If you have big fingers you won't
> like hte fact that the frets are ever-so-slightly closer together. BUt if
> you have smaller hands, or like to play speed-runs you may love the neck.
>
> Steven Stone
> Contributing Editor
> Stereophile Magazine
This is suprising to hear considering Mr. Nugent is a big guy, at at least
6'3" or 6'4". I would only assume he has larger-than-average hands too.
--Pete