PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[sunflower]

Just tried an 80's Gibson Birdland
really nice guitar

Anyone got an opinion on these ?

[Secret2goodtoneispractice]

Byrdland (Billy Byrd, Hank Garland). It's certainly a nice variation on the theme . . . shorter scale is cool . . . thinner body seems to be more feedback resistant . . . a friend of mine proclaims the Byrdland to be his fave jazz guitar of all time . . . works for him, so it works for me . . . Enjoy!
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Beware of alliances that are formed by dividing relationships of others.
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Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. Form your opinion from what you value. Your need, preference, circumstance, experience, and opportunity are the most important factors.

[superdave]

Yep nice guitars. A bit pricey though. Ted Nugent plays them. Epiphone made a Elitist version of the same guitar, a bit more afforable.
Dave

[randyc]

When I was discharged from the U.S. Army, replacing my Les Paul with a Byrdland was right at the top of my priority list. Thinking back to those days, my reasons for wanting the guitar aren't clear to me. Perhaps Clapton playing one at the Bangladesh Benefit ... I dunno.

I'm of small stature and my left hand span - thumb to little finger - is only 8-1/2 inches. Nevertheless, the Byrd feels constrictive to me while a 25-1/2 inch scale is usually comfortable. I guess I no longer "get it": the large body (bout sizes and length) but very skinny with a short neck?

A large part of my opinion doubtless is related to my high regard for the L-5CES, from which the Byrd is a modification. The conjunction of the three (or four) thoughts that went into the creation of the instrument didn't result in a particularly happy creation, to my way of thinking.

cheers,
randyc

[randyc]

[surfrider]

I purchased one of the Epiphone versions of the Byrdland in October 2008. I am glad I did because they have discontinued production. What incredible tone. I imagine the Gibson is even better. However, I like the rounded cutaway rather than the pointed. The Epiphone has a spruce top which was probably carved with a CNC or a fancy machine tool somewhere in Asia.

The big reason for my purchase is because I have a small pair of hands. I am the tallest in my family (6'0") but my hands are smaller than my kid sister's (5'3"). That short scale neck is amazing for soloing and making stretches. Also, some may think that there would be a problem switching from the short scale to the longer neck. Not a problem and I do it during gigs. In fact, I think it helps my playing. . .

Surf's up!!!!!
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I'll play it then explain it later- Miles Davis
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[voodobop]

[randyc]

Nah, surfrider's not a mutant ... I seem to remember that Wes was fairly short in stature but with huge hands. Tal was a big guy with even larger hands than his physical attributes might otherwise suggest.

I think that much of the preference (scale length and body size) may come from what inspires a person at a particular moment? I probably don't play my L-5 with the same technical adeptness as I do my lttle ES-330 (although I play neither very well these days) but I IMAGINE that I play the L-5 better. Maybe - no probably - because I WANTED an L-5 for so many years.

This is an interesting discussion. Surfrider also points out that he plays other scale lengths and enjoys the variation. I used to practice a lot with an inexpensive classical guitar and felt that the flat radius and longer scale length was helpful when I transitioned to "normal" scale length and radius.

My declining interest in the Byrdland, I believe, has more to do with the visual aspect ratio of the instrument and the way that preferences change with age.

cheers,
randyc

[planetguy]

years ago i used to get hung up on switching between different scale length gtrs.
then one day i just had one one of those "well, DUH" moments....realizing well, "gee, i'm getting hung up over less than an inch difference (24 3/4" vs. 25 1/2") and yet i also play mando, and bass and make THAT adjustment w/o too much grief!
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just groove baby!

[sunflower]