Gibson Byrdland

**Archie** · 09-25-2015, 04:31 AM

Very nice Bob, congrats.

That scale length on this guitar is very appealing.

**bananafist** · 09-25-2015, 05:41 AM

Grrreat pickups! Love staples! Cool guitar too.

**oldane** · 09-25-2015, 11:56 AM

..... and the longer scale places the neck pickup better along the string length for a sweeter tone (at least IMHO).

**TonyD** · 09-26-2015, 08:34 AM

WOW! Congrats! I like the idea of the Byrdland body with the 24 3/4 scale length. I have been contemplating a Byrdland and have never seen one of those till now. I'd love to hear how it sounds! Enjoy.

**Top of the Arch!** · 09-26-2015, 12:34 PM

This one is available at G Club Tokyo for 1,080.000 Yen, roughly $9000.00 plus shipping and fees. Its got the 24 3/4" scale also. Bob Gibson Byrdland-img1_343603-jpg

**Jabberwocky** · 09-26-2015, 01:41 PM

That's after 8% sales tax, Sir Bob. The export price on that is JPY1 000 000 ~ USD8292.00 at this weekend's interbank forex rate.

You get a Sir from me for acquiring that spiffy Midnight Blue Byrdland. Booyah!

**Top of the Arch!** · 09-26-2015, 03:00 PM

Thats better than the rate I had! Its not a bad deal at that price. Shipping is probably $145 plus roughly 4% if payapl is used , even so, not bad at all. I used the Byrdland last night at a jam and I really like it. I didnt notice there was no strap button neck side and it made for somewhat uncomfortable handling but sound wise and play wise , I love it. Now I need to figure out where to put that pesky strap button. Bob

**Jabberwocky** · 09-26-2015, 04:20 PM

Get a 4" Neck Up Mini, Sir Bob. No need for that pesky neck heel strap button because I don't want it there and you are going to sell it on to me, aren't ya?

Just yanking ya chain. The best traditional place is either in the heel cap or in the middle of the heel. But you see, them Japanese don't like drilling holes in their archtops either. That's why there isn't one in yours.

Gibson Custom Shop should just make these 24.75" Byrdlands a regular model. I think that it is the perfect size for a fully carved thin archtop and the perfect scale length. I don't like Blue guitars but this Midnight Blue is the exception to the rule. Beautiful!

**silverfoxx** · 07-08-2016, 10:16 AM

Having recently decided to move on two guitars
laying dormant, I tried out a new (2015) model.
Byrdland having first asked the opinion of two
members here,one a current owner the other a
Former owner. Their views differed but I needed
to try one personally. I pxd the two guitars for
it . The dealer gave a discount of just shy of £2k
so it was mine. I will say that it's superbly finished
and from the Custom Crimson Shop. The short
23.5" scale is not problematic , the neck is much
fuller than early incarnations and not very far
removed from my L5's. After some minor set up
adjustments & restringing with TI's 12's flats it
has a nice low action and is easy to play , all in
all I'm happy with it . Acknowledgements to
Franz 1997 & Vinny1k for their valuable advice.
I will endeavour to post pix as soon as I'm able
to.

**Woody Sound** · 07-08-2016, 10:21 AM

Just curious, is it a standard nut width, roughly 1-11/16 or close?

**Bluedawg** · 07-08-2016, 10:40 AM

Finally played a Byrdland a few years ago and they are nice ......

wish I had the scratch for one ... or for one of those thin body L5s

**silverfoxx** · 07-08-2016, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Just curious, is it a standard nut width, roughly 1-11/16 or close?

I believe it is 1.5/8ths , if its not I'll let you know

**Rob MacKillop** · 07-08-2016, 12:30 PM

Very pleased for you. These are greats guitars. I've long coveted one. They have one in a local guitar store here, but over 6,000 pounds - about a million dollars these days!

**QAman** · 07-08-2016, 12:45 PM

Silverfox,
Congratulations !! I've always admired the Byrdland and certainly need to add it in my guitar bucket list. Wishing you the best .

**vinnyv1k** · 07-08-2016, 12:48 PM

Steve it is a stretch chord players best friend. :-)

**Max405** · 07-08-2016, 03:29 PM

Alan,
In addition to stretch chords, I've heard it is easy to fly around the neck on that Guitar too.
There is pretty much nothing you cant play on that guitar.

I am really happy for you. And even more happy that you are still on the forum. Stay with us. You are a very important member and friend to all of us.

Congratulations on a fine acquisition. Vinny raves about his. I hope you love yours!

Joe D.

**silverfoxx** · 07-08-2016, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Just curious, is it a standard nut width, roughly 1-11/16 or close?

Hi , I have just returned home and measured the nut ,and coincidentally Vinny messaged
to confirm ,the nut width of the newer models is in fact, the standard 1-11/16ths"

**Top of the Arch!** · 07-08-2016, 04:25 PM

Alan, Id be interested in your thoughts on the short scale after youve spent some time with her. I have one with a 24 3/4" scale that I thought Id love to death, but is not the case. I tried a few short scale Byrds along the way with the thinner necks and just could not get on with them. Cant seem to bond with the longer scale either!!! Thanks. Bob

**vinnyv1k** · 07-08-2016, 05:06 PM

I can't speak for Alan but I always call the Byrdland the fastest neck in the West. East too....

**silverfoxx** · 07-08-2016, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Top of the Arch!

Alan, Id be interested in your thoughts on the short scale after youve spent some time with her. I have one with a 24 3/4" scale that I thought Id love to death, but is not the case. I tried a few short scale Byrds along the way with the thinner necks and just could not get on with them. Cant seem to bond with the longer scale either!!! Thanks. Bob

Bob, I just wonder if you are referring to the Byrdland from a couple of years ago I saw on You Tube
finished in a very nice Blue Colour, fitted with Staple style Alnico pickups?
I might be quite wrong , but I thought that you acquired it from Japan, where the YT video
originated.
Back to this latest Byrdland, I have had only a couple of days. It's a bit early for an in depth
opinion of it. But, I must say that for me the shorter scale length is perfectly manageable ,
the nut width is 1.11/16ths". The neck is a much better configuration than the early models
which as you are aware were too thin for comfortable playing . I reiterate that I am happy
with this guitar, having had a 1992 Es350T earlier. If you will remind me in a week or two I
will be able to give a more balanced opinion.

Alan

**Top of the Arch!** · 07-08-2016, 05:21 PM

Hi Alan, yes, thats the one with the Stapletop P90s. Its got the wider neck and pretty much the same size as my L5 , when I first got it it seemed perfect. The more I played it, the less comfortable I became with it. It sounds and plays great, just cant seem to bond with it I guess. Ill remind you in a few. Id really like to hear your thoughts after youve had it for a bit. Bob

**helios** · 07-08-2016, 08:32 PM

Congratulations Silver,
Scale-length controversy aside, I really liked my Epiphone Byrdland, and I have come to regret at times my decision to part with it go a few years ago. I had Lindy Fralin humbuckers in mine, and I liked the sound & play-ability. The real-deal Gibson can only be better! Jeff