1974 bird

[moej45]

Guys..I see a 1974 bird on craigslist near me...1200. Seems like an insane price...anything wrong with that year?

[drathbun]

When in the 70's did Gibson start bracing the tops with 2x4's? I know they were crap by '77 when I bought my Hummingbird.

[BigKahune]

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Norlin era . . . . Norlin era acoustics are not known for great tone or collectability. As Drathbun indicated, they built them on the heavy side to reduce warranty costs. OTOH, that doesn't mean there aren't any good ones to be found. Definitely have a look and play it before making a deal.

 

 

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[j45nick]

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Norlin era . . . . Norlin era acoustics are not known for great tone or collectability. As Drathbun indicated, they built them on the heavy side to reduce warranty costs. OTOH, that doesn't mean there aren't any good ones to be found. Definitely have a look and play it before making a deal.

 

 

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Agree 100%. As a rule, I wouldn't buy a Norlin-era acoustic without playing it. Too much risk if getting a dud.

[Jinder]

Norlin-era Gibsons are the definitive 'Caveat Emptor' guitars, in my opinion.

 

I've played some fine, even terrific '70s Gibsons (a MK53 and a MK77 were two that thrilled the socks off me, very good examples of each though they may have been) but also some that sounded like someone had left a wet bedsheet in them in 1978 and have never removed it. A 1973 Southern Jumbo I played was just horrendous, so overbuilt it was almost silent.

 

The only thing to do is visit the 'Bird and try it out. If it speaks to you, jump on the deal. If it doesn't, jump on the guitar repeatedly and put the poor thing out of its misery.

[j45nick]

 

The only thing to do is visit the 'Bird and try it out. If it speaks to you, jump on the deal. If it doesn't, jump on the guitar repeatedly and put the poor thing out of its misery.

 

While that might be considered a "mercy killing", the seller might see it otherwise.

[jchabalk]

i agree with the rest.. if you've got time and it's easy check it out, otherwise WALK AWAY. i've got (read: am stuck with) a '76. I wish i'd followed my own advice

[DanvillRob]

I agree with almost everyone who's weighed in already.

 

70's era Gibsons can be fantastic instruments, or they can be dogs.

 

If you can play it and you like it, $1200 is dirt cheap.

 

If I could fit another guitar in my house, I'd consider a used 'Bird.

[jdd707]

I agree with the rest ....... except I can't see it being worth $1,200 ..... IF it was in great shape AND if it's tone was very good THEN perhaps $800. It is a Norlin era Gibson ... got one, been there, got the tee shirt, and learned my lesson well.