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Average Price: $2,160

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$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar is a striking blend of retro flair and modern playability, perfect for musicians who appreciate both style and substance. Initially introduced in the 1960s, the Thunderbird's iconic asymmetric body design and unique headstock shape set it apart in any lineup. Whether you're strumming power chords or executing intricate solos, the Thunderbird delivers a smooth and resonant sound. Its dual LB-1 humbucking pickups are a standout feature, offering a range of tones from warm and mellow to bright and biting, adaptable to any genre.

This solid body electric guitar is constructed with a mahogany body and neck, ensuring durability and a rich tonal quality. The rosewood fingerboard adds a touch of elegance and enhances playability, making it comfortable for both beginners and seasoned players. The guitar's set-neck construction contributes to its exceptional sustain and resonance, while the adjustable bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide stable tuning and easy adjustments. The S-200 Thunderbird is not just an instrument; it's a statement piece that connects the past with the present in a truly unique way.

Key Features:

  • Iconic asymmetric body design
  • Dual LB-1 humbucking pickups for versatile sound
  • Mahogany body and neck for durability and rich tone
  • Rosewood fingerboard for enhanced playability
  • Set-neck construction for increased sustain
  • Adjustable bridge and stopbar tailpiece for stable tuning

Product specs

Brand Guild
Model S-200 Thunderbird
Finish Red, Sunburst
Year 1963 - 1966
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Brown, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Guild S-200 Thunderbird have?

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird features a dual single-coil pickup configuration, providing a bright and articulate sound that is well-suited for various music genres, including rock and blues.

Is the Guild S-200 Thunderbird suitable for beginners?

While the Guild S-200 Thunderbird is a quality instrument with vintage appeal, its unique features and historical significance may be better appreciated by intermediate to advanced players who can fully utilize its capabilities.

What is the scale length of the Guild S-200 Thunderbird?

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird has a scale length of 24 3/4 inches, which contributes to a slightly warmer tone and easier playability, especially for players with smaller hands.

Does the Guild S-200 Thunderbird come with a tremolo system?

Yes, the Guild S-200 Thunderbird is equipped with a tremolo tailpiece, allowing players to add vibrato effects to their playing, enhancing musical expression.

What is the neck profile of the Guild S-200 Thunderbird?

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird features a set-neck construction with a comfortable and accessible neck profile, making it suitable for various playing styles and techniques.

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Review Demo - Guild S-200 T-Bird

Video thumbnail for Review Demo - Guild S-200 T-Bird by Premier Guitar

Review Demo - Guild S-200 T-Bird

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Guild S-200 T-Bird Demo by R.J. Ronquillo by Guild Guitars

Guild S-200 T-Bird Demo by R.J. Ronquillo

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guild S-200 T-Bird Demo by Trevor Menear by Guild Guitars

Guild S-200 T-Bird Demo by Trevor Menear

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guild S-200 T-Bird Reissue | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Guild S-200 T-Bird Reissue | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Guild S-200 T-Bird Demo & Review by Alamo Music Center

Guild S-200 T-Bird Demo & Review

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for SNAMM '16 - Guild Jumbo Junior, S-200 T-Bird, & Bluesbird Demos by Premier Guitar

SNAMM '16 - Guild Jumbo Junior, S-200 T-Bird, & Bluesbird Demos

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar.

Comparisons

  • Described as a cross between a Fender Jazzmaster and a Gibson SG, offering electronics akin to a Jazzmaster but with hotter pickups.

    Source
  • Compared to the Gretsch Billy Bo model for its unconventional shape, highlighting the Thunderbird's unique aesthetic appeal.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners recommend replacing the bridge with one featuring roller saddles to accommodate varying pick attacks.

    Source

User experience

  • No reports of neck dive issues, contributing to positive ergonomic feedback.

    Source
  • Some players dislike the Gibson-style string pull on the D and G strings, preferring a 6-to-one-side headstock configuration.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A user swapped the neck pickup for a GFS gold foil, enhancing tonal versatility.

    Source
  • Owners express interest in a regular TOM bridge to facilitate adding a Les Trem system.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Challenging to perform on-the-fly electronic switching without practice due to complex control layout.

    Source

Build quality

  • Older versions feature a built-in stand; newer models like those from 2018 do not include this feature.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Praised for versatility, suitable for both country and shoegaze genres, appealing to those seeking diverse sonic capabilities.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Guild S-200 T-Bird Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird is a nostalgic nod to the '60s with its unique design and sonic versatility. Praised for its expansive tone palette and striking looks, it captivates those who appreciate vintage style. However, its quirky body shape can challenge playability, especially when seated. Some may find the pickups lacking sparkle, making it less appealing for direct amp users, but a boon for pedal enthusiasts. While not for minimalists, the T-Bird's myriad of switches and sound-shaping abilities offer a playground for creative players. Overall, it's an affordable, stylish option for those seeking something distinctive.

positive

Guild S-200 T-Bird review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar is a versatile instrument that blends retro aesthetics with modern playability. With its unique mahogany body and Guild LB-1 pickups, it offers a range of tones from clean sparkle to gritty overdrive, making it suitable for various genres. The slim 60s neck profile enhances playability, and the guitar's construction quality is lauded. While the review notes few drawbacks, it emphasizes the guitar's ability to transcend its quirky appearance, suggesting it's a great choice for players looking beyond conventional options. A well-crafted, affordable reissue that stands out in the rock guitar market.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 9 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dan Auerbach uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Dan Auerbach

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Black Keys

...
Verified via Photo

"This is the one that is his current favorite. It's a '64 Guild Thunderbird. It has a Bo-Diddley look to it. You don't see too many people through the history of rock-n-roll guitars playing this model for some reason. And I don't know why because it's awesome. It's got an amazing headstock shape. It's just not symmetrical. And I don't believe it's on any other Guild model either. I did have to do some work to it, but it's largely original. Of course, I did a setup, I did some fret work, I carved the saddles a few notches and other stuff to fine tune it. This bridge pickup didn't work so we had to have some coils made for it. Dan bought this shortly before we did Saturday Night Live last December. In fact, very shortly. He came in and said 'I need this guitar to work,' and it was a bit of a project. You would see this bridge and tremolo arrangement on a Hagstrom from the mid to late 60s too. I'm not sure who made them, maybe Burns or something like that. It's a great tremolo; it stays in tune great. Dan uses the tremolo a lot but he uses it gently, or fast but still gentle. He never tries to get crazy with it. The most amazing weird feature is that it has a stand built right into the back. It has a magnet too to keep it from coming up, but it doesn't work that great. We don't use that because I have a fancier stand that holds the set of guitars," says Dan Auerbach's guitar tech about the Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar.

See how Mike Campbell uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via reverb.com
Color/Finish: Sunburst Year: 1960s

Listed for sale on Reverb.com on July 21, 2021.

This Guild Thunderbird is owned by Mike Campbell

Serial: 38785 There are general scuffs, scratches and dents throughout the guitar. There is some buckle rash on the back. The headstock veneer is separating from the headstock. The pickups sounds great. This also has the super cool built in kickstand. The knobs have been replaced to these new glow-in-the-dark ones.

All items in The Official Mike Campbell Reverb Shop ship fully insured with delivery confirmation and a signed and embossed Certificate Of Authenticity from Mike.

See how Muddy Waters uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Muddy Waters

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In 2:17, at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in '68, Muddy can be seen using this type of guitar.

See how Dallas Green uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Dallas Green

Singer, Guitarist

Alexisonfire

...
Verified via YouTube

Dallas Green used a Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar from 2013 to 2015, as seen in a performance captured by Paste Magazine on March 15, 2013, at Stage On Sixth.

See how Chad Hugo uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Chad Hugo

Singer, Keyboardist

The Neptunes

...
Verified via Photo

In the image available on Equipboard, Chad Hugo is seen playing a Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar.

See how Tito Fuentes uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Tito Fuentes

Singer, Guitarist

Molotov

...
Verified via Equiposviolasypedales

In this article There's a picture of Tito Playing the Thunderbird in some Festival. He uses it on the studio too.

See how Nicholaus Arson uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Nicholaus Arson

Guitarist

The Hives

...
Verified via YouTube

In this performance of 'Come on', Arson is playing a Guild Thunderbird in white. You can clearly see it at 0:37.

See how Jorma Kaukonen uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Jorma Kaukonen

Guitarist, Singer

Jefferson Airplane

...
Verified via Photo

https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Jefferson_Airplane_and_the_Psychedelic_1960s

what I was using on Surrealistic Pillow is a Guild Thunderbird. Yeah, a Guild Thunderbird

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DujhH14XgAApoat.jpg

In the image captured during Takes Off session Jorma can be seen playing a Guild Thunderbird.

These two are probably two different guitars of the same model, see the headstocks.

In his autobiography "Been So Long: My Life and Music" he says: "I realized that my beautiful old L-5 was inadequate for rock and roll, so I sold it for $250 and bought a Guild T-Bird...We had seen the Lovin' Spoonful at some bar in North Beach earlier, and Zal Yanovsky was playing a Guild Thunderbird. He was a great guitar player so of course I checked out his gear. The T-Bird was one of the most different-looking guitars I had ever seen. It was a solid-body guitar with a shape like Mr. Tooth Decay. I had to have one ... and I got one. This was the six-string guitar I used on the Takes Off, as well as the Rickenbacker twelve-string...I also bought a Standel Super Imperial because Zal was playing through one...it's the gear I used for the solos on "Somebody to Love" as well as "White Rabbit". It worked out OK for me...Around the time of Pillow I was transitioning from the Guild Thunderbird guitar and the Standel amp to the Gibson and two Fender Twin Reverbs, but I was still waffling between two setups. The solos on "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love" were done with the Thunderbird and the Standel (minus the horns [he had added an upholstered box from Kustom with two high-frequency horns]). Saturating the sound with spring reverb was the deal. The other tracks were done with the Twins and the ES-345 Stereo.

https://books.google.by/books?id=TntJDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=ru#v=onepage&q&f=false

See how Chad Ubovich uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Chad Ubovich

Guitarist, Bassist

Fuzz

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Youtube Video since 0:15, Chad Ubovich can be seen using the Guild S-200 Thunderbird Guitar. Judging by the natural refin it may be a 60s version. He has been using this guitar since the album “Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom”.

See how Ian Saint Pé uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Ian Saint Pé

Guitarist

Black Lips

...
Verified via Photo

Ian is using a Guild S-200 Thunderbird in this picture.

See how Fred Cole uses Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar

Fred Cole

Guitarist, Composer

Dead Moon

...
Verified via Photo

This picture shows Fred Cole playing a Guild S-200 Thunderbird.

P

Peter Lewis

Composer

Moby Grape

...
Verified via YouTube

Used at Monterey Pop Festival.

Album Usage

The Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:

2 alternative and related items for Guild S-200 Thunderbird Electric Guitar, curated by the Equipboard community.

PureSalem Tom Cat

 

newer cheaper alternative

The PureSalem Tom Cat is a more modern take on the now-very limited and expensive vintage Guild Thunderbird.

Guild Thunderbird S-200 Reissue

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newer similar sound cheaper alternative

The modern day reissue version of the Guild Thunderbird is a faithful recreation of the original, with improved tuning stability and modern build quality.

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