"Despite its small-scaled design and slender neck, the Gibson Byrdland – debuted in 1955 – is praised for its exceptional sound quality in jazz music sessions, making it a favored choice for archtop guitarists."
Light & Easy: The Gibson Byrdland's Revolutionary Design
The Gibson Byrdland, a trailblazing adjustment to the traditional archtop guitar market, was birthed in 1955, courtesy of a collaboration between Gibson and two Nashville studio players - Billy Byrd and Hank Garland. These innovative minds dreamed up a compact, comfortable guitar design that would cater specifically to archtop players without losing the characteristic feel.
And boy, did they deliver! The Byrdland design debuted at the 1955 NAMM Show alongside the ES-350T and ES-225 thinline archtops. This newcomer sports a thinner body, more akin to a L-5 guitar, with a shorter 23.5" scale length that facilitates ease when stretching chords.
The artistic inclusions, like the 'flowerpot' headstock logo and extra layers of binding on the fingerboard, reflect the L-5 model's specs. Interestingly, the end of the fretboard sports a distinctive point and gold hardware, while the multi-layer pickguard binding is lovingly adorned with seven layers of binding around the front of the body and three around the back.
The neck itself is crafted from two-piece maple with a walnut center strip, and dressed with an ebony fretboard and stinger on the back of the headstock. The flamed body sides show off their beauty, with the back boasting bird's eye figuring, a cheeky visual pun on its name.
These early backs were carved from perfectly bookmatched maple blanks, with the join neatly aligning with the neck's center strip. The 2 1⁄4-inch body depth remained consistent even after a later switch to laminated maple construction, with carved spruce tops always gracing the Byrdland. Reputedly, the label inside this example bears an 'A25' serial number, correlating to production in April of 1957.
Gibson outfitted the Byrdland with Kluson Sealfast tuners, often considered the crème de la crème of tuning devices for their unparalleled precision. Unlike regular Klusons, the Sealfasts allow for slight detuning without dragging your strings back up to pitch.
Worth noting is that celluloid pickguards may succumb to off-gassing, causing disintegration if left in a case indefinitely. These woody folk appreciate fresh air and a touch of humidity to maintain their health.
The Byrdland's musical apparatus differs from other archtops like the ES-175 due to the narrowed screw spacing of the modified humbuckers. While the Alnico V pickups are sometimes labeled 'staples' or (inaccurately) 'staple P-90s', they boast Bakelite dog-ear covers and spacers beneath both pickups on this exquisite Gibson stallion. Variations in the configuration of the polepieces provide a unique angle-adjustment and sound optimization feature.
Speculation suggests that Seth Lover may have been tasked with designing the Alnico V pickup, as Les Paul himself began replacing P-90s in Goldtop neck positions with them. There are even a handful of Goldtop prototypes with Alnico Vs in the factory!
The Alnico V Byrdlands easily win acclaim for their versatile sound that takes center stage in jazz performances. This incredible treasure from Gibson is 100% original and untouched, boasting impeccable playability and a uniformly golden haze finish that speaks to its history.
Crafted from the pages of Guitarist magazine. Subscribe and stay tuned to the latest in guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews and more.**
David Davidson, vintage guitar virtuoso and owner of Well Strung Guitars*, shares his expertise on this fascinating specimen.
- The Byrdland design, introduced by Gibson in 1955, features a thinner body, similar to a L-5 guitar, and a shorter scale length, making it more comfortable for archtop players while maintaining the characteristic feel.
- Gibson equipped the Byrdland with Alnico V pickups, the innovative design of which may have been overseen by Seth Lover, and these pickups are often labeled 'staples' or (incorrectly) 'staple P-90s'.
- Epiphone, known for their guitars, may have interested music enthusiasts, perhaps seeking a more affordable alternative to the original Byrdland by Gibson.
- As with Gibson guitars, the quality amplifier chosen for the Byrdland's entertainment can significantly enhance the versatile sound it produces, especially when showcasing its abilities in jazz music performances.
