I am intrigued by these since they are 23 1/2 scale--- a full inch shorter than Gretsch. Would like to try one -- Like the look of the sharp cutaway ones, but they're all 5K and up, plus Ted Nugent owns most of them :-)
25 1/2 =standard Fender 24 1/2 = standard Gretsch.. Gibson a tiny bit more 24" = shorter Fender, Mustang, Jaguar(?) 23 1/2 =Byrdland 22 1/2 =3/4 size, Musicmaster, DuoSonic
Yo Birdman, I've got a natural Epiphone Elitist Byrdland that I love. The scale took a while to get used to, but I've got pretty small hands and I've really dig it now that I've had it for a while. The one real drawback is that the shorter scale really does limit upper fret access. It was tricky to even do 12th fret E stuff, but I barley notice now. If you can't find a vintage (or new) Gibson, or don't want to because of the price, check out the Epiphones. They're discontinued, but pop up on eBay once in a while. Made in the same room as pro-line Gretsch...
My plan is to drop some P90s in there eventually, but the humbuckers sound pretty good.
I have one...with Venetian cutaway.
Blonde, 1976, something below Near Mint above Extremely Fine condition.
Great guitar. Very finely made in Kalamazoo back in the "nomadic" years. The wood selection could be more dramatic, but, very nice just the same.
I bought it from "The Roots of Rock Collection" in Toronto, ... all proceeds going to childhood cancer research.
The short scale allows different positions to be held. If you read piano music, or follow those types of runs, it makes sense.
The narrow maple body with spruce top has a tremendous "boom" and decay. The frets are low like a Les Paul, but much wider.
It rocks great, does the soft stuff, jazz...all around fun guitar, always a pleasure to play. String spacing is tight, but you get used to it.
I always liked them even though I've got big hands (10.5" span)
Very nice guitars.
10.5"?! That's crazy. Mine can't be more than 7" or 8." It's a bummer 'cause I'd like to be able to drape my thumb over the top, but it's pretty tricky.
I played one up against a L5-CES. I wanted a Byrdland for as long as I can remember. The L5CES won the shootout. I was bummed. The L5 just sounded better. Maybe it was the scale? Both of them are similar construction.
I had a '62 sharp cut. Didn't like it mostly because of the short scale. It seemed hard to play (to be so expensive) and the tone was very "thin." I have (or had) an 80's MIJ Squier Strat, Epi ES-295, '58 ES-225TDC, '56 Duo-Jet, '99 6120-60 and '04 6121--ALL easier to play and better sounding than the BL.
TAG4
does anyone make clones of em now?
Yes, I've played a number of Byrdlands and they are really fine guitars. I have a good friend in Nashville who owns a sunburst with florentine cutaway version that was ordered from Gibson with P90s and it is the best Byrdland I've ever played. My friend is the second owner who purchased it from the original owner who ordered it that way.
The 23.5" scale takes a little getting used to but once that is mastered you can grab some really elaborate chords with ease.
I just measured my finger span at 9.5".
lol
how do you measure your finger span? I have five of those things...
I'm guessing "finger span" is measured from the tip of the thumb across to the tip of the pinky with fingers spread apart as far as they can. I measured mine at 7 3/4"... I have the hands of a gerbil
Oh yeah, the only 23.5" scale guitar I ever played was a Ric 325. I actually felt like I had real man hands. Seriously, I think what might prove to be more of a problem on a Byrdland could be the extra narrow nut width which makes it harder to cleanly finger chords. Interestingly, it is actually harder for me to cleanly fret chords in the 1st position with a narrow nut width as my fingers are too short to arch up over the narrow string spacing.
in that case my fingers are 8.25"
I played a epi elite version last month that was a really nice guitar. The guy wanted 2,500 bucks for it. He had lost the pickguard and changed the tuners but was telling me it was new 'cause he owned the shop. He had gigged it for years but it didn't count cause he considered it a demo. funny stuff.
but the scale thing. I just got rid of a really nice guitar cause the scale seemed too short compared to the gretsches. I ain't givin up the gretsches.
i really like the feel of gretsch's necks as well. So comfy
Played one long, long ago. Belonged to a guy I worked for. It was an early '60s model in natural. Great guitar.
The one I really wanted was in a little shop in Mesa, Arizona. The guy had two Gibsons from the 50s. One was an ES-5 with three P90s and the other was a Byrdland with two vintage alnicos, the staple pickups. They were both sunbursts and they were both absolutely gorgeous. He hadn't been open long and I think he was selling his personal guitars.
>>>" I think what might prove to be more of a problem on a Byrdland could be the extra narrow nut width"
Here on Earth, Byrdlands have had a normal 1 11/16" nut width for a long time.
Yes, many people find a narrow nut width cramped, and the Byrdland was designed with a 1 10/16" nut.
But most Byrdlands that you'd find for sale (all new ones, and most used ones) have a 1 11/16" nut.
The short-lived Epi Elite Byrdland ('03 to '08) has a 1 11/16", as do all new Gibson Byrdlands.
The Epi went for a MAP of ~1,999, and was blown out by CG (in all its names) for something like $1,699 in late '08. Current going rate for the many minty ones out there is $1,600 to $1,950 or so. A bargain if you want a Terada-built Byrdland.
I own a 79 Byrdland, I bought it for the short scale hoping it would help me get some of those fist full Travis chords. Its a nice guitar but not without some problems. I find the low E easy to roll of the finger board with regular strings, Its now strung with 11 chromes that helps, but keeping the thing in tune is a battle. I dont like Gibson Humbuckers much either, P90s would be great or maybe coil tapped humbuckers would improve things. I think its a guitar you need to play all the time as it takes a while to adjust. Also you can always capo your larger scale guitar at the 2nd fret and detune a tone for tricky pieces.
Thanx 4 the comments -- I had never thought of finger span... I am 9". At this point I just find full Fender scale too big. I guess 24 1/2 is about right -- neck width is an issue. As much as I like the sound of Rick 12 strings, I sure have probs playing one -- neck is awful narrow.
I guess the Byrdland is a unique scale, and just takes some getting used to --
Wango Tango!!
I started a thread on here to find guitars with chunky necks. Long story short i found one. I have to be sitting down to do any full chords with it because its a little harder to play. Power chords are easier but I have since come to accept my small hands 
Must be nice to proclaim...I'm 9"...and, for once, not be lying.
hahahahaha
I have an Epiphone Elitist Byrdland with the blonde finish. It is a very fine guitar.
I have a friend and neighbor who owns 4 Gibson Byrdlands including one of the original 4 prototypes. All of these inclding my Epi had 1 11/16ths nut widths.
We recently compared them, all different, all nice. The Epiphone was by far the best for workmanship, fit and finish. Very close in tone and playability but with its own charm.
I would not sell mine, though I could make a cool grand profit.
My hand spread is 10" and the scale is just fine. It is just a matter of adaptability as I go from 25.4 to 24.9 to 24.6 to the 23.5 on the Byrdland with no trouble ( I'd mention I also play banjo with 26 and an 1/8th but would not want to alienate myself)
Byrdland players include Nugent who has over 2 dozen of them to Russell Malone to Roy Clark (who played live and recorded with his ) Anthony Wilson with Diana Krall's group.. he can be seen playing his on Diana Krall in Paris 2000.. available on netflix.. outstanding.. Also BB King's backup guitarist plays one given to him by BB and there are many others.
The Gibson discussion group had a very long running thread on the Byrdland and included mnay photos and links.. this was last year sometime.. worth a look.
Thumbs up to the Byrdland and particularly the Epiphone Elitist made in the Terada shop. The Gibson at $8K is not the value the Epi is and not the quality of materials or construction.
Get the Byrd. They are beautiful, and downright fun to play. Also distinctive and a fine complement to my Pearl Jet.
I have a '57, with Alnico V pickups, and I absolutely love it. It sounds great, it's very easy to play, and you don't want to stop playing it... mostly because after playing that scale length, a normal guitar feels like a beast! Anyway, I approve this Byrdland message.
