fronobulax said:
I'm having trouble with your picture sizes but the shots of the neck joint definitely show finish flaws that are not present on my bass which suggests your neck may have been reset.
I don't think I have ever gotten a Fender sound out of my JS. Maybe I need to give it another chance, or play more Fenders ;-)
Frono- I didn't mean it is like a "signature Fender tone" like requiring a blindfold test, I just meant with the switch down it sounds a bit like Guild was going for that, like Guild's version of the Mustang. I don't know much about pickups but the Mustang has a "spilt single coil in humbucking position" whatever that means, basically a mini version of the P-bass. I'm not sure what happens on the JS-1 when the switch is "down" but it sounds alot more like a Mustang than the Guild in the "up" position (the sludgebucker), and basically cuts the volume/signal almost in half, at least on my bass. I think the flatwound strings add to that. I definitely did not expect that much variation in tone just from that "deep-hard" switch, working with just one pick-up. i though the bass just had the one traditional humbucker sound, but hitting that switch completely changes the sound-it is like night and day. Your bass might be different, but that's how mine is. I also think the type of amp you have makes a huge difference. One other thing about mine, and this may sound a little crazy-it sounds fantastic not plugged into any amp at all. possibly better than some acoustic basses when unplugged. maybe that is the flatwound strings and the vintage body, and short scale...but it sounds really cool unplugged.
My best guess on the history of this bass is that is was played some when it was new/close to new, and then kept in the case for a long, long, time-without de-tuning the strings, and so when it was re-discovered it probably needed a neck reset at that point or shortly after, just from sitting there in the case with tight strings all those years. It does not appear to have been played much at all. Also in that scenario if the steel strings were tight and just in the case for decades, they may have damaged/corroded the saddles a bit and so in cleaning them up, they maybe needed to be cut down to get rid of damaged portions of rosewood and then get the "valley" of each saddle precise enough for the corresponding string. That would definately require some modification. But thats just my guess, of course i'll never know on any of that...i just really like the bass.
I will try to fix the pictures later, but i'm not really questioning anything at this point. Happy with everything. I did not pay much more than what it would cost just to get a neck reset, and it has already been done. the bass is not a "closet classic/NOS" but its still pretty nice, and has been upkept/refurbished to a high standard, to the point that I should not have to have anything done for a long time. for being 40 years old i knew it had a history, figured it had been upkept/setup and didn't question it much when they told me at the store it looked and sounded pretty good, and they only had it for one year. They also said it was from the original owner's daughter. The neck on this bass is near perfect, and the body is excellent+ like in line with what you would expect from a new/floor model in a guitar store (aside from wear on the top edge). The back of the mahogany body is in amazing shape for it's age. the horns look new/near perfect, and the headstock is in that 9 out of 10 neighborhood as well. the signs of the neck reset and nut work/glue are there though...slight cosmetic blemishes and the fact the neck set is not original, and of course the modified saddles...that is what separates this bass from a true "closet find." But I could not be happier with it overall. Thank you all again for all the info.
and just a side note- I guess I like to compare the JS-1 to the Fender Mustang, just because it is another short-scale solid body bass that is out there, that only has one pick-up. Of course there is the Gibson EB-0 which is similar to the JS-1. So the Mustang bass just extends the subject that much further. also my gf has one, and it is the same year as the Guild I just bought. The 2 basses are not in the same zip code right now, but they should be soon so I will report back on that in all good time. will try to fix those pics later. cheers.
...pictures have been replaced with links on my previous post, thanks.
