B-50 acoustic bass, or a new B-240?

[maxr]

I'm thinking of picking up bass guitar again, but acoustic this time - I mostly play with UK folk bands. I was considering a new Guild B-240 acoustic bass (jumbo guitar size with an arched back) but I'm also aware of an old B-50 for sale. Any views please? Thanks, Max

 

[mellowgerman]

I'm thinking of picking up bass guitar again, but acoustic this time - I mostly play with UK folk bands. I was considering a new Guild B-240 acoustic bass (jumbo guitar size with an arched back) but I'm also aware of an old B-50 for sale. Any views please? Thanks, Max

As somebody who owned a B-240e in the past and currently owns an American-made 1992 B-30e (the successor of the B-50), I say go for the B-50 if you can afford it (and if you can fully inspect it for structural issues).
The USA Guild basses are truly pro-level, finely crafted instruments. They project far better in 100% acoustic settings and also sound better plugged in -- at least the latter bit holds true for my 1992 specimen, which may have a different pickup/preamp than the B-50 you have a shot at.

That said, if budget is tight, the B-240e is a great little acoustic bass for the money. Acoustically it's plenty loud for practicing at home or playing with maybe one guitarists who has a light touch. Beyond that though, it may well get lost in the mix. Don't let the size of the face of the body fool you, it seems the most important factor for volume and projection of an acoustic bass is the depth, front-to-back. Plugged in, I thought the tone was pretty nice once I got a set of D'Addario tapewounds on it. That said, I wanted a bass for acoustic jams, so I ended up selling it and eventually buying the B-30e. I don't intend to let that one go unless I'm hit with unexpected financial hardship or if someday my hands stop cooperating.

 

[fronobulax]

I have a B50. I would not consider a B-240 an upgrade But it is a lot of instrument and you have to be willing to make compromises in ergonomics. Where it excels is in a setting where there are no amps and no drummers (although a percussionist with taste and a light touch could be accommodated) and you want to be heard. It's all about projection.

If you are going to use amps then it comes down to your preference and budget. The B50 is just one of several choices if you want to sound like an acoustic instrument, only louder.

 

[maxr]

Thanks for your input guys. I think by the sound of it a B-240 might do what I need. There are a couple of old threads here about the B50 which generally agree it's about the best unamplified acoustic bass guitar sound there is, but they also suggest some instruments had structural problems with the neck and/or the top and bridge, which sounds expensive in an old and large instrument. Then there's the thought of lugging a B50 in a hard case round to a bar session. I have a Guild JF30-12 jumbo 12 string in its original hard case, and that's more than heavy enough. I've just noticed that the B50 that's for sale here in UK looks like it's has a 1/4" bridge saddle installed by routing a slot across the bridge, North of the left hand partial saddle but over the right hand one. As I just want an instrument to play rather collect and possibly restore, maybe this one's not for me

 

[mellowgerman]

Yeah, if you just want a sturdy, comfortable acoustic bass for gigging, I really don't think you can go wrong with the B-240e. As mentioned, the plugged in sound was definitely usable and I thought the D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewound strings got the best, natural bass tone out of it (both plugged and unplugged). Looking forward to hearing how you like it!

 

[maxr]

Thanks Mellowgerman - I think I can also part exchange a Guild F-2512E 12 string I don't use (I now have a JF30-12) against a new B-240E. I've seen a number of comments about nylon tapewound strings sounding better on acoustic basses than the round wounds they usually come with, so I might well try those.

 

[amkaplan]

Re: lugging around a B-50 - I just saw these resourceful mods a couple of weeks ago.

Cheers,

Allan

 

[mellowgerman]

Ha! Love it. Luckily mine is mostly just for at-home patio jams, so I dont think this will be necessary for me, but a great idea for anyone gigging with one of these!