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.