i have never seen a humbucker equipped JS bass without a deep-hard switch. If that exists i did not forget about it, just never knew. Just because it is in the catalog, does not mean it was ever actually sold that way. also the one from the catolog you posted is fretless, fwiw. Have you ever actually seen one with humbuckers and no DH switch? i think they added the switch because the humbucker was too hot. Also, the OP bass *does* have a deep-hard switch, so again it would appear to have definitely come stock with the humbuckers.
yes I was aware some have no switch at all when a Bisonic is involved (I own 2 of the example you posted w the mini hum).
there may a few early M-85s w humbuckers and no DH switch, but they probably have a master volume at least. and there are not many.
I get it. My reading comprehension and your occasional lack of clarity are a toxic combination.
You started with the deep/hard switch. You said (because it came with the switch) "that bass would have come originally with 2 Guild humbuckers".
I started with the owner's hypothesis that it came with a Bisonic. I then speculated on ways that could have happened. You then chime in with your comment implicitly
shifting the focus back to the switch while I am talking about the Bisonic. Chaos ensues.
We are back in agreement.
Every example of the JS we know of that has the deep/hard switch left the factory with humbuckers.
Every example we know without the deep/hard switch also lacked humbuckers. Specifically we know of the ~1970 with two Bisonics and with 1 Bisonic and a Hagstrom and the circa 1977 with B30x pickups and circuitry.
Just because it was listed in a catalog does not mean it was built.
Just because it was built and we have seen it does not mean it was ever in a catalog.
Occam's razor suggests it is more likely that this bass had the humbucker swapped out and then back in as compared to a post factory deep/hard installation.