Ok. What Guild bass should I consider?

[Westerly Wood]

I been only acoustic for decades. I dabbled in electric guitar when I was younger and in bands, but I have graduated to the bass.

help.

 

[fronobulax]

Much love for Starfire basses, even Newark Street ones. Pilots tend to be the sleeper - often underrated by the market. Long scale which might make a difference coming from guitar.

 

[lungimsam]

Get a Starfire II (the one with Bisonics). Not a Starfire I (with bisonic) unless it has a neck positioned Bisonic. For a more economical selection, the new split pickup Starfires sound really good in videos I have seen.

 

[fronobulax]

lungimsam and I disagree on much.

If you are looking at new Newark Starfires your choices are a Starfire I in the "new" configuration with a different bridge/tail piece, P pass PU or a Starfire II. A new Starfire I would be cheaper. We don't have a lot of experience with unmodified versions but everyone here thinks they are worth investigating. You could be the pioneer.

I don't think you could go wrong with a new Starfire II. Your budget will determine which one you get.

If you go used you should be able to get an old style Newark Street Starfire I priced between the new SF I and new SF II. I have no problems with the PU location but that is a point of disagreement. That is somewhat moot since you have to go vintage to get a neck position Starfire I and at those prices you could get one of each of the Newark Street models for the same price.

There are DeArmond Pilots and Starfires which will get you close for less money.

 

[secndshft]

The JS-II models are pretty sweet as well. I don’t play mine all that often, and sometimes think I should move it on, buts seriously fun.

 

[hieronymous]

@Westerly Wood, you have the Epi right? If you like that, then I think a Starfire, JS, of M-85 would be a good fit and a step up - they are all similar scale length. Before investing in a Pilot, you might want to experiment with a cheap Squier or something to make sure long scale is agreeable.

 

[mavuser]

Guild JS-1, Gibson EB-0, or Fender Mustang

 

[EWH]

 

[krysh]

Well, first of all what style and what music do you want to play? The „oldschool“ starfires are great, but not for every style, as well as the jetstars, but you will need a good rig to get good resulta too. A pilot will fit in every style but has a 34‘‘ scale, but you can get them used for small money and it will take you a long way…

 

[Nuuska]

But as I understand it - Woody don't like big guitars - so bass might be problematic in size.

 

[fronobulax]

Christmas has been tough for me and I will express my frustration with people who answer the question "Which Guild?" with a non-Guild. Just me being cranky ;-)

If the OP really wants a targeted answer we probably need to know:

• Budget - at least whether under $1,000, under $2,000 or "unlimited"
• Preference for new or used, if any.
• Patience - something that could be there next week or is searching waiting for the right one all right?
• Music style and genre preferences.

My goal is to see the OP post a WTB post before the end of the year.

 

[mavuser]

Sorry Frono, I just think those 3 are great for someone that primarily plays guitar. It is not so easy to find something nice anymore, especially in a "players" budget. I would actually even add an epiphone EB-O to my list also if the budget is closer to entry level. but hopefully/maybe he can get lucky and find a sweet deal on a JS! they are out there

 

[krysh]

Sorry Frono, I just think those 3 are great for someone that primarily plays guitar. It is not so easy to find something nice anymore, especially in a "players" budget. I would actually even add an epiphone EB-O to my list also if the budget is closer to entry level. but hopefully/maybe he can get lucky and find a sweet deal on a JS! they are out there

well, bass is a different instrument than guitar, technically and physically. Shortscales sound different and are not suitable for every style compared to regular Longscale (34") Basses, so they are not necessarily the best choice for guitarists who want to play bass as a bassplayer and not as a guitarist.

 

[zulu]

If you're doing any slap bass, you can't slap a Starfire - well, I can't slap my Starfire. At all. I've always wondered, can anyone here slap a Starfire? How are the Pilots and other models for slapping? JS basses look slappable.

 

[krysh]

they are fantastic for slap AND pop.

 

[zulu]

they are fantastic for slap AND pop.

you're speaking of Pilot basses, right?

 

[Westerly Wood]

Christmas has been tough for me and I will express my frustration with people who answer the question "Which Guild?" with a non-Guild. Just me being cranky ;-)

If the OP really wants a targeted answer we probably need to know:

• Budget - at least whether under $1,000, under $2,000 or "unlimited"
• Preference for new or used, if any.
• Patience - something that could be there next week or is searching waiting for the right one all right?
• Music style and genre preferences.

My goal is to see the OP post a WTB post before the end of the year.

I understand. I recently did a similar post on beer advocate forum and some other old cranky dude said i should just ask the people at walmart.

i got to say i was not that offended either since his comment was so freakin hilarious.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I'd suggest one of these:

 

[mgod]

Whatever you can afford and play well.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I'd suggest one of these:

those look amazing Grot!
and thanks everyone for chiming in, even if you were a tad annoyed at my post. Just cause I will never understand that does not mean your feelings are not valid.

lol