Guild Basses

[dcookNH]

Hey all,

I play bass but I have never owned a Guild bass. I like the slimmer j-bass type necks but I also have a Music Man that is a little wider and I like that too. I just don't like baseball bat necks.

Does Guild have an offering that you all would recommend for playing hard rock, pop, and maybe even some funk? Could be current or an older model. thanks!

 

[James Hart]

I've never played one and thought it was a baseball bat. I've played Starfires, Pilots, and a couple B-302 over the years. I own a 6 year old import Starfire and it is pretty slim.

 

[Minnesota Flats]

I like the slimmer j-bass type necks but I also have a Music Man that is a little wider and I like that too.

I own a 6 year old import Starfire and it is pretty slim.

Just keep in mind that while a J-basses and Starfire basses share a 1.50" nut width:
A)-the Starfire has a short scale length, unlike a 34"-scale J-bass
B)-the Starfire has a narrower string spacing at the bridge saddles than the J-bass (17mm vs. 19mm)

That might work just fine for you, but it's something to be aware of.

I personally prefer it that way and do notice the difference if I pick up a bass whose specs are different.

 

[dcookNH]

Just keep in mind that while a J-basses and Starfire basses share a 1.50" nut width:
A)-the Starfire has a short scale length, unlike a 34"-scale J-bass
B)-the Starfire has a narrower string spacing at the bridge saddles than the J-bass (17mm vs. 19mm)

That might work just fine for you, but it's something to be aware of.

I personally prefer it that way and do notice the difference if I pick up a bass whose specs are different.

thx guys!

 

[James Hart]

I personally prefer it that way and do notice the difference if I pick up a bass whose specs are different.

besides the Starfire... ALL my basses are 34" scale with 19mm spacing at the bridge (and I play 4, 5, 6, and 7 string basses!).

I think a used Pilot might be the best option, but the Starfire suits that killer amp he just restored

 

[lungimsam]

Starfire II bisonic edition neck broom handle skinny all the way up the neck, unlike the Jazz that widens into a diving board by the time it hits the body. Get one with a neck pup.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

A Pilot is what you want!

 

[lungimsam]

How do pilots ergonomically feel compared to Jazz basses? Balance? Neck? If I played long scales I’d get one. They are reasonably priced these days for a USA made instrument and last I checked a nearby store had a few.

 

[beinhard]

How do pilots ergonomically feel compared to Jazz basses? Balance? Neck? If I played long scales I’d get one. They are reasonably priced these days for a USA made instrument and last I checked a nearby store had a few.

I have always liked Jazz basses, and have owned a few.
The last one was sold after I bought my first Pilot.

I now have three Pilots, and all share the same characteristics:
-perfect balance
-neck that feels good to me
-P/J pickup combination that provide all sound options I need
-low price

beinhard

 

[chazmo]

A Pilot is what you want!

Why did I know that was coming?!?! Grot, that's is just the awesomest Pilot collection ever.

 

[tildeslash]

Every bass player and guitar player that has ever touch one of my Pilots has said wow - this thing is great.
How are they this consistent after that many years.
I loaned him one two years ago and whenever I ask for it back he bribes me with something so he can keep playing it.
Pilots are the best bang for the buck, premium woods and hardware and made in the USA.

 

[Harp Tail]

I've owned a fair amount of basses (still do) but never anything hyper fancy nor vintage.

The Starfire II caught my eye as soon as I saw one, and truly Guild hit the target (on first attempt) by coming up with one of the scant dozen bass models whose tone left a mark in the history in the instrument.
I had dwelled over DeArmond SF basses more than one time, and when the Guild NST SF-II Bi-Sonic came out, I knew I'd been wise by not buying one.

Having no personal experience of vintage Bi-Sonics nor boutique replicas, I find the sound of these Booheung made "lookalikes" very much to my liking. They truly possess a woodsy airy quality that's a far cry from the Gibson "Mudbucker"
Perhaps it's the AlNiCo II, which seemingly is less punchy than AlNiCo V, but I'd rather not get into hair splitting, since there are many who do it better than me. With the exception of high gain contexts, I'd say the Starfire would be comfortable with just about any other genre, and with much style.

It's loud enough unplugged to quickly become your favorite nighttime bedroom bass, and as always with Guild, they do sound pretty great even unplugged. The neck isn't chunky, and its grip seems to have just the right proportions.
The only (relative) bummer is its gorgeous headstock. As much as I love the refined yet sober esthetics, it's too damn large.
The bass itself isn't heavy at all, but that kite at the other end of the neck, when standing, tires my left wrist (which isn't 100%, I admit) a bit more than other basses. I've read that some JS basses have considerable nose diving tendencies (and I guess the others don't because they are heavy as anvils).

PS - when ready to shop, look up AllUsedGuitars on Ebay. They've been having nice deals on open box Guilds for long.

 

[lungimsam]

The bass itself isn't heavy at all, but that kite at the other end of the neck, when standing, tires my left wrist (which isn't 100%, I admit) a bit more than other basses.

Just for reference: You can fix that with a suede backed strap like a Levy's padded 3" strap and replacing the tuners with Hipshot Ultralite tuners.

 

[Nuuska]

Just for reference: You can fix that with a suede backed strap like a Levy's padded 3" strap and replacing the tuners with Hipshot Ultralite tuners.

OR - if total weight is not a problem - add suitable weight at bottom end of the strap.

 

[Harp Tail]

with a suede backed strap

add suitable weight at bottom end

Those are well known "remedies" but thanks anyhow.

 

[lungimsam]

Try the Ultralights. Hipshot will give you a discounted price if you ask them to do better.

 

[Harp Tail]

Try the Ultralights. Hipshot will give you a discounted price if you ask them to do better.

If I had a Pilot, perhaps, but I just can't come to terms with the look of those on a Starfire... and their compact size will make that headstock look like a delta wing instead of a kite...

 

[twocorgis]

A Pilot is what you want!

What Kurt said! I love the neck profile on Pilot basses, and just about everything else about them, too.

 

[twocorgis]

Try the Ultralights. Hipshot will give you a discounted price if you ask them to do better.

Better yet, buy the "licensed" ones. I have both USA and the licensed ones, and honestly can't tell the difference. Got the set for my tractor build for $67 all in off of eBay.

 

[ronp]

That's sweet, @ronp . Did it come with that signature on the TRC? What signature is it? Just curious. I wasn't aware of this model until you posted. If you have one, could you post a picture of the label?

It comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Chris Hillman.....