The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Wilbur88 on November 22, 2013, 06:26:08 AM

Title: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on November 22, 2013, 06:26:08 AM
I have had GAS for a B302 for a while now, and have been keeping an eye out for one Stateside.  This one came a couple of weeks ago, and she finally arrived.  Fretless wasn't the plan, but the rare colour and condition sold me.  The seller said it was in great condition, but that was an understatement.  It is almost pristine, and has clearly worn flats forever, as the board is immaculate.

The case is hammered, which if original tells me the bass has been gigged heavily, but the owner(s) has really babied this bass.  It's gorgeous.

(http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab95/wilbur88/B302F_zpsfae9da16.jpeg)[/URL]

(http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab95/wilbur88/B302Ffretboard_zpsc129fc35.jpeg)[/URL]

(http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab95/wilbur88/B302Ffrontheadstock_zps50ea051d.jpg)[/URL]
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Chris P. on November 22, 2013, 06:38:50 AM
Wow, congratulations! I would have believed it if you told us it was a new reissue by Guild:)
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: godofthunder on November 22, 2013, 08:41:43 AM
Freetless, cool! Looks good in white.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: 4stringer77 on November 22, 2013, 08:55:00 AM
Nice axe! I have a natural B-301 and it kills with flats too. Closest bass I have to a Fender. Quirky basses in terms of balance and the bridge but worth it for the tone. Enjoy.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: gearHed289 on November 22, 2013, 09:23:58 AM
Wow, that's beautiful in white. Always been intrigued by those basses. Aesthetically, they remind me of a cross between a Ric and a Gibson. No idea what they sound like though.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: 4stringer77 on November 22, 2013, 09:49:32 AM
Best recorded example on youtube. You'll notice the pickups sensitivity to attack when he plucks directly over the pole pieces. The tone knob can accentuate this when full on and the bass can get very dubby when the tone is rolled off, quite a large sonic range.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knVdPKo6a6c
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Dave W on November 22, 2013, 12:19:16 PM
Beautiful bass.

Ali McMordie, the original bassist for Stiff Little Fingers, played a white (fretted) B-302 which can be seen in early SLF videos on YT. Unfortunately it's usually not heard well among all the other noise.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on November 22, 2013, 04:57:42 PM
Best recorded example on youtube. You'll notice the pickups sensitivity to attack when he plucks directly over the pole pieces. The tone knob can accentuate this when full on and the bass can get very dubby when the tone is rolled off, quite a large sonic range.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knVdPKo6a6c

I see what you mean.  The tonal range on the B302F is also good, and it sounds monstrous through a big rig.  I just need to get my intonation up to speed after almost 25 years of not playing a fretless!  :-\
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: hieronymous on November 22, 2013, 05:40:19 PM
That thing looks awesome! I'm partial to those fretless necks - I've got an early-'70s factory fretless M-85 II - neck looks like yours except yours is much spiffier! I think mine saw a lot of action in smoky bars - the white binding and chesterfield are very yellowed...

Question: what are the dot markers like on the side of the neck? Mine are where the fret would be, at 3-5-7-9-12-etc.

Also - maybe a stupid question, but isn't the B-302 long scale?
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: nofi on November 23, 2013, 07:10:52 AM
jean beauvoir played a white one with the plasmatics.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItekyXB9lg0

Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: ilan on November 23, 2013, 08:53:00 AM
Now I want one too  :)
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Dave W on November 23, 2013, 11:43:59 AM
Now I want one too  :)

The B-302 or Wendy O. Williams?
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: 4stringer77 on November 23, 2013, 01:34:13 PM
Wendy isn't available at the moment, to put it lightly, but there are plenty of great old Guild basses around! Yes Heironymous they are 34" scale. If you like the pickups but not the shape, the SB 201/202 (more of a precision bass shape) and the radical x-701/702 have the same electronics and hardware.
The single coils kind of have a Bi-Sonic sound to them with the tone full on. Similar to Jack Cassidy's tone on the first Hot Tuna album.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: hollowbody on November 23, 2013, 03:12:21 PM
That looks great in white! I had a 301-F a few years ago but couldn't deal with the dive combined with my poor intonation.

These pickups are my favorite single coils. I have one in the parts drawer waiting for the right instrument.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: ilan on November 24, 2013, 02:27:14 AM
They dive? (GAS leak)
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: chromium on November 24, 2013, 12:53:15 PM
Great looking bass- congrats!!
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: FlatEric on November 27, 2013, 12:36:50 PM
I have had GAS for a B302 for a while now, and have been keeping an eye out for one Stateside.  This one came a couple of weeks ago, and she finally arrived.  Fretless wasn't the plan, but the rare colour and condition sold me.  The seller said it was in great condition, but that was an understatement.  It is almost pristine, and has clearly worn flats forever, as the board is immaculate.

The case is hammered, which if original tells me the bass has been gigged heavily, but the owner(s) has really babied this bass.  It's gorgeous.

(http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab95/wilbur88/B302F_zpsfae9da16.jpeg)[/URL]

(http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab95/wilbur88/B302Ffretboard_zpsc129fc35.jpeg)[/URL]

(http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab95/wilbur88/B302Ffrontheadstock_zps50ea051d.jpg)[/URL]

WOW oh WOW oh WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not on here for ages, dropped in and saw this.

Where on earth did that come from???? :o
Mint, or what??

The total irony is, I have literaly (with in the last 30 minutes) agreed a deal
on my beautiful black 301F.
I have given myself a good talking to and decided that for someone who has
only played a fretless live, a handful of times, I need to come to terms with the
fact that I am OK but not talented.

I am, however, keeping my fretted 301.
The comment a few posts up, about it being a favourite pick-up, I would certainly
put it towards the top of the tree - what a great sound.

If this white 302 had frets. . . . . . Oh No - hold me back.

I agree about the 201 and 202 - more of the norm, in terms of shape.
I would just love to have a go on one.

All the best to all of you - I must visit more often.

Cheers. :)
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: 4stringer77 on November 27, 2013, 02:26:57 PM
Hey FlatEric good to hear from you.
The 301/ 302 shape is the coolest of the bunch IMO and they bring the hog' too.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on November 29, 2013, 08:05:43 PM
Hey FlatEric good to hear from you.
The 301/ 302 shape is the coolest of the bunch IMO and they bring the hog' too.

Yep I love the shape of these. 
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on November 29, 2013, 08:06:30 PM
They dive? (GAS leak)

The dive isn't as issue.  Just get a good wide leather strap and you're away.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on November 29, 2013, 08:07:17 PM
Wow, that's beautiful in white. Always been intrigued by those basses. Aesthetically, they remind me of a cross between a Ric and a Gibson. No idea what they sound like though.

In hand, there's a lot of Gibson like vibe to it for sure.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on November 29, 2013, 08:09:27 PM
WOW oh WOW oh WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not on here for ages, dropped in and saw this.

Where on earth did that come from???? :o
Mint, or what? 

US eBay actually.  It was a real score.  Yes, mint is the word.
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Wilbur88 on December 04, 2013, 05:56:49 AM
I had some clean air today at home, so cranked the B302F and rattled the house.  The highlight was the neck pick up.  The growl and sheer grunt up loud was thrilling.  It's given this bass another dimension to the luurrrve I already have for it.   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: NBD - '78 Guild B302F
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 04, 2013, 11:46:12 AM

The 301/ 302 shape is the coolest of the bunch

Yeah -The 20x's seem to MM copy and the 70x's  just way too out there.  Always wanted one but couldn't justify it.  Shoulda grabbed one when I had more disposable income and they were cheap/undesirable.