NBGBD!

4stringer77 · February 27, 2013, 02:47:31 PM

New Brown Guild Bass Day!
Found this B-301 at Boston Guitar Works near my house. Decided to swap out my G&L SB1 for it. In the end I just couldn't bond with the mfd pickup and didn't like the way the controls functioned. The Guild on the other hand was love at first sight/ sound. Very responsive full range pickup. Lots of bite and plenty of low end. Also I couldn't resist all the lovely mahogany. and pics away...

and the happy family,

one minor issue is there appears to be a mod to the star wheel tilt adjuster replaced by a screw, but it's an easy fix if need be and the bridge is functional as is otherwise I am delighted with the condition of this late 70's bass

Aussie Mark · February 27, 2013, 03:11:28 PM

Nice! I have occasional gas for a Guild 302.

Basvarken · February 27, 2013, 03:17:54 PM

Wow congrats. That's one mighty cool bass!

OldManC · February 27, 2013, 07:25:42 PM

Cool! I like the looks of that bass.

Dave W · February 27, 2013, 08:24:17 PM

That's a pretty one.

Only B301/302 I've ever seen on stage was Ali McMordie's B-302 in the early years of Stiff Little Fingers. It can be seen (but not heard well) here:

Chris P. · February 28, 2013, 06:03:43 AM

Wow, I hope I find one once...

4stringer77 · February 28, 2013, 07:23:30 AM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GUILD-B-301-BASS-GUITAR-1979-34-SCALE-CASE-VERY-VERY-CLEAN-/380587494180?pt=Guitar&hash=item589cc84b24
There's this one. Interestingly enough it has the same massive wonky knobs mine came with originally and were included in the case but the seller was nice enough to swap them out for the better looking smaller G reflector knobs. This one also appears to have the same type of third point screw on the bridge as mine which makes me think mine was not modded after all.
Dave, haven't you seen any of the plasmatics vids? Here's one that showcases the sound of the bass better. There are other more x rated ones on youtube if you search around. Oh that Wendy O Williams! What a character!

Dave W · February 28, 2013, 08:32:59 AM

I'll have to check out some of the Plasmatics videos.

The 34" scale B-301 is rare.

Aussie Mark · February 28, 2013, 04:00:48 PM

Quote from: Dave W on February 27, 2013, 08:24:17 PM
Only B301/302 I've ever seen on stage was Ali McMordie's B-302 in the early years of Stiff Little Fingers.

Simon Gallup playing at the Sydney Opera House in 2011 ....

hieronymous · February 28, 2013, 05:07:36 PM

Wow, nice one! Love those '70s Guilds - I think I prefer the chunkier '70's headstock to the smaller '60s ones.

I believe I got my Fulltone Bass Drive at Boston Guitar Works - isn't that in Brighton or something? Only went once when I had moved back there in 2002, seem to remember they had lots of effects!

4stringer77 · February 28, 2013, 06:25:17 PM

Boston Guitar Works is in Brockton. Very working class town. The owner's name is Heath. He seems to be very well regarded judging by all the celebrity musicians he's photographed with on his website.
About the bass. It's dead sexy. The pickup is a single coil but it's not like any Fender single coil I've ever heard. Very unique and hard to describe. I thought the single closer to the bridge pickup might be lacking in bass response but if you roll back the tone a bit it gets super heavy. The tone dimed sounds nice and aggressive too. The harder you strike the string the more the pickup responds and gives a nice overdrive to the attack. I can't say enough about how happy I am with it. The only thing bumming me out is I want to get new strings and have it setup and I don't dare do it myself so I'm going to miss having it around while I wait for it.

gearHed289 · March 01, 2013, 08:40:11 AM

That is flippin gorgeous man! Always had a thing for Guilds. I'm down to just a Pilot 5 string from the late 80s now...

FrankieTbird · March 01, 2013, 04:08:24 PM

Looking good! Is it very heavy?

4stringer77 · March 01, 2013, 06:52:24 PM

8lb 4oz. The balance is not ideal, I admit, but anyone used to playing a Thunderbird would feel right at home. I could relocate the strap button to the back of the neck heel but I can't allow myself to drill any holes in such a nice bass. A wide strap and Schaller strap locks will suffice. Anyone who complains about neck dive is a Nancy. Someone should jump on the 79' B-301 that's for sale in NJ. (technically the serial # indicates 1978)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GUILD-B-301-BASS-GUITAR-1979-34-SCALE-CASE-VERY-VERY-CLEAN-/380587494180?pt=Guitar&hash=item589cc84b24
Crazy good deal on a wonderful instrument.