1981 Guild B402-A

neepheid · June 29, 2011, 05:29:26 AM

Allow me to introduce the latest addition to my collection of "under-appreciated American basses of the 70s and 80s" - a 1981 Guild B402-A. Please excuse the rather washed out looking mobile phone pics:

Here's one better colour from the auction (showing the original hard case):

I've always been intrigued by the Guild B300 series basses, I loved the quirky shape coupled with the traditional build touches like the set neck and 2 + 2 headstock. However, I questioned the need in my collection for another passive, 20 fret, single coil bass (that base being covered very nicely by the Gibson G-3). So it went on the "if I was loaded/bored" list.

That was until I discovered the B400 series. Early active electronics, 22 fret nonsense anyone? Yes please! I realised that I had seen one before - one of the weird ones that they stained the front and back faces of the body and left the rest (including the contours) clear.

I probably thought "Yuck!" and left it at that without even thinking. Anyway, while doing my research I discovered that they were only made for 2 years (1980-81) and only 335 were made (assuming all serial numbers were allocated). That's 335 total of single and double pickup varieties. That's not a lot. I didn't feel too hopeful.

So, imagine my surprise when one dutifully appears on eBay, right on cue. I hummed and hawed for a day or so then decided to go for it. You only live once and all that.

Well, I'm delighted with it. Sounds great, feels great, looks weird - completely at home in my collection!

A couple of nights ago I did some cleaning - dismantled the tuners and cleaned them up, polished the brass nut and the frets. I'll take some nicer pics with a proper camera soon.

Last night I put together some soundclips. They're not very good (recorded direct into Audacity through an E-MU 0202 USB) but hopefully they show the tonal variety.

http://www.ifb.co.uk/~matthew/mp3/b402-a%20soundclips/

SKATE RAT · June 29, 2011, 06:48:17 AM

thats a nice bass ya got there. a B-301 is what i want the most (next to a "real" Ric)

Pilgrim · June 29, 2011, 09:30:31 AM

Nice bass, nice sound clips. I really like [09-active-both-series-maxbass.mp3]

gearHed289 · June 29, 2011, 11:14:07 AM

I've always had a thing for Guilds. Used to lust after a B-302. Played a couple of Pilots for a long time (still have my cherry/flamed 5 string). I have a '73 JS II, though I'm thinking of selling it. Untouched, though the black finish shows some honest play wear.

Aussie Mark · June 29, 2011, 05:32:22 PM

Looks and sounds great! What other colours did they come in?

neepheid · June 30, 2011, 07:31:52 AM

Quote from: Aussie Mark on June 29, 2011, 05:32:22 PM
Looks and sounds great! What other colours did they come in?

I've only ever seen the 401/402 in natural or the weird half 'n' half. Doesn't mean there weren't other options of course, but not as far as my knowledge goes.

neepheid · March 08, 2013, 03:41:34 AM

Seeing the recent thread about a Guild B301 made me remember that every story needs an ending. I moved the B402-A on in the end. What was an amazing sound on its own was very difficult to work in a live environment - that creamy, chorussy goodness just got lost, EQing only helped so much.

Yes, it's rare. Yes, it probably would make a fine recording bass. Trouble is I don't have the patience for the long game (and would fall foul of my wife's one rule about instruments - they are to be played - no stashing in cupboards) and I don't do much recording (I've only ever appeared on 5 proper studio recorded songs in my life).

I traded it for a G&L El Toro - another odd bod from the 80s. The guy I traded with is delighted with the Guild, and I'm delighted with the El Toro. No regrets, I'm glad I got to experience the Guild, and in the right band or the right environment it will shine. But ultimately it wasn't for me.

Everyone lived happily ever after. The end.

4stringer77 · March 08, 2013, 02:24:05 PM

Ha! I traded a G&L in for the B-301, and I love the Guild way better! I feel like something got lost in translation from the 90's SB1 to the newer reissue. All those G&L lovers can't all be crazy could they?

4stringer77 · March 08, 2013, 02:42:56 PM

Anybody looking for a 300 series Guild should check out Ludlow Guitars in NYC. I found his site when I was trying to find out if my bridge design was original and it is. Somehow this store always has some of these basses for sale.

Pilgrim · March 08, 2013, 02:45:16 PM

Quote from: 4stringer77 on March 08, 2013, 02:42:56 PM
Anybody looking for a 300 series Guild should check out Ludlow Guitars in NYC. I found his site when I was trying to find out if my bridge design was original and it is. Somehow this store always has some of these basses for sale.

Dang!! Four 301's currently available!

4stringer77 · March 08, 2013, 02:54:17 PM

The one with the badass bridge is a 302. The cherry one looks sweet.

Psycho Bass Guy · March 09, 2013, 02:34:50 PM

Look at their in-house T-turd.

Pilgrim · March 09, 2013, 09:52:44 PM

I think it's cool. Kind of a blend of a T-Bird and a BillyBo.

It also shows how a cleverly styled pickguard can really point up a bass.

Psycho Bass Guy · March 10, 2013, 05:28:13 PM

Four grand for a set-neck Precision with a Dimarzio neck 'bucker is absurd.

Barklessdog · March 10, 2013, 06:32:21 PM

i owned/ bought a new guild 302 fretless with a mahogany body when they came out. it was the deadest sounding bass I ever owned. I hated it and could never get any high end or sustain from it. I traded it in for a Gizmotron when they came out. i have read the same response from others that have owned one as well.

Partially the reason I did not like the Guild was my other bass was my RD Artist- so going from that to the Guild is like comparing apples to oranges.