Guild Pilot

[motoolejr]

A friend's 80's era Pilot bass - wanted to know what it might be worth - he's planning to thin the heard.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Does it have a pick guard? Is it flame maple? Offset headstock?

These things can make a slight difference as to what somebody would pay for it. Bottom line is they go for around $500±.

 

[motoolejr]

Thanks for the questions - I'll check with owner for answers - and appreciated range appraisal too

 

[fronobulax]

For $500 +/- I'd expect a usable case, but we can zero in with pictures and more details. Kurt is the Pilot expert but from having talked to him and inspected some of his Pilots, I know there are a few features that would make me decide not to buy the bass at any price. For example, the maple Pilots are almost too heavy to gig with and the early ones are uncomfortable because they lack some of the shaping on the back. Active vs. passive PUs make a difference and every bass player needs a tremolo and would pay more for one, right?

 

[twocorgis]

I know there are a few features that would make me decide not to buy the bass at any price. For example, the maple Pilots are almost too heavy to gig with and the early ones are uncomfortable because they lack some of the shaping on the back.

Dunno about maple Pilots being too heavy Frono. I have two of them, and find them to be quite comfortable at ~8 pounds apiece. Heavier than the poplar bodies, yes, but still bearable. Of course I was pretty used to my ~9.5 pound ash bodied P-Bass, so it's all relative. I also use a really wide strap.

 

[fronobulax]

Point taken. Kurt's maple was heavier than I wanted to deal with but then again, I gave up on P-basses circa 1976 because of what I now to be a neck profile that just doesn't work for me.