1971 JS-I Bass - late Bi-Sonic example

hieronymous

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Hey everyone, I posted this in the eBay/Craigslist/etc. section, but it sold really quickly! So I thought it would be good to archive it here.

Guild Jetstar I 1971 Red

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You should still be able to see the original listing. It's a very late Bi-Sonic equipped Guild bass from 1971 - I have a 1971 M-85 II that has the humbuckers - the serial numbers are about 6000 numbers apart. @mavuser noted that it doesn't have a suck-switch or deep-hard switch either (mine has the deep-hard switch, or at least that's what I thought it was). Pretty cool bass - glad it didn't sit there tempting and taunting me! Wonder if someone from here got it?
 

mavuser

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@hieronymous this bass was listed on reverb for a long time, so I wonder if someone snagged it after seeing your post.

As far as no deep-hard switch, that is the giveaway that this is an original Bisonic, and not a Dark Star that replaced a Guild Humbucker (would have the DH switch if it was).
 

mellowgerman

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We first saw this bass listed by Fanny's House of Music in Nashville, TN, in early or mid 2020. I think it sold for $950 if I remember correctly. Some months later the buyer reposted it for sale at $1200. It sat for a few months before he lowered it to $1000.
I had brief, interesting correspondence with the seller, asking about the original thumb rest (which was still on the bass when Fanny's was selling it). He said that he put the shim/mounting ring (which was included when he bought it) back on the bass, after which the thumb rest did not fit anymore. Assuming the Bisonic really was original, I'm curious why the presumably factory-original thumb rest would not have fit in-place to use the original mounting screw holes anymore. Does that mean it came from the factory without a pickup shim ring installed? Or was there originally no Guild thumb rest on the bass? My guess would be the latter, but since the Bisonic equipped JS-1 is such a rarity, who knows
 

lungimsam

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All I know is, that fingerboard would be liberally doused with fretboard conditioner and let sit for about a half hour before wiping off excess. Then Chromes Flats put on. Then time for a setup! Exciting to get a new bass!

Wonder what those three screw holes on the body are from?
Is it a burst or just the pic makes it look that way?
I'd be tempted to get it professionally refinished in natural.
 

mavuser

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Assuming the Bisonic really was original, I'm curious why the presumably factory-original thumb rest would not have fit in-place to use the original mounting screw holes anymore. Does that mean it came from the factory without a pickup shim ring installed? Or was there originally no Guild thumb rest on the bass? My guess would be the latter, but since the Bisonic equipped JS-1 is such a rarity, who knows

thumb rest on a JS-1 bass, Bisonic or not...is not factory original
(however it *is on a SF-1 bass w Bisonic)
 

lungimsam

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Were the JS basses always made mahogany or where there’s some maples?
 

hieronymous

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There's talk of a thumb rest - where was it? Next to the pickup? Or where that extra screw hole is near where the palm rest would have gone?

This really looks like a cool little bass - really hoping someone here grabbed it - come on, fess up! :giggle:
 

fronobulax

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There's talk of a thumb rest - where was it? Next to the pickup? Or where that extra screw hole is near where the palm rest would have gone?

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I see four screw holes. The two closest to the bridge come from whatever that chrome cover is called. There are two by the E string and on the bridge side of the pickup. If this were a neck position Starfire I I would say that the thumb rest had been removed since the spacing looks about right. But since I've never seen a factory thumb rest on a JS I'm guessing someone added it one that has since been removed.

My freehand drawing with a mouse skills stink. I tried to circle the holes.
 

hieronymous

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nwdrsl903fvrjecqkk9b.jpg


I see four screw holes. The two closest to the bridge come from whatever that chrome cover is called. There are two by the E string and on the bridge side of the pickup. If this were a neck position Starfire I I would say that the thumb rest had been removed since the spacing looks about right. But since I've never seen a factory thumb rest on a JS I'm guessing someone added it one that has since been removed.

My freehand drawing with a mouse skills stink. I tried to circle the holes.

I don't see your circles but now I see that extra hole next to the pickup - thanks! Those Starfire-style thumb rests are pretty cool, I can see why someone might put one on. I thought maybe there was one closer to the bridge using one of the palm rest screws but realize that wasn't what was happening.
 
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