1976 S-100

Sylvester Zarzana

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Here's a source for new covers, though I doubt the HB-1 covers will fit on your pickups. These might fit, but they're out of stock. Prices might seem high if all you want is the covers, but vintage HB-1 covers would probably cost close to that.
Thanks. I sent Guild an email this morning to see if they would sell me a set of reissue covers. I probably should have considered the fit-- appreciate that piece of advice.
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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Find a set of HB1s and put her back to her original glory and play her forever.
Ha! That's probably the way it will end up:)

I am also considering installing a set of reissued HB-1's. I just want to make sure the tones/sound will be close enough to vintage.

Thanks.
 

S100

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I’m sure some of the folks around here have some experience with the reissued and original HB1s and can give you some feedback. Good luck!
 

GAD

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Here's a source for new covers, though I doubt the HB-1 covers will fit on your pickups. These might fit, but they're out of stock. Prices might seem high if all you want is the covers, but vintage HB-1 covers would probably cost close to that.

The NS HB1 covers are nickel while the vintage covers are chrome. That may not matter but be aware that they’re different.
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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The NS HB1 covers are nickel while the vintage covers are chrome. That may not matter but be aware that they’re different.
Yes, sir, I read that on your blog. (I'm grateful for all of the research and time you put into your articles).
Just saw the cover you referenced on ebay is going for $62 plus shipping. Can't help but thinking for a few dollars more, one can buy a NS HB-1 and get the pick-up and the cover--albeit nickel and not chrome--:)
 

GAD

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Yes, sir, I read that on your blog. (I'm grateful for all of the research and time you put into your articles).
Just saw the cover you referenced on ebay is going for $62 plus shipping. Can't help but thinking for a few dollars more, one can buy a NS HB-1 and get the pick-up and the cover--albeit nickel and not chrome--:)

Yeah, there's no doubt that $62 for a cover is a bit nutty, but by the same token they're very hard to come by.
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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Yeah, there's no doubt that $62 for a cover is a bit nutty, but by the same token they're very hard to come by.
Thinking about it like that, having vintage covers without the vintage pick ups seems less appealing. I'm leaning towards being patient an looking for a set of vintage HB-1s...just hard to imagine that I bought a 2018 Sea Foam Green Jetstar for less than I will have to pay for the HB-1s.
 

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Thinking about it like that, having vintage covers without the vintage pick ups seems less appealing. I'm leaning towards being patient an looking for a set of vintage HB-1s...just hard to imagine that I bought a 2018 Sea Foam Green Jetstar for less than I will have to pay for the HB-1s.

Be thankful you don't need them in gold!
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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Be thankful you don't need them in gold!
I can get a set of vintage era HB-1's from Ken, The Guitar Mechanic, for $400 with or $500 with bezels, springs, and screws. Any thoughts either way before I buy them?
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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Agreed. $300 is the magic number for me.
Here is a picture of the pick-ups. So, it sounds like I should not pay more than $300.
 

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GAD

Reverential Morlock
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A bird in the hand and all that. If you can afford it and consider the need to be desperate then a few more bucks for rings and screws isn’t bad.
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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A bird in the hand and all that. If you can afford it and consider the need to be desperate then a few more bucks for rings and screws isn’t bad.
I like $300 a whole lot better than $500. I just don’t know if I have any bargaining leverage since he seems to be one of a few who actually has them. Why wouldn’t I turn to the NS HB-1’s for $160 a set? Is the sound/tone superior in the vintage era pick ups?
 

GAD

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I just realized those are from Ken. He’ll never budge.
I haven’t yet done a true 1:1 comparison of the vintage and NS HB1s but ai will say that the NS1s don’t suck.
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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I just realized those are from Ken. He’ll never budge.
I haven’t yet done a true 1:1 comparison of the vintage and NS HB1s but ai will say that the NS1s don’t suck.
I kinda figured he wouldn’t have any motivation to work with me. Especially since he mentioned they coil split, as well. Makes me consider going with a set of Seth Lovers or Pearly Gates, which is plan C....

The LB1s in my Jetstar sound pretty good but it’s not an apples to apples comparison to HB1s.

Thanks for your help, I’ve got some thinking to do.
 

DThomasC

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It could be that the going rate for vintage HB-1 pickups is going up. Maybe now that the reissues are common the vintage parts are becoming more valuable.

There are two singles on ebay right now. One for $230 and the other for $295 bin. I won't be buying them, but somebody probably will.
 

Sylvester Zarzana

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It could be that the going rate for vintage HB-1 pickups is going up. Maybe now that the reissues are common the vintage parts are becoming more valuable.

There are two singles on ebay right now. One for $230 and the other for $295 bin. I won't be buying them, but somebody probably will.
Good point. According to The a Guitar Mechanic’s website, he has sold a couple of sets for $500 already. I saw the pick ups on eBay as well and was a bit surprised, especially when you can get a used NS S-100 for around $500+

Thanks for the feedback!
 
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