$500 Bass for my mom

Maloburro

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Hey everyone,

My stepdad would like to purchase a bass for my mom for either their anniversary or her birthday. He said he wants to spend about $500. Naturally the first thing I start thinking about is Guilds. My mom loves music, played the drums when she was younger (and can still play them!), and also plays a little guitar on her classical. I have found a few 80s Pilot Bass Guilds on GC in that price range. Depending on fretwear and action, is this a reasonable purchase, in your opinions?

My mom is 70 so she won't be playing this out or in a band or anything, she just likes to noodle along with her favorite songs on the living room couch. I would appreciate your advice. Originally he was going to buy her an Ibanez Ergodyne 900 from his friend for $500 and my thoughts are, for the money, get something quality and USA. A good friend suggested a new Classic Vibe.

Another cool thing about at least one of the PIlot's for sale, it was made in 1987 which is the year they got married. Kind of an appropriate anniversary present. I'm going to call GC on both Pilot's and ask about fretwear, action, pickups and such.

So again, your opinions are appreciated. Does anyone have something else they would suggest for her? It's a bummer because I just gave away a Yamaha 5 String that I could have given to her instead but I didn't know he was planning this.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ryan
 

fronobulax

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$500 is a good price for a Pilot. I've heard of a couple that went for less but others that went for more. Check with GC on their return policy. It gets confusing because at one time you had a week to return Vintage gear but 30 days to return Used gear, or something like that. Point is if you pay attention you're really only risking shipping costs.

I presume it comes with a hard case,

Most Pilots have active electronics so if someone says it doesn't work, offer them $100 less and hope it's just the battery and you will change that when you get it :)

Pilots are a 34" scale. I avoided long scale basses for decades because my fretting hand would cramp. But after playing someone else's Pilot I realized it was the neck profile (of some Fenders) that bothered me. The Pilot doesn't bother me at all once I remember that I have switched from the shorter scale :)

Does your mom have an amp? If not I'd suggest a good practice amp (budget $100, Fender Rumble 15 would be an easy choice although there are many other new options).

You could consider an acoustic but I have no experience with the recent ones and I'd budget at least $1,000 for a vintage one and would be anxious about whether it needed additional work.
 

Maloburro

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Thanks for the heads up on the vintage vs used shipping terms I didn't know that.

I'm just thinking for 500, a "vintage" American bass is the way to go, depending on frets, action and electronics.

My stepdad doesn't really know much about musical instruments so he's relying on my input. I love to buy and sell gear. I like your idea on the Rumble Bass amp. I've actually been scouring the goodwill auctions online. Small bass amps can be had at decent prices even with shipping.



$500 is a good price for a Pilot. I've heard of a couple that went for less but others that went for more. Check with GC on their return policy. It gets confusing because at one time you had a week to return Vintage gear but 30 days to return Used gear, or something like that. Point is if you pay attention you're really only risking shipping costs.

I presume it comes with a hard case,

Most Pilots have active electronics so if someone says it doesn't work, offer them $100 less and hope it's just the battery and you will change that when you get it :)

Pilots are a 34" scale. I avoided long scale basses for decades because my fretting hand would cramp. But after playing someone else's Pilot I realized it was the neck profile (of some Fenders) that bothered me. The Pilot doesn't bother me at all once I remember that I have switched from the shorter scale :)

Does your mom have an amp? If not I'd suggest a good practice amp (budget $100, Fender Rumble 15 would be an easy choice although there are many other new options).

You could consider an acoustic but I have no experience with the recent ones and I'd budget at least $1,000 for a vintage one and would be anxious about whether it needed additional work.
 
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