B-301 Finish Cracks

[garyg7133]

Hi all.
I found this forum while seeking out a B-301. Still haven't found one, but found a 302. I had a '79 301 that was in as close to perfect condition as can be imagined for the age. I had to sell it unfortunately but am now looking for a replacement. The 1 or 2 that are out there are either highly (and terribly) modified or wildly overpriced. The 302 that I found has cracks in the lacquer on the head stock Seller states that they are in the finish only. It seems like it's pretty common , but I have also seen a couple where the head stock has been repaired.
Any thoughts on the head stocks themselves cracking? Is it a "thing" or is it likely just the finish as stated?

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. I have heard no reports of headstock cracks that are not associated with some kind of accident. I expect folks with better hearing and memory will be along soon

Also pics would help.

 

[mellowgerman]

Finish checking and cracks on 70's/80's instruments are common and typically happen due to temperature and/or humidity fluctuations. My 1970 Starfire is an early example of a poly finish on a Guild. Though the finish is very intact still, it does have quite a bit of checking. It just results from the wood flexing/contracting/expanding underneath the finish.
That said, we've seen some classic Guild headstocks that separate along the seams where the outside "wings" of the headstock were attached. I don't think these are hard to reglue for a competent tech and correspondingly, probably shouldn't be a huge repair bill if needed. In any case, if you can post a few photos here, we'll be able to give a much better idea of what is going on with the particular bass you're looking at.
Hope you find a good one!

 

[mellowgerman]

Hi again, not sure if you're on the talkbass forum, but here's one for sale in the classifieds there for $699. Looks like the hardware may have been powder-coated black... looks pretty sleek, I think. Has a bit of a headstock repair (crack from the top, not a headstock break at the neck), but 100% positive feedback with 97 transactions from a talkbass member, tells me it's safe to take his word that it has been luthier-confirmed to be a solid repair

SOLD - Guild B-301 - Price Drop

[ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] For sale only- Guild B-301 late '70's in very good condition. Paint is in excellent...

www.talkbass.com

 

[garyg7133]

Thanks for the reassurance. Unfortunately it went by bye already. It would have been a GC rescue. The finish cracks were straight from the top of the headstock to about where the nut is mounted.
Thanks for the heads up on the talkbass ad. I did see that one . I'm kinda hoping either the light honey color shows up but red or white would also get the nod. I'm pretty patient. Took me about 7 months to find the one that I had . Sadly, the kid I sold it to won't sell it back.

 

[Guildedagain]

A multitude of cracks in the lacquer would be finish checking, single lone cracks may indicate something different, potentially a structural crack in the wood. In hand, it is impossible to mistake finish checking from something worse, finish checking being really common on older instruments.

 

[SFIV1967]

I'm kinda hoping either the light honey color shows up but red or white would also get the nod.

Welcome to LTG! A sunburst also looks nice to me! (not mine). But the other colors also look nice.

Ralf

 

[bassman10096]

Lots of Guilds, including this one have mahogany necks. Apart from finish checking and superficial finish cracks, they are prone to drying and separating and cracking in drops, etc. Good news is that they are usually easily to repair and the repairs hold just fine. Maple necks (like most of the rest of the bass world) are less prone to cracks and breaks. Their downside is warping: twists and bows.

 

[Jondailey66]

Hi again, not sure if you're on the talkbass forum, but here's one for sale in the classifieds there for $699. Looks like the hardware may have been powder-coated black... looks pretty sleek, I think. Has a bit of a headstock repair (crack from the top, not a headstock break at the neck), but 100% positive feedback with 97 transactions from a talkbass member, tells me it's safe to take his word that it has been luthier-confirmed to be a solid repair

SOLD - Guild B-301 - Price Drop

[ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] [ATTACH] For sale only- Guild B-301 late '70's in very good condition. Paint is in excellent...

www.talkbass.com

This is my first post on this site. I actually just bought this on the TB forum. He shipped it out today. I was surprised to see it mentioned.

 

[fronobulax]

This is my first post on this site. I actually just bought this on the TB forum. He shipped it out today. I was surprised to see it mentioned.

Welcome. Tell us more when it arrives

 

[Jondailey66]

Welcome. Tell us more when it arrives

I definitely will. I have a new starfire that is my current go-to. I don’t expect this to replace that, But I have wanted a 301 or 302 for years.

 

[fronobulax]

I definitely will. I have a new starfire that is my current go-to. I don’t expect this to replace that, But I have wanted a 301 or 302 for years.

Not your first Guild, huh? While waiting we can veer about your Starfire. I or II? Why it instead of anything else available new?

 

[lungimsam]

Love the looks of B301 bass. But reminds me of a 4000 Ric.
I then thought:
JSII : EB3
B301 : Ric 4000
X79 : Explorer
StarfireII : EB2
Pilot : Jazz

 

[fronobulax]

Love the looks of B301 bass. But reminds me of a 4000 Ric.
I then thought:
JSII : EB3
B301 : Ric 4000
X79 : Explorer
StarfireII : EB2
Pilot : Jazz

I don't think Guild ever tried to innovate as much as it tried to improve and compete.

I will also note that similarity is in the eye of the beholder. I have had people disagree with my expressions of similarity because something that was iconic to them was a point of difference. Think of symmetry or asymmetry in a double cutaway solid body.

I also recall a concern I had with a local music dealer in the 70's. They had an Epiphone EB3 on the wall and labelled it "EB3". I thought they were being deceitful because it was not a Gibson. I know now that I was not as right as I thought I was then but I still prefer to agree on a definition and ask if something fits rather than argue over the definition to make something fit or not.

While waiting, to continue the veer, what say you about the M-85 and the SB-20x?

 

[Jondailey66]

Not your first Guild, huh? While waiting we can veer about your Starfire. I or II? Why it instead of anything else available new?

I wound up buying the guild for a few reasons. I played an eko made vox cougar for years and I have always loved hollowbody basses. I was paying guitar in band for a while. I bought a guild tbird guitar online w/out playing it. I had always wanted that body style and took a gamble. It came out of the box perfectly intonated and played great. I liked it so much I bought a guild jetstar the same way, with same results. When I switched to playing bass in my band I went through a few different basses and didn’t love any of them. I just took another gamble w/ a guild. The starfire plays great and has a nice woody tone. I usually add a tiny bit of dirt, and it’s just a perfect tone for what I play. I’ve played vintage sf’s and they’re great, but I saved about 1k buying new.

 

[fronobulax]

I’ve played vintage sf’s and they’re great, but I saved about 1k buying new.

That's the usual story. Vintage wins most comparisons but folks end up with the bass they can afford. And at least for the next few years new basses can be easily replaced with newer basses. Thanks.

 

[lungimsam]

While waiting, to continue the veer, what say you about the M-85 and the SB-20x?

m-85 : les Paul bass
Sb -20x : p bass

 

[fronobulax]

m-85 : les Paul bass
Sb -20x : p bass

I wasn't sure the Les Paul was popular enough to make the comparison

 

[hieronymous]

And just in case you weren't sure there was a resemblance: M-85/Les Paul Triumph comparison