B-301

[RVBASS]

Just wondering what you all think of the Guild B-301 bass. I have a couple of Starfire basses, which I love. How does the B-301 compare tone-wise? It has an interesting bridge/tailpiece, any thoughts or concerns about it’s functionality? What are it’s strong and weak points? Thanks in advance.

 

[lungimsam]

They look very cool. I don’t know anything about them though. Are they short scale?
I’d buy one if they sound good.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

If they are solid ash they are heavy. They usually suffer from severe neck-dive. They are 34" scale. They have a narrow nut. They rock like heck! The pick-up sounds nothing like a Starfire. Matter-of-fact, they are absolutely nothing like a Starfire.

Go get it!

 

[fronobulax]

If they are solid ash they are heavy. They usually suffer from severe neck-dive. They are 36" scale. They have a narrow nut. They rock like heck! The pick-up sounds nothing like a Starfire. Matter-of-fact, they absolutely nothing like a Starfire.

Go get it!

34" scale, perhaps?

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

34" scale, perhaps?

Oops! Too early for numbers. Post has been edited. THX!

 

[lungimsam]

Neck dive +long scale=no way.
Haha!

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Neck dive +long scale=no way.
Haha!

It's just the design of the body. A Pilot is 34" long scale and it hangs beautifully!

 

[RVBASS]

Interesting, thanks for the comments, I think I might check it out.

 

[fronobulax]

@The Guilds of Grot had an addition to his strap that controlled the neck dive.

Towards the end of the JS lifetime Guild made some instruments that were crosses between a JS and a B30x.

This bass belongs to @hagmeat

It is long (34") scale.

Some discussion at https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/jsb2-ls.193693/ and more photos at https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=WjVSVXhUS3VrS1FyemkzWklrUGxqZmI3STQ4aVR3

Almost certainly rare but it would be a good approximation to a B30x without the neck dive

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

@The Guilds of Grot had an addition to his strap that controlled the neck dive.

Towards the end of the JS lifetime Guild made some instruments that were crosses between a JS and a B30x.

This bass belongs to @hagmeat

It is long (34") scale.

Some discussion at https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/jsb2-ls.193693/ and more photos at https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=WjVSVXhUS3VrS1FyemkzWklrUGxqZmI3STQ4aVR3

Almost certainly rare but it would be a good approximation to a B30x without the neck dive

Au contraire mon frère

The 30" Short scale JS Bass sufferes from neck dive, I can't imagine how bad it would be with a 34" scale model!

 

[mellowgerman]

I would be absolutely elated to find a short-scale JS-II with the B series 8-pole pickups! I don't think we've ever seen one like that though, right? Only long-scale if I recall correctly?

 

[fronobulax]

Au contraire mon frère

The 30" Short scale JS Bass sufferes from neck dive, I can't imagine how bad it would be with a 34" scale model!

Not in my experience

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Not in my experience

You must have a sticky strap!

 

[fronobulax]

You must have a sticky strap!

That is probably a factor. It is wide and the "bottom" is rough leather. Once I stopped wearing silk when I was in my disco phase it doesn't slide on my shoulder.

(Just kidding about the silk but the disco phase is not completely over).

 

[DeArmond Hammer]

I love my B-301. The neck stays in place when I wear a wide strap.

I generally like flatwound strings on basses, and I was thinking about getting rid of the roundwound sets in my string box. Then I remembered the B-301, which is a rock machine that likes the clank.

 

[RVBASS]

Wow, that sounds awesome, very nice!

 

[Jondailey66]

I have a 301 and a starfire I and a starfire ii. They are definitely very different beast. I play different styles and the 301 fits a very specific thing for me. If I want to play heavy and dirty it’s the go-to bass. It’s a stretch for me, I tend to play short scale. I personally don’t think the weight is too bad. If you find one for the right price I’d pick it up.

 

[dylancoolasbeans]

It's my dream bass.

 

[jp]

I messed around with the B-401 fretless GAD bought from a local shop and I shipped to him. It was a loud honking beast, and I agree with everything Johndailey66 said. Definitely almost the complete opposite of a Starfire -- it being a solid body with more aggressive bark. It's more akin to a Rick 4003 in sound and personality, but with less variety of sound.

I didn't play it with a strap, so I can't comment on neck dive.

It's my dream bass.

I hope one comes along for you soon!