Fantasy Surfliner Bass

[fronobulax]

The new Surfliner guitars are getting a lot of discussion.

Surfliner series

Hi Apologies if this is old news but I couldn't see any mention of it https://www.gama.gda.pl/blog/nowe-surflinery-guilda-juz-w-polsce.html

letstalkguild.com

A reference image.

They aren't offering a bass. They should

What should it be? My self-imposed rules are that it needs to use "commodity" parts, retain the same body shape, use passive electronics, retain the same controls (no more knobs) and have a MSRP under $450. That doesn't include a case of gig bag.

What triggered this is that I don't have enough imagination to come up with three pickups that are practical in terms of size and potential tonality.

I don't think I would buy or reject this based upon scale length although the body does evoke a short scale Fender.

If I break my rules and only have two PUs then a P and a J would work but then there would be no rational reason to buy this instead of a Pilot.

So being a Guild it has to a modern Bisonic. The pickup footprints suggest using two J bass style and we know the Tractor bass used a similar combination.

So, what is the layout, from the neck to the bridge?

• BJJ
• JBJ
• JJB

If the J's are adjacent is there the potential for hum reduction or some kind of cancellation?

My bias is towards neck position PUs because the frequency response seems to be wider to my ear.

So the fastest way to convince me to get my checkbook (old school idiom) out looks like a short scale BJJ.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Frono, really like your thoughts...and will see you and raise you this...how about a baritone guitar using the same platform?

 

[GGJaguar]

how about a baritone guitar using the same platform?

I would be interested in that! 28" scale max.

 

[fronobulax]

Commodity parts suggests the bass will be a four string instrument.

I'd never play one but a baritone guitar would work. If the D'Armond "Gumby" is an inspiration then we need a Surfliner bass, baritone and 12 string. maybe even a 7 string if my memory is not completely shot.

Combining the reactions in the other thread and my reaction I wonder if the real selling point of this is that it seems to be a platform with huge potential for mods.

 

[Minnesota Flats]

I'm no fan of light-stringed "Fenderish" Bass VI-type instruments with guitar string spacing. When I first switched to bass from guitar, I struggled to "play the bass like a bass" instead of "like a guitar". I had a bass VI-ish object for awhile and found myself always lapsing into playing guitar, rather than bass lines on it.

But I'm not trying to suggest that that's necessarily anything other than my own, personal problem...

I do like hearing baritone guitar in certain contexts, but I don't have any interest in playing one. I'll leave that to someone else.

 

[mellowgerman]

I think the Bisonic neck with a middle jazz and a bridge jazz would be great, but why not keep costs down by implementing existing pickups in the guild line... BPP (utilizing the P pickup in the latest Starfire)

Furthermore, considering the price point of the newest bargain P Starfire and that it only has a single pickup, I'd be perfectly happy if they just gave us a single middle position Bisonic, which would however necessitate the harp bridge for compatible string spacing.

Also, if you're listening, Guild, please include the blue finish option for Frono! He deserves a blue Guild.

 

[Boneman]

And here I was hoping you posted a photoshop image of what it is you’re fantasizing about. Are you basically thinking same shape and size body style but with only 4 strings and aforementioned BJJ pickups?

 

[Minnesota Flats]

And here I was hoping you posted a photoshop image of what it is you’re fantasizing about. Are you basically thinking same shape and size body style but with only 4 strings and aforementioned BJJ pickups?

From a production standpoint, I'd think that would be the way to go. Aren't Fender's Mustang and Jaguar guitar/bass bodies pretty much identical up to the point of routing the cavities?

 

[mavuser]

would rather see a straight 80's Pilot reissue if they were going to get into bolt-on neck basses.

a JS-1 neck bisonic would be another great reissue, as there were never more than a handful of those in the first place. set neck, of course.

I do like the surfliner guitar. but a Pilot bass w the knife/hockey stick/foot headstocks would be more bad arse!

 

[mellowgerman]

JS-1 with the neck position Bisonic & set neck would be epic indeed! In aged white preferably

Would happily drop $1k on that if they throw in a hardshell case.

Regarding a Pilot Reissue, I'm not sure it would be a good idea for them from a business standpoint, since you can still score USA pilots for around $500-600 with a little patience, but definitely under $1k pretty much anytime. I can't see them competing with that in any kind of profitable way. Not to mention, import Dearmond Pilots can be had for $150! The only exception may be some kind of Jaco tribute run (like their Bob Marley Madeira run).

 

[mavuser]

JS-1 with the neck position Bisonic & set neck would be epic indeed! In aged white preferably

Would happily drop $1k on that if they throw in a hardshell case.

Regarding a Pilot Reissue, I'm not sure it would be a good idea for them from a business standpoint, since you can still score USA pilots for around $500-600 with a little patience, but definitely under $1k pretty much anytime. I can't see them competing with that in any kind of profitable way. Not to mention, import Dearmond Pilots can be had for $150! The only exception may be some kind of Jaco tribute run (like their Bob Marley Madeira run).

i would think they could get a piece of the squire pbass market? build them super cheap like the surfliner. bring them all back pilot, aviator, detonator, etc...for Mark D! RIP!

 

[Happy Face]

When I saw the headline I thought you had been smitten by a Charvel Surfcaster bass! I agonized and missed one. A lovely bass.

 

[jp]

When you bring up a bass version of a Surfliner, the Fender Rascal comes immediately to mind. Unfortunately it never seemed to take off.



Being a former Charvel Surfcaster owner, I was really interested in this bass when it was released. Fender Six body, short scale, commodity parts, including the very familiar Starfire bridge. I suspect its lack of success may be mostly due to the lipstick PUs.

Outside of Danelectro basses, lipstick PUs always seem to get poo-pooed as one trick ponies, and I tend to agree. There was Jerry Scheff Lakland with active Bartolini electronics and Kent Armstrong Lipstick tubes, but those are really just F-Jazz PUs in a chrome tube. They do generate a pretty distinctive growl, though.

I like how you're thinking, though, Frono. Guild does need solid body electrics in its stable. And Bisonic-like electronics really be a draw.

I would love to see distinctive Guild bass models revived like the B-301/2, a Jetstar/Polara, or S-200/T-Bird, especially with lighter bodies, short scale offerings, and simplified electronics. I also do like the idea reviving the JS basses. That would be cool!

 

[mellowgerman]

When you bring up a bass version of a Surfliner, the Fender Rascal comes immediately to mind. Unfortunately it never seemed to take off.



Being a former Charvel Surfcaster owner, I was really interested in this bass when it was released. Fender Six body, short scale, commodity parts, including the very familiar Starfire bridge. I suspect its lack of success may be mostly due to the lipstick PUs.

Outside of Danelectro basses, lipstick PUs always seem to get poo-pooed as one trick ponies, and I tend to agree. There was Jerry Scheff Lakland with active Bartolini electronics and Kent Armstrong Lipstick tubes, but those are really just F-Jazz PUs in a chrome tube. They do generate a pretty distinctive growl, though.

I like how you're thinking, though, Frono. Guild does need solid body electrics in its stable. And Bisonic-like electronics really be a draw.

I would love to see distinctive Guild bass models revived like the B-301/2, a Jetstar/Polara, or S-200/T-Bird, especially with lighter bodies, short scale offerings, and simplified electronics. I also do like the idea reviving the JS basses. That would be cool!

A slight veer to a Fender Rascal whose owner obviously felt the lipstick pickups were lackluster or a little too wimpy:

SOLD - Fender Rascal, modified, extra cool!

Update: Will also consider 5 strings for trade, mostly interested in 34” scale. ***PENDING DEAL*** Hey All, Up for trade today is my very cool...

www.talkbass.com

I think lipstick pickups, in the bass context, do their best when both pickups are selected and set to full volume. Incidentally this is the setting that I'm not crazy about on their 6string guitars. The magic detail is that they wire their guitars and basses uniquely, with the pickups in series (most manufacturers wire their pickups in parallel). The result of series is a big mid boost and a fatter/louder sound than either pickup solo'd. A solo'd lipstick pickup (or even dual in parallel) on bass though is quite lacking in my opinion. On guitar it's a different story though.

Anyway! Back to the Guild topic... Just as much as I'd love to see a JS-1 reissue, the same goes for a B-301 or B-302, BUT let's get one in short scale with Bisonics! I fella can dream, right?

 

[Minnesota Flats]

I've already mentioned how much I'd like to see an NS M85-II (Bi-Sonics) in 3-color sunburst...or at least some translucent color...anything but black.

But that's a pipe dream as well...

 

[Happy Face]

I've already mentioned how much I'd like to see an NS M85-II (Bi-Sonics) in 3-color sunburst...or at least some translucent color...anything but black.

But that's a pipe dream as well...

Oh pshaw, you can create such a beast, as have I.

 

[krysh]

I‘m still waiting for a good 5-string bass with bisonics…

 

[mellowgerman]

I‘m still waiting for a good 5-string bass with bisonics…

If Guild managed to pull that off, they'd own a fine niche of the market, because I don't think anyone else has made a 5string Bisonic yet. Novak teased the idea but so far only has 4string and 6string (narrow bass VI style) versions.