M-85

[Happy Face]

Passing the 70-year-old mark triggering a change of priorities. Slimming down possessions.

So I'm going to part ways with my 1970ish M-85 with original Bisonics.

You NEED this bass.

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

What I need is PHOTOS!!

 

[Happy Face]

What I need is PHOTOS!!

An action photo. I'll check at home for more. Otherwise I'll fetch it back from the studio where i leave it for a nice photo session.

 

[lungimsam]

Solid, semi-hollow, or hollow?

 

[fronobulax]

Probably hollow. Looks wide. There were no vintage semi-hollow M-85's IIRC.

If this is a real FS how about checking out https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/read-me-fs-ft-rules-donation-link.202401/ ?

 

[Happy Face]

Probably hollow. Looks wide. There were no vintage semi-hollow M-85's IIRC.

If this is a real FS how about checking out https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/read-me-fs-ft-rules-donation-link.202401/ ?

Understood. But I just made the decision to sell so wanted to show it to my friends in this part of the group first. Still need to ponder the price and such before a wider listing.

I'll make a new listing then.

 

[mellowgerman]

Ooooo sir, you have my attention. PM inbound

 

[fronobulax]

Fishing expeditions are allowed and encouraged.

When you are ready....

 

[Happy Face]

Fishing expeditions are allowed and encouraged.

When you are ready....

Thanks Frono.

 

[lungimsam]

It’s gonna be mellow’s. You’re all too late!
IIRC, he’s been dreaming about a Bisonic M85 for a while now!

 

[mellowgerman]

If all goes as planned, my 1970 Starfire will have a 1970 M85 step-fraternal-twin arriving on Thursday

 

[Happy Face]

Fingers crossed that the Mellow One finds everything is OK.

 

[lungimsam]

So which string set is it gonna be laced up with upon arrival?

 

[mellowgerman]

So which string set is it gonna be laced up with upon arrival?

I took a stroll into the marshlands early this morning and did a PH test of the salty wet air coming off of the Atlantic, the result of which suggested Thomastik flatwounds. Since I know Mr. Happy does a fine set-up and has an adept ear for things that are good, I will happily give them a proper try before changing anything.

 

[lungimsam]

I like them on my red Starfire. Gets a nice tone like on verse two of Kashka from Baghdad by Kate Bush. I like that bass tone.
Best flats that fit the scale length I have found so far.
~1:25

 

[mellowgerman]

Separated at birth, reunited at 53. Some very fun revelations to share from the inspection of this lovely M85. Will write up a proper report when I get a chance, but one surprise (for me anyway) is that this one is semi-hollow! Much like Frono mentioned earlier in the thread, I was under the impression all early M85's were true hollow-body basses, just with the necessary block under the bridge. This one definitely has a solid 3-piece center block though (looks like maple to me), running the full length of the body. Which makes me wonder if I was wrong all along and they were all semi-hollows? Or was this some kind of cool transitional experimental semi-hollow phase, falling between the hollows and the solids? Any other input from other vintage-M85 owners is appreciated!

 

[fronobulax]

I believe, from no other source than what people told me on the internet, the the first iteration of the M-85 was fully hollow. The second iteration, circa the early 1970's was a solid body. So I could have been wrong or there could have been a transitional model not many people knew about. If the latter the early 1970's would be a good time for it to happen because 1970 was a wild time for Guild basses with new models, new pickups and instruments that seem to have been assembled from parts on hand without regard to catalog specs.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I'm pretty sure both of mine are "Semi-Solid":





But it's been a while since I picked them up!

This I know this is solid! (Right Sheryl?)



Did I ever tell y'all about the gig where I played each one of these for a different set?

 

[mellowgerman]

Getting along just fine

 

[chazmo]

Looks like a great addition, mellow...

I have a few questions about what I see in your beautiful picture. Please pardon the ignorance!!

Are those the original bisonic pickups on both basses? Are the pickups reversed between the Starfire and the M-85? I mean the large pole pieces face the fretboard on the M-85, but they face the bridge on the Starfire. And forgive my ignorance, but are the pickups "supposed" to be upside-down from each other between neck and bridge? Both your guitars seem to be in the same direction, though they seem opposite from each other.