FS/FT: DeArmond Pilot Deluxe 6

[Justyn]

This was an ebay rescue bass. I played one of these a few years back and resolved to grab one when the opportunity arose. The seller, while not dishonest, wasn't exactly lavish on the details in the listing, but I bought it anyway and it arrived with only one pickup working and the whole bass looking like it had been handled by a small child who'd recently eaten barbecue.

Caveat emptor.

The short version is it cleaned up nicely and I had enough parts in the bin to replace the aging satin chrome hardware with black (or, in the case of the Carvin/Hipshot bridge, black and gold.)

I found a NOS DeArmond preamp (again, on ebay) and everything now works as it should. While I was at it I shielded both the pickup and preamp cavities with shielding paint.

You'll also notice I removed the headstock logo. Nothing against Fender/DeArmond, it was just dirty and started to come up when I was cleaning it, so I opted to remove it completely. The fingerboard was cleaned and oiled and the body, headstock and back of the neck got a few coats of satin Wipe-On Poly for good measure. There are still a few dings on the body and neck that I opted to leave.

So that's the story. Here are some specs:

- 35" scale
- Ash body wings
- 5-piece neck
- rosewood fingerboard
- DeArmond pickups and preamp (3-band)
- Carvin/Hipshot bridge (16mm spacing)
- currently strung with D'Addario ProSteels
- Gotoh tuners
- Schaller staplocks

I don't have a case for it, but it'll be packed well. It's a fine bass that listed for over $1000 when the line first debuted. I'm looking for $350 $275 shipped.

SOLD!

Thanks!
J.

[Justyn]

Bump!

[OriginalKeyster]

Dig it! What's the width at the nut?

[Justyn]

Nut width is 2 1/16" (53mm) and the spacing between the middle of the B string to the middle of the C string is 1 3/4".

I also remeasured the bridge and realized I'd erred. It's more like 16.23mm so I've relabeled it as 16mm in my description.

Hope that helps! Don't hesitate to let me know if there are other measurements or details you'd like.

Thanks,
J.

[Justyn]

Bump! Price drop.

[OriginalKeyster]

That sounds like a steal, these seem to be rather underrated.

[Justyn]

IMO, it is, and they are. I remember when these came out and they retailed for around $1000. Had I not picked up a stellar Ibanez 3006e in a trade recently I'd definitely be holding onto this one.

I forgot to mention this in the ad, but the original satin hardware is included as well. Or I can change it all out for a buyer if that's what they want.

- thanks,
J.

[Justyn]

Bump.

[Gautama]

Originally Posted by Justyn

This was an ebay rescue bass. I played one of these a few years back and resolved to grab one when the opportunity arose. The seller, while not dishonest, wasn't exactly lavish on the details in the listing, but I bought it anyway and it arrived with only one pickup working and the whole bass looking like it had been handled by a small child who'd recently eaten barbecue.

Caveat emptor.

The short version is it cleaned up nicely and I had enough parts in the bin to replace the aging satin chrome hardware with black (or, in the case of the Carvin/Hipshot bridge, black and gold.)

I found a NOS DeArmond preamp (again, on ebay) and everything now works as it should. While I was at it I shielded both the pickup and preamp cavities with shielding paint.

You'll also notice I removed the headstock logo. Nothing against Fender/DeArmond, it was just dirty and started to come up when I was cleaning it, so I opted to remove it completely. The fingerboard was cleaned and oiled and the body, headstock and back of the neck got a few coats of satin Wipe-On Poly for good measure. There are still a few dings on the body and neck that I opted to leave.

So that's the story. Here are some specs:

- 35" scale
- Ash body wings
- 5-piece neck
- rosewood fingerboard
- DeArmond pickups and preamp (3-band)
- Carvin/Hipshot bridge (16mm spacing)
- currently strung with D'Addario ProSteels
- Gotoh tuners
- Schaller staplocks

I don't have a case for it, but it'll be packed well. It's a fine bass that listed for over $1000 when the line first debuted. I'm looking for $350 $275 shipped.

Thanks!
J.

Good price for this bass. Have you ever played one of the Pilots before Guild sold to Fender? Just curious if they sound / play similar. I used to dig my royal blue Pilot back in the day.

[Justyn]

Sold.