Guild Pilot 5 string fretless, local San Diego

SaxBass · #1 07-23-2011, 01:50 PM

A few years ago I ended up with what appears to be the first Guild Pilot 5 string bass made. The serial number is BK 100001. It's a fretless, but I don't think it started out as one. Here I am with a sort of a collector's item that I'm probably not going to play. I've held on to it a bit for sentimental reasons, a bit for collector's reasons, a bit 'cause I thought I'd eventually work on playing fretless. That last reason has turned out to be a bust, at least in 5-string world, so I'm selling it.

It's blue, 34" scale, EMG JJ pickups. It appears to me the frets were ground down rather than pulled, and the fretboard done in epoxy; professional job, very smooth and clean. The body is pretty straight on the top; the back has some significant buckle scratches. Neck is very nice. The bass is strung with LaBella tapewounds. It's light; my digital scale has the bass at 8 lbs. 8 oz. Has original hard-shell Guild case.

$300. No trades. Local sale only for now (shipping is a pain). Prefer cash. Listed locally in San Diego on CL too. I have more pics if needed, can email them.

Dr. Cheese · #2 07-23-2011, 02:03 PM

Oh my word! Although I'm not much a fretless player, I would love to have a Guild Pilot V. A Pilot was the first good five string I ever owned.

basmansam · #3 07-24-2011, 05:37 PM

Nice bass. What is the string spacing?? I have family that live in Point Loma and OB. I might be able to have them p-up and ship to me.

SaxBass · #4 07-24-2011, 06:17 PM

Hi bassmansam,

The string spacing at the bridge is variable, and measuring shows string spacing as set (I've never messed with it) varies between 16 and 17mm. I compared the bridge to a Lakland DJ5 I have, and just eyeballing it I don't think it can go all the way to 19mm spacing. I know that 17mm spacing throughout on the Pilot still leaves room for more adjustment a bit wider. The neck width at the nut is right about 1 7/8 inches.

I live in Point Loma.

Kevin Woods · #5 07-25-2011, 01:13 AM

I remember a few years before Jaco died there was an ad in Bass Player with him slamming on one of these...

Cheers.

boombloom · #6 10-27-2011, 03:16 PM

Still available?

SaxBass · #7 11-08-2011, 12:13 PM

Aaaaand.... sold!! Finally! Thanks, Brad. (Bwoodman). Hope you enjoy it. Nice meeting you and talking bass for a few. Hope your drive home in the rain wasn't too bad...

John