string recommendation for Guild B-301

lowjoe1 · #1 07-02-2011, 10:52 PM

Hey Guild guys, what do you think sounds good on these? I use TI jazz flats on my other basses but don't really like the sound on the Guild. Sad thing is that it sounded really nice with the rounds that were on it when I got it, but I don't know what they were and I'm afraid of fretwear with stainless rounds. It's the Mahogany one, not the ash. Any suggestions?

lowjoe1 · #2 07-05-2011, 02:09 PM

Anyone?

darkstorm · #3 07-05-2011, 09:14 PM

I had a guild pilot bass back in the 80;'s for awhile. Used same strings I used on all basses. Rotosound swing 66.

Lesfunk · #4 07-05-2011, 09:19 PM

When I had one back in the day, I used D'addario XL165's nickel round wounds. Try a couple different sets and see what work for you

lowjoe1 · #5 07-09-2011, 12:53 PM

Hey, just an update guys. I tried a set of SIT nickel powerwounds on it and they sound great! Very surprised at the thickness of the bottom and nice overtones up top. Funny, I've been a flatwound guy for years, and love them on my Precision and EB3L, but the 301 just really likes rounds. It definitely gives me a different sound in my arsenal. With the tone at about 5, it sounds surprisingly like a piano.

Schlyder · #6 07-09-2011, 01:09 PM

I used to have the exact bass... Guild B-301 all mahogany... dead stainless rounds, If I remember correctly.. I used mainly Rotosounds.... they sounded great on it. Probably I also used Dean Markley SuperRounds. Definately rounds will sound great.

Mad_Phingers · #7 07-13-2011, 08:44 AM

I have been using Ernie Ball Hybrids, 105-45. Even after a week or so of gigs and sweat, they still have plenty of brightness and life in them. Very musical strings.

JTE · #8 07-13-2011, 08:58 AM

Not that it really matters, but it probably shipped with a set of D'Addario nickles like the XL-170 (I think, 50/60/85/105) or maybe a set of old-style D'Addario flats. Guild strings were unashamedly made by D'Addario for a LONG time. At least from 1972 until FMIC closed the Westerly RI plant in 2001.

John

lowjoe1 · #9 07-13-2011, 08:54 PM

Thanks for the info, did not know that about Guild strings. And thanks to all for their recommendations. It's a killer bass!

jmlee · #10 07-27-2011, 07:42 PM

I've got a Guild Pilot and a B-302. I've got Dean Markley Blue Steel roundwounds on both and they sound just spectacular!

I dearly love both these instruments.

I replaced the original EMG P/J pickups on the Pilot with new EMG-X pickups and upped the voltage to 18 volts. It sounds just grand now; very good before, tremendous now. The boys say it's a tone monster.

The B-302 was modded before I got it with a series-parallel pull switch on the front pickup volume control and a phase micro-switch. Crazy range of tones.