I used to own and loved a '77 Guild B301. About 9 years ago through my own stupidity I got myself in a situation that ended with me having to sell it for less than it was worth. Now as I see that the price of these has gone through the roof I am making plans to build what I am calling a "Tribute" to the B301.
This will be one of those "as time and funds permit" type of things and seeing that it is my first real build (other than assembling fender partcasters) I am going to go slow and do it as right as I can.
Here is the plan so far...
I'm going to order a through neck from Carvin. I have "Built" a couple options of what I'd like and it looks like the top end would be around $399.. not bad and doable when I get some tax money in a month or so.
The neck is either 1 piece mahogany or 5 piece mahogany maple.. haven't decided which since most the striping will be covered by the pickguard that I do plan to add to this build. Any thoughts on that would be great.
Body wings will be mahogany (my old bass was mahogany and I loved how it felt and sounded).
Shape will be mostly true to the original B301 shape with a ever so slightly elongated top horn to help with the neck dive. I would also like to contour the body just a bit more to give it a softer look but not so much that it looks too modern (trying to retain the vintage vibe with it).
The B301 has 1 hot single coil pickup and either it's placement or just the pickup it's self is darn near perfect for the type of tone I like in my basses. That said it is impossible to find one on the used market so.. The options I am considering are..
1. A hot Jazz bass neck pickup..
2. (leaning towards this one) A Nordstrand Big Singles Soapbar Pickup. If i go with this one should I use the bridge or neck? The placement is pretty much in the middle of the two positions so...
That's pretty much where I am as of now. I still need to work out the body shape on paper. I wish I had made a tracing of it while I had it but now I just need to look at photos and try to figure out measurements from them as best I can.
Progress will be slow but I hope this interests at least some of you and you hang in there with me... I'm going to need the help lol.
Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks for reading
I have been tossing the two back and forth in my head. Does the big split still retain some of the growl you get from a single when you really dig in? Or is it slightly more mellow but with more output?
