• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

1994 fender cij jazz or Guild b-301?

L

lowjoe1

Feb 3, 2011
175
2
tennessee
#1
I've always played my precision and my EB3, the p for funk and rock and the EB3 for a more upright sound and some rock. I have a chance to trade a guitar for one of these 3 basses. I'm wondering if either one of these might fill a hole that my p or eb3 can't, and just opinions on all in general. I'm new to the forums here and look forward to chatting with you guys. Thanks in advance!
 
#4
KramerBassFan said:
I'd take the guild B301 every day of the week.

Not to mention, its a better value.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I sometimes use my dads Guild 302. I believe a 1980 model. It's a BEAST. I also just recently saw 2 selling for $1000-$1500, and about 4 years ago I saw one selling at Guitar Center for $1000 and it was beat to $#!T. I'm not sure of the actual value, but apparently it's pretty decent. If you're looking for a change, I'd go Guild. It's pretty unique. But the Jazz also has a sound all it's own too. Can you play both first to test them out?
 
#6
Thanks for all the help so far. Sounds like right now I'll be going for the Guild unless I really like the way the MIJ jazz plays. Anyone vote for the jazz? By the way, I'm new to this and thanks for so many responses so quickly! You guys seem to be a friendly bunch.
 
#8
I'd go with the Jazz, but I love the Jazz tone. I have had a Guild B-402 which is very similar and it was a very cool bass with a huge sound. I hate their bridges, but tonally and playability wise a very cool bass.

Pricing is funny on these Guild 3xx/4xx models, so don't assume it's worth is that much more than the CIJ jazz. I've seen 301's sell as low as 500 and as high as 900 with no rhyme or reason other than I think not many people know about them. CIJ jazzes will pull 600-700 easily.
 
#13
I haven't played a Guild B301, but they make very good instruments. I will say that the CIJ Fenders are of excellent build quality, although oddly, the electronics aren't of similar caliber (I've got a '97 CIJ JazzFL that I gutted and fit with diMarzio replacement PUs and an Audere JZ-3 pre-amp). I love that bass!

You haven't given us exact prices, just the $200 difference. But, I wouldn't pay more than about $600 for a nice CIJ Jazz - they have gone up a fair bit in the last few years. Ten or eleven years ago I got mine for $190!
 
#14
i think with a P, you already have a lot covered... you have the EB, so you got some shortscale love... why not go for something different? semi-acoustic, or beyond 34"? or maybe 32"?

in any case, I'd go for some single-coil action, so both of those basses kinda fit... if i had to choose, i'd take the jazz, but definitely try to try them both first!
 
#15
Can't have a Guild B301 thread without a Guild B301. :cool:

B301F.front.ss.jpg
 
#17
Actually, my eb3 is a 34" scale eb3l. Its a 1969 with slotted headstock and NO NECK DIVE AT ALL. Really. (I threw that in for the anti-gibson folks.) I actually play it more than the 1978 p, love the bridge pickup. If someone could tell me how I could post some pics. Anyway, I didn't say prices cause it's a trade for an electra les paul from the 70's. You know, the ones with the atari cartridges in the back. :cool:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back