4001 vs. Guild B-301 - Which should I borrow for a gig?

[Jim C]

Headed to see my cousins art opening in Providence next week and will then go by the family mini studio and play with some family and other local guys. The 80's Ibanez was needed back by its' owner and it's far too much trouble to bring a bass. Thus leading to the question. I can borrow a Rick 4001 or a Guild B-301 (34" scale / 1 - single coil pup). We will play some rock, R&B, and who knows what else. Which would you pick? There is some form of an SVT waiting.

 

[sloppy_phil]

Ricks, even the old ones with the low-cut cap on the bridge pickups, are surprisingly versatile instruments. It gets my vote, which comes with the proviso that if you haven't played one before, you may want to give it a whirl first and see how it feels in your hands. They're a touch particular, and seem to be love-or-hate. I'm a "love" kinda guy, personally

 

[bobba66]

I enjoyed my Ricks. I don't think I've ever seen a Guild.

 

[chanson]

A Ric can be more versatile with two pickups, but if you've never played either before I might suggest the Guild. Likely easier to dial plug and play with no tweaking around pickup balance or anything. Sort of sounds like a mix of a P bass and a Ric. Those Guilds are great basses! I used to have one and foolishly sold it.

 

[mikeswals]

B series Guild are groovy basses... even a single pickup one.

 

[Clank Plank]

4001.

 

[Jim C]

For the record: I've been playing a long time and not worried about picking up a strange 4-string (assuming the necks are good and waiting to hear back about that). I did play a 4001 about 30 years ago for a set and it was nice although a slight bit of neck dive. It was set up to be rather growly with pronounced top end (like so many guys do). Could either bass could produce a Fenderish tone with an SVT set clean?

 

[JxBass]

I've owned a few 4001s and also a Guild B-301, though not at the same time. The Guild was a cool bass but my memory of it is that it was on the heavy side, had a chunky neck, and more of Gibson than Fender tone. Overall, I remember enjoying playing the Ric more than the Guild.

 

[Mustang Surly]

I believe that the stock bridge on this B-301 has been change to a Babicz, but here's a sample of the sound. After the backing track ends, he plays unaccompanied so you can hear the bass outside the mix. He say in the notes that there's a SansAmp Bass Driver Ver. 2 in the signal chain:

 

[Oatis]

The neck pickup alone on a Rickenbacker is mellow . The early Creedence songs were done on a 4001. It gets my vote.

 

[blacktocomm]

I believe that the stock bridge on this B-301 has been change to a Babicz, but here's a sample of the sound. After the backing track ends, he plays unaccompanied so you can hear the bass outside the mix. He say in the notes that there's a SansAmp Bass Driver Ver. 2 in the signal chain:

I have a B-301 and mine sounds exactly like the one in the video. It’s more aggressive than a 4001 imo. Neck is pretty chunky but comfy. Fun bass with a fat tone. That said, I would probably play the Ric for its versatility.

 

[grimjim]

I would borrow the guild. You can play a Ric anywhere, but how often can you have the opportunity to play a 70's tone monster like the b-301. It's not like you're buying it or anything. Play it, if you don't like it, no biggie.

 

[bobyoung53]

For the record: I've been playing a long time and not worried about picking up a strange 4-string (assuming the necks are good and waiting to hear back about that). I did play a 4001 about 30 years ago for a set and it was nice although a slight bit of neck dive. It was set up to be rather growly with pronounced top end (like so many guys do). Could either bass could produce a Fenderish tone with an SVT set clean?

I did some recording with a 4001 and an SVT years ago and it sounded very close to a Fender P bass, it did have flatwounds on it though, they actually are mistaken for jazzes often too.

 

[bdgotoh]

4001, the short upper horn on the Guild bugs me.

 

[GodsLove66]

Definitely the Ric! For mellow tones, THE TONE KNOB IS YOUR FREIND, just dial it down and you'll get a more mellow sound, especially on the neck pickup.

 

[TJH3113]

To me, the Guilds sound like the best aspects of a Precision and a Ric in one bass... the throaty mid-range presence of a P-Bass and the high-end sizzle of a Rickenbacker.

 

[Eric Swaim]

Guild all the way

 

[akukulich]

I never had much love for Rics, and I remember drooling over Guild B301 and B302 ads in Guitar Player when I was just getting started. I’d go with the Guild.

 

[Jacobfred]

I love the B301 and B302. Borrowed them from friends a few times and they always sound like if you deep-fried a precision bass. Rick's have never hit for me, but it probably won't be as heavy.

Guild all the way.

 

[pglaser01]

Because you said “which should I borrow?” might just mean that they are both available….

to which your thread title question, my answer is “Ummmm Yes”