Ashbory (Guild/DeArmond/Fender) Club

[oldNewbie]

Thanks a lot, I was afraid of that.
Seller has offered refund on the cost of tuners, so will try that first , asking Fender now. Wonder if Kala Ubass will work , hoping someone else has seen this. I'm a DB player and wanted a super-compact practice instrument, and absolutely not interested in diving down this rabbit hole. If I'd known, never would have bought it, but can put up with the hassle of finding and installing new tuners . Really appreciate the guidance.

 

[syntap]

I can't offer any advice on what to do, but would be interested in seeing some pictures of what you're dealing with if you'd like to post some.

 

[oldNewbie]

Other issue is I recommend silicone strings over all of the poly Uke strings out there. I've tried them. The silicones intonate better and aren't as stressful on the tuners. Ashborys have longer fret bds than the Ukes and poly strings don't make notes but for a short range of the strings. Of course I don't know what strings are on yours.

It came with silicone, and a fresh pack of Fender silicone strings. Thanks for that info, I need that range and good intonation, this is not just for thumping in 1st position. Especially if the ukes just don't do that and I wouldn't find out until it was too late, it'll be worth it to get the tuners fixed. Just fooling around with the lower three strings, it has harmonics which I didn't expect! Thanks a lot for the encouragement.

 

[chadds]

I began on Upright in 1965. Been gigging Ashborys since they came out.

 

[oldNewbie]

@chadds et al, thanks for the pointers , but I've now so far struck out with suppliers . Have started a thread with more detail here :
Ashbory bass tuners
Appreciate the help, and @chadds I do want to keep and play this thing, now , based on your comments.

 

[bajodemierda]

I don't know about the number but I'd been lusting after one since '95 and finally got one in 2015. Quite the wait!

I run mine through my grandfather's (RIP) dinosaur 200W Peavy and 1x15. I'll probably be running a Boss 'octave' pedal and synth pedal. I also have a steel string I gig with too so that A/B comes in really handy.

Now that I found a guy making strings for it again I play it a lot more. Gonna make some heart palpitations happen.

 

[Glazenn]

Hi,
New to this forum. I'm used to play fretted and fretless basses. Planning to acquire one of these little things.
Currently 3 pieces available around me at roughly the same price (€200-250, i.e. same in US$): 1 Fender (black, below) and 2 DeArmond (blue). Never seen a Guild for sale here.
Is there a model/brand that is more desirable than others?
Many thanks - Patrick

 

[bajodemierda]

Hi,
New to this forum. I'm used to play fretted and fretless basses. Planning to acquire one of these little things.
Currently 3 pieces available around me at roughly the same price (€200-250, i.e. same in US$): 1 Fender (black, below) and 2 DeArmond (blue). Never seen a Guild for sale here.
Is there a model/brand that is more desirable than others?
Many thanks - Patrick
View attachment 4946295

I've always been on the fence about the Guild/deArmond/Fender/Ashbory crux.

The Guild I think matches up about the same thought it has shortcomings. The tuners are modified banjo tuners. The tuners can be prone to breakage. I've heard of people using dimes to tune them. But they have a cool pickup cover if you can find one all original parts. It also has a switch to turn off the preamp.

In my case I have an 'Ashbory' model, right before they when off the market. I'll leave the switch and they can have the bridge cover. Geared tuners do it for me.

That being said the Guilds are very tough to find. They made one in ivory I think. Rate, rare.

 

[Glazenn]

I've always been on the fence about the Guild/deArmond/Fender/Ashbory crux.
The Guild I think matches up about the same thought it has shortcomings. The tuners are modified banjo tuners. The tuners can be prone to breakage. I've heard of people using dimes to tune them. But they have a cool pickup cover if you can find one all original parts. It also has a switch to turn off the preamp.
In my case I have an 'Ashbory' model, right before they when off the market. I'll leave the switch and they can have the bridge cover. Geared tuners do it for me.

That being said the Guilds are very tough tomfind. They made one in ivory I think. Rate, rare.

Thank you.
Anything to add re: Fender vs. DeArmond?

 

[chadds]

Fender and DeArmonds are the same beasty. Hardshell Uke cases the ones that are hard foam covered with cordura fit these very well. I put a little folded cloth beneath body to hold it level. The chance that G strings break from OEM case rubbing them is removed.

I've played Ashborys since the early '90s. The Largesound site compares them. The Dearmond Fenders have improvements. The most significant is that the pickup design is more robust.

 

[farace]

I have a Guild. I swapped the horrid banjo tuners to the Fender/DeArmond geared tuners. Best modification one could possibly make to these instruments. Also, the original pickup died, so I replaced it with the Fender/DeArmond pickup, which required a very small amount of wood removal. I was able to make the pickup cover fit the new pickup by making a couple of small dimples in the pickup housing.

 

[Glazenn]

@chadds Thank you, I have learnt a lot from the two websites, talked to the seller for the black one, and planning to order tomorrow...

 

[bajodemierda]

Fender and DeArmonds are the same beasty. Hardshell Uke cases the ones that are hard foam covered with cordura fit these very well. I put a little folded cloth beneath body to hold it level. The chance that G strings break from OEM case rubbing them is removed.

I've played Ashborys since the early '90s. The Largesound site compares them. The Dearmond Fenders have improvements. The most significant is that the pickup design is more robust.

I didn't know that. About the pickup. I did see a guy who used a compound bow case and fixed up the inside.
That was pretty intense.

 

[Glazenn]

Sent my order this morning

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Has anyone ever tried these "HIGH" strings?
HIGH – Silicone strings – Ashbory and UkaBass Silicon Strings
(found on eBay, made in Barcelona, Spain)

 

[bajodemierda]

If you wind that E on the other way you'll keep it from popping out which it will.

Never tried the strings. I'm buying up as many OG strings as I can. Are those strings any good?

 

[chadds]

There are strings on EBay that sell with extra Gs. These are a noticeable but not major feel and tonal improvement over the OEM Fenders.
Haven't tried the High strings. I have tried every other kind including the different versions of poly strings.

 

[farace]

There are strings on EBay that sell with extra Gs. These are a noticeable but not major feel and tonal improvement over the OEM Fenders.
Haven't tried the High strings. I have tried every other kind including the different versions of poly strings.

For me, nothing sounded better than the original strings that were available from Guild when they were still in Westerly, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, even though we know people that worked there for Guild, I've not been able to find out where those strings were sourced. Those strings had a clearer tone and better sustain than anything I ever got from Fender/DeArmond.

I don't mind the Aquila Thundergut, or whatever are on my Ashbory.

 

[chadds]

For me, nothing sounded better than the original strings that were available from Guild when they were still in Westerly, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, even though we know people that worked there for Guild, I've not been able to find out where those strings were sourced. Those strings had a clearer tone and better sustain than anything I ever got from Fender/DeArmond.

I don't mind the Aquila Thundergut, or whatever are on my Ashbory.

I absolutely agree. Nothing is as good. I didn't bring them up as I'm still in mourning. The way I play which is in an upright position and tuned B-D I've gotten some okay results with other types. I have some prototype silicones from a major distributor. My Ashbory looks funny with orange and white strings. They are near but not close. They are different so I use them on a different bass for different effect.

I just ordered some "Highs" so I'll post a review.

 

[bajodemierda]

For me, nothing sounded better than the original strings that were available from Guild when they were still in Westerly, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, even though we know people that worked there for Guild, I've not been able to find out where those strings were sourced. Those strings had a clearer tone and better sustain than anything I ever got from Fender/DeArmond.

I don't mind the Aquila Thundergut, or whatever are on my Ashbory.

You know about the blue dyed strings?

 

[farace]

You know about the blue dyed strings?

Well, the Guild strings were more transparent and slightly blue-tinged, but I suspect that's not what you're talking about.