DeArmond vs. Dillion

[J-Dub]

I'm looking for a decent hollowbody bass to add to my arsenal. I plan to add some nice tapewounds to get a really good old school vibe.

I have the opportunity to get a DeArmond by Guild Starfire bass or a Dillion hollowbody (Gibson EB-2 copy) for about the same price.

I know they have slightly different pickups, but from what I've read about them, it sounds like I can't go wrong with either for the price. (This won't be my main ax, just something different on the side)

If you had to pick, mostly based on sound quality/tone, which would you go with? Or am I comparing apples and oranges? Is one clearly the better choice for the same price?

 

[Meddle]

My Dearmond Jet Star was really well made. The Starfire is a design classic, and I would go with that bass over the Dillion personally.

 

[wolfmancharlie]

By no means am I putting Dillion down. I own a few of their guitars, but I think you will like the DeArmond Starfire a little more. I have played the Starfire and realy liked it but at the time didn't have the funds to take it home.I have owned 2 Dillion basses and sold them . Both basses had a high quality build and finish but the tones that I needed from them weren't there. The Rickenfaker was just not my cup of tea. Couldn't get a deep bass sound out of that one, it did have a nice generic sound .Just didn't care for the Jazz copy at all. Just my opinion.

 

[Rip Topaz]

My Dillion took quite a bit of work to get the frets level, it was almost as if they were just pressed in and that was it.

It's a cool bass, P tone that you'd expect (mine is the 5204 SCPB), but was a real pain to get dialed in.

 

[Low-Bottom-E]

I own a Darkstar loaded, cherry colored, Dearmond Starfire, so you know where my vote goes...After a pro setup, choice flats & those great, Darkstars, this thing plays itself...

 

[insomniac2295]

I've played the DeArmond Starfire and it was absolutely magical. If I could get my hands on one.... ohhhh momma!

 

[GM60466]

I liked the DArmond. The neck needs a little tweaking and fret ends need to be filed some times

 

[swamp2]

Well, never played a DeArmond starfire bass but have an M75T guitar and it is a pretty high quality instrument. I'd go with the DeArmond...