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Guild B-50 Acoustic Bass

C

cadre bassman

May 15, 2004
30
0
Denver, CO
#1
I ran across a Guild B-50 Acoustic Bass at a local pawn shop. It would be great if I could get consul from this forum on what your thoughts are on the Guild B-50 Acoustic Bass as well as its range in value? Just to clarify the Bass is mid 1980's and it is does not have an electric pickup. Would you recommend adding an electric pickup or keeping it stock? She's in mint condition.

thanks
 
#3
I had a B30E, the a/e successor to the B50. I think, from what I have read, that the two basses are nearly identical.
Liked it a lot, just didn't play it. Good rich tone,as much volume as you could expect;(short scale, as I'm sure you are aware).
The B30s go generally in the 800- 1000 range - on the high end,a NOS B30E just sold on ebay for 1150.

I can't remeber specific prices on B50s - they don't come up that often, but I don't remeber them being any cheaper than B30s.
 
#7
Yggdrasil said:
I don't think these have any "vintage" aura, no matter what the year. They are simply "used".
Guild Starfires and M85s maybe, but not the ABGs.
Click to expand...
Too true. Older Guild basses are sorely underpriced, not that I'm complaining, and the big-bodied ABGs are just about as good as ABGs get.
There are a few B-30s and B-50s on CL and eBay priced about 25% lower than the pawnshop bass, with case, so I'd wave $700 cash under the pawnbroker's nose and walk if he balks, but you must absolutely play it first.
 
#8
Guilds are nicely made gits. I have played a B4, which is not really comparable, being a 30" scale cutaway ABG, but, I tell ya what, I loved it. I looked for one for a long time (they were made for a fairly short period, apparently) and finally bought an Ibanez AG305LG 32" scale 5-string...which is a very nice bass on its own...but I wisht I had the Guild!
 
#10
see pic
 

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#12
Go to the "Let's Talk Guild" website to find a cool forum dedicated to Guild. There's a specific bass section there with people who have lots of experience with both the B30 and B50.

The B50 has a big enough body to actually work as an acoustic instrument, unlike almist every thing thats come after it. The Ernie Ball Earthwood was certainly big enough but those were rather primitive construction, and not many were made. The Tacoma Thunderchief almost works, but falls a bit shy of the Guild. Check it over carefully to make sure the neck angle is still good, and there's no lifting of the bridge. If you're not pretty familiar with flat-top acoustic guitars, maybe take a friend who does know them. These are really a big acoustic guitar and don't really have much in common with electric basses.

I love Guilds in general and would love to have a fretless B50. I was a Guild dealer from 1977-1988 and wish I'd been able to justify getting one then.
 

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