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On another forum I raved so much about my newly acquired (Aug '11) 1994 fretted Pilot Pro that a local buddy bird-dogged an earlier fretless model possessed by a friend of his who wanted to sell. I bought it yesterday for ridiculously low money.
It included the case shown. It hadn't been played in years; the strings were actually rusty! I didn't even bother to plug it in until I restrung it with some roundwound NPS's (not sure of the brand). Yowzah! Sure, I'd love if it were a P/J, but it's just so fine as it is I'm happy. The bass is a good 8/10 condition, its mechanics and electrics are just fine (active EMGs with passive tone control) and it just sings. And it has one of my favorite features, a quartersawn neck.
I thought I had all the basses I'd ever want, and then I discovered the Guild Pilot. They're the most comfortable playable bass I've ever held, and they have a beautiful singing voice.
It included the case shown. It hadn't been played in years; the strings were actually rusty! I didn't even bother to plug it in until I restrung it with some roundwound NPS's (not sure of the brand). Yowzah! Sure, I'd love if it were a P/J, but it's just so fine as it is I'm happy. The bass is a good 8/10 condition, its mechanics and electrics are just fine (active EMGs with passive tone control) and it just sings. And it has one of my favorite features, a quartersawn neck.
I thought I had all the basses I'd ever want, and then I discovered the Guild Pilot. They're the most comfortable playable bass I've ever held, and they have a beautiful singing voice.
What's the serial number on that bad boy. I've never seen a 601 body with a 604 neck. Very interesting pilot.
Hmmm... maybe that explains the paper shims in the neck pocket. When were 601s made vs. 604s?
Paper shims have been in almost every pilot I have owned. I think I have owned 30 or so. If your serial number starts with a BH it's a 604.
Hi Fellow BPs,
Thought I'd finally join this forum, primarily for the SB-602 discussions with the owners of this rare breed of basses. Here is my story:
I bought a new Guild SB-602 when they 1st came out. I was in my local music store back in 1983 when by coincidence, the Guild rep just happened to be there with a 1st prototype/production model of this new SB-602 that Guild was coming out with. I got the opprtunity to play it and fell in love with the thin neck action and light weight of the guitar. (I had been playing a '74 Fender Jazz since... well...since '74 when I bought it brand new.) My local music store contacted me when they got their 1st store stock in and I went to pick one up. Trouble was, I noticed that the neck did not have quite the same feel/action of the one that I had played back on that day that the Guild rep had with him, so I declined to buy from the store stock telling my salesman the reason why, and thought that was the end of it. Until, several months later when my local music store salesman called me (he was a personal friend) and asked if I'd be interested in buying the same bass that I had played that day that I was in the store when the Guild rep was there. He said if I was interested, he could get that bass- he said that the rep had quit Guild and left everything behind. Well, we worked out a price and now that bass (SN 100041) has been in my possession ever since. It is the same black color with a black pick guard that I'm sure everyone has seen at sometime re:the earlier model 602 basses with one exception. Mine has a maple neck w/maple fingerboard that appears to be a real rarity. If you all are interested, I will try to take a picture and post to this forum. The case that came with my bass is a hardshell with suitcase style latches in a tan color and brown trim, w/black interior.
BTW, I primarily play my 2003 G&L L-2500 now that I acquired used in 2006. I did have to have a better truss rod installed on this bass, though, because the original truss rod that G&L used had inadequate strength (it broke). I wasn't real happy with G&L on this and I had no warranty to fall back on as a 2d owner. But, I love the tone and action on it- as far as 5-string basses go.
Thought I'd finally join this forum, primarily for the SB-602 discussions with the owners of this rare breed of basses. Here is my story:
I bought a new Guild SB-602 when they 1st came out. I was in my local music store back in 1983 when by coincidence, the Guild rep just happened to be there with a 1st prototype/production model of this new SB-602 that Guild was coming out with. I got the opprtunity to play it and fell in love with the thin neck action and light weight of the guitar. (I had been playing a '74 Fender Jazz since... well...since '74 when I bought it brand new.) My local music store contacted me when they got their 1st store stock in and I went to pick one up. Trouble was, I noticed that the neck did not have quite the same feel/action of the one that I had played back on that day that the Guild rep had with him, so I declined to buy from the store stock telling my salesman the reason why, and thought that was the end of it. Until, several months later when my local music store salesman called me (he was a personal friend) and asked if I'd be interested in buying the same bass that I had played that day that I was in the store when the Guild rep was there. He said if I was interested, he could get that bass- he said that the rep had quit Guild and left everything behind. Well, we worked out a price and now that bass (SN 100041) has been in my possession ever since. It is the same black color with a black pick guard that I'm sure everyone has seen at sometime re:the earlier model 602 basses with one exception. Mine has a maple neck w/maple fingerboard that appears to be a real rarity. If you all are interested, I will try to take a picture and post to this forum. The case that came with my bass is a hardshell with suitcase style latches in a tan color and brown trim, w/black interior.
BTW, I primarily play my 2003 G&L L-2500 now that I acquired used in 2006. I did have to have a better truss rod installed on this bass, though, because the original truss rod that G&L used had inadequate strength (it broke). I wasn't real happy with G&L on this and I had no warranty to fall back on as a 2d owner. But, I love the tone and action on it- as far as 5-string basses go.
Truss rod tool size for my pilot ? I want to take the rounds off and install TI Jazz Flats but the neck needs bit more relief and I don't have the correct size tool. So, what size do i order ?
Appears to be 1/4" so I have one on the way from WD for about $10 after USPS Priority. Hope my B string arrives from amazon about the same time!
I do Invalid Link Removed.
but since I'm in germany, it is probably out of your price range.
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
I am now the proud owner of a MINT 1986 Pilot....Came with OHSC and I have only found one ding on the whole bass....not bad for its age!!!! Pics shortly!
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
I'm having the same issue with my A string on my sb-602, didn't notice it as much with roundwound strings but with flatwound it seem to come out.
