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Guild Pilot bass club?

#541
Here's my SB-603 flaked by it's cousins a SB-600 or the left and a SB-602 on the right.

SB-600s.gif


The SB-600 is unique as it has DiMarzio passive pick-ups in it.

The problem I have with the SB-603 is that it is so light, (6.5lbs!) that it suffers from neck dive. Also notice the pick-ups are reversed! Maple fretboards are fairly unusual on these bases but not unheard of.
 
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#542
Flashback- I see that your SB-603 has the standard Fender P bass pickup layout and it's not as close to the neck as the other two.
Looks like Guild moved the half of the pickup that sits under the D & G toward the neck to get their reverse layout.
I did not notice that until you put the three there side by side.

Neck dive sucks...so the weight of the missing jazz pickup is enough to screw up the balance of the bass?
Do I see the "stripey" guild logo on your SB-603 in the middle? Is it a 1985?
Serial number on the one I'm looking at is BE100636.
Does the 603 have a tone circuit or is it just the battery for the pickup and a capacitor on the tone pot to roll of highs?
Thanks!
 
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#544
Guild Pilot is probably one of the most underrated basses ever, and might be one of the truely best US basses ever produced. I had an original Pilot (Pickguard model and P J was standard config) that was like gold. The neck on that bass was one of the most playable necks I have EVER used. I regret selling that one a few years ago, as that was an amazingly great bass.

They can usually be found for almost nothing on CL if you look enough. I prefer the original model, but I often get to play them at open mics and jams from all years, and still have tons of fun.
 
#545
Neck dive sucks...so the weight of the missing jazz pickup is enough to screw up the balance of the bass?

I think it's a combo of the one pick-up plus a very light weight piece of poplar. They did move the top strap button around on the Pilots. It started out on the back on the upper horn but then it migrated around to the end of the horn. (Notice the SB-600) Personally, I like the hang better on the back of the horn.

Do I see the "stripey" guild logo on your SB-603 in the middle?

Yes is does.

Is it a 1985? Serial number on the one I'm looking at is BE100636, is that close to your 603?

I don't have the serial number recorded here, it's in storage.

Does the 603 have a tone circuit or is it just the battery for the pickup and a capacitor on the tone pot to roll of highs?

I would think just the battery but I'll check if I get over to storage this weekend.

Here's a slightly larger photo:

SB-603_zpslsnwyrjq.gif


I have the Bowdren Guild Pilot article. If you PM me with an email address I'll send it to you.

(EDIT: Never mind, Enersha just posted it and it's a better copy in color!)

Oh any one last thing, I believed you mentioned a maple fretboard. here's a solid maple body with a maple neck and maple board:

004-1.gif
 
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#548
58kites said:
Thanks to both of you, I appreciate it.
Pretty cool that there are still Pilot fans here watching this old thread.

The chunk of maple they picked for that body is crazy cool, it would look insane with an ebony fretboard.
Click to expand...

I have something similar, but stained blue.

125_2533.jpg


28a1.jpg


125_2531.jpg
 
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#550
Flashback Bass said:
Gorgeous Quilting!

It's amazing that Guild used a solid bookmatched block of maple for their basses. Think how many 1/4" thick "caps" you could get out of that one body!

How's the headstock doing? Has it "hockey sticked" yet?
Click to expand...

So far so good, with regard to the headstock. And yes, it's amazing to see folks using solid pieces of wood which we are used to seeing as "tops." Mike Tobias used to also build basses from solid chunks of fancy wood.
 
#551
If anyone's in the Chicago, there's a Guild Pilot for 3 bills on Craigslist.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Model isn't listed (possibly an 600?), but it's a single P pup with Schaller roller bridge and tree. The seller is calling it "active" and it comes with a HSC.

No connection to the sale, just passing it along.
 
#553
I've been a Pilot owner since 1988. Started with a black 4 string 602. LOVE the necks on these. Like a vintage Jazz at the nut, but it doesn't get all wide like a Fender as you move up the neck. A year or so later, I bought a used 5 string. Not sure of the model designation, but it has a 2 piece, solid flame maple body with a cherry sunburst finish. Originally dual EMG J pups, but I eventually routed the bridge position to fit an EMG 40DC. I had also installed EMG BT preamps in both. I sold the 4 a few years ago after going back to Rickenbackers and Gibsons, etc. It just didn't get used anymore. I went on a "make everything passive" spree a few years ago, and put some Duncans on the 5. Not a great idea. It was better active, but that's how it sits today. Mostly in its case as I almost never need a 5 for anything I do. I've thought about selling it a number of times, but for what I could probably get for it, I'd rather just keep it. We went through a lot together in the 90s!Link Removed
 
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#554
Flashback Bass said:
That's a SB-603! Maybe the bass that started this whole thread?
Click to expand...
Interesting that two 1985 SB-603's can have the pickup in the traditional P layout or in the reverse P layout like that one.
I am looking at one that has the pickup in the standard P pickup layout.
Is that blue metal-flake/sparkle the same as "metallic blue" that Brian Browden said Guild did?
 
#557
Here's mine. 1994 Pilot Pro. Had to take the preamp out, because apparently it went bad. This shows the original pickups, but I put wilde bill Lawrence p/j set that had never been used. Wired it V/V/T/T. Would you believe I haven't played it since? I lost the pickup adjustment screws, and haven't replaced them. Even have the case, although u don't know if it's original to the bass. Love the neck....one day I'll put a good preamp in there. Or sell it hahahah
 

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#558
The Pilot that I've been thinking about buying is here and I am curious about the frets.
I see no wear on the finish in the back of the neck or on the fretboard finish...but the frets have a shape that is not as rounded (or crowned) as I normally see on guitars and basses, I don't want to call them flat but they certainly are not the shape of a stock Fender fret.
This bass is set up well and has no fret buzz anywhere so I don't get the impression that the frets are heavily worn or worn unevenly.
Any feedback about what is normal for the Pilots would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
DSCN1519.jpg
 
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