How are those Pilot V’s? I’ve thought about getting one at some point in the future. I love the thin necks on Guilds. I also want to get an upright, though, so I might try to save up for that first.
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So, I have a question for those playing De Armond Pilot Basses. I have a Guild Pilot I bought new in the 80's, their getting harder to find. But, I'm apprehensive about the De Armond Pilots mostly because of the stigma associated with a budget brand which is part of a larger company. ...like Squire and Fender, I perceive De Armond that way. Can a few of you objectively chime in on the differences and similarities between Guild and De Armond from the quality, playability and sound aspects? How close are they ... really?
I don't own a Guild Pilot but i do have a De Armond Pilot Pro 4 string. I have played the Guilds but actually prefer the De Armond. Some have commented in the past that the Pre amps were lacking, which i thought was the case when i bought mine years ago. After careful adjustments they are actually very nice. A serial knob twirler will always be unhappy with the sound, less is really more with these basses. As far as the rest goes i love the 4 string neck (the 5's are wide and super flat, and just rub me the wrong way) with it's super narrow profile. The quality is excellent also as are the general ergonomics. I would get another if the right deal came along!
I wish I could compare a DeArmond to a Guild Pro5, if someone could trade a Guild, even a 4-string for one of my DeArmonds.... I can say that the build quality is nice, but I'm not that picky. I will say the D and G string ARE a little weak, but I will be setting up my "shop" so I can easily switch between Stained Glass and Guitar Bench - then I will be trying to raise the treble side of the stock J-PUs to see if I can balance the strings better.
I will also say there are a ton of tone variables... 4s are usually PJ, my 5s are JJ, Pros are neck thru and Bartolinis, but I believe they are all active. Guilds are EMG active and passive, and have a similar range of other pickups also. Hear is a live recording from 2 iPads joined as Left-Right channels, I am going straight into the snake with no effects - skip to 4:04 if you want to hear the bass with no other instruments. (sorry about the video/audio synching, just playing with iMovie)
Got to play a white 1983 Guild Pilot last night. Other than the strap on it being setup for someone taller than me, no complaints at all. And not a scratch or blemish on it anywhere. Thing looked as new as my 2018 Ibby. What a great bass. I want one.
Nice looking pilot!!! My guess is it’s an ‘85. The 83’s had pickguards and 20 frets. This one doesn’t look like it had pilot written on the headstock and has the strap pin on the back of the body, making me guess it’s an ‘85. No matter what year, they all play great!!
Just added this one - needs a bit of a setup (neck is a little too straight - needs a touch of relief) but cleaned it up and oiled the fretboard and some new Super Brights and it sounds and plays amazingly.
Anyone tell me the year from the serial# -
It's BE103686
Thanks!
According to the guild serial number chart, I believe yours was built in 1990.
Does anyone know off hand what size the truss rod nut is on a Pilot 4 string? It's got the nut on the threaded rod, as opposed to the usual hex key type.
the only Pilot I've ever laid hands on was probably the most ALIVE bass encountered so far, and that was merely unplugged, super responsive on a beefy neck and flatter board with silky strings and nearly played itself. acoustically very loud, you knew it'd be monstrous plugged in, whether I'd be able to luv the sounds who knows, but it obviously was going to be some kind of special. and it's pretty. still on consignment for $900 with a rock ...dreams
I was shocked at the loggishness yet it quickly became really comfortable and perfect for that set up.
@Rod Harder Not surprised that a certified Spector man buys a Pilot! They are very similar beasts! But I do prefer the neck profile on the Pilot
@Thundar - my main bass was a Pilot for years before I went to exclusively using Spector basses. I prefer the slightly wider nut on my Spectors but I'm stoked to have a Pilot back in the stable after 25+ years without one.
