Guild Pilot bass club?

[EWH]

Early '84
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Very, very nice, Bugspray...

"Pickguard Pilots" have never really captured my heart as the later models have...However, yours is very similar to one of the two (besides the original prototypes) that I do not own, but would very much like to have in my own collection:

 

[Bugspray]

Note that the pickup location on the 20 fret early models is different. They also aren't contoured on the front of the body.

 

[Bugspray]

BTW, this is what got me into Guild Pilot basses.

 

[Bugspray]

Here's Jerry Peek with a 20 fret early model with an unusual headstock.

 

[FRoss6788]

Jerry Peek, moster bassist!

 

[TrustRod]

Here's what I came up with for a back plate. It seems to be a good match at least for my 5 string. The white piece is new, the black one underneath is the old backplate. If I print another I'll flip it first and the texture will be more like the black plate.



Here's the drawing for any one who wants to make their own. I can't upload the STL file but can send it if someone wants it.

 

[EWH]

Here's Jerry Peek with a 20 fret early model with an unusual headstock.

I've had a good look through this video, keeping my eye on this headstock...There are a few moments throughout where you can clearly see the backside of the neck, it's classic Pilot profile, and the Guild "rooftop" logo on the front of the headstock, so it's certainly not an aftermarket replacement neck...

For a brief moment I thought perhaps it might be a prototype precursor to the "cakeknife" headstock, but such an idea is still min. 2 years too early, so no...

The moments where I can clearly see the front of the headstock have convinced me that this is just the original "foot" headstock (as seen in your first shared video) and for whatever reason, Jerry modified it - simply by cutting a straight line from the base of the headstock to the lower tip and by doing so effectively removed the concave "foot" cutout...

Either it was to repair damage or Jerry wanted to try out a different headstock look.

 

[EWH]

Here's what I came up with for a back plate. It seems to be a good match at least for my 5 string. The white piece is new, the black one underneath is the old backplate. If I print another I'll flip it first and the texture will be more like the black plate.

View attachment 5299886

Here's the drawing for any one who wants to make their own. I can't upload the STL file but can send it if someone wants it.

@TrustRod, I'd be very interested in getting 2-3 control cavity "blanks" if you have the time and desire to print them for me...? (I'm sure others here would as well...)

By "blanks" I mean *without* screw holes as it's been my experience that original covers vary ever so slightly in size and in screw hole placement...Having a few blanks that I could custom fit as needed would be very nice...The same could be said for the truss rod covers...

If you're interested, let me know - I'd be happy to pay you for them...I suppose I could have someone over here make them for me, but I think it's "cooler" to have one Pilot owner helping another...

 

[EWH]

BTW, this is what got me into Guild Pilot basses.

Here's a link to another TB thread about Jerry Peek - in case you haven't seen it already...

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jerry-peek.1236321/

 

[EWH]

@InkCow - okay my friend, if I was in the US, I'd shoot this guy an offer now - 700.USD *including* shipping for this package is a fair deal in my eyes...

 

[InkCow]

@InkCow - okay my friend, if I was in the US, I'd shoot this guy an offer now - 700.USD *including* shipping for this package is a fair deal in my eyes...

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It’s definitely a reasonable price, but not the time of year that I have $700 to burn on a project! Actually, I’m not sure there’s ever that time of year.

Did just get a really good offer for a DeArmond Pilot V that I also don’t have the spare funds for, too

 

[EWH]

It’s definitely a reasonable price, but not the time of year that I have $700 to burn on a project! Actually, I’m not sure there’s ever that time of year.

Did just get a really good offer for a DeArmond Pilot V that I also don’t have the spare funds for, too

An X-mas present yourself - you're allowed one every year...

No, there is never a good time of the year for spending "adult money" on frivolous "adult toys" - but go ahead and do it anyway because it's good for your soul...

Pass on the DeArmond - there are still enough real 5-string Pilots out there...You can buy that for yourself NEXT X-mas...

 

[Bugspray]

I've had a good look through this video, keeping my eye on this headstock...There are a few moments throughout where you can clearly see the backside of the neck, it's classic Pilot profile, and the Guild "rooftop" logo on the front of the headstock, so it's certainly not an aftermarket replacement neck...

For a brief moment I thought perhaps it might be a prototype precursor to the "cakeknife" headstock, but such an idea is still min. 2 years too early, so no...

The moments where I can clearly see the front of the headstock have convinced me that this is just the original "foot" headstock (as seen in your first shared video) and for whatever reason, Jerry modified it - simply by cutting a straight line from the base of the headstock to the lower tip and by doing so effectively removed the concave "foot" cutout...

Either it was to repair damage or Jerry wanted to try out a different headstock look.

Any input @peekster

 

[EWH]

Wishing everyone who participates in this Pilot forum a very Happy and prosperous New Year 2024...

 

[TrustRod]

HNY! Backplates are crossing the states right now to kmon, should be there Monday. There are two coming. The first is made from clear PETG, a strong durable plastic that can be tricky to print. I should have printed it upside down to get the smoother texture but the function is the same.

The second was printed in red PLA, an easier plastic to print but somewhat brittle and prone to cracks similar to many plates from different brands. The red one has the two side screws moved out slightly. When you get these kmon see if you can compare those 2 spacings. And of course if it fits the 4 string which I'm pretty sure it will.

As with any plastic parts don't tighten the screws just screw them in enough to make the parts touch without a gap, and stop.

A pic while we wait.

 

[TrustRod]

Now on to complete Pilots. Looking at the post where the partial build 5 string is being estimated at $700 I started wondering what mine is worth and if it's time to go. It's far from stock.

It's a mahogany body, originally butter colored but now sparkly green. A little flame in the neck. 4 hipshots, 1 gotoh/grover style tuner Original preamp and EMG pickups. Swapped bridge and knobs as it used to have gold hardware, still has a gold neckplate. Where would the market place this?

 

[InkCow]

I love the color, but if we’re going to “Price Is Right” this, I’m going to start at $700: nothing is original, parts are mismatched, and Pilots have a very limited audience.

That being said, I would rock the motherloving heck out of that.

 

[EWH]

I have always wanted a bass with a metallic/metalflake paintjob, but so far, have never had one...And, while this particular shade of green isn't necessarily my favorite, it is still very cool and I would leave it as is if I ever came to own it rather than giving it a refin...
In my own humble opinion as a Pilot collector, I certainly prefer the Pilot's original hardware to the aftermarket hardware installed on this Pro5 - especially when considering the bridge...
The present bridge offers zero side-to-side string adjustment possibility, so it would be the very first thing I would have to replace with a new Schaller 3D-5 Roller bridge (or, alternatively, an Allparts Omega 5 string/Badass V5)...
Then - and this is only because of personal preferences - the Hipshot tuners would be changed out with Gotoh GB350 Res-o-Lite tuners, rather than returning to the OEM Grover Minis...(If the paint isn't original, then the tuners don't have to be either)
The missing trussrod cover and another type of control knobs would be evt. be added as well...
Next point: does this Pro5 come with it's original case and what condition is it in...? A really nice original case is worth 150-200.USD of an evt. asking price, depending on it's condition...
So, in my own little private Pilot world, this Pro5 "needs" about 300.USD +/- of new parts on top of it's evt. asking price...(I know @InkCow would likely disagree and leave it as is because he is nowhere near as anal about hardware as I am...)
With all the above in mind and from an unbiased European collector's standpoint, if this was for sale and I was living in the US and looking for a serious 5 string bass, I'd be prepared to pay max. 700.USD if it came in a very nice condition original case, 550.USD without an original case...HTH.

 

[EWH]

On an interesting side note, TrustRod's Pro5 and one of mine are only 3 Snr. apart and both of the "BK" (SB-605) variant, rather than the "AL" (Pro4/5) variant that they "should be"...

 

[TrustRod]

Thanks for the price guesses. They seem more in line with what I thought, if not a little generous. There's no hardcase.

I see your's EWH also has an odd tuner, though a much closer match than mine.