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How Much Do Guild B301s Weigh?
- Thread starter Herrick
- Start date
- Apr 19, 2004
- 808
- 42
- 48
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Conklin Guitars (Basses)
well its made of wood, and what does wood do?
It floats in water.
What also floats in water? A duck.
So if you know its a bass, which means its wood, and floats in water, it must weigh as much as a duck.
It floats in water.
What also floats in water? A duck.
So if you know its a bass, which means its wood, and floats in water, it must weigh as much as a duck.
These basses were made with either alder or mahoganey bodies,the latter tends to be lighter. You're probably looking at between 8-10 pounds mostly,but i'm sure there are exceptions like with anything duck-weighted....
I have a B301 (my first bass) and it is around 8.0 lbs with a mahogany body and mahogany set neck. I can break it out tonight and weigh it if you like.
One issue is that the body (especially the top horn) is smaller than it should be so it does have significant neck dive. Not a deal breaker for me but it does add a bit to the fatigue factor on a long gig.
One issue is that the body (especially the top horn) is smaller than it should be so it does have significant neck dive. Not a deal breaker for me but it does add a bit to the fatigue factor on a long gig.
they were made mostly mahogany with some later ones ash i believe. i had a b-302 and it was 9 lbs i would say. same weight as my Ps. i expected it to be heavier!
these basses are great, can't recommend them enough. those pickups are so full and big. i like the b302s a lot more for tonal variation. i just tossed mine for a Starfire though, i don't need both.
these basses are great, can't recommend them enough. those pickups are so full and big. i like the b302s a lot more for tonal variation. i just tossed mine for a Starfire though, i don't need both.
Violen said:
What weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of lead?
The lead will fall faster!
Thanks mang but that's not necessary. I was just curious. I've seen them here & there on eBay and have always been curious about them due to the single pickup & the unique looks. I really shouldn't be buying any more basses right now
I've got one for sale in the classifieds here. I can give it the bathroom scale test for you tonight.
Thanks mang but that's not necessary. I was just curious. I've seen them here & there on eBay and have always been curious about them due to the single pickup & the unique looks. I really shouldn't be buying any more basses right now
Well don't let me spend your money for you, but they are sweet basses and I think underpriced on the used market for what they are. Those pickups are fantastic. Fred Hammond (who made Darkstars) said they were his favorite pickups after the Bisonics. Very full range (good bottom, growly in the mids and with some bite up top) with a very lively, chimey, resonant tone.
Compared to a Jazz or Precision the body is a good deal slimmer which cuts down on the weight. And a nice fast neck. I used mine in all sorts of music when I was younger but it was especially awesome (visually and tonally) when I did punk and ska/punk type stuff in college. It also sports the funkiest (in good and bad ways) bridge of any bass I've ever owned.
Odd, I searched the classifies but I didn't see your post. Very tempting but I just bid on a bass on eBay.
Jared Lash said:
That's a big selling point for me. I like basses with smaller bodies. The problem is that I'd really like a 5-string & there's a good chance I'll be getting one very soon. If the 5-string doesn't work out for me, I'll seriously consider checking out a B-301 in The Future.
Agreed! According to old price catalogs from the 70's and 80's (and some old store catalogs) these used to sell for as much as Fenders and more the Rics, yet now can be had for less than half (and much less in some cases) of either.
I love my B-302 and consistently get praises from sound guys on how great it sounds...more than any other bass I've owned. I'd love to get a B-302F at some point soon.
Also, I have managed to deal with the neck dive issue by using a Dunlop straplok on the upper horn which extends it a little and a regular button strap on the bottom so it doesn't cancel out the upper horn extension. I use a 4" Italia strap and keep it moderately high and have no more neck dive issues like I used to have at the beginning...It's actually the easiest playing bass I've owned for playing in the higher registers and the reach for the lower frets isn't bad at all (but I use 1-2-4 for lower frets). Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.
My B-302 actually replaced a 5er. I used to own an Mbasses M3 fretless 5, and as much as I loved that bass, the B-302's tone is so massive that I don't miss the low B string much anymore since the G string sounds just as meaty as the rest of em. 
Good luck! Let me know if you are interested in mine. I love it, but I just put $3100 into two Ricks, so I gotta move some stuff...
It's like a Gibson 3 point bridge but different. This photo is focused on the body and not the bridge, but you can see how it is a little peculiar (and awesome, imo) looking.
It's this massive one piece brass bridge/tailpiece with oversized screws on either side for making tilt adjustments. Definitely a unique looking one too. Here's a picture showing it better:
I battled the neck dive by having custom versions built.
Obviously different tonally, but ergonomically they felt like home since a B301 was my first bass.
Agreed, I loved the tone. I thought it was interesting that Gibson Rippers and Grabbers have had a bit of a resurgence in the indie rock scene and the Guilds haven't since (IMO) they have a ballsier tone.
Here's a good example of the fretless tone from the ash version:
