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78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 27th, 2023, 8:37 am
by crescenze

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 27th, 2023, 1:16 pm
by jersey bluesdude
That could be a great restoration project for someone with the skills.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 27th, 2023, 5:53 pm
by crescenze
jersey bluesdude wrote:That could be a great restoration project for someone with the skills.
Yep. I would think it is pretty rare, but I'm not an expert, and rare doesn't always figure into a higher value.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 27th, 2023, 6:33 pm
by bbl
Based on experience of owning a B-302 fretted for 10 years, I'll bet it sounds great as a fretless (assuming the pickups are original).

I found that the set neck, all-mahogany construction, and original pickups provided great super-hot midrange tones, which imo, work great for fretless. I actually had the occasional thought of de-fretting mine before I sold it.

Regarding the price, if it helps, my all-original beat-up 1978 B-302 went for $825 in 2017.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 29th, 2023, 11:01 am
by pjmuck
bbl wrote:Based on experience of owning a B-302 fretted for 10 years, I'll bet it sounds great as a fretless (assuming the pickups are original).

I found that the set neck, all-mahogany construction, and original pickups provided great super-hot midrange tones, which imo, work great for fretless. I actually had the occasional thought of de-fretting mine before I sold it.

Regarding the price, if it helps, my all-original beat-up 1978 B-302 went for $825 in 2017.
I do think it's a bit overpriced considering the condition and mods, though a lefty fretless model is even rarer than the fretted models. This one has non-original knobs, a Badass II bridge (though that's an improvement over the original 3 point bridge, IMO), an added thumb rest, and added PUP surround (though I think it looks awesome, personally).The fretless models were actually called B302Fs, though this one doesn't have the F designation. My modded B302 apparently started life as a fretless, since it does have the B302F model nameplate, though mine has a rosewood fretboard, so the plot thickens.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 29th, 2023, 2:23 pm
by bbl
Agreed about the price.

Also about the bridge surround - they didn't a nice job matching it with the body.

And good catch about the missing "F". My factory fretted had an ebony board, and when I look at these pics I see some marks that look like the could be prior lines/dots. Looks like it has original side-dots, so looking more closely at placement of those might reveal something, too.

I asked the seller if it's factory fretless.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: April 29th, 2023, 2:28 pm
by bbl
Also, since I've sold mine, I've received messages from 3 shoppers asking me if I still have it or if I could help them contact the buyer (which, of course, I would never do without their permission).

Point is, there seems to be some passionate demand from some lefty bassists for the Guild B-302.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: May 2nd, 2023, 8:40 am
by crescenze
Reduced price. -$1050

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: May 3rd, 2023, 4:43 am
by pjmuck
crescenze wrote:I got a price on one at Chuck Levin's. It is a demo, Belair Blue in perfect shape. $1000 with a gig bag. Nice weight and the neck was very comfortable & played great. I'm a one pickup tone vol guy, so I passed on it. Shipping cost if any might make or break the deal. They have a 30 day return policy.

https://chucklevins.com/?camp_id=171449 ... gIngvD_BwE
I think you posted in the wrong thread (though a Belair Blue B302 would be sweet! :D ).

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: May 3rd, 2023, 7:17 am
by crescenze
pjmuck wrote:
crescenze wrote:I got a price on one at Chuck Levin's. It is a demo, Belair Blue in perfect shape. $1000 with a gig bag. Nice weight and the neck was very comfortable & played great. I'm a one pickup tone vol guy, so I passed on it. Shipping cost if any might make or break the deal. They have a 30 day return policy.

https://chucklevins.com/?camp_id=171449 ... gIngvD_BwE
I think you posted in the wrong thread (though a Belair Blue B302 would be sweet! :D ).
Ahhh Thanks! Reposted it in correct thread. Can't figure out how to remove it from this one.

Re: 78 Guild B302 Fretless

Posted: May 3rd, 2023, 3:09 pm
by pjmuck
crescenze wrote:
pjmuck wrote:
crescenze wrote:I got a price on one at Chuck Levin's. It is a demo, Belair Blue in perfect shape. $1000 with a gig bag. Nice weight and the neck was very comfortable & played great. I'm a one pickup tone vol guy, so I passed on it. Shipping cost if any might make or break the deal. They have a 30 day return policy.

https://chucklevins.com/?camp_id=171449 ... gIngvD_BwE
I think you posted in the wrong thread (though a Belair Blue B302 would be sweet! :D ).
Ahhh Thanks! Reposted it in correct thread. Can't figure out how to remove it from this one.
I took care of it. :D