Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I saw one today in a pawn shop. They want $400 for it.

Has bad bow in the neck, replaced jack and missing trc. My concern is the truss rod might be broken.

I'll ask if I can take some pictures of it tomorrow to post. Might be worth grabbing if the action can be fixed.

that is one bass model i have never picked up,but have always been curious about. i think these came with alder bodies, and 3 piece set-necks. that wouldn't be a bad deal for a fixer! i had to replace the truss rod in a 60's model epiphone bass,it's not a quick and easy job....removing the fretboard,reglueing,etc....

They are great basses IMHO.....I've wanted the B 302, the two pickup version for YEARS.
IF I remember correctly, they were on the heavy side. Prices have been going up of late.

They also made a very rare fretless version...I THINK the B 302F. Mahogany body, GREAT TONE.

Price sounds about right for the condition you describe.

Jim Boyle has a B 302 and he LOVES the thing!

They have a cult following and I'd STILL love to get my hands on one.

rarer still might be this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT


I would gamble on the b301 if I knew how and had the tools to replace a truss rod.

I owned a black B-301 back in 1979 and I loved that bass. Great tone due to the solid mahogany body and really easy to play; the only downside was that it was a bit of a neck diver. You usually see a lot of B-302 or B-302A basses on the market but rarely a B-301. I think that they were very unappreciated during their run and I'd have another in a heartbeat if the price was right.

IIRC, Chris Squire played a fretless Guild on TFTO.

yes,Jeff,but i believe it was a different model Guild,somewhat akin to a Gibson SG bass.
Tony,that fretless is really nice. My only brush with guilds is that i used to own one of their acoustic guitars,and really liked both the tone and the playability of it.

woodyng wrote:yes,Jeff,but i believe it was a different model Guild,somewhat akin to a Gibson SG bass.

So, more like the S100 guitar version? I just played with a guitarist last night who has a 1970 S100.

I've come close to pulling the trigger on a 302 several times. You see "well played" versions in the $450-650 range. Pristine examples closer to $700-900. The 301s are usually a bit cheaper. I beleive there were both mahagony and ash versions, the latter with just a clear coat.

There are some permutations in later models that sometime increase the price.

So I'm not sure that is a great deal, especially if the TR is snapped, stripped or whatever.

I took another look at the bass today. It's a bit too beat up. Sounds ok. I think the issue with the neck is that the truss rod nut is stripped which, could be an easy fix but it may also mean the truss rod was messed with way too much. Either way it's got a bad bow and probably not even worth the $400 he'll accept (price tag says $600).

Andy Rourke used a B 301 in his first few months with The Smiths. Marr was using a Gretsch 7680 Super Axe.

i think it's a cool looking bass design. something squire would have tried out in the early '80's like his "tempus fugit " bass !
it's kinda like gibson, but more refreshingly updated.

i really like the look of it too,especially the pickguard shape,one of these days i will check one out.

I had a Guild B 301 once. It was stolen out of the room where I taught bass in the Bronx. Nice bass, I wish I still had it. Would have lost my mind completely if it was one of my Ricks!