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[Miss Pickins]

Hello,

I have a great 1987 white or ivory Guild Ashbory bass that I picked up several years ago but, sad to say, haven't played much.  I decided to pull the Ashbory out last night and found I was having trouble with the E and A strings sound.  They seemed very quiet while the D and G strings were loud and bright.  I changed the battery just in case, but nothing happened.  I then tuned the E string up a few notes and I was able to receive a loud sound.  However, when I retuned it to E, there was only the quiet sound again.  I didn't try this with the A string but figured the same thing might happen again an didn't want to risk anything.  Does anybody have any suggestions that I might try before sending this baby off to the repair tech?

Also, I haven't heard or seen many white/ivory Guild Ashbory bass guitars out there.  If anybody can shed some light on this, I would appreciate it.  It's a beautiful instrument and I am anxious to get playing again.

Thanks a lot!

[Mike Tavener]

I bought an ivory/white Guild Ashbory a few months back, and the electronics, in comparison to my DeArmond are weak and lacking in dynamic range, but there is no obvious diference in output between strings. Curious, it may be that the circuit needs checking over.

When I bought mine (I'm in the UK and bought from a UK seller) the seller had done some research and contacted Alun Ashworth Jones the pickup maker. Alun thought that there were only a limited number made in this colour, possibly for shows/displays, and most were the same colour, though perhaps not the exact shade, as the DeArmond/Ashbory range, ie red, blue and black. The Guilds may have darkened a bit over the years - mine is now more ivory than white, as can be seen from the bit behind the transfer, and behind the Back plate.

[Miss Pickins]

Thanks for the info.  It's may be worth the trip to my local guitar shop to have them check it out.  Their tech guy is pretty good.  

Cool info about the colors.  I guess that makes our white/ivory Guilds pretty unique (and lets me know why I never see any around).  

Thanks again!

[Brock]

It is possible the pickup/bridge needs replacement from the description given.

If this is the case, upgrade pickups are available from Ashworth Electronics:
http://www.ashworthelectronics.co.uk/fprices.php

The DeArmond pickups are a different shape and are not a drop-in replacement, but thankfully Guild shaped ones are available.

-Brock

[DocStrange]

Before running off to the guitar store, try pressing down on the string between the nut and the machine head while plucking it. If it sounds OK it's not sitting properly in the nut. The solution is to unwind it and rewind it so that the string sits as low down on the machine head as possible. An elastic capo up there is another solution but the one I tried tended to spring off unexpectedly and zing across the room.

[Miss Pickins]

Thanks for the info!  I'll try restringing it tonight and see what I get.  I'll post what happens.

Thanks!