NVAD! The gentle giant that followed me home

Well this big fella has been reposted for about a month on my local Craigslist (‘68 Guild Thunderbass) and it has had me chomping at the bit with curiosity! When I went to the mans house to go check it out he was waiting in his truck at the end of the driveway. I pulled up and he explained his gear was in the barn down the road, we pulled in and he opened the sliding door and it was like stepping into a chaotic vintage gear emporium! There were cabs,heads, guitars, pedals, keyboards, random cool vintage stuff... it was wild. Anyway we sparked up a deal (though in the listing pictures the older cream 2x12 cab as well.) Either way I’m happy with this amp even though it gave me a scare when I got home..... I plugged it in fired it up and started playing through it and good lord it was thin and small had no body or bass and was all treble. Tried it in other cabs and switched guitars and immediately had buyers remorse.... called my buddy and explained it sounded like a cocked wah. And then it hit me..... I had worked on my wah the previous day and it was ON toe down... turn it off and the notes bloomed and was sparkly clean with depth and good bottom end. She needs a tech visit but it’s the 6L6s version with the 4 tube preamp which I was surprised to see the entire preamp is loaded with Telefunkens! What are your thoughts on this big goofball amp???

 

You hit the nail right on the head! Oxfords they are. And yes very smooth and deep warm cleans I love them

 

That superstar is CLEAN! love that big guy. As far as I know Guild built all of their own amps right in Hoboken New Jersey. They has some interesting build quirks and circuits but they were quite well thought out and very well built! As of right now I actually have an early 60s Thunderbass 2x12 in the works. I should be picking it up Sunday. I’ll keep you all Posted !

 

Quick little update: I got back in touch with the guy who sold me the thunderbass and worked out a deal to do some cabinet/guitar work for the other earlier Thunderbass I cabinet. Speakers both date to the 31st week of 67 and are both the original Oxfords. I also may have secured to do some carpentry work for him in trade for a ‘59 Supro Ranchero

 

It’s funny because both cabs come with oxfords of the same type just different sizes and I like the way the 2x12 sounds better. It’s warm and articulate though a little “busy” sounding. I can’t really explain but there are some little nuances that get funky but they both still sound great.