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Average Price: $1,049

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$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar, an instrument that beautifully combines vintage aesthetics with modern playability. Whether you're laying down grooves in the studio or rocking the stage, this bass delivers a warm, punchy tone that's both versatile and reliable. Inspired by the classic design of Guild's iconic Starfire basses, the M85 features a semi-hollow body that enhances its rich tonal character while providing comfortable playability for extended sessions.

The M85 is equipped with a single BiSonic pickup, renowned for its ability to produce a wide range of tones from deep, thumping lows to clear, articulate highs. The combination of the pickup and the semi-hollow construction offers a unique sonic experience, perfect for genres ranging from jazz and blues to rock and pop. The bass also features a short scale neck, making it easy to navigate complex passages without sacrificing tone quality.

Every detail of the Guild M85 has been meticulously crafted to ensure exceptional performance. The bass is finished with a sleek gloss, adding a touch of elegance to its robust build. Whether you're a seasoned bassist or just starting out, the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar offers a dynamic and expressive platform to explore your musical ideas.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollow body for enhanced tonal richness
  • Single BiSonic pickup for versatile sound output
  • Short scale neck for ease of playability
  • Classic Guild styling inspired by the Starfire series
  • Gloss finish for an elegant appearance

Product specs

Brand Guild
Model Newark St. Collection M-85 Electric Bass
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories 4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Color Family Black
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 4-String
Pickup Configuration H
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar have?

The Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar features passive pickups, which provide a warm, vintage tone suitable for a variety of musical styles.

How many frets are on the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar?

The Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar has 21 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes and expressive playability.

Is the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Guild M85 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable single cutaway body shape and straightforward passive pickup configuration, offering ease of play and classic bass tones.

What is the fretboard material of the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar?

The fretboard of the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar is made from rosewood, known for its smooth feel and rich tonal qualities.

Does the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar have an active preamp?

No, the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar does not have an active preamp, relying on its passive pickup system for tone shaping.

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Guild Newark St. Collection M-85 Bass Demo

Video thumbnail for Guild Newark St. Collection M-85 Bass Demo by Guild Guitars

Guild Newark St. Collection M-85 Bass Demo

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Video thumbnail for Demo/Review: Guild M-85 Bass by Michael Bolton

Demo/Review: Guild M-85 Bass

Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton

Video thumbnail for Guild M 85 Bass GOTW by Twin Town Guitars

Guild M 85 Bass GOTW

Twin Town Guitars

Twin Town Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar.

Comparisons

  • The Guild M85 is likened to the Mustang and Starfire, indicating a unique thump and shorter scale appeal among enthusiasts.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Short scales are praised for deep tones with fuzz effects, offering a unique sound compared to full-scale basses.

    Source

User experience

  • Short scales are noted for their comfort, particularly for players with smaller hands, enhancing playability and reducing fretboard stretching.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Owners report that short scales often produce a deeper tone due to fewer overtones from shorter, thicker strings.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jonny Greenwood uses Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar

Jonny Greenwood

Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

"The one pickup version, in Cherry Sunburst. Acquired October 2006. Jonny play it on SuperCollider. First live appearance: Supercollider on Sept 29, 2011 at the Roseland Ballroom."

Source: The King Of Gear (http://thekingofgear.com/jonny/chordophones)

See how Thom Yorke uses Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar

Thom Yorke

Singer, Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via YouTube

Thom Yorke uses a Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar live with Radiohead on their song "The Amazing Sounds of Orgy".

See how Adam Yauch uses Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar

Adam Yauch

Singer, Bassist

Beastie Boys

...
Verified via Photo

Adam Yauch is confirmed to have used a Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar during the "Get Out & Vote Tour" in 2008. This identification is supported by visual evidence which showcases Yauch playing an electric bass that matches the distinctive characteristics of the Guild M85, including its unique color and specific pickups, as seen in the provided photograph.

See how Chris Chaney uses Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar

Chris Chaney

Bassist

AC/DC

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post showing off his collection, the Guild Bass can be seen 3rd the left on the rack. In the comments section, Chaney recalls how he got possession of it

I got them from a guild artist relations guy in Europe about 15 years ago. He was a guitar player so these basses sat in a closet and were in impeccable condition. They both play and sound great. The old Brazilian rosewood necks have so much swirl.

See how John Shanks uses Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar

John Shanks

Guitarist, Composer

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via Johnshanks

This guitar was featured on the "guitars" section on his official website.

See how Garry Tallent uses Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar

Garry Tallent

Bassist

E Street Band

...
Verified via Wanadoo

Garry Tallent is noted to have used the Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar during the E Street Band's Magic Tour, as detailed on the tribute page "Garry's Corner" on Wanadoo.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Guild M85 Electric Bass Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Fender Precision Bass
Fender Precision Bass Electric Basses
2
Guild Starfire IV Bass
Guild Starfire IV Bass Electric Basses
2
Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar
Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1
Gibson Les Paul Junior
Gibson Les Paul Junior Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar
Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar
Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1
Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Casino Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1
Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar
Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1
Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Jazz Bass Electric Basses
1

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