- Smooth slides and expressive phrasing
- Arched mahogany back delivers strong projection and balanced lows
- Short 30.75″ scale length offers comfortable, easy playability
- Solid Sitka spruce top provides clear, responsive acoustic tone
- Fishman BT-1 pickup system delivers natural amplified sound
The Guild B-240E Fretless Archback, Natural is a short-scale acoustic bass for players seeking expressive fretless performance and strong unplugged projection. Based on Guild’s classic jumbo bass design, it combines a solid Sitka spruce top with an arched mahogany back and mahogany sides to produce a full, balanced voice that stands up well in acoustic settings. The fretless pau ferro fingerboard allows smooth note transitions, subtle vibrato, and singing bass lines, while the slim C-shaped mahogany neck keeps longer playing sessions comfortable.
A 30.75″ scale length helps reduce stretches, making the instrument feel approachable for a wide range of players. When you need extra volume, the Fishman-designed BT-1 pickup system accurately captures the bass’s acoustic character, with onboard volume and tone controls for quick adjustments. Finished in natural satin with a mother-of-pearl rosette, the B-240E blends traditional Guild styling with practical features for rehearsals, recording, and live performance.
Expressive fretless playing made easy
The fretless design opens up a different approach to bass performance, letting you explore fluid slides, precise intonation changes, and vocal-like phrasing. Combined with the slim C-shaped mahogany neck, the fingerboard feels comfortable under the hand and encourages smooth movement across the entire scale. Guild’s 30.75″ scale length further improves playability by reducing the reach between notes, making complex passages, melodic lines, and extended practice sessions easier to manage. Whether you’re developing your fretless technique or adding new textures to your playing, this design gives you plenty of room to explore.
Big acoustic sound with classic Guild heritage
Guild helped establish the acoustic bass format with its jumbo-bodied designs, and the B-240E continues that tradition. The large B-Jumbo Bass body generates impressive acoustic volume, helping your playing remain present during rehearsals and unplugged performances. A solid Sitka spruce top provides clarity and responsiveness, while the arched mahogany back adds strength and contributes to a rich, balanced tone. Scalloped X bracing supports efficient resonance across the body, giving notes definition and sustain. The result is an acoustic bass that delivers depth without sacrificing articulation.
Reliable amplified performance anywhere
When additional volume is needed, the integrated Guild/Fishman BT-1 electronics make amplification straightforward. Designed to reproduce the instrument’s natural acoustic character, the pickup system captures the detail and warmth of your playing for live performances, recording sessions, and rehearsals. Simple onboard volume and tone controls allow quick adjustments without interrupting your performance. This practical setup helps you adapt to different venues and monitoring situations while maintaining the core voice of the instrument. And because the controls are easy to use, you can focus on playing rather than tweaking settings.
Built with practical premium details
Every part of the B-240E is chosen with performance and durability in mind. The bone nut and saddle support consistent resonance and tuning stability, while the pau ferro bridge and fingerboard offer a smooth feel and dependable response. Guild’s closed-gear bass tuners provide accurate tuning adjustments and reliable operation over time. Visual touches such as the natural satin finish, mother-of-pearl rosette, tortoiseshell pickguard, and ivory-coloured body binding give the instrument a refined appearance without distracting from its purpose. Together, these details create a dependable acoustic bass suited to regular practice, recording, and performance.
Specifications
- Product Code: AAF6897
- Pickup System: Fishman-Designed Bt-1
- Controls: Volume And Tone
- Electronics: Guild/Fishman Bt-1 With Volume And Tone Controls
Body
- Body Shape: B-Jumbo Bass
- Body Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Top Bracing Pattern: Scalloped X
- Soundhole Diameter: 3 7/8″ (98mm)
- Rosette: Mother-Of-Pearl / Abs
- Top Purfling Inlay: Black / White / Black Abs
- Body Sides: Mahogany
- Body Back: Arched Mahogany
- Body Binding: Ivory Abs
Neck
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Scale Length: 30 3/4″ (781mm)
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Nut Width: 1 5/8″ (41mm)
- Neck Thickness 1st Fret: 22mm
- Neck Thickness 9th Fret: 24mm
- Truss Rod: Dual Action
- Truss Rod Wrench: 4mm Allen Key
- Fingerboard Material: Pau Ferro
- Fingerboard Radius: 16″ (406mm)
- Fingerboard Inlays: 5mm Dots – Mother-Of-Pearl
- Fingerboard Inlay Location: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 (X2), 15, 17, 19, 21
- Frets Total: 23
Finish
- Colour: Natural (Nat)
- Finish: Polyurethane
Hardware
- Bridge Material: Pau Ferro
- String Spacing: 2″ (51mm)
- Bridge Pins: Ivory Colored Plastic With Black Dot
- Saddle Material: Bone
- Hardware Finish / Plating: Nickel
- Nut Material: Bone
- Tuning Machines: Guild G-Shield Closed Gear Bass
- Endpin: Strap Button – Nickel
- Pickguard: Tortoiseshell
D
- Upper Bout Width: 12 5/8″ (321mm)
- Lower Bout Width: 17″ (432mm)
- Body Depth Upper Bout: 3 7/8″ (99mm)
- Body Depth Lower Bout: 5 1/4″ (133mm)
- Body Length: 21″ (533mm)
- Overall Length: 47 7/8″ (1216mm)

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