1967 SF II Bass Sold at 3167.60 on ebay

[idealassets]

I was astounded to see this cherry red 1967 SH II bass sell for a total of $3167.60 on ebay. It looks mostly original, but the top of the guitar opened up and is separated from the binding:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinatge-196...AgqqJqM6CFagmRofmHXmdDk=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Is this a particularly rare guitar as a 1967 Starfire II? Evidently the buyer will have to accomplish some repair work to save it.

Craig

 

[fronobulax]

Look like a stock SF II in vintage condition to me. I can't explain the price except that a SF II is rarer than a SF I but if this went for $3K maybe the prices are headed back up?

 

[idealassets]

if this went for $3K maybe the prices are headed back up?

Maybe, at least the price is good for one in a row so far. In reality the question may be asked: Where is one available, when I'm really interested in buying one?

Craig

 

[twocorgis]

I was watching this one, and it does look to be in great original condition.

Seeing that, it makes me wonder what greenie would fetch these days... :mrgreen:

 

[fronobulax]

Seeing that, it makes me wonder what greenie would fetch these days... :mrgreen:

Realistically? I'd hold out for $3.5K or more because a) it's a II and b) it's green. I'd offer you at least $4K to get you to sell it to me outright and not to waste your time with any other buyers or jerking me around in hopes of squeezing $100 out of someone. Luckily for me, I've pretty much realized that I don't need to recreate the Days of My Youth by owning a green Starfire II. But if I needed to....

 

[idealassets]

Seeing that, it makes me wonder what greenie would fetch these days...

It is particularly the condition of your green bass that makes it quite extaordinary. I wonder really how many folks would understand the rarity of the finish color. I know that I would. I think it is worth a special bonus to those who have seen it, and know firsthand of this bass.

Is the green bass body of maple wood? If I'm not mistaken are the burst, black, and green maple body?

Craig

 

[twocorgis]

Seeing that, it makes me wonder what greenie would fetch these days...

It is particularly the condition of your green bass that makes it quite extaordinary. I wonder really how many folks would understand the rarity of the finish color. I know that I would. I think it is worth a special bonus to those who have seen it, and know firsthand of this bass.

Is the green bass body of maple wood? If I'm not mistaken are the burst, black, and green maple body?

Craig

Mine's a maple body Craig, though my ex-cherry one was a hog body. I'm pretty sure that they came both ways in all the finishes, though Hans may correct me on that one.

 

[fronobulax]

There is a discussion somewhere on LTG concerning the exact shade of green. I started it trying to reconcile my memory from 1970-72 and photos. Hans stated at the time that some green Starfire basses were maple and some were mahogany and that, and not fading, explained why the color I remember was lighter than what I was seeing in photographs.

My experience has been that anyone who does more than minimal research on Starfire basses will discover the rarity of the green. What is harder to understand is why the green one (in fact any green Starfire model) invokes an emotional response that makes people willing to pay a premium for the color. There seems to be something else going on besides scarcity.

 

[twocorgis]

My experience has been that anyone who does more than minimal research on Starfire basses will discover the rarity of the green. What is harder to understand is why the green one (in fact any green Starfire model) invokes an emotional response that makes people willing to pay a premium for the color. There seems to be something else going on besides scarcity.

Just human nature I think. People always want what they can't have. :roll:

 

[dapmdave]

There is a discussion somewhere on LTG concerning the exact shade of green. I started it trying to reconcile my memory from 1970-72 and photos. Hans stated at the time that some green Starfire basses were maple and some were mahogany and that, and not fading, explained why the color I remember was lighter than what I was seeing in photographs.

My experience has been that anyone who does more than minimal research on Starfire basses will discover the rarity of the green. What is harder to understand is why the green one (in fact any green Starfire model) invokes an emotional response that makes people willing to pay a premium for the color. There seems to be something else going on besides scarcity.

It may not explain things fully, but there is often a direct replationship between rarity and value.

Dave

 

[idealassets]

started it trying to reconcile my memory from 1970-72 and photos

I suppose I was quite obliviuos to all this until I really began to play guitar about 2 -3 years ago. Until then it was just a guitar, or a bass, I wasn't really concerned what kind.

But now I know a little more. Take for example Jacson Browne/ David Lindley, who have 100's of guitars for each specific purpose.

I suppose that if some well known current performer began to play a vintage Guild bass, it would have quite an impact on the desireability of them, including value.

 

[idealassets]

People always want what they can't have.

True dat!

 

[fronobulax]

I suppose that if some well known current performer began to play a vintage Guild bass, it would have quite an impact on the desireability of them, including value.

I think the bassist for Neon Trees uses a vintage Starfire and we know Catherine Popper does, although her go to instrument is a vintage Fender Precision and that is what she is better known for.

Given that no one notices the bass player unless s/he screws up, it's not surprising that Starfire basses remain in a niche ;-)

 

[idealassets]

In late breaking news, perhaps the $3167.60 sale fell through, since the same bass is now re-listed on ebay as: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinatge-196...t=Guitar&hash=item2ec316dd71&autorefresh=true

I will be amongst the bidders up to a certain point. These basses have always held a certain kind of charm, once I discovered that they even existed just 2 years ago.

Craig

 

[fronobulax]

And it seems to have gone for a more reasonable (IMO, YMMV) $2,182.78 the second time.

 

[Happy Face]

I was more surprised by that solid body M-85 without tuners or saddles.

 

[fronobulax]

I was more surprised by that solid body M-85 without tuners or saddles.

Yeah. Mentioned here and discussed in a thread linked from there. The moral of the story seems to be flippers shop Goodwill and people who have no clue shop eBay. Of course there has been some discussion about the rising price of project guitars. There are so many wannabe luthiers who need something to practice on that even lifeless carcasses are selling for surprising prices. Maybe that's it.

 

[Happy Face]

I was more surprised by that solid body M-85 without tuners or saddles.

Yeah. Mentioned here and discussed in a thread linked from there. The moral of the story seems to be flippers shop Goodwill and people who have no clue shop eBay. Of course there has been some discussion about the rising price of project guitars. There are so many wannabe luthiers who need something to practice on that even lifeless carcasses are selling for surprising prices. Maybe that's it.

It still surpises me given how other M-85s languished in pretty recent auctions. Maybe the economy has bottomed out?? Let's hope so.

 

[fronobulax]

[quote="Happy Face":2jco22ea]I was more surprised by that solid body M-85 without tuners or saddles.

Yeah. Mentioned here and discussed in a thread linked from there. The moral of the story seems to be flippers shop Goodwill and people who have no clue shop eBay. Of course there has been some discussion about the rising price of project guitars. There are so many wannabe luthiers who need something to practice on that even lifeless carcasses are selling for surprising prices. Maybe that's it.

It still surpises me given how other M-85s languished in pretty recent auctions. Maybe the economy has bottomed out?? Let's hope so.[/quote:2jco22ea]

I'm thinking I'm seeing a rise in Starfire bass prices so maybe the corner has been turned.