did all guilds have the serial # stamped in the neck i have one that has been in my fanily since 1972 and the serial number is scratched into the neck matches the one in the body also it has a guild vibrato on it i know its a 67 by the serial # any help would be great
1967 star fire 4 serial number
- Thread starter roberth
- Start date
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Hello roberth,
Welcome! Yes, pretty much every Guild made after 1956 and before 2005 had a serial number on the back side of the headstock. A serial number that is 'scratched' into the neck would not be a regular practice though.
A Starfire 4 with a Guild Bigsby could be possible, but would be unusual and most likely be labeled as a 'Special'.
Give us some more info, like the serial number and maybe some photos and we may be able to tell you more!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Last edited:
adorshki
Reverential Member
Hi Robert welcome aboard. Hans is usually pretty quick (like within a day) so I suspect maybe he's having to do a little more digging than usual, or had to deal with something urgent in his regular business.
Fear not, if he has anything, he'll get back to you.
And pics will help as he can see clues in details that virtually nobody else would know about.
Pics do need to be hosted on a photo-hosting site and then linked here, let us know if you need further assistance.
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
EL-1247 would be 1967, but Robert already knew that! The info that I'm waiting for is a photo of the number that is scratched into the neck and maybe a detail shot of the label that might explain why this Starfire IV has a Bigsby.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Hello Robert,
Yup, your guitar is labeled as a 'Special', which explains the Bigsby vibrato.
Cool!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Yup, your guitar is labeled as a 'Special', which explains the Bigsby vibrato.
Cool!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Hello again Robert,
Yes, the 'Ch.' suffix stands for Cherry finish. 'Specials' are not exactly rare, but the 'Special' designation hardly ever means the same thing; it simply means that it does not conform completely to the standard specs./ description for the model from that particular period.
Now that you mention the 'block inlays' in the fingerboard, I'm curious about the other specs. as well. You may have noticed that the complete model designation that's written on the label is 'Starfire Ch. Special' and that only the serial number prefix 'EL' refers to a Starfire IV. Am I making myself clear?
Go ahead and email me some photos of the complete guitar and I should be able to tell you what the story is.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
roberth said:
Hello Robert,
OK, that makes sense! So you have a 'Starfire IV Ch. Special' from 1967, in which the 'Special' designation refers to the optional Guild/Bigsby vibrato.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl