Does anybody have any experience with a 1990's made Guild Starfire II made in Westerly? I have been working a deal on one, just have to go pick it up when I get the chance and I was looking for anybody that had experience with this particular model and era. I can find lots of information about Starfires but always seem to be different variants. My understanding is that the II is just the non-bigsby version of the III. Does anybody have any first hand experience or spec detail on the Starfire II specifically? Personal observations and opinions welcome! Comparisions to other brand guitar models and any opinions on fair price are also appreciated.
1990's Starfire II
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BradHK
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You are correct that the only difference between a Starfire II and III are the Bigsby (with Bigsby rocking bridge) on the III. I would start by reading this great article by GAD:
1997 Guild Starfire III | GAD's Ramblings
Today’s bit of 1990s Guild goodness is a Westerly-made Guild Starfire III from 1997. This black beauty came to me by way of private sale after requesting a Westerly Starfire with SD1 pickups on a popular guitar site. The mid-late’90s is my favorite era of Guild electric guitars. From the...
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I also have a ‘90s Starfire II in the pile somewhere. Fabulous guitars. Very lightweight.
Thank you! I did read that article when I was looking for information about the II, got me very excited about picking up this guitar. I just wonder why there is so little information about the II specifically? I've never really been a fan of the Bigsby but wonder if I am missing something here? Is the Guildsby sort of an unspoken requirement for being an official Starfire?You are correct that the only difference between a Starfire II and III are the Bigsby (with Bigsby rocking bridge) on the III. I would start by reading this great article by GAD:
1997 Guild Starfire III | GAD's Ramblings
Today’s bit of 1990s Guild goodness is a Westerly-made Guild Starfire III from 1997. This black beauty came to me by way of private sale after requesting a Westerly Starfire with SD1 pickups on a popular guitar site. The mid-late’90s is my favorite era of Guild electric guitars. From the...www.gad.net
GGJaguar
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I have one (click on my website link in my signature to see it) and as GAD noted, they tend to be pretty light weight. That said, it's an easy playing guitar and has a relatively warm sound thanks to the humbuckers. I think it's a little better for blues and jazz than all out rock.
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I don't think they were as popular and so they probably didn't make as many.
Note that a II has a wooden bridge on it, too.
Here’s my probably ‘97-98 SFII:
hansmoust
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....... and that the bridge is placed the wrong way around!Note that a II has a wooden bridge on it, too.
Here’s my probably ‘97-98 SFII:
I would say that guitar is most likely a year younger than that!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
SFIV1967
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freddyfingers
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FWIW, i am having a harp tail piece mailed to me to put on the 98 starfire 3 i acquired. Curious as to how much lighter it feels without the bigsby. I will swap out the aluminum bridge for a wood base with a compton stainless. This should be close to what the 2 would be like, at least to me. If i get this done before the OP gets his i will post some pics.
GGJaguar
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There are two things I like about this - the giant birdseye figures on the top and the back and the "average Joe" point-and-shoot photos just like I take.I don't think they were as popular and so they probably didn't make as many.
Note that a II has a wooden bridge on it, too.
Here’s my probably ‘97-98 SFII:
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LOL sometimes taking real photos is just too much work.There are two things I like about this - the giant birdseye figures on the top and the back and the "average Joe" point-and-shoot photos just like I take.