Belated NGD. 1997 SFIV

[Zelja]

I bought this in June or so last year but only received it in February, this year.

It's in really good condition, just a two very minor nicks/scratches & very minor blemishes in the paintwork in some places. Pics don't do it justice.

I really like the neck, pretty perfect width, chunkiness & feel for me.

I replaced the SD-1s with vintage HB-1s - luckily a perfect fit! The guitar sounded good with the those pickups, especially the neck pickup, but it really sings with the HB-1s! Maybe it's a placebo affect but I really do prefer them. The guitar compares quite well with my Ibanez Artist AS200 with a TV Jones Classic plus in the bridge, which has been my gold standard for semi-hollows. The SFIV is a bit fuller sounding & can rock out a bit more but cleans are still stellar. They sound different enough to keep both so that's all that matters! :lol:

I have really been enjoying this guitar in the last week. Here are the obligatory (and as always, far too many) pics:

This is a crappy pic but anybody know if this is the standard bridge they came with? Just haven't seen one quite like this before.

 

[hagmeat]

Very Nice !! You`re right, the pics don`t do it justice !! That is one magnificent guitar, especially with the HB1`s !!

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Nice Starfire - congrats! Don't know how you managed to wait, what 8 months after buying it. I would have been going nuts!

Looks like those pics were taken on a golf course - nice yard BTW.

I've got a '95 SFIV that is great. I can't remember which pickups that would have.

 

[GAD]

That's a right sexy beast! I *love* Mahogany Starfires.

That bridge doesn't look original to me, but to be fair, I've never owned a '97 SF4.

 

[Default]

As a Starfire addict, I must add,

 

[walrus]

That's a beauty!!! Enjoy!!

walrus

 

[Ravon]

That is a great looking finish !

 

[Zelja]

Thanks everyone. She does look a beauty but everything else play-ability & tone wise works for me as well, so that's a bonus! From a previous thread, linked below, it seems the finish is "Transparent Red" - in indoor light she is a great rich dark burgundy colour. I'm happy!

Nice Starfire - congrats! Don't know how you managed to wait, what 8 months after buying it. I would have been going nuts!

Looks like those pics were taken on a golf course - nice yard BTW.

I've got a '95 SFIV that is great. I can't remember which pickups that would have.

I am just glad that i can get a hold of these guitars at the moment & if that means delaying gratification, them so be it! I'm going to have a similar wait for my '66 SFV.

It's funny you should mention the grass as it's winter here & as such it's stopped growing (which I don't mind) & it's lost it's verdant lustre. We have had a lot of rain in the last 6 months so it was really green & thick. Big difference from a few years back when we were in drought & had water restrictions - it was all yellow, brown & bare patches.

That's a right sexy beast! I *love* Mahogany Starfires.

That bridge doesn't look original to me, but to be fair, I've never owned a '97 SF4.

Your love of hogs & "Good Sex Tone" helped me to pull the trigger on this one - remember this thread?: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=26247&hilit=+mahogany+starfire+sex+tone

I think a pm from Ralf (SFIV1967) pushed me over the edge.

There's some good discussion on hog vs maple Starfires in that thread which my experience with this seems to bear out. The AS200 I mentioned in the OP is a maple in sunburst so there is a point of differentiation there which always helps me to justify keeping them both.

Re the bridge, I know there was some discussions on a thread about some Bluesbirds in how the strings were getting caught on the back of the bridge. It doesn't happen on this one - I wonder if it is a replacement to solve that issue?

 

[powerwagonjohn]

Very nice guitar, I am sure it was well worth the wait. I waited 30 years to get my Starfire and now I got two. Patience pays off. Thanks and enjoy, John

 

[bluesypicky]

That's one sweet SF, congrats Z!

 

[Thunderface]

Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. Congratulations.

 

[GAD]

Your love of hogs & "Good Sex Tone" helped me to pull the trigger on this one - remember this thread?: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=26247&hilit=+mahogany+starfire+sex+tone

I think a pm from Ralf (SFIV1967) pushed me over the edge.

LOL - that's cool! So? Do you agree with my sexy 'hog tone theory?

 

[Zelja]

Thanks PWJ, BP & TF. Sweet,gorgeous & worth the wait as you say.

LOL - that's cool! So? Do you agree with my sexy 'hog tone theory?

I do, I do. Guild GST - Good Sex Tone.

Like a lot of that info in that original thread it seems spot on - the smokey tone etc. It's great how you guys help me spend my money.

 

[Dr. Spivey]

It's great how you guys help me spend my money.

At least there's no consulting fee, other than having your mind slightly warped by associating with us. :lol:

That's a lovely guitar, Zelja. Enjoy it and please contact me when your ready to sell it. :wink:

 

[F30]

That put a smile on my face. What a beautiful Starfire.

 

[Zelja]

Cheers guys!

The shipping from Oz would kill ya doc, so best I keep it. :wink: