Can anyone date my Starfire.

[bichon]

hi all.

i can't seem to find my serial number in any of the charts. I think it's from the 60s. There are no letter prefixes.
just a serial number of 45525.
It also has white pickups which i dont usually see in pictures.

p.s.
i had some letterset letters of my band name stuck (and nail polished , clear, as a sealer) stuck on the black hand rest. for re-sale purposes i wonder if i should try to polish it off. i dont know whats worse.. having 'pure and easy' red lettering on the guitar.. or seeing it clear but something scratched off. Obviously if i had had 'Rolling Stones' instead , it would have added another $10,000 to the value.
The back also has the finish removed in a moderate area (1970 huge belt buckles... oh well)

thanks.
steve

 

[Zelja]

1965 according to the bible (The Guild Guitar Book). Pics would be interesting, especially of the pickups.

 

[hansmoust]

i can't seem to find my serial number in any of the charts. I think it's from the 60s. There are no letter prefixes.
just a serial number of 45525.
It also has white pickups which i dont usually see in pictures.

Hello bichon,

Welcome! That would indeed be a Starfire III (or maybe II) from the year 1965; around that time some were done with DeArmond pickups.
There is also a chance that the guitar was completed a year later and it may have the 'Mickey Mouse' pickups, which are white as well.

A photo should tell us what kind of pickups they are.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[kakerlak]

Hello bichon,

Welcome! That would indeed be a Starfire III (or maybe II) from the year 1965; around that time some were done with DeArmond pickups.
There is also a chance that the guitar was completed a year later and it may have the 'Mickey Mouse' pickups, which are white as well.

A photo should tell us what kind of pickups they are.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

I don't think I've ever seen a Starfire w/ Mickey Mouse pickups; just T-100s (not that there's much difference b/w the two). Learn something new every day sometimes!

 

[killdeer43]

WELCOME TO LTG!
Hans has already stopped by and I have nothing to add. :friendly_wink:

Cheers,
Joe

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I don't think I've ever seen a Starfire w/ Mickey Mouse pickups; just T-100s (not that there's much difference b/w the two). Learn something new every day sometimes!

Starfire II with Mickey Mouse pick-ups!

 

[parker_knoll]

OP, you should be able to get those letters off the handrest, or pickguard as it's usually called, without damage. it's only plastic. don't scratch them. try rubbing with alcohol in a circular and then scratching gently with your fingernail. Fingernails are great in that they're hard but don't leave a mark. it will probably have some scratched on it anyway from plectrums over the years, that's what it's designed for

 

[bichon]

Hello bichon,

Welcome! That would indeed be a Starfire III (or maybe II) from the year 1965; around that time some were done with DeArmond pickups.
There is also a chance that the guitar was completed a year later and it may have the 'Mickey Mouse' pickups, which are white as well.

A photo should tell us what kind of pickups they are.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

thanks.. here are some pics.. hell, i also etched my SIN on it... i guess i could lightly polish them to oblivion if i ever sell it. someone once offered to buy it from me.. don't know if i should keep it..
anyway.. here are some pics.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/intellibyte/27235763396/in/datetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/intellibyte/27235763086/in/datetaken-public/

 

[bichon]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/intellibyte/27235763396/in/datetaken-public/

 

[adorshki]

OP, you should be able to get those letters off the handrest, or pickguard as it's usually called, without damage. it's only plastic. don't scratch them. try rubbing with alcohol in a circular and then scratching gently with your fingernail. Fingernails are great in that they're hard but don't leave a mark. it will probably have some scratched on it anyway from plectrums over the years, that's what it's designed for

Welcome aboard bichon! (would that be "frise"?)
Since you asked about whether or not to remove your band's name, I realized that since Parker mentioned pick scratches on the 'guard the outlines of the letters may still be visible if they're removed.
There's probably a way to buff it out but it's something to consider, whether you want to take on what might be more than you care to, or leave it to the next guy with an explanation.
Personally I'd probably prefer to buy it already "fixed" but only if it was done very well, otherwise I'd definitely rather do it myself to my own satisfaction.
Re belt buckle rash on the back, some guys want that original mojo, probably safer to leave it to the new owner to decide. It's a lot easier to "fix" than "unfix" :friendly_wink:

 

[Default]

And it has MMs!

 

[hansmoust]

And it has MMs!

Actually we don't know that yet! My first thought would be DeArmonds!

Edit: Sorry default! Those photos were not visible to me when I posted. So yes, they are Mickey Mouse pickups; without the chrome covers!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[adorshki]

And it has MMs!

I think you thought Grot's guitar was the OP's.

 

[bichon]

Welcome aboard bichon! (would that be "frise"?)
Since you asked about whether or not to remove your band's name, I realized that since Parker mentioned pick scratches on the 'guard the outlines of the letters may still be visible if they're removed.
There's probably a way to buff it out but it's something to consider, whether you want to take on what might be more than you care to, or leave it to the next guy with an explanation.
Personally I'd probably prefer to buy it already "fixed" but only if it was done very well, otherwise I'd definitely rather do it myself to my own satisfaction.
Re belt buckle rash on the back, some guys want that original mojo, probably safer to leave it to the new owner to decide. It's a lot easier to "fix" than "unfix" :friendly_wink:

excellent advise !.. ya.. haha frise for sure !

 

[adorshki]

I think you thought Grot's guitar was the OP's.

After seeing Hans' post I get it now, I didn;t see 'em either.
Wonder if they were hung up waiting mod approval while we were responding to your comment?
Otherwise spank me for walkin' right by 'em.

 

[bichon]

hmm.. my image posts only show links .. not an actual image.. can't i imbed them from my computer ?

 

[jp]

Hi, Bichon - Welcome to the forum. Nice example of a rare configuration in a Starfire!

Here's a thread about how to post pics.

 

[bichon]

1965 according to the bible (The Guild Guitar Book). Pics would be interesting, especially of the pickups.

hmm.. previewing post doest show images.. maybe they have to be moderated first ?
they are on flickr. i open an image and i hit the SHARE icon and copied the address..

 

[SFIV1967]

hmm.. my image posts only show links .. not an actual image.. can't i imbed them from my computer ?

That's very tricky with Flickr...You need to edit the HTML text and copy the link from there. Let me try:

Ralf

 

[Zelja]

Pickups rings, pickup & pole piece size look like the standard Mickey Mouse pickup but the cosmetics look a little different.