First Post: I’ve spent money, now what? (Starfire VI)

[Zoomanderson]

First post. Completely new to the Guild world. I normally play Gretsches and Fenders. Wanted a 335 style guitar, but not a 335 (money was an issue, along with a nearly pathological need to be different). Played nearly everything Gretsch and others had to offer. Really liked the look of the Starfire VI, so I pulled the trigger today. Is there anything I need to know about them? For example, some people swap out Jazzmaster bridges with Mustang bridges, and things like that. Any setup tricks, amps they pair particularly well with? I really don’t know much about Guild world. I’d appreciate literally any information anyone would be willing to share.
Thanks!

 

[Stuball48]

Welcome to a great forum Mr. Z. There is more knowledge here than there is between the front and back cover of a Webster dictionary and the knowledge is freely give. They will be along.
I know very little about acoustic Guilds and less about their electrics but you are in for a treat.
Just wanted to say "welcome."
And congratulations on a superb guitar in your Starfire VI.

 

[BradHK]

Congratulation! Details and photos please. Narrowing it down to timeframes and such will help with any thoughts and comments. I am assuming new based up on your post but I could be wrong. Thanks!

 

[Zoomanderson]

Brand new. I’m guessing Korean made, which I have no problem with. Have a Korean Gretsch 5420 that’s probably the best guitar I own. No pictures yet; still waiting on delivery.

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG! The Korean-made Newark Street series guitar are very fine and you'll dig it for sure. Looking forward to some pix and your New Guitar Day post when it arrives!

 

[walrus]

Welcome!

walrus

 

[Zoomanderson]

Accord to Sweetwater, this is the actual guitar they’re sending me. These aren’t the product shots from Guild. So I’m excited about that. Interesting; they actually sent me a link with copies of the photos. I guess you get that when you spend more than $1k with them.

 

[dreadnut]

I have a Korean-made DeArmond Starfire Special, it is a killer guitar.

 

[GGJaguar]

this is the actual guitar they’re sending me.

Looks great!

 

[SFIV1967]

Brand new. I’m guessing Korean made,

Congratulations! That is a great looking one! Yes, they are Korean made. The label will have a serial number like "KSG2203246" as one example. I assume the one you got is also a KSG22 which means she was made in 2022. The numbers after are just running numbers, so no specific meaning. She was made at SPG (Sound Professional Guitar Co, Ltd.). KSG = Korea SPG Guild.

Ralf

 

[teleharmonium]

I don't know of any must/common practice upgrades on those, but if it were me I would quickly get one of the low tension Bigsby springs from Reverend and pop it in. That's a lot of bang for the buck as guitar mods go.

Other Bigsby related options include a string-through shaft (good for those who play light strings on dark stages on a regular basis) and replacements for the tension bar that probably work a little better as far as allowing friction free movement. But I would suggest living with it for a while at least because who knows what is really needed on that particular guitar.

 

[ClaytonS15]

Welcome! I bet it will be a great guitar.

 

[Ixtlan]

I like the pickup selector location - flip on the fly!

 

[rcboals]

Hopefully you will love and bond with that beauty it all comes down to how it feels to you whether it is a keeper or not. Every Korean made guitar I have owned has been a winner. Fit and finish and quality of pats. My experience is with DeArmond/Guild and Korean made Gretsch.

 

[Zoomanderson]

Well, she got here a day early. I can’t tell y’all how happy I am with this guitar. It’s everything I wanted: thick neck but not too big, color and detailing are superb. Weight is just right. It almost has this Art Deco vibe to it, but…I don’t know, it’s something else. I also can’t believe more people aren’t playing these.
I won’t be able to run it through my board and amp until we get the Christmas tree put away, but now I’m motivated to get that done in a timely manner.
I’ll be sticking around this group. Wanna learn more.

 

[GGJaguar]

Congrats and enjoy!!

 

[Rusty Chops]

Wonderful looking!

 

[Walter Broes]

Nice, congrats and enjoy!

 

[jp]

Gorgeous! What amp are you playing it through?

 

[Zoomanderson]

Gorgeous! What amp are you playing it through?

Well, when the tree gets put up it’ll be a Vox valvetronix modeling amp. Hybrid tube/solid state. Loud as hell.