I need a semi-hollow in my life and am considering a Starfire. But which one?

[J.G.2024]

Hi! As the title says. I need a semi-hollow guitar. After considering several around similar price range, including Epiphones Sheraton, DOT, ES-335, as well as Sire Larry Carlton H7, D'Angelico, Gretsch, Starcaster, and several options by Ibanez, I landed on a Guild Starfire and Hagstrom Viking as the 2 finalists.

Both have pluses and minuses. But I'm leaning towards the Guild. For the Guild, what is in my price range is either a new I DC Starfire or an used Dearmond Starfire Custom.

I have read quite a few good things about the Dearmond. Specially the early ones made in Korea, which I have located a very nice example of.

The I DC I have read some mixed reviews. I can get the Dearmond for less than a new I DC.

At the moment I'm leaning heavily towards the Dearmond. I just like the vibe there more. I haven't seen either in person let alone played them. Just based on looks and reports online. Plus the Dearmond is a blonde, which is a nicer color than any of the I DC I have seen. Being older it also has that somewhat vintage look a sparkling new guitar lacks.

But looks apart, which one is the better guitar and the better catch in your opinion?

I used the search function before I posted as I thought this would be a common questions. But couldn't find anything. Maybe the Dearmond are just not common enough to be usually cross-shopped with a new I DC ?

The other very close option is the Hagstrom. What I like about the Hagstrom is that it is a different take on the ES-335. Mixed with some more modern features and slightly different construction, as it doesn't have a sustain block that goes all the way through like the ES-335. So maybe it will sound a bit different and more special compared to the very common sound of an ES-335. The Dearmond and Guild seem to be very close to the ES-335. From what I have read, one of the closest semi-hollows to an ES-335. The Hagstrom is also lighter. I hear the Dearmond is very heavy. What I don't like about the Hagstrom is the headstock and the fact I can't find too much info on how good it actually is. They are very rare it seems.

What I don't like about the Dearmond is the infamous heavy weight, that it seems to be very bright, being all maple and the gold tone pups are said to be very bright. But maybe I can EQ it out when I need warmer? What I love about the Dearmond is the vintage vibe and that it doesn't have PAF sounding pups. For that I would probably just go with an insired by Gibson Epiphone ES-335.

The wild card is a 1967 Harmony H72 I found locally. I know they were cheaper department store guitar in their day. But today it's a corky, vintage guitar, which is played in and has a lot of character. Is it built worse than a Dearmond? I don't know. But the guy wants twice the price of what the Dearmond costs.

But so, back to the "Guilds", I DC or Dearmond?

If you have any experiences with the Hagstrom Viking and Harmony H72, I would love to hear it too.

Thanks a lot!

 

[J.G.2024]

By the way, the Hagstrom Viking I'm considering is one of the reissues as well. Made in the late 2000s, early 2010s. But I did find an original 1968. But it's twice the price of the Dearmond as well, so same price as the 1967 Harmony. But some say the reissues are somewhat better made too.

 

[J.G.2024]

Did I come to the wrong forum for such advice?

 

[chazmo]

Welcome aboard, J.G.

I found your post a little confusing in that I wasn't sure if you were looking for comparison information with the DeArmond version of the Starfire, or with a Hagstrom Viking. I don't recall much discussion (here on LTG, that is) about the Hagstrom. The DeArmond is liked as a low-cost alternative to the Guild.

Anyway, I don't have much to offer. Some other folks may have useful opinions on the comparisons requested.

 

[swiveltung]

I can't help you much. As I have not had a Starfire or the specific Dearmond. But, playing aside, the weight thing and keeping your investment might say the Guild would be better for you. I've had a couple of Ibanez that were great too. My Geo Benson is killer, but a bit thicker.
I wouldn't buy an old Harmony on line without playing it. Mostly they weren't much.

Also, check out the Godin and Washburn offerings. They kinda fly off the radar but are well spoken of.

 

[Boneman]

Have you looked into the NS Starfire IV?

 

[J.G.2024]

Thanks everybody. Sorry if I was confusing. The point was not comparing it to the Hagstrom. I just meant to mention the Hagstrom is passage as it was in the running up, before I narrowed it down to the 2 "Guilds". The Hagstrom is the one which was eliminated last. If I wouldn't get a "Guild" I would get a Hagstrom.

But now it's between the Dearmond Starfire Custom, which by now I have found out it's basically a Starfire IV with humbuckers, whereas the Dearmond Starfire Special has "P90". Anyways, in my budget, it's between either a Dearmond Stafire Custom or a Guild Starfire I DC.

Unfortunately a NS Starfire IV runs double the price of those around here. For a couple hundred more I could get a vintage 1968 Hagstrom or vintage 1967 Harmony H72. Which somehow sounds more tempting. But twice the budget is out of question anyways.

So Dearmond Starfire Custom or Guild Starfire I DC?

Thanks again.

 

[chazmo]

If I were you, from what I've heard (second hand) here from others on the board, you should wait and shoot for one of the Korean-built NS Starfires (probably used) rather than grab the Indonesian SF-1. The general feeling is higher quality on the MIK models. I just want to put the bug in your ear, J.G., that if you aren't willing to go with a used, American-built Starfire, the MIK Starfires are more highly prized. Some of us are even claiming that they'll be worth a lot more down the road than the Surabayan counterparts. For the record, we think Guild is curtailing MIK production (probably for price) to move to Indonesia completely for the NS models. You do get a lot for your money with the Indonesian Guilds, but then again this isn't all about price.



Good luck!

 

[mavuser]

@J.G.2024 you may find someone here that can offer some help, but the majority of our members do not have experience with either one of those guitars, and more doubful one member has experience with both. My suggestion on the Guild SF 1 DC is if you buy one, be absloutley sure it has a solid return policy, in case you don't like it. You could get lucky on a keeper, but could also potentially be dissapointed. The DeArmonds generally get good reviews across the spectrum, and they can be found in the hands of professional musicians on stage (the 90s Korean set necks at minimum), but again, any one instrument can really be hit-or-miss, so if you cannot "try before you buy," be sure again the DeArmond is returnable, as well.

Many of us are quite fond of our Starfires, particularly the SF 4/5/6...in fact I do not recall ever hearing a bad story about one...so, for sure you are "barking up the right tree." good luck!

 

[LesB3]

I don't have a DC Starfire I, though I do have a SC one. I'll have to say it was probably the worst new guitar I have ever purchased in terms of QC - wrong knobs, jack that had come loose and fallen inside body, etc. I don't like the HB-2's either. You can read about that here:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index...e-o-matic-bridge-details.210277/#post-1994961

...and here:
https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/starfire1-any-good.217337/#post-2099065

I actually still have it, mostly because I don't know what to do with it yet.

I love my Guilds and if you can find a used American or Korean one, I'd say go for it. Sometimes GC lists SFIV's for cheap, sometimes they are even MIA models! Of the others you mentioned, I'd personally wait for a GC / MF sale on a D'Angelico (they run them all the time). Sometimes they are as low as $600 (new), and will come with Seymour Duncan PUPS.

 

[GAD]

I don’t have a DeArmond Starfire but I do have a DeArmond from that time period. It is a gorgeous guitar.

Here are my thoughts on a SFI:

Guild Newark St. Starfire I SC Review | GAD's Ramblings

Here we have a 2020 Guild Starfire I SC (single cut) in Seafoam Green that I absolutely had to have based on the color alone. There is a fair bit of stir in the online guitar forums about these Starfire I guitars, most of which revolves around the question, how is Guild making these for …

www.gad.net

Between my DeArmond and my Starfire I I’d pick the DeArmond all day every day. The DeArmond Starfires can be heavy. If you’re OK with that then I think they’re better guitars than the SFIs.

 

[J.G.2024]

Thanks a lot for all the replies! I will address the points bellow.

 

[J.G.2024]

If I were you, from what I've heard (second hand) here from others on the board, you should wait and shoot for one of the Korean-built NS Starfires (probably used) rather than grab the Indonesian SF-1. The general feeling is higher quality on the MIK models. I just want to put the bug in your ear, J.G., that if you aren't willing to go with a used, American-built Starfire, the MIK Starfires are more highly prized. Some of us are even claiming that they'll be worth a lot more down the road than the Surabayan counterparts. For the record, we think Guild is curtailing MIK production (probably for price) to move to Indonesia completely for the NS models. You do get a lot for your money with the Indonesian Guilds, but then again this isn't all about price.



Good luck!

Thanks for the input. In the meantime I have done some heavy research into the Dearmond and I must say I'm leaning heavily towards a Dearmond Starfire Custom. It seems clear the I DC is not as good and I'm not convinced a NS Starfire is either. Or at least doesn't seem to be better. It seems it still "suffers" from all the cost cut saving problems as the others. As you say, MIK is better and the Dearmond I'm looking at have the KC serial number. So they are made in Korea as well.

 

[Boneman]

Dang, the SF1 do go for cheap huh?

Guild Starfire I SC *NEW - Newark Florentine-Cut Semi-Hollow w/stop tail - Antique Burst 388 | Reverb

Description An affordably priced, single cut Starfire has arrived. Based on the timeless Starfire II and III single cut body shape, the Starfire I SC features a 2“ thick, hollow body with an added bridge block to increase bridge stability and improved resonance. M...

reverb.com

 

[shihan]

I owned a Dearmond X155, and it was an excellent guitar. I would definitely go for the DA over any of the others you’re considering.

 

[J.G.2024]

@J.G.2024 you may find someone here that can offer some help, but the majority of our members do not have experience with either one of those guitars, and more doubful one member has experience with both. My suggestion on the Guild SF 1 DC is if you buy one, be absloutley sure it has a solid return policy, in case you don't like it. You could get lucky on a keeper, but could also potentially be dissapointed. The DeArmonds generally get good reviews across the spectrum, and they can be found in the hands of professional musicians on stage (the 90s Korean set necks at minimum), but again, any one instrument can really be hit-or-miss, so if you cannot "try before you buy," be sure again the DeArmond is returnable, as well.

Many of us are quite fond of our Starfires, particularly the SF 4/5/6...in fact I do not recall ever hearing a bad story about one...so, for sure you are "barking up the right tree." good luck!

Thanks. Absolutely! Trying before buying. The Dearmond Starfire Custom I'm looking at are local, luckily. I have 2 of them to look at. Both are late 90s models made in Korea with the serial starting with KC. So they are both set necks.

 

[J.G.2024]

sI don't have a DC Starfire I, though I do have a SC one. I'll have to say it was probably the worst new guitar I have ever purchased in terms of QC - wrong knobs, jack that had come loose and fallen inside body, etc. I don't like the HB-2's either. You can read about that here:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index...e-o-matic-bridge-details.210277/#post-1994961

...and here:
https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/starfire1-any-good.217337/#post-2099065

I actually still have it, mostly because I don't know what to do with it yet.

I love my Guilds and if you can find a used American or Korean one, I'd say go for it. Sometimes GC lists SFIV's for cheap, sometimes they are even MIA models! Of the others you mentioned, I'd personally wait for a GC / MF sale on a D'Angelico (they run them all the time). Sometimes they are as low as $600 (new), and will come with Seymour Duncan PUPS.

Thanks for the honesty. By what I have read so far, I think I will steer clear of the I DC. Your post is just more confirmation this is the right move for me.

Unfortunately as much as I would love it, an USA model is not realistic now. So it would need to be Korean. If Korean, I'm not seeing anything on the NS Starfire over the Dearmond to justify the double of the price, besides the Guild name. But it's a Guild reissue anyway. So not a "real" Guild. Despite the name, doesn't seem any more of a Guild than a Dearmond. It seems Guild just decided to do the Dearmond thing with their own name instead of a sub-brand. Probably because they have zero interest to ever producing guitars in the USA so have nothing to lose in selling imports with a Guild sticker?

Interesting your brought up Washburn, as I can get a 90s Washburn HB35 for the same as I would a 90s Dearmond Stafire Custom. But somehow I prefer the Dearmond. Are the Washburns considered better? I don't mean the "real" Washburns, I mean the reissues, like the Guild reissues.

D'Angelico also show up from time to time. But they are a bit too bling for me and I honestly am more fond of Guild.

 

[chazmo]

But it's a Guild reissue anyway. So not a "real" Guild.

I think that's a little harsh, J.G. It's true they're not built in the U.S., but the Korean NS models were built under the auspices of Fender US people and very carefully modeled after the original Guilds that they were meant to pay homage to. A few of our LTG members even volunteered their original Guilds to the effort.

 

[J.G.2024]

I don’t have a DeArmond Starfire but I do have a DeArmond from that time period. It is a gorgeous guitar.

Here are my thoughts on a SFI:

Guild Newark St. Starfire I SC Review | GAD's Ramblings

Here we have a 2020 Guild Starfire I SC (single cut) in Seafoam Green that I absolutely had to have based on the color alone. There is a fair bit of stir in the online guitar forums about these Starfire I guitars, most of which revolves around the question, how is Guild making these for …

www.gad.net

Between my DeArmond and my Starfire I I’d pick the DeArmond all day every day. The DeArmond Starfires can be heavy. If you’re OK with that then I think they’re better guitars than the SFIs.

Yes, it seems the Dearmond is superior in everyway to the I DC, unless one really puts a lot of weight in having a Guild sticker on the headstock. Which I don't.

Even the NS Starfire. It is still made in Korea, like the Dearmond, it doesn't seem to have any high end or superior features over the Dearmond. The neck still seem to have a scarf joint, splice etc. Electronics seem to be import etc. I'm not seeing anything in it which makes it superior to the Dearmond. Actually, I found some reports that the Dearmonds made in Korea were made to the exact same specs as the Guild, apart from Maple vas mahogony and scarf joint. But the pick ups and electronics are U.S. sourced. Not sure if true. But as far as I see there is noting on the NS Starfire that makes it superior. And a late 90s Dearmond has already that vintage feeling, which a new guitar won't.

So maybe I buy a Dearmond and save up for a real Guild? Do the late US made Guilds like late 90s and early 2000s sell for a lot or close to the 70's and 60s models? I didn't check but I would think they are a little cheaper? Because I think this is the only way paying more is really worth it. Buying a real Guild, made in the USA. It doesn't seem smart spending paying twice to still get a Korean made guitar, just to have the Guild sticker on the headstock. Or am I missing something?

 

[J.G.2024]

I think that's a little harsh, J.G. It's true they're not built in the U.S., but the Korean NS models were built under the auspices of Fender US people and very carefully modeled after the original Guilds that they were meant to pay homage to. A few of our LTG members even volunteered their original Guilds to the effort.

I understand that. Hence why I put real in quotes.

The thing is, all these companies who are being brought back by other companies buying the trademark, hardly have anything to do with the real company anymore. Specially those which died and then were brought back. Every story is different. But is Harmony really Harmony? Is Washburn? Dearmond itself had nothing to do with Mr.Dearmond.

But what I meant with that remark was, I don't see why a NS made in Korea is better or more of a Guild than a Dearmond, unless what matter is just the trade mark.

Going back to what you said here: "the Korean NS models were built under the auspices of Fender US people and very carefully modeled after the original Guilds" this is early what I read about the Dearmonds. At least the Korean ones. I'm just not very much into the trademark thing. If a NS has real tangible advantages over a Dearmond, such as a 1 piece neck, US electronics, nitro finish etc, then ok. But from what I found out, it doesn't?