My first Guild '68 Starfire IV to restore/repair

[Triangle Going Sick]

This is my first Guild and thought I'd post up a couple of pictures and my thoughts for this guitar. I'm happy for feedback!

I presume some of you that watch ebay might have seen it on there a while back. It now resides in Australia. I was heavily swayed by the nice grains of the top and that got me thinking about how to approach the guitar resto/repair.

From what I can work out it was a Walnut finish but I think it was painted over with what looks like stained varnish at some stage. That has mostly been stripped back. The headstock has had a repair but is solid and the crack isn't really noticeable so I'm guessing it was fairly minor. The headstock veneer has been painted white and upon inspection it is white/translucent all the way through the veneer - no idea what that's all about. Neck is nice and straight, board is the nicest red/brown I've seen and frets should be ok.

Original thoughts were to restore the guitar to original specs as parts come up for sale.

I do think it would look nice in a deep cherry red though and a nitro finish.....and I like the top so much and want to keep it visible by forgetting the pickguard. Then I though how about a Gibson style Nashville bridge and stopbar tailpiece, and no harp (lol, I'm feeling some flame). I'm really toying with ideas and not convinced to veer too far away from its original look. So what do you guys think?

Pix, sorry a bit over exposed.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to the Starfire IV club!
A couple of maybe interesting things to read are here: The first one is really amazing watching the progress of the restoration, you will love it!
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24053&hilit=starfire+restoration
This video shows and gives the sound of the result of the restoration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbFSBkPA_qg

Here's one more:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26538&hilit=starfire+restoration

You say your's might have been "walnut". What does the label say? I agree at least as I see no other color in the pickup cavities. On the other hand at least I have not really seen a 1968 in original walnut so far, there were walnuts in the 70ties I think. If you tell your serial number of the guitar to Hans Moust (via pm) he will be able to tell you what the original color of your guitar was in case the label is hard to read!

In any case I would try to restore it to original state. Cherry-red (for the mahogany version) or sunburst finish (for the maple version) were the going colors, some very few were emerald green (I think mostly on maple) or ebony grain (really black looking). Here are some pictures I found:

Ralf

 

[SFIV1967]

One more for you:
http://williamyoungguitars.com/guildrestoration02.htm
Ralf

 

[twocorgis]

This is my first Guild and thought I'd post up a couple of pictures and my thoughts for this guitar. I'm happy for feedback!

That new veneer from a DV72 is going to look great on that headstock, and you'll have a real one of a kind. 8)

I'll give you a yell when they arrive.

 

[Triangle Going Sick]

Thanks for the replies and links guys, sort of swayed me to keep it original as possible. Obviously depending on how I go finding parts for it.

SFIV1967, The label says Brown (I don't know why I said Walnut!) and a good look over it doesn't show any other colour stains in the usual places. The serial number is EL1902.

I've tried to find out more info after reading what you wrote about the standard colours and have only come up with Brown as a 'custom' colour whatever that means. Though it didn't mention what years either. I was sort of hoping to go for Cherry but if Brown is a rarity then I'll stick to that.

 

[SFIV1967]

Hi Triangle,
interesting, you are right, looking on the web for a 1968 "brown" Starfire IV does not really give useful results.
You still might want to send a private message from here to Hans Moust, asking him if he might have a picture of a "brown" one from 1968, so at least you would see how dark or not the brown was. He probably also would have an idea how many other brown version from 1968 exist.
Good luck!
Ralf

 

[fronobulax]

I always screw up when I try and identify Jack's basses and when they were used but I'm pretty sure this one is a factory original brown finish from '67 or '68 or '69. Nice shot here as well under different lighting conditions.

 

[fearless]

Ralf

Wow, that is my guitar! Or at least it was until today - just sold it through Guitar Emporium.