My NGD... the '69 Starfire IV

[dapmdave]

This past week I swapped my '73 Starfire 4 in cherry for this '69 Starfire IV in 'burst.

Most LTGers already know there is a HUGE difference between them. I have fallen in love with the small humbuckers. Yes, this guitar was previously owned by one-time LTG member "mojotooth".

Here's some pictures:

Your basic full-on Starfire pron shot...

Close up of the top...

The one-piece mahogany neck and Kolb machines - correct but somewhat unusual...

The all-too-common shrinking headstock...

And a look at her from behind...

And the leftover Hoboken label. Guitar was likely made in Westerly.

The one thing that I noticed immediately on plugging in was that I could quickly find good sounds from my amps. I never could with the '73. Just me, I suppose.

Dave

 

[twocorgis]

Just beautiful Dave! Props to both of you for a trade well-done. That's an outstanding burst, too; I'll take one just like it. Tiny neck profile I'm guessing? 1 5/8" nut?

The one thing that I noticed immediately on plugging in was that I could quickly find good sounds from my amps. I never could with the '73. Just me, I suppose.

Dave

Shoot, just let Pascal play that '73, and unleash the torrent of feelings of inadequacy. :lol:

You should have heard the sounds he wrung out of my '59 at LMG.

 

[bluesypicky]

Wooohooooo!!!!!
Dat's wadamtawkin'bout!
Absolutely stunning. And I know how you feel about the tone coming out of that beast.... :wink:
BTW wrong forum, but we'll blame that on excitement. :lol:

It was a pleasure Sandy! Your 175 plays by itself!..

 

[twocorgis]

It was a pleasure Sandy! Your 175 plays by itself!..

Thanks Pascal, but I think it "plays itself" better with you behind it...

Towards the end of getting some better twang out of it, I bought the cheesy Realistic amp off on eBay on Default's advice. It's down at his lair in Philly getting tuned up as I type this. I'll see if it makes me a better player. :roll:

 

[dapmdave]

Just beautiful Dave! Props to both of you for a trade well-done. That's an outstanding burst, too; I'll take one just like it. Tiny neck profile I'm guessing? 1 5/8" nut?

The one thing that I noticed immediately on plugging in was that I could quickly find good sounds from my amps. I never could with the '73. Just me, I suppose.

Dave

Shoot, just let Pascal play that '73, and unleash the torrent of feelings of inadequacy. :lol:

You should have heard the sounds he wrung out of my '59 at LMG.

The nut is 1 5/8, but the profile is a little thicker than some of the others I've played. Feels good.

Dave

 

[Treem]

Congratulations to both of the parties!

Just one word: BEEYOUTEEFUL!!!

Great shots Dave....it really brought out the burst!!! :mrgreen:

 

[dapmdave]

Congratulations to both of the parties!

Just one word: BEEYOUTEEFUL!!!

Great shots Dave....it really brought out the burst!!! :mrgreen:

Thanks! That's a real compliment coming from the King of burstitude.

Dave

 

[coastie99]

Seriously nice 'burst Dave. Congratulations.

 

[bluesypicky]

the King of burstitude. Dave

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Thunderface]

That is the burst of all bursts. That thing is absolutely bursting with Guild goodness in the natural light. And I like the uniform shrinkage of the headstock overlay to which, from a distance, it almost looks like a bound headstock.

 

[Geo]

One of my all time favorite guitars. What a beautiful one you have there. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

George

 

[Thunderface]

Proof positive that natural light is the way to go when photographing a guitar. Inside its a beautiful guitar, but it absolutely bursts out of its finish when shot outside.

Can you tell I'm having a little SF burst envy?

 

[zulu]

Gorgeous. Congratulations.

 

[AlohaJoe]

Man, that's beautiful!

And I like the uniform shrinkage of the headstock overlay to which, from a distance, it almost looks like a bound headstock.

How hard it would be to add binding to fill the missing space on guitars with this issue?

 

[dapmdave]

Proof positive that natural light is the way to go when photographing a guitar. Inside its a beautiful guitar, but it absolutely bursts out of its finish when shot outside.

Can you tell I'm having a little SF burst envy?

I agree with you. Natural light is the way to go. And the picture on the left is the guitar BEFORE some cleaning and polishing. The one on the right is the AFTER picture. Nothing like some Meguiar's and elbow grease!

Dave

 

[dapmdave]

Man, that's beautiful!

And I like the uniform shrinkage of the headstock overlay to which, from a distance, it almost looks like a bound headstock.

How hard it would be to add binding to fill the missing space on guitars with this issue?

Good question! I've been wondering if and how best to repair the headstock overlay. I don't want to do a white binding, as it would be an incorrect feature on this guitar. But re-gluing it, with something to cover the shrinkage, like a black binding, could happen.

But for now I'll just leave it alone. 8)

Dave

 

[twocorgis]

Man, that's beautiful!

And I like the uniform shrinkage of the headstock overlay to which, from a distance, it almost looks like a bound headstock.

How hard it would be to add binding to fill the missing space on guitars with this issue?

Good question! I've been wondering if and how best to repair the headstock overlay. I don't want to do a white binding, as it would be an incorrect feature on this guitar. But re-gluing it, with something to cover the shrinkage, like a black binding, could happen.

But for now I'll just leave it alone. 8)

Dave

Dave,

My Starfire bass arrived with the same problem, and my guy made it look near perfect for not much money. I bet Tom wouldn't mind, especially as he gets to play it some while it's there. 8)

 

[dapmdave]

Dave,

My Starfire bass arrived with the same problem, and my guy made it look near perfect for not much money. I bet Tom wouldn't mind, especially as he gets to play it some while it's there. 8)

Tom has offered to "fixit" and would make it perfect, I'm sure. But I can't put it down long enough right now.

Dave