New Guild slogan: "You're ready for a Starfire now."

[Kslam]

I thought some of you might appreciate the quote below from an article in today's Independent.

After I moved to Toronto, my uncle showed up at this residency I had where I was playing to about 12 people. He handed me this red Guild Starfire guitar that I still play today and said, 'I've been watching – I think you're ready for this now'."
-Leslie Feist

 

[Zelja]

I like it! Nice story too.

Unfortunately I had to miss Feist when she was out here last month. I really wanted to get close to that SFV!

 

[southernGuild]

8) Enjoyed that article here. I'll have to look into her music. Thanks.

 

[Thunderface]

and, Ms. Feist...

 

[Ross]

LF looks about 12 in that photo :lol:

She obviously likes SFs - she's got more than one now.

 

[Kslam]

She obviously likes SFs - she's got more than one now.

Oh cool. What are the other ones she has? I know she temporarily played a Gretsch for a while while the broken headstock on her SFV was being repaired. Below are excerpts from a long anecdote from this guitar shop's blog about repairing the break.

9/14/2007 ~ Broken Headstocks



It happened again!

We've had the ol' guitar store for nearly three decades now... and generally we feel that, by this point, we've seen everything. But you never know what the next day will bring. And once again, yesterday, we had a new experience. Not an earth shaking one, mind you, but one that made me smile...

A touring band stopped in to visit, and as is often the case, they needed some quick guitar maintenance. We try to help whenever we can, because it's not easy being out on the road... and we think that a guitar store should be like a mini-oasis, something that a touring band sees on the horizon, and where they know they can at least get a drink of water and a set of strings. (Or a shot of whiskey and a new cable.)

Yesterday, though, the travelers showed up with a Guild Starfire with a broken headstock. As you may know (but hopefully don't) broken headstocks can't be done quickly. After the repair is properly completed everything has to be clamped together and the glue needs time to dry. Unfortunately, these guys had to be on the road immediately after their gig. So they said, "We need the expertise of your repairman (world renowned luthier Scott R. Johnson) to re-set the cracked headstock... But we have a guitar tech who, in a couple of days, can unclamp it, re-install the machine heads and set it up. What if we bought the C-clamps and took it with us in clamped-mode?" I said, "Sure! Why not!"

And that's what happened. An hour later they walked out, gingerly carrying a repaired Guild Starfire, with big clamps sticking out in every direction. It was pretty funny. We suggested that they have someone hold it on the bus, and to try to avoid any sudden stops. (As an added benefit, they would probably get better radio reception...)

PPPS: The band with the broken Guild Starfire was called Feist, and the leader, Leslie Feist was very nice and friendly. She bought a Gretsch Anniversary here to replace the Starfire while it's healing. Here's a picture of her with the Guild.

PPPPS: Customer of the week, of course:
Feist

 

[Ross]

Oh cool. What are the other ones she has?

I'm not sure. I based the statement on a short video excerpt of a concert. LF finished a song, then handed the SF that she had been playing to a roadie, who gave her another SF. I could see the head, and the general shape was that of a SF, but beyond that I can't help.

 

[southernGuild]

But, I'm still not ready!

 

[SFIV1967]

Oh cool. What are the other ones she has?

I'm not sure. I based the statement on a short video excerpt of a concert. LF finished a song, then handed the SF that she had been playing to a roadie, who gave her another SF. I could see the head, and the general shape was that of a SF, but beyond that I can't help.

Ross, if you know the link to that video, post it. We can have a look. So far I always saw her with that one (?) 1965 (?) red Starfire V only. But sure, she could have bought a second identical model as backup, especially after that incident with the headstock.
Ralf

 

[Ross]

Ralf - I'll try to search on the weekend.
Ross

 

[chazmo]

But, I'm still not ready!

But, apparently you are!

 

[Ross]

Ross, if you know the link to that video, post it. We can have a look. So far I always saw her with that one (?) 1965 (?) red Starfire V only. But sure, she could have bought a second identical model as backup, especially after that incident with the headstock.
Ralf

hi Ralf:

The video I saw was part of a Canadian television show featuring the comedian Rick Mercer. In this show Mercer joins Feist's road crew for a show in St. John's. At one point he changes guitars with her between songs. One guitar is clearly a Guild SF, but the other is less clear, although it's a similar shape. Perhaps someone with better eyes than mine can tell for sure. Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLpJ...DvjVQa1PpcFNFEGafDVfglLSpgSUjG3wIffy1u5YiqgM=

It's a 6-minute video. LF features often. The guitar exchange is at about 4:30.

Ross

 

[Kslam]

One guitar is clearly a Guild SF, but the other is less clear, although it's a similar shape. Perhaps someone with better eyes than mine can tell for sure.

Yup, looks like another SF to me. They even marked one of the Starfires with a sticker on the headstock to easily distinguish it from the other.

 

[southernGuild]

But, I'm still not ready!

But, apparently you are!

:wink: Thanks Chaz, She does keep me keen to practice and stay motivated. But in my case, its more a matter of putting the cart before the horse. I have to right that one ASAP.

Ahhhh, If only 'guitar proficiency' were as easy as 'guitar procurement'.
Still, I have much to learn, and skills to aquire, and hope that someday I too will be deemed 'ready'! Working on it! :wink:

 

[SFIV1967]

The guitar exchange is at about 4:30.Ross

Yes, 100% visible in 05:01-05:02, he shows the Guild logo on the headstock when he turns, so she has two identical guitars. I saw the one with the red point as marker before in other videos.
Ralf

 

[Thunderface]

Have you hugged your Starfire today?

She apparently got a little Feist-y about having to play a Les Paul Jr. during a show a couple weeks ago in Lisbon. :lol:

And she's opening the Music In The Zoo concert series on June 2nd at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheatre.