NGD 1961 Starfire II "Starlette"

[txbumper57]

Well what can I say, This is my most recent acquisition, a 1961 Guild Starfire II. I have affectionately named her "Starlette". She has definitely been around the block a time or two and I love everything about her. This has a Hog body and neck which adds that Smokey Bluesy feel to her tone. The pickups are original Dearmond Models and they sound Amazing! The neck has that nice thick full driving tone to it with excellent clarity while the Bridge is as Twangy as you could ever want it to be. Add a little grit and you get some of the most wonderful tones out of her from Rock and Roll to spanking country to that dirty nasty electric Delta Blues sound we love so much. The finish was previously sanded down by the shop I bought her from but it still has some of the original Nitro impregnated in the wood so I am not going to touch it. No need to mess with Perfection. I absolutely love the way she looks and feels. Everything checks out on her and she is good to go as it is now but sometime in the future she will need a refret and I may replace the original tuners with newer versions of the same type as the originals do have some play in them but still keep tune well.

I have many Pretty Guitars but his one is perfect as it is a little on the trashy side! Enough Babbling about my new Squeeze and on to some photos!

 

[txbumper57]

More Photos

TX

 

[Neal]

Just how I like them, TX!

And now for a stupid question...

How does this early Starfire differ from a T-100D, other than mahogany vs. maple, and the different pickups? The look is similar.

 

[AcornHouse]

The earliest ones used Slim Jim bodies according to the book. So, they were indeed based on the T-100s, but with a laminated hog body instead of maple.

 

[mavuser]

nice one Tex, that thing is looking pretty sweet. congrats and enjoy!

 

[Quantum Strummer]

Oooh, that's just gorgeous! I'm jealous.

-Dave-

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Looks like a great player, congrats!

 

[walrus]

Oh yeah! Rock on, TX!

walrus

 

[DThomasC]

Dreamy TX. I wish it were mine.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Tx, I'm curious as to the different look around the perimeter of the top - is that a line that can be felt?

 

[txbumper57]

Tx, I'm curious as to the different look around the perimeter of the top - is that a line that can be felt?

It is a very thin layer of the original Nitro that you can barely feel when you run your fingers over it. They just didn't sand it down all the way.

Thanks for the responses everyone!

TX

 

[GAD]

Very cool!

Did the shop say why they sanded it and never refinished it? Seems kind of odd to do all that work and then just stop.

 

[txbumper57]

Nope, They said it was literally in Barn for The last 20 years.

TX

 

[Neal]

Then you must play country music on it.

 

[JohnW63]

That's pretty cool. I must admit I do get more encouraged to play a really NICE looking guitar, but the idea of a "sleeper" guitar that no one else would pick up, and having it SOUND really nice, it appealing.

 

[txbumper57]

Then you must play country music on it.

I will say that the Bridge pickup will flat out twang smoke some Dwight Yoakum "Guitars and Cadillacs"!

TX

 

[GAD]

Wait, you mean it sat in a barn for 20 years and then they stripped it, or it was stripped and then sat in a barn for 20 years?

Either way I'd say that it passed the barn test! Not many guitars can say that!

GAD

 

[txbumper57]

Wait, you mean it sat in a barn for 20 years and then they stripped it, or it was stripped and then sat in a barn for 20 years?

Either way I'd say that it passed the barn test! Not many guitars can say that!

GAD

I think it spent 20 years in the barn and then was sanded down. The owner probably kept it in the barn so their Telecaster didn't get jealous. Just remember, In the immortal words of Chris Ledoux, "Even Cowboys Like a Little Bit of Rock and Roll!"

TX

 

[mad dog]

You are a lucky guy. That guitar appears to have lots o' soul.
MD

 

[Neal]

Why do I feel the sudden urge to use my sander...