NGD - '67 Starfire 1 Bass

[dapmdave]

I've been looking for one of these ever since I saw and heard Sandy playing one in Arlington a few years ago. They do come up from time to time, but this one just seemed right for me.

Made to be played -- and it was.

Also came with the original case, which is beat up but still functional.

I've had it since just before LMG3, but that trip, and sending the guitar over to fixit for a bit of lovin' delayed my post until now.

Dave

 

[fronobulax]

Nice. I'm enjoying the sunbursts more and more.

 

[twocorgis]

Beautiful Dave! Other than the pickup location, it looks a lot like Harry's

Love the burst on that one, and I'd say that you did quite well on the price given the way the price of all Starfires seems to be headed north these days. How do you like it so far?

 

[fronobulax]

Harry's looks like it has the plastic saddles as well...

 

[twocorgis]

Harry's looks like it has the plastic saddles as well...

It does, but it's still a great bass. It's the one that got me (and Dave) started down the path...

 

[idealassets]

but this one just seemed right for me

Thats really a nice one. It looks like a keeper.

OK then, which one is it that Sandy is playing? All I ever see is red (for sale), but all of the original players Lesh/ Hillman/ Cassiday, etc didn't choose red.

 

[krysh]

congrats, nice one.

 

[zulu]

Congratulations Dave! Welcome to the BBB (Best Basses Bureau)

 

[fronobulax]

but this one just seemed right for me

Thats really a nice one. It looks like a keeper.

OK then, which one is it that Sandy is playing? All I ever see is red (for sale), but all of the original players Lesh/ Hillman/ Cassiday, etc didn't choose red.

Casady, please!!!

Sandy is playing an earlier 1966 that belongs to LTGer gilded. The PU position, straight bridge, absence of a "suck switch" and black plastic saddles all point to that date. Not to mention gilded's sig.

Can't say that I've paid much attention to the finish on Lesh's basses. Casady's Starfires were "brown" and later sunburst. Steve Boone's '66 was red (and somewhat unusual because it is a Starfire II but appears to predate the Bisonic PUs). Feel free to search Bass on Boone before we hijack this thread any further :wink:

Choosing, or not choosing red seems to be a pretty strong statement. I'm pretty sure some of the early adopters had their basses picked out by Mark Dronge for them (and perhaps even given to them). It is certainly true that red Starfires (basses, 6 or 12 strings) were the most produced finish so it stands to reason, that is what is most common in the marketplace today.

 

[dapmdave]

Beautiful Dave! Other than the pickup location, it looks a lot like Harry's

Love the burst on that one, and I'd say that you did quite well on the price given the way the price of all Starfires seems to be headed north these days. How do you like it so far?

The upwards trend of all things Starfire (60s, anyway) pushed me to move when something good came along. 8)

So far, I like it. I put a set of the T-I flats on it, as suggested. I am amazed at how strong the output from that single bisonic is. And that growly, thumpy tone...

I had to get a 'burst to match the '69 Starfire IV.

Dave

 

[twocorgis]

Beautiful Dave! Other than the pickup location, it looks a lot like Harry's

Love the burst on that one, and I'd say that you did quite well on the price given the way the price of all Starfires seems to be headed north these days. How do you like it so far?

The upwards trend of all things Starfire (60s, anyway) pushed me to move when something good came along. 8)

So far, I like it. I put a set of the T-I flats on it, as suggested. I am amazed at how strong the output from that single bisonic is. And that growly, thumpy tone...

I had to get a 'burst to match the '69 Starfire IV.

Dave

Cool! Those TI flats really are worth the coin IMO (and many others here)

Hows about a group shot?

 

[dapmdave]

Hows about a group shot?

I need to do just a Starfire photo, but there's only two. Here's almost the whole family, minus the D-25.

I think I need to sell something... :shock:

Dave

 

[twocorgis]

[

I think I need to sell something... :shock:

Dave

Why? Looks like you have "exactly several" just like most of us here! :lol:

Cool shot BTW...

 

[bluesypicky]

8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Cool catch....

 

[Bill Ashton]

Dave, your tele looks almost just like my '98 MIM Squier, which sold during our foray to Orlando...I found to my dismay when we returned...

Were you eyeballin' me, son?

 

[dapmdave]

Dave, your tele looks almost just like my '98 MIM Squier, which sold during our foray to Orlando...I found to my dismay when we returned...

Were you eyeballin' me, son?

It sure does, Bill.

Mine's a Jacobs Jagcaster, which was built by "fixit". It's light as a feather and has some really nice features. NFL team colors (you have to guess which one) and sounds great. Also kind of cool to have my name on the headstock (by coincidence).

Dave

 

[Bill Ashton]

Love the rosewood board and intonated brass saddles.

OK, back to the regulary scheduled bass discussion...

 

[mellowgerman]

Beautiful 'lectric bass lute you have there Dave! Always dug the sunburst finishes Guild did.

And not to be pickin at the nit, but if I recall the story correctly, that red Boone SFB was a SFB-I that got a factory conversion to two pickups. Not the thumb rest and tug bar. So... may originally have had a bisonic in it... who knows who knows

 

[fronobulax]

Beautiful 'lectric bass lute you have there Dave! Always dug the sunburst finishes Guild did.

And not to be pickin at the nit, but if I recall the story correctly, that red Boone SFB was a SFB-I that got a factory conversion to two pickups. Not the thumb rest and tug bar. So... may originally have had a bisonic in it... who knows who knows

I remember there is some question of whether Boone's bass came from the factory as a I or II as well as the possibility that the conversion from I to II was a factory job. But I can't find the discussion... One thing to update - The very first Starfire basses had bisonics followed by a period in 1965-66 when they had the Mickey Mouse and alternative Hagstrom until they returned to bisonic. I've made several statements that are worthy or correction because I didn't know or forgot that bisonics were the first.