Starfire bass

[Yggdrasil]

you're likely upgrading to DarkStars & perhaps a Bayou Cables harness.

tell me more about this bayou cables harness?

I'd start here although I didn't immediately find a lot of reasons why they were better than the alternatives.

Yes - that's all I know as well, although Butch Ammons, who is Bayou Cables, has a good word of mouth rep. I have a Bayou Cables harness in my DS'd DeArmond.

Are there alternatives that are designed specifically for Dark Stars?

 

[saemola]

do Guild Humbuckers have any market value?

anyway, I think I'm gonna go ahead and make the deal, except I still haven't figured out how to make the money/bass exchange (he wants a hand transaction, but I'm in Massachusetts and he's in Wisconsin).

There is usually a Guild humbucker or two on eBay at any given time. I can't recall that I have ever seen one sell, but then I don't recall seeing an asking price under $200 either. So yes they have some value but it is almost certainly not $200 per PU. Depending upon the installation the PU rings and mounting hardware may have some value. Also note that the neck and bridge PUs and mounts are not identical.

There might be an LTG member in Wisconsin who would be willing and able to act as a go-between and ship. You might consider posting in the Members Only area and asking. Worst case, you might have to trust the seller and give them the money before you see the bass.

just posted in the LTGers section, let's what comes out of it.
I really can't think of an alternative to Paypal right now.

P.S. if a Guildbucker is actually worth 200$ that'd be the price of a DS...!

 

[mellowgerman]

P.S. if a Guildbucker is actually worth 200$ that'd be the price of a DS...!

Yes, but they're not worth that though. I check ebay all the time for guild pickups. The ones that are listed for $200+ never go anywhere.
I'd say more in the neighborhood of $100 NOS or $75 good shape.

 

[mellowgerman]

.bayoucables.com/single-darkstar-harness-p-395.html]here[/url] although I didn't immediately find a lot of reasons why they were better than the alternatives.

Thanks frono. Never really understood the appeal of prewired harnesses though... feel like I can just wire up one of my own.
Although I guess $35 isn't that bad if you're getting two quality pots, a jack, and good leads.

 

[mikko]

Its worth mentioning that the 90s SF bridge has more to distinguish it than just metal saddles - its essentially a Fender bridge shaped as a harp.

The below is a picture of a D'Armond for sale. It is pretty clear that the bridge has metal saddles that travel on screws, rather than slide in slots. Is that pretty close to what a harp shaped Fender bridge would be? Having never seen a reissue Starfire personally it is always nice to have another data point. Thanks.

Bass pictured above is listed for sale here.

Here´s a closer shot of -98 DeArmond Starfire bridge:

 

[fronobulax]

P.S. if a Guildbucker is actually worth 200$ that'd be the price of a DS...!

I don't think they are. The ones for sale at $200 have not sold so that says to me that they are worth less than $200 each. If a new Dark Star goes for $200 then I would have to consider the Guild Humbucker worth considerably less. $100 each including the rings and hardware sounds kind of generous to me but I admit I am biased.

Who is going to buy a Guild humbucker? Someone trying to restore a 70's Guild to original condition. A thumper who wants that tone to upgrade some other bass. An experimenter who just has to have one of everything and try them all out. I'm sure I have not covered the market but it seems pretty niche to me.

 

[fronobulax]

Here´s a closer shot of -98 DeArmond Starfire bridge:

Thank you very much for that shot.

 

[Happy Face]

P.S. if a Guildbucker is actually worth 200$ that'd be the price of a DS...!

I don't think they are. The ones for sale at $200 have not sold so that says to me that they are worth less than $200 each. If a new Dark Star goes for $200 then I would have to consider the Guild Humbucker worth considerably less. $100 each including the rings and hardware sounds kind of generous to me but I admit I am biased.

Who is going to buy a Guild humbucker? Someone trying to restore a 70's Guild to original condition. A thumper who wants that tone to upgrade some other bass. An experimenter who just has to have one of everything and try them all out. I'm sure I have not covered the market but it seems pretty niche to me.

I'd wager there are a bunch of them sitting unused after being replaced by Darkstars. (I know where two of 'em are...)

That said, I went and looked at some listings over on TB. Gotta say I was shocked & amazed by the prices..

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=guild
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=guild
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=guild

Whodathunkit??

 

[saemola]

hmmm... buying a 73 Starfire, putting DS in it and getting more than half the price back... gnam gnam...

 

[saemola]

SFI on the bay.

considering how this ended up, I'm pretty sure I'm never gona bid on this one either.
I think the price of the one ended is riduclous, with that leather covering on the back.
and what's the point of that anyway? I mean is it better to drill 8 bolts in the back rather than have it scratched?! :shock:
that's nuts...

 

[adorshki]

I think the price of the one ended is riduclous, with that leather covering on the back.
and what's the point of that anyway? I mean is it better to drill 8 bolts in the back rather than have it scratched?! :shock:
that's nuts...

I'm not even a bass guy but "YEP". Also might be hiding something else going on.

 

[fronobulax]

I think the price of the one ended is riduclous, with that leather covering on the back.
and what's the point of that anyway? I mean is it better to drill 8 bolts in the back rather than have it scratched?! :shock:
that's nuts...

I'm not even a bass guy but "YEP". Also might be hiding something else going on.

I have a nagging feeling that I have seen a leather cover placed on the back of a guitar to protect the wood before. Does anyone recall whether it was a factory option or spec anywhere? If my hunch is right then there may be nothing more than imitation. "It seemed like a good idea at the time" applies to more modifications than engraving a SSN as a theft prevention measure.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I have a nagging feeling that I have seen a leather cover placed on the back of a guitar to protect the wood before. Does anyone recall whether it was a factory option or spec anywhere? If my hunch is right then there may be nothing more than imitation. "It seemed like a good idea at the time" applies to more modifications than engraving a SSN as a theft prevention measure.

IIRC, some of the Gretsch 60s semi-hollow models had this "feature" (?)
Not so much the short scale Broadkaster, as the long scale (6072...?)

 

[Yggdrasil]

Google is your friend :shock: :

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366987

http://www.hillmanweb.com/hillgt03.html

 

[fronobulax]

Google is your friend :shock: :

Thank you. I did Google but what I was trying was not getting me guitars. After looking at the Gretsch, my best guess is there was a Starfire owner with a serious case of Gretsch envy. If the Starfires were the more affordable bass then I might even be right.

 

[Happy Face]

I recall some Vox guitars had that "feature' as well? No?

Or am I running off at the mouth again?

 

[mellowgerman]

What's the point of protecting the finish if you can't see it anyway? :roll: :lol:

 

[saemola]

that's exactly my point!
it's just like a cell phone cover... :roll:
except this is worse cause you're actually drilling big phat holes in the body! :mrgreen:

 

[fronobulax]

What's the point of protecting the finish if you can't see it anyway? :roll: :lol:

Rhetorical question? If not, then I would pay more for the bass with less buckle rash if they were otherwise comparable. I agree it is somewhat irrational but I know the rash is there. I don't know whether it is fair or accurate statement but it seems to me that someone who didn't care about the appearance probably did not care about other aspects of maintenance as well. Of course, the leather cover is irrational as far as I am concerned. Instead of devaluing the instrument by buckle rash it has been devalued by drilling holes that are unnecessary.

 

[saemola]

anyone in Richmond (Indianapolis) would take this for me? :roll:

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/msg/2135044881.html