Starfire I vs Starfire V

[Lucky_TCB]

I have kind of a stupid question, but I haven't been able to find any answer online.

I have played and like a Starfire I DC but kind of want a tremelo on it and am not crazy about the colors of the guitars that it is offered in. If I took the step up to a Starfire V, what are main differences? Is it mainly just materials/build? Will the sound and playability be similar?

 

[GAD]

The SFI is made to be as cheap as possible while still looking and acting like a Guild. SFIs are made in Indonesia.

Starfire Vs are made in Korea and are much better made.

 

[Walter Broes]

The Newark Street SFV really is a higher quality guitar, and it has a full center block, the SFI has a partial center block.

 

[matsickma]

An additional and significant point is the NS SF made in Korea using the smaller "anti hum" humbuckers which have a distinctly different sound when compared to full size humbuckers.
Hardware is better quality.

The Indonesian SF1 has coil splitting feature using push/pull volume POT's so you can get single coil and/or HB tone or a combination.

For the $ they are hard to beat especially if you buy used or open box.

 

[Lucky_TCB]

Sounds like it isn't quite as easy as a decision as I thought. Both are in my price range—although the SF V is at the high end. If I could just add a tremelo to the SF 1 I would probably go that way, but it doesn't look like you can.

That said, this is likely to be my only electric and I am wanting something that I can not only have for a long time, but eventually pass down to my son.

 

[matsickma]

What color are you looking for? They added a brown burst to the blue and green double cutaway with Guildsby.

You can add a Bigsby or Guildsby to a hard stop model. A Bigsby with a special mounting plate called a Vibramate allows you to mount a Bigsby and it can be undone and returned to stock.
Other option is to buy a Guildsby from Guild ($120), remove the hard stop and add the Guildsby.

I can't tell you what to do but the price point for a used SF1 is less than half the price of a NS SF Korean model. These guitars are not investment models so the reduced price of used or open box is approaching the resale price. Maybe in 15-20 years the resale prices will improve like the DeArmond line but don't plan it as an investment. In some situations the resale value might go up a little if you do a tastefully modification.

Good Luck!

 

[GAD]

Sounds like it isn't quite as easy as a decision as I thought. Both are in my price range—although the SF V is at the high end. If I could just add a tremelo to the SF 1 I would probably go that way, but it doesn't look like you can.

That said, this is likely to be my only electric and I am wanting something that I can not only have for a long time, but eventually pass down to my son.

IMO, If you want an heirloom buy an older Westerly made Starfire.

 

[Lucky_TCB]

Thanks for all of the great insights everyone, I really appreciate it!

 

[LesB3]

On sale now at Sweetwater:

 

[GGJaguar]

On sale now at Sweetwater:

That's a great deal!

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

I sold an NS SF1 and picked up a MIK SF4. Big difference in quality and feel. One of my favorite guitars.

 

[chazmo]

All good responses, @Lucky_TCB . The situation is complicated these days with Korean vs. Indonesian builds and no real effort underway except cost savings. Back in 2013 when Guild introduced the Newark Street series, they were all MIK and all very heavily influenced by the original US-built electrics of the past. Not so much these days.

Oh, and welcome aboard!!!!!

 

[Lucky_TCB]

That's a great deal!

Yeah, I saw that, it’s one of the reasons I asked!

 

[GAD]

Yeah, I saw that, it’s one of the reasons I asked!

The SF4s were all blown out at like half price. They discontinued the Korean S100. My guess is that they’re moving all production out of Korea over time.