Starfire incoming (spoke too soon)

[cestlamort]

I did a semi-regular Guitar Center search and came across this:

Description:
VINTAGE 1968 GUILD STARFIRE CHY WC CHANGE ELECTRICS

It appears to have one pot removed for a 1/4" plug. [edit: or broken?] Replaced knobs, likely replaced pick up selector. Bridge from a SFIV (which this may be). Guildsby.

Of course there are no pictures of the back/sides so we'll see what is actually going on when it arrives.

We'll see how it goes, but I figured it was worth a roll of the dice for $1099+ tax.

Free shipping, 72 hr approval, and I can return it to the local store.

Visa card: slightly warm to the touch.

 

[Zelja]

Re: Starfire incoming

Paint job looks good so here's hoping the back looks the same. Very nice price for a 60s SFIV even if it needs a little bit of work or parts.

Good luck, congratulations & enjoy!

 

[Los Angeles]

Re: Starfire incoming

The greatest thing about Guitar Center is the "pickup at the store" feature. On two separate occasions, I've bought a guitar and picked it up at my local store only to open it up at the store and immediately - within minutes - return it. They have seemed a little peeved about it, but when I rundown the list of serious problems, they always just take it back without another word.

I'd say $1099 is nothing more than a deposit. If you don't like the guitar for any reason, you'll get every red cent back.

 

[cestlamort]

Re: Starfire incoming

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I actually opted for ground shipping (may be a mistake from NJ across the country to WA in the [or: this] summer?) to give me a little time to consider what will have to go if this comes into the fold. (I currently have four electrics and an old hagstrom XII. Five or more is overkill unless rock is paying the mortgage. And it is decidedly not).

I like the idea of it being a deposit. My first "real" guitar was a SFIII and I recently (last year or so) started using it most of the time. It's fabulous, but... a bit twitchy at the volume we play at. A SFIV (or SF4.5, I suppose) might do the trick. And this one passed the "if I saw it locally on craigslist would I take a long lunch break to check it out?" litmus test.

 

[Default]

Re: Starfire incoming

looks like the Guildsby is the wrong one for that model, to me. Looks like it's from a SF3.

 

[cestlamort]

Re: Starfire incoming

looks like the Guildsby is the wrong one for that model, to me. Looks like it's from a SF3.

I didn't even notice, but you're right. I like the Guildsby on my SFIII, so hopefully it works here, too. I wonder what the extra string length behind the bridge will do on a semi-hollow. It also looks a bit raised from the body.

So this appears definitely to be a SFIV that someone put a SFIII Guildsby on (rather than a V). I'll refer to it now as the SF3.5 :wink:

Interesting.

 

[Default]

Re: Starfire incoming

I don't see any bushing for a stop tailpiece, so I'll guess that it used to have a harp. There might be very little string break over the bridge. :-/

 

[cestlamort]

Re: Starfire incoming

I don't see any bushing for a stop tailpiece, so I'll guess that it used to have a harp. There might be very little string break over the bridge. :-/

Is the distance from bridge to butt end (heel?) different than on a Starfire II/III?
The break on the III is fine. (I played Fender jaguars/jazzmasters, so it's all fine as long as the strings stay in place).

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Re: Starfire incoming

A Starfire V would have block inlays.

 

[cestlamort]

Re: Starfire incoming

Update: It's all moot.

Out of the three times I've ordered from them, only one purchase actually came through (a rick o sound unit for cheap, so no complaints). But this is disappointing, to say the least.

Hello and Thank you for your order, We are sorry to inform you that this guitar was purchased in store last night and is no longer available. Our online store and website takes 24 hours to update we are very sorry for any inconvienance this may cause, Any questions Please call etc etc etc

Judging by this and my experience with unknowingly buying a stolen X170T earlier in the year, maybe it's time to hold off on buying another Guild. (Or: alternately, it's great because I get the rush of buying a new guitar without having to actually own it for more than a few weeks).

 

[Los Angeles]

Wow - rotten luck, indeed.

 

[Default]

Re: Starfire incoming

Update: It's all moot.

Out of the three times I've ordered from them, only one purchase actually came through (a rick o sound unit for cheap, so no complaints). But this is disappointing, to say the least.

Hello and Thank you for your order, We are sorry to inform you that this guitar was purchased in store last night and is no longer available. Our online store and website takes 24 hours to update we are very sorry for any inconvienance this may cause, Any questions Please call etc etc etc

Judging by this and my experience with unknowingly buying a stolen X170T earlier in the year, maybe it's time to hold off on buying another Guild. (Or: alternately, it's great because I get the rush of buying a new guitar without having to actually own it for more than a few weeks).

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=32293

:twisted: