Owned both? Or even any Starfire vs any ES?
What was your experience with the guitars?
It’s been a while since the original post, but here are my 5ct:
I had or have a ES 335s from 66, 93, 2014, an Ibanez AS50 from 80 with good PAF clones, and a 80 SF4. My SF is on the heavier side with 4kg, all other guitars weight some 3,5kg plus minus 100g.
The SF and the AS50 are quite similar in sound: very much rock guitars, mid-rangey and thick. All of the above Gibson ES are more refined, more transparent and airy. The mid position on all ES is way more twangy, to me, this is where a real ES always outperforms any other brand. The tonal variety of the SF is much bigger though, the neck PU sound is more bassy (actually, too much for me) than any of the other guitars mentioned. Overall, to me the ES are more delicate sounding.
I had the SF and the 66 ES refretted, all instruments discussed are playing well, but the SF with medium jumbo frets is a league on its own, I have never played another instrument allowing me such fluid and effortless playing, the setup is super low with no rattle or buzz or anything and I can bend like crazy with no limitations.
Just to make matter complete: among the ES, the older the more refined. The 66 is much less heavy and more airy sounding than the newer ones. Often, old Les Paul’s are described as „Tele on steroids“, this fits well to my old ES too.
Any one of the instruments mentioned is great on its own. But I so far kept the 66 ES and the SF, I am debating if I really need the SF. But selling an SF is tough, the brand doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.