Starfire number question

[Jack FFR1846]

I've seen a number of Starfires lately in used guitar shops and also on craigslist. Something hit me that I did not understand. I thought the numbers (starfire II, starfire V etc) were associated with a run of the guitars chronologically. But recently, I saw a 68 starfire V which confused me as I'm sure I've seen later starfires with lower numbers. Please fix my confusion......

 

[hansmoust]

I thought the numbers (starfire II, starfire V etc) were associated with a run of the guitars chronologically. But recently, I saw a 68 starfire V which confused me as I'm sure I've seen later starfires with lower numbers. Please fix my confusion......

Hello Jack,

Over they years Guild used several different serial number systems, which can be somewhat confusing.
In a nutshell, between 1965 and 1970 the serial numbers would have a 2-letter serial number prefix followed by a 3- or 4-digit number. After 1979 they used several similar systems but there would be a 6-digit number after the 2-letter prefix, making it a total of 8 digits. With every new system each model would get a new exclusive serial number letter prefix and the numbers would start all over again.

Hope I'm making myself clear!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[krysh]

I guess Jack was talking about the Starfire 1,2,3...12 thing.

Starfire 1-3 have one cutaway and the sf-1 has 1 neckpickup, the sf-2 has 2 pickups and the sf-3 has not 3 but 2 pickups and a bigsby. :wink:
the regular starfire 4-5, 6 and 12 (XII) have two cutaways and two pickups. here the 4 was the standard model, the 5 had an added bigsby and the 6 more bling with/without bigsy. the 12 got 12 strings.

the serial numbers did not have anything to do with the model-number or year of manufacturing.

but the best knowledgebase is still this:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Guild-Guitar-Book-ebook/dp/B002AKJS6K

 

[fronobulax]

Stick to basses 8)

Starfire I - One pickup
Starfire II - Two pickups.

Easy.

(I think Krysh gave you the answer you were looking for).

 

[coastie99]

the serial numbers did not have anything to do with the model-number or year of manufacturing.

but the best knowledgebase is still this:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Guild-Guitar-Book-ebook/dp/B002AKJS6K

That's how I understood the question too, Krysh.

 

[bassmyf]

Stick to basses 8)

Starfire I - One pickup
Starfire II - Two pickups.

Easy.

True Frono, but what about the JS/ Jet Star dilema. :? us lowenders need something to be confused about.....

 

[adorshki]

Stick to basses 8)

Starfire I - One pickup
Starfire II - Two pickups.

Easy.

True Frono, but what about the JS/ Jet Star dilema. :? us lowenders need something to be confused about.....

Oh c'mon I bet there's gotta be enough production variations out there to satisfy that need! :mrgreen:

 

[fronobulax]

Stick to basses 8)

Starfire I - One pickup
Starfire II - Two pickups.

Easy.

True Frono, but what about the JS/ Jet Star dilema. :? us lowenders need something to be confused about.....

Touche, although I think Hans has definitively solved that one for me. Apply search fu in the eBay thread ;-)

Of course there are factory JS II's with two bisonics, one bisonic and one "alternative" Hagstrom, the common pair of Guild humbuckers and then the end of production JS's which have the JS body but bridge and PU from the successor B-301. And then there are stereo variants, long scale versions and our favorite with oak leaves and acorns.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Thanks for all the replies. Krysh solved my misconception. I always assumed the number followed years rather than options on the guitar. Unfortunately, someone beat me to buying this particular 68 Starfire V from it's original owner. Oh well......

 

[markus]

Thank you for that explanation Krysh!
Markus

 

[krysh]

you are welcome, glad to be of help.