Starfire V sans Bigsby value

[sonicreducer]

Hey guys,

What is a realistic and reasonable price
For a 1967 Guild Sf-V in cherry that's had the bigsby replaced
With the harp tailpiece? I'm not selling, but trying to buy and the guy won't budge from 1600+. It's in generally great condition, except the pup selector switch is very sticky. It also comes with original case, which is looking pretty beat up as well. Minor wear and checking, but sounds great!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I'm no expert on prices, but fixed my own switch that was worse than just being sticky (as in would only go to center position and would not conduct, so I would only play "sound of silence" plugged in). Anyways....I'm not a bigsby fan, so to me, he'd have done me a favor. His guitar is 2 years older than my ST302 and has more options. If the condition is good on the guitar, it sounds pretty reasonable to me.

 

[dapmdave]

It would depend upon whether there are any marks left to indicate that there was once a Bigsby on the guitar. If not, I'd think $1200-1300 would be a reasonable price point. They can be found for more and for less. The switch probably just needs a little TLC (mine was sticky at first, too). Minor wear and checking is just part of the package as is a beat-up case. They all sound great.

Just my opinion of course, YMMV.

Dave

 

[sonicreducer]

Thanks guys. I believe the original guild bigsby has the same holes as the Guild tailpiece. I'm just wondering if swapping out the original Bigsby compromises the value and if his asking price is a realistic figure considering that. There arent any other issues to consider because everything else is stock and in great condition. I guess my question is what's the value of a starfire V with the Bigsby swapped out for a regular tailpiece?

 

[guildman63]

My two cents is that without the Bigsby it's a SF IV (my '91 SF-4 has all gold hardware and an ebony board stock, although that is not typical). Ultimately, anything, including guitars, is worth nothing more or less than what one is willing to pay at any given point in time. I was willing to pay $1400 for my '91 SF-4 because it was in mint condition (guitar and case) and has the ebony board which is unusual and is what I prefer. Some may think I got a deal, and others may think I paid way too much. Personally, I don't ever plan on selling it, so my 6-year old son will have a nice guitar one day (along with my X-170, X-500, D-40, and whatever other Guild I gas after over the coming years). If you buy any guitar because of what it may be worth in the future and you decide to sell one day and don't get what you had hoped for it you won't be happy. If you buy one because it plays and sounds great, and don't care about future value then regardless of what happens in the future you will have won. In 1970 or '71 my instructor bought an X-175 from the late 60's. The neck had been sanded down, the finish completely removed, and I believe some other mods had been made. It sounded great to him then, and he continues to play it to this day about 40 years later. He never intends to sell it, so to him the mods mean nothing.

Best of luck, and check out Ebay under completed listings to see a 1967 SF-V that sold for less than $1300.

 

[sonicreducer]

Those are words of wisdom, guildman. Value is subjective indeed. I've been trailing an SF-V for a long time, and everytime one pops up I dont have the money for it. In these turbulent times though, i suppose I'd like to make sure I'm getting my money's worth where my patience lacks. I don't foresee future plans to sell, but I guess it's because of the fact that it isn't exactly what I knew and expected that plants that seed of doubt in my mind. I'd pay more if it was all as it had been original and played jus as well. I'm new to this whole GAS thing, as I've played the same guitars for years and years without a second thought. I don't quite have the confidence in my own judgment yet to know I'm not being a sucker. I'm not looking for a bargain, but just need reassurance from the experts that I'm not being taken.

 

[teleharmonium]

If the condition is really nice overall, I think that price is fair. 1500 would be more ideal I would think for what it is, but very clean older guitars with no belt buckle rash or dings are hard to find and that could justify the difference (or even more).

The Guild branded Bigsby is worth approx. 250, and it's not inconceivable that you could find one later and put it back to original if you like. 1850 total for a real clean V seems about right. I like Bigsbys but I have enough of them in my life (4) so the guitar as you describe it would be more attractive to me as it is.