Starfire1 - any good?
- Thread starter F30
- Start date
LesB3
Member
I'm sure he must get tired of posting his own reviews, so I'll post it for him:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2020/05/31/guild-newark-st-starfire-sc-review/
GAD's site really is the best place to find in depth reviews of Guild guitars, new or otherwise.
I bought a white one about two years ago... After sale, coupon, and MF bucks, I paid $371 (new). You can read about my fun here:
https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index...ne-o-matic-bridge-details.210277/post-1994961
Aside from the QC issues, I didn't really like the pickups, and not interested in replacing them either. They were OK clean, but with any sort of dirt they started to buzz like a set of cheap '80's imports. They can be coil split by pulling up on the knobs, which sounds a bit better with dirt.
At first, the B7-style Guildsby didn't bother me, but I'm beginning to become less tolerant of those on guitars like this -I would have preferred a B6-syle and archtop bridge like my SF-III has. If you prefer a stop tail, they make those as well (and they might be a better guitar anyway).
That being said, the white one is pretty to look at, and its probably the reason I bought one. I guess it has that going for it. If I was starting out, I could see buying one as it would be minimum coin to get into a cool looking Guild. But I think there are better options out there. Mine sits in a case, in my basement, waiting for my daughter or nephew to take interest in guitar.
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2020/05/31/guild-newark-st-starfire-sc-review/
GAD's site really is the best place to find in depth reviews of Guild guitars, new or otherwise.
I bought a white one about two years ago... After sale, coupon, and MF bucks, I paid $371 (new). You can read about my fun here:
https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index...ne-o-matic-bridge-details.210277/post-1994961
Aside from the QC issues, I didn't really like the pickups, and not interested in replacing them either. They were OK clean, but with any sort of dirt they started to buzz like a set of cheap '80's imports. They can be coil split by pulling up on the knobs, which sounds a bit better with dirt.
At first, the B7-style Guildsby didn't bother me, but I'm beginning to become less tolerant of those on guitars like this -I would have preferred a B6-syle and archtop bridge like my SF-III has. If you prefer a stop tail, they make those as well (and they might be a better guitar anyway).
That being said, the white one is pretty to look at, and its probably the reason I bought one. I guess it has that going for it. If I was starting out, I could see buying one as it would be minimum coin to get into a cool looking Guild. But I think there are better options out there. Mine sits in a case, in my basement, waiting for my daughter or nephew to take interest in guitar.
Thanks for the link and reply - the looks and the price sparked my interest
DrumBob
Senior Member
They're OK guitars, but they are cheaper Chinese versions of the Newark Street Series instruments from Korea. That's the best I can say. I reviewed the 12 string SF-1 for Vintage Guitar. I have the option of buying guitars I review. I was not heartbroken to send it back. Let's put it that way. My review was pretty matter-of-fact. Not real positive, not real negative.
If you don't mind taking a chance, and you have the option to return it for a refund, you just may get a great one.
Or, you might not.
If you don't mind taking a chance, and you have the option to return it for a refund, you just may get a great one.
Or, you might not.