Thoughts on Starfire IV Stoptail

[Fish]

Hey all,

I did a search here but couldn't find any opinions about this. I'm wondering how everyone feels about Guild's introduction of a stoptail version of the Starfire IV. I have a feeling the purists might not be fans of the stop bar tail piece because it isn't vintage correct. To me the stoptail version is appealing because it'll stay in tune better than a Guildsby, plus it's the only way I can get a new Starfire in emerald green. I'm more of a dots and binding kind of guy than block inlays as well, so from a visual perspective I like the neck on the IV better than the V. I have a picture of a green IV with a Bigsby, which would also be awesome, but I have a feeling those are rare as hen's teeth. Anyway, very interested to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks for reading!

 

[txbumper57]

The stop tail Starfire IV might not be what was around in the 60's but they made them that way for a good part of the 90's and early 2000's in Westerly, R.I. and Corona, Ca. So the "Stop Tail" version is not a new concept at all. Some folks like the Guildsby and some folks don't. The guitars came both ways from the factory when they where built in the U.S. As far as a Newark Street Green one with a bigsby and dot inlays is concerned, You can always Buy a Green Harp tail piece Version, buy the Guildsby separate, and have it installed to get the model you want.

Consequently I have never had a tuning issue with my American made Guilds with the Guildsby installed. If the guitar is set up right it shouldn't have tuning issues. Good Luck in your Search!

 

[shihan]

I have a '90's SF 4 with the stop tail. I like it very much. Great sustain, and it stays in tune.
The Guildsby is a different animal; it depends if you would use it or not.
You should be able to try all 3 types of tail pieces without too much trouble; see which one you like best.

 

[Fish]

Hey guys, thanks for your feedback and for the education. I know that Guild started using ST hardware in the 90s, I just meant that in the early days that wasn't an option and was wondering what the purists thought of it. For example, I'm a Jazzmaster nut and I know a lot of people are against modern trem placement (closer to the bridge) or tune-o-matic style bridges on Jazzmasters; and I was just wondering if Guild heads feel the same way about anything that isn't vintage correct. In any case, I think a ST could be a good option in this case because I already have a guitar with a trem and I don't use the trem very much. And it's nice to know that you guys won't think I'm a square for not having a Guildsby on my Starfire. eaceful:

 

[guitarslinger]

Hey guys, thanks for your feedback and for the education. I know that Guild started using ST hardware in the 90s, I just meant that in the early days that wasn't an option and was wondering what the purists thought of it. For example, I'm a Jazzmaster nut and I know a lot of people are against modern trem placement (closer to the bridge) or tune-o-matic style bridges on Jazzmasters; and I was just wondering if Guild heads feel the same way about anything that isn't vintage correct. In any case, I think a ST could be a good option in this case because I already have a guitar with a trem and I don't use the trem very much. And it's nice to know that you guys won't think I'm a square for not having a Guildsby on my Starfire. eaceful:

A Guild player may be many things...never square. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Fish]

A Guild player may be many things...never square. Welcome to the forum.

Haha, good point. Guilds are the coolest. Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[hansmoust]

I know that Guild started using ST hardware in the 90s, I just meant that in the early days that wasn't an option and was wondering what the purists thought of it. I was just wondering if Guild heads feel the same way about anything that isn't vintage correct.

Hello Fish,

Depending on how long you've been dabbling in the world of 'vintage' guitars, you may have a different opinion on what 'vintage' means.
As a guitar repairman I can see why a player would prefer one over the other, but as a guitar historian I can tell you that Guild introduced the stop tailpiece on the Starfire 4 during 1981, so it has been a regular Starfire feature for more than 30 years.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[AcornHouse]

There seems to be implications that for the Starfire IV, the stop tail replaced the Guildsby in the posts in this thread. The SF IV never came stock with a Guildsby (although it could be special ordered.) The original had a Guild harp tailpiece with a floating bridge, and holds tune just dandy.
The 60s SF IV, and the later reissues are just different animals in weight, finish, feel, and sound.

 

[Fish]

Hello Fish,

Depending on how long you've been dabbling in the world of 'vintage' guitars, you may have a different opinion on what 'vintage' means.
As a guitar repairman I can see why a player would prefer one over the other, but as a guitar historian I can tell you that Guild introduced the stop tailpiece on the Starfire 4 during 1981, so it has been a regular Starfire feature for more than 30 years.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Hey Hans! I'm digging your book so far! Thanks for schooling me on the ST. Great to know.

 

[Fish]

There seems to be implications that for the Starfire IV, the stop tail replaced the Guildsby in the posts in this thread. The SF IV never came stock with a Guildsby (although it could be special ordered.) The original had a Guild harp tailpiece with a floating bridge, and holds tune just dandy.
The 60s SF IV, and the later reissues are just different animals in weight, finish, feel, and sound.

Hey Chris, nice to meet you! Sorry, didn't mean to make anyone think that the IV ever came stock with a Guildsby and I'm well aware of the standard harp tailpiece and floating bridge on the IV. Thanks for chiming in! You guys are great.

 

[GAD]

I greatly prefer stop-tails on my Starfires, though I'd never turn down a harp!

 

[krysh]

Can anyone confirm that the Newark St. stop tails are standard gibson size? If yes then this will be a great alternative to a bigsby:
http://www.rockinger.com/index.php?cat=WG073&lang=ENG&product=3667C-3667G

 

[fuman]

I don't mind the stop tailpiece, but they have two killer finishes -- emerald green and natural -- that you can only get in that configuration. If the Harp isn't the coolest archtop tailpiece ever, it's in the top 3. They are a bit of a pain and maybe they aren't as stable but I love the look and wish you could get a green one made that way. It's mega-hard to find a vintage one in green.

 

[D30Man]

I too am eyeballing a Newark Street Starfire Emerald with stop tail.. Sweetwater has a demo model for under $1k. Let me know what you think of them.

 

[DrumBob]

My new SF-IV has a stop tailpiece, and it plays great. I purposely wanted this model versus a harp taipiece. Just personal preference.