90's ? DeArmand Starfire IV questions..

markb

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Hey Guilders,

Have a line on a "Crafted in Korea" DeArmond Starfire !V Custom w/ original Goldtone pups. Great condition. Is $350 too much? Any opinions on these is much appreciated.

markb
 
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bluesypicky

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Hey Guilders,Have a line on a "Crafted in Korea" DeArmand Starfire !V Custom w/ original Goldtone pups. Great condition. Is $350 too much? Any opinions on these is much appreciated.
markb

First one question for you:
Are you buying from a pic or can you actually touch it?

Reason for my asking is the only experience I've had with a De Armond was to go look at one that looked really sharp on the pic and was dirt cheap (always appealing right?) and the darn thing was flat out unplayable.

I don't mean to trash the brand here, but knowing the manufacturing shortcomings (associated with these very appealing dirt cheap prices) I would NEVER take a chance on one, no matter how cheap, without actually putting my hands on it.

Come to think of it, I won't even take a chance on one again. Period. :dispirited:

But that's just one opinion, don't let that ruin your enthusiasm (if you are enthusiastic)....
 
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AcornHouse

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As Pascal has said, the old Dearmond Korean builds aren't really in the same ballpark with the current Newark Street Korean Guilds, and have to be considered on an individual basis. I think a few members have mentioned they've had one that they liked, but, on the whole, they are more likely to be Guild-like objects, rather than decent low cost alternatives.

VMMV, as always.
 

markb

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Thanks guys. The guitar is 5 mins away from work and yes the pic looks great;) But would have to touch and feel. Just somewhat intrigued by the US made Goldtones. I've heard them in other applications and love the tone. If the guitar was playable it might be interesting for a slide project. Especially at ~7 bills cheaper than the Newark's.

While I have you here, as I hijack my own thread, your opinion on a late 97 US (Fender??) Starfire 4 stop tail. Specifically the pickups in these. As I've "heard" there not so desirable. I let my ears tell me but I would love some opinions on this particular year and it's appointments.
 
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Quantum Strummer

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While I have you here, as I hijack my own thread, your opinion on a late 97 US (Fender??) Starfire 4 stop tail. Specifically the pickups in these. As I've "heard" there not so desirable. I let my ears tell me but I would love some opinions on this particular year and it's appointments.

In my experience it's likely to be a really good guitar. I'm personally not a fan of the Duncan HB-1-ish pickups (and even less so of the Fender-made ones) but they can be dealt with if your ears insist on it. Besides, you might like 'em!

-Dave-
 

bluesypicky

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In my experience it's likely to be a really good guitar. I'm personally not a fan of the Duncan HB-1-ish pickups (and even less so of the Fender-made ones) but they can be dealt with if your ears insist on it. Besides, you might like 'em!
-Dave-

Couldn't have said it better myself.
If those pup's do it for you (and you like fat necks) you can't be disappointed with a Westerly B-Bird.
 

Frank4001

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Thanks guys. The guitar is 5 mins away from work and yes the pic looks great;) But would have to touch and feel. Just somewhat intrigued by the US made Goldtones. I've heard them in other applications and love the tone. If the guitar was playable it might be interesting for a slide project. Especially at ~7 bills cheaper than the Newark's.

While I have you here, as I hijack my own thread, your opinion on a late 97 US (Fender??) Starfire 4 stop tail. Specifically the pickups in these. As I've "heard" there not so desirable. I let my ears tell me but I would love some opinions on this particular year and it's appointments.

I put of a video of my 2000 with Fender-Buckers. Hopefully it helps your decision...
http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?191330-2000-Starfire-King-Biscuit-2016
 

GAD

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Thanks guys. The guitar is 5 mins away from work and yes the pic looks great;) But would have to touch and feel. Just somewhat intrigued by the US made Goldtones. I've heard them in other applications and love the tone. If the guitar was playable it might be interesting for a slide project. Especially at ~7 bills cheaper than the Newark's.

While I have you here, as I hijack my own thread, your opinion on a late 97 US (Fender??) Starfire 4 stop tail. Specifically the pickups in these. As I've "heard" there not so desirable. I let my ears tell me but I would love some opinions on this particular year and it's appointments.

I can't speak for the gold foil pickups.

A '97 Starfire should have SD-1s in it. I like them just fine. Look for adjustment screws like this:

Guild-SD1-300x199.jpg


A '97 Guild should blow the doors off of any Korean Dearmond out there just from a build and playability standpoint.
 

shihan

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I have a '97 SF4; its a fabulous guitar. I really like the SD-1 pu's; very toneful. Nice, fat neck, light weight, plays effortlessly. Not much to complain about with this guitar! I say go for it. They're a real bargan at current prices; about what you would pay for a new Korean made SF.
 

Guildadelphia

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The DeArmonds are not relatively accurate approximations of vintage model Guilds like the NS Series, they are more Guild homages but they were well made and had good pu's. I had a Starfire Special w/ single coil 2K's (kind of a P-90 in Dynasonic clothing) and I liked their tone better than the Duncan P-90's in my USA Hamer Special. The USA made Goldtone pu's are nothing like the later Fender made 'buckers that afflicted some later USA Guilds. The Goldtone's actually sound very good...no mushy generic 'bucker tone at all. It's been a long while since a heard a pair but as I recall they are medium output and have good definition; the neck pu really sings. If the DeArmond Starfire V is in as good a condition as advertised, it's a good deal at 350.00 (they were over $600.00 new, more w/ a HSC) if you are looking for a nice Starfire/335 style guitar for cheap.
 

markb

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The DeArmonds are not relatively accurate approximations of vintage model Guilds like the NS Series, they are more Guild homages but they were well made and had good pu's. I had a Starfire Special w/ single coil 2K's (kind of a P-90 in Dynasonic clothing) and I liked their tone better than the Duncan P-90's in my USA Hamer Special. The USA made Goldtone pu's are nothing like the later Fender made 'buckers that afflicted some later USA Guilds. The Goldtone's actually sound very good...no mushy generic 'bucker tone at all. It's been a long while since a heard a pair but as I recall they are medium output and have good definition; the neck pu really sings. If the DeArmond Starfire V is in as good a condition as advertised, it's a good deal at 350.00 (they were over $600.00 new, more w/ a HSC) if you are looking for a nice Starfire/335 style guitar for cheap.

Yes Guildadelphia! You responded to my post after I purchased the one in question in which I quoted. You are correct. Other than the plastic nut that will be replaced there are no quality issues at all with the 98 Dearmond starfire custom. None. I got it for $325 to boot .The GoldTones kill!
 

Quantum Strummer

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I had a Starfire Special w/ single coil 2Ks (kind of a P-90 in Dynasonic clothing) and I liked their tone better than the Duncan P-90s in my USA Hamer Special. The USA made Goldtone pu's are nothing like the later Fender made 'buckers that afflicted some later USA Guilds. The Goldtones actually sound very good...no mushy generic 'bucker tone at all.

I also have a Hamer Special. Those P-90s didn't last long before being replaced with a set of '60s Gibsons: a P-90 at the neck and a Firebird at the bridge, Neil Young style. :) Duncan does make a good P-90 but IMO these were wound way too hot. Really good guitar otherwise.

I'm really curious about the Goldtones now…gotta keep my eyes open so I can check 'em out.

-Dave-
 

Guildadelphia

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I liked the Duncan P-90's in my Hamer Special well enough (wish I still had the guitar) but I came to prefer the sound of "vintage wound" P-90's when I got my Epiphone '61 Casino Reissue which came stock with Gibson USA Vintage Wound P-90's. Where Hamer went wrong with their choice of P-90's on the Specials was opting for a 14K hot output ceramic Duncan Custom P-90 for the bridge; a pair of Duncan alnico vintage wound P-90's would have been a better choice.
 
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