1970 Cherry Burst Single Neck Pickup Starfire!?

Minnesota Flats

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Not really crazy about that color, but the bass looks to be in darn nice condition except for the neck heel cap.
 

wisconsindead

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I wonder why the neck heel cap looks so terrible compared to everything else...?

I agree frono, it looks 10x better than the standard cherry starfire

I must say, I really want to buy this thing!
 

Minnesota Flats

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I would think that the heel cap would be an easy fix if you matched the age-yellowing of the binding.
 

fronobulax

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I would think that the heel cap would be an easy fix if you matched the age-yellowing of the binding.

I've seen heel caps like that before and several basses where the cap has disintegrated completely. So I think the cap condition is just age. I do note the corrosion on the strap button. That I have never seen before and wonder if it indicates an environmental exposure that sped up the aging of the end cap?

I think the price is reasonable but then again I am not in an acquisition mode.
 

wisconsindead

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I've seen heel caps like that before and several basses where the cap has disintegrated completely. So I think the cap condition is just age. I do note the corrosion on the strap button. That I have never seen before and wonder if it indicates an environmental exposure that sped up the aging of the end cap?

I think the price is reasonable but then again I am not in an acquisition mode.

They state that the corrosion is caused by gassing heel binding. Making me think that this bass truly did just sit in a case undisturbed for a significant amount of time.

There is also a fairly well priced sunburst starfire on Reverb right now...

https://reverb.com/item/4243162-guild-starfire-bass-1966-sunburst
 

fretwear

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There is also a fairly well priced sunburst starfire on Reverb right now...

https://reverb.com/item/4243162-guild-starfire-bass-1966-sunburst[/QUOTE]

nice, looks like a time capsule, the year might be off, acording to the ser # data base, Serial number BA789 puts it in the early 1967, also the offset tug bars look 67ish?
Either way it's looks like a real killer! If I was on the hunt I'd look at snagging this......but that's how I get in trouble, basically tend to leap before I look!!
 

Minnesota Flats

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I would prefer it if the color deepened to a darker red, even a translucent burgundy rather than black at the edges (unless I'm not seeing the color in the PICs right). I'm not a huge fan of 2-color bursts that go from a color to black, the Epiphone Casady in "silverburst" being another example. But that's just a personal preference and anyone one else is certainly entitled to like whatever. The condition is truly pretty amazing, color aside.
 

wisconsindead

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This bass finally sold after 2 aggressive price drops and a best offer option, someone got an insane crazy deal on this...hope it was one of you!

Do you know if it sold for $1600 or for less? I thought $1600 seemed like a pretty good deal.

I would prefer it if the color deepened to a darker red, even a translucent burgundy rather than black at the edges (unless I'm not seeing the color in the PICs right). I'm not a huge fan of 2-color bursts that go from a color to black, the Epiphone Casady in "silverburst" being another example. But that's just a personal preference and anyone one else is certainly entitled to like whatever. The condition is truly pretty amazing, color aside.

Interesting. I liked that Silverburst and I also really like this cherry burst. I honestly do not like the regular Cherry versions of the starfire. Something about Bursts in general just scream "BUY ME!" and then the responsible me says "LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!"
 

fretwear

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It sold four $1500, I thought you might have snagged that one? Had your name all over it....:wink-new:
 

Minnesota Flats

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"I honestly do not like the regular Cherry versions of the Starfire."

I have only had a couple of cherry-colored guitars (an Epiphone Crestwood and a PRS SE single-cut Soapbar) over the years and never was wild about the color. When I bought my NS SF-I, opaque black was the only other option and I'll take just about ANY translucent color over opaque because I love being able to see the wood grain. Over time, the red on this bass has won me over (probably because I like everything else about it so much) and I can say that I now actally like it.

As far as 'burst finishes go, I don't even care for two-color of any sort that much (e.g.: the old Fender 2-color 'burst). I'll take the standard 3-color 'burst any day but my real fav is probably "tea-burst". I used to have an MIA Epi Riviera that was that color and loved it.

But that's just me. Thank goodness that there's some bass/guitar maker out there to accommodate just about everybody's taste and then, of course, Warmoth if you STILL haven't found something to like (or a boutique outfit if you have the bucks to buy and the patience to wait).
 

wisconsindead

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It sold four $1500, I thought you might have snagged that one? Had your name all over it....:wink-new:

Well I gave it a quick thought but there is really no point for me to buy another sunburst starfire. I'm interested in getting a Mustang bass which would be my next purchase unless I just so happen to buy this cherry burst out of a random moment of intense desire. But it is such a collectors piece (I don't think it's next owner should play it much, personally) that I have a hard time justifying $2000-2500 on art.
 

mavuser

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But it is such a collectors piece (I don't think it's next owner should play it much, personally) that I have a hard time justifying $2000-2500 on art.

I think you could play this as much as you want and it will still look great! still a collectors piece even w some light mojo (maybe dont go pete townsend on her!).

also interesting the opinions on the burst. I actually call this a "black cherry burst" as a "cherry burst", to me, has no black at all, like this:

qdwky.jpg


they did the black cherry burst on some other guitars, and cherry burst as well.

I do like that it is mahogany (even w maple sides), and I do like the cherry red mahogany SF bass as well. the mahogany is a little lighter than the maple. They do sound a little different, but still similar. Still the original (maple) sunburst might be my favorite.
 
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