Right Case for the Starfire II?

Rialto1564

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Location
Bay Area, CA
Hi All,

When I bought my Starfire II new in the 90s, the clerk lowered the price by including a non-Guild hard shell case. I know, I know...

I concluded shortly after that it's a pretty snug fit depth-wise, as the case doesn't have the convex top seen on many archtop/original Guild cases. I don't close it all the way as a precaution to protect the bridge.

So my question is does anyone have a recomendation for a good HSC that will fit a 90s Guild Starfire II?

Thanks in advance,
 

dbirchett

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
938
Reaction score
90
As you probably know, most thinline semi-acoustics (and those without the center blocks) had 16" lower bouts. This includes the Gibson 330, 335, 345, 355 as well as Epi Casinos, Sheratons, etc.

For some reason, Guild chose to make theirs a little larger, 16 5/8" I believe. Therefore Guild needs a specific case. Since Guild furnishes a hardshell case with most of their guitars, the third-party market is not attractive enough for TKL, SKB and the like to go after. Guild distributes a nice case and the current ones should fit if yours was made in the 90s. However, I just looked and they are out of stock. Call Guild customer service. Go up the chain if you have to until you find someone with some authority and they should take care of you.
 

bobouz

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Messages
2,228
Reaction score
1,827
Gator's standard 335 molded case (not the TSA model) should fit your Starfire II nicely.

I have a '97 Starfire III with a harp tailpiece instead of the Bigsby, and I just tried it in the Gator case - fits great! The only qualifier I would add is that I bought this case about five years ago, and I don't know if any of the specs have been changed. Online photos still look the same.
 

Rialto1564

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Location
Bay Area, CA
Gator's standard 335 molded case (not the TSA model) should fit your Starfire II nicely.

I have a '97 Starfire III with a harp tailpiece instead of the Bigsby, and I just tried it in the Gator case - fits great! The only qualifier I would add is that I bought this case about five years ago, and I don't know if any of the specs have been changed. Online photos still look the same.

Thanks. I'll look into that.
 

mavuser

Enlightened Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
8,128
Reaction score
2,636
Location
New York
if you want to order a new Guild case and they are out of stock in the "Guild Store" online, you can try to order through Sam Ash the old fashioned way, you will wait and they may not know how long, but it might be eaiser than getting answers from Guild/Oxnard. it will arrive, at some point.
 
Top