1997 Starfire III

[bohemian]

Curious about a 1997 Starfire III I found today
Cherry red.. Bigsby, Orig case ,Exc condiotion ( 2 tiny laquer chips )

However I am curious about the bridge.

It looks like any other arch top bridge but is all aluminum, base and top with chrome steel thumbwheel adjusters.

The strings drag on the top of the bridge and are constantly moving the bridge anytime you use the Bigsby.

Is this the standard bridge, if not what was the stock bridge and are these still available. ?

Price was $800

Thanks

 

[guildzilla]

That sounds like the standard Bigsby rocker bridge.

$800 is a damn good price if the guitar is in good shape.

 

[bohemian]

Starfire 3

Excellent original condition except for
3 1/8 laquer chips

one on each side of the headstock.. barely visible and could be touched up

One on the back of the neck.

That's it

Looks good and plays well

I was out looking for a Gretsch but this caught my eye

This would balance out my electric needs as I have my 1959 Guild M-20..

I am somewhat pressured to buy this as there ar others looking at it...
and as always I am cautious.

 

[capnjuan]

Yes, the standard is the aluminum bridge. Great price!!

No answer for the movement of the bridge caused by the arm...Fresh strings? Maybe a teenie bit of oil on the top of the bridge to get the strings to slide a little? They sound like they are 'stuck' in the slots.

 

[guildzilla]

Caution is a good thing, Bohemian dude.

Tell you what, though, you cannot find a more versatile guitar, IMO. It just works well for lots of different music, plugged and unplugged. I love my Starfire III, which is also a transparent red mahogany. For a first archtop, or an only archtop, it is hard for me to imagine a better choice or a better value (especially for $800).

 

[d-rock]

I would definately jump on it for that price. I recently sold a Gretsch Tennessee Rose to get back to a '97 SFIII and even put a few bucks in my pocket!

I felt that the Gretsch HiLo tron pickups were a bit anemic when playing with some overdrive. The Guild pickups are great, nice sparkle on the cleans and good bluesy overdrive; brighter than Gibson HBs.

The stock aluminum bridge probably needs a new set of strings and a bit of lubrication to let the bigsby do it's job. Shouldn't be much of a big deal.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Bo,

That sounds like a deal to me. Some people like pristine guitars, but a few dings never stops me. I'm afraid to play my mint guitars.

Rocky D,

Are those new or old Hi Lo trons? I liked the old ones. And with each guitar, Gretsch threw in a free pretzel: the neck.

 

[d-rock]

lol, it was new HiLo's on a 2005 Gretsch. I always wanted a Gretsch but wasn't as impressed with the pickups as much as I thought I would be. However the workmanship in the guitar was flawless. I didn't want to go through the hassle of a pickup swap and having a non-original guitar.

The Gretsch had character but didn't suit my needs for my style of playing. Guilds have always felt right in my hands.