(I was guided here by folks on the TalkBass list)
I just purchased “2001 Starfire II Bass”. I was surprised at the “2001”, but dug a little deeper and found out that apparently Guild made a bunch of electric guitars and basses in the 90’s up to around 2001, after which they stopped making electric instruments. Some were made in Westerly RI, some in Tacoma and some offshore.
The sticker inside says: Model: SF2 B BLD MR Serial # AG 100195 Guild mfg. Westerly RI The serial number is also stamped on the back of the head along with the words “Made in the USA”. There is a more or less standard reference for Guild serial numbers on several websites, but this number is not part of any of the sets that are shown.
It has a natural finish, wavy-grain maple, a wider head, 3-piece neck of mixed woods, the usual volume and tone controls, a master volume control, and 2 Guild pickups. The bridge is pretty much the standard rig found on most Starfires. It is short scale 30.75 “.
It’s also in excellent condition. I know nothing else of its history or who owned it before me. (I Traded the DeArmond Starfire I have had since spring for it.) The seller was Empire Guitars in Providence RI; I found them to be very good people, and they had a lot of great vintage electric and acoustic guitars, basses, and amps.
I have discovered the hard way that even thought it really is a short scale bass, most of the short scale strings (D-Addario, Rotosound, GHS) I've tried are too short, and I've had to return them. I used the D'Addario mediums on the DeArmond, and I think they'll fit the Guild OK. They are the same gauge. I believe it's that the bridge plate is especially long- total from the nut to the back of the plate 34"- and that's the problem.
If anyone knows more about these later Guilds, I would love to find out more about when and where it was built.
I just purchased “2001 Starfire II Bass”. I was surprised at the “2001”, but dug a little deeper and found out that apparently Guild made a bunch of electric guitars and basses in the 90’s up to around 2001, after which they stopped making electric instruments. Some were made in Westerly RI, some in Tacoma and some offshore.
The sticker inside says: Model: SF2 B BLD MR Serial # AG 100195 Guild mfg. Westerly RI The serial number is also stamped on the back of the head along with the words “Made in the USA”. There is a more or less standard reference for Guild serial numbers on several websites, but this number is not part of any of the sets that are shown.
It has a natural finish, wavy-grain maple, a wider head, 3-piece neck of mixed woods, the usual volume and tone controls, a master volume control, and 2 Guild pickups. The bridge is pretty much the standard rig found on most Starfires. It is short scale 30.75 “.
It’s also in excellent condition. I know nothing else of its history or who owned it before me. (I Traded the DeArmond Starfire I have had since spring for it.) The seller was Empire Guitars in Providence RI; I found them to be very good people, and they had a lot of great vintage electric and acoustic guitars, basses, and amps.
I have discovered the hard way that even thought it really is a short scale bass, most of the short scale strings (D-Addario, Rotosound, GHS) I've tried are too short, and I've had to return them. I used the D'Addario mediums on the DeArmond, and I think they'll fit the Guild OK. They are the same gauge. I believe it's that the bridge plate is especially long- total from the nut to the back of the plate 34"- and that's the problem.
If anyone knows more about these later Guilds, I would love to find out more about when and where it was built.
