'66 Starfire XII questions

[rbrcbr]

Howdy everyone, hope you're all doing well.

I've been curious about getting my hands on a vintage 12 string, and this thing keeps getting my attention whenever I scour eBay for Guild and 12 strings.

Starfire XII Black

I absolutely would not pay this price as it's through a middle man, but do you all think this is worth about $2k? The tuners are replaced, missing pickguard, not sure if it comes with a case, and it seems the bridge has been converted to a tune-o-matic with posts vs the floating bridge? Anything else stand out about this? And does anyone else have any input regarding vintage Starfire XIIs? My biggest concern would be getting this from Japan out to NYC in one piece, aside from the need for a potential neck reset, which would suck to have to get done (my '62 Starfire already needs one and I just keep putting it off due to the cost). I keep teetering between these and Fender Electric XIIs, but the prices on those are getting so high and this is a bit more unique.

Any input? Thoughts?

 

[jp]

Did you see this in the forum?

Sold - Starfire XII 1966

Hi, I am now selling my Starfire XII .... think I'm not a 12-string player. Here in the Guild Forum for 1750 Euro plus shipping I think it's more interesting for members in Europe, I'm in Germany Here are many pictures and descriptions reverb Greets Ben

letstalkguild.com

Forum member vibroverb is selling one. You may want to DM for some answers to your questions.

Then again, there's always this one for a steal at $400.

Starfire 12 String Sunburst | Reverb

I can’t find a lot of information on the guitar itself, but it’s professionally setup and it sounds great with practically no scratches/dings

reverb.com

Sorry -- Couldn't resist.

 

[spoox]

I got my '67 from Reverb just about 3 years ago--$1499 (free shipping). It was described as "good", but I would have considered it to be excellent plus at least. It also has the original case in near perfect condition. If you are not in a hurry, I'd seen them around that price or even for less around 6 months ago, though not as in as good condition as mine. I have to say that this is the first electric I've liked as much as my Supro Martinique--and even though I could actually get more varied tones out of my Dano Hodad 12 string, I sold it when I got the Guild. Those little anti-hum PUs are magical on a 12 string.
I'd always wanted a Rickenbacker 12, but I think the Guild has a fuller sound.

There is a '66 currently on Reverb with a make offer--

1966 Guild Starfire XII | Gator Music | Reverb

Used, Vintage Guild Starfire XII. Very good condition. Has some wear on the back of neck and front and back body. Finish is cracking, and some small holes in the front body from where Pickguard was. It looks like someone tried to take a sticker off the back of head stock with a chemical so Finish...

reverb.com

 

[matsickma]

The '67 model year is when Guild shifted the positon of the neck moving more frets off of the body. The high "D" fret is parallel to the pickup selector switch on the '67 and "newer" years. Pre '67 SF12's have the high "B" fret parallel to the selector switch. It looks like the reissued model SF4 ST -12 has the neck position a little different from the post '67 model with the "C#" fret parallel to the pickup selector switch.
I'm just estimating the fret position by eye from online pictures.

That said the pre '67 model would likely be a bit more comfortable, for me, to play in the open position and the '67 or newer model easier, for me, to play higher up on the neck. I also suspect the metal button tuners on the '67 and newer SF12's may be better.

Also, Guild did offer both a full rosewood bridge and a metal Hagstrom bridge with rosewood base.

I never played a pre '67 SF12 and am curious to see how it handled.
M