Bert Weedon Starfire

parker_knoll

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Welcome. Yes, the pickups on that Dearmond are only cosmetically similar as the construction is quite different, hence different sound. As you'll know they aren't expensive guitars so not that important to get the serial number in terms of resale; do it if it pleases you :)
 

Mapleman54

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Hi, thanks for allowing me to register.
In the mid sixties in the UK I was in a "Showgroup" and we toured of the many working mens clubs around the North and mid England and my first good guitar was a Guild Bert Weedon spec Guitar with twin Dynasonic pickups. I was told that my guitar, purchase from Kitchens in Leeds, was a prototype and was sold off from Boosey and Hawkes (Musical equipment distributor).
It was a graet sounding fully hollow guitar and used to attract many complimentary comments from audiences and other musicians. I fittted a Bigsby B3 because I used to play Shadows instrumental covers and it could sound similar with the tremolo option.
Foolishly I traded the guitar once (then bought it back!) and finally traded again for I think a telecaster in 1979 (new one) turning down a 1957 Strat! because it looked "knocked about", if only I could go back in time Ha Ha.
I remember one of the pickups suddenly lost a pole piece and on inspection was due to the brass elevator failing, I noticed that all of them were in fact cracked. I ended up wrapping the spring around the pole piece and carried on gigging until I traded it in.
I would love to find out where that guitar ended up but I expect that is a long shot.
I am now retired and as a treat during this crap we are now in, I purchased a Dearmond Starfire Special in Black which seems a great guitar with Dearmond 2K pickups, not the same sound as my old guitar but still good although it has had a neck break repair. Unfortunately the repairer sprayed over the headstock rear with nitro and covered the S/N etc and so I am debating trying to recover this if possible by rubbing the finish off (any advice would be welcome?).
Any way Glad to be on the site and look forward to been amongst fellow followers of these great guitars.

Hi Guildedlilly (what a great name!) Really interesting to read about your Weedon/Starfire... my guitar of the same description came from the midlands.. Leicestershire area. Hans said he had heard of similar guitars sold by Booseys. Did yours have a case? Don’t have any pics do you?
 

guildedlilly

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Mapleman54

Hi, Unfortunately I do not have any Photos of my Old guitar (which I traded in 1969,not 1979 as stated in my post!).
I still remember gigging with it for a few years and loved it, I can't remember what I paid for it but at the time it was a great deal of money to me (my father may have helped me fund it possibly) although the gig money helped.
I still keep in touch with my ex band members and will check with them if they have any old photos but I doubt it.
As I mentioned, I was told by the shop (Kitchens of Leeds) that mine was a prototype, presumably for the Weedon model although I can not vouch for that been absolutely true, but it had no identification anywhere apart from the "Guild" Knobs and headstock decals etc, it was well used when I got it (mid 60's).

Cheers
Bill
 

guildedlilly

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Mapleman 54

I forgot to answer your question, To be honest I can not remember whether an original case came with it but I certainly had one to gig with.
I would love to see a picture of your Weedon/Starfire guitar.

Bill
 

Mapleman54

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Mapleman 54

I forgot to answer your question, To be honest I can not remember whether an original case came with it but I certainly had one to gig with.
I would love to see a picture of your Weedon/Starfire guitar.

Bill
C6E317C5-5B0E-4620-9716-BFB28C0E5C55.jpeg
 

guildedlilly

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Mapleman54

Thanks for that, mine same but with a Bigsby and a rocking bridge also (unsure of brand, Kitchens of Leeds fitted it for me at time of purchase).
I used to try to copy Berts style and covered some of his hits in the 60's, including a "cut down" version of Hava nagila, Apache etc in the working mens clubs here in the north. I must admit though I played the "Shadows" version of Apache just for the record HaHa
 
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