Finally in the starfire club ngd.

[jeffmac]

I go back and forth on the semi hollow guitars it seems . I had an Ibanez about 8 years ago and it was ok .. then a few years ago I found an epiphone elitist (japan) that was nicer for sure . Now after selling those off I got the itch again . I bought the gold refin guild x150 that you all helped me date to 1955. However it’s so nice of a guitar , it’s just not me really . The other day on gc.com this popped up in the search and I waited 2 secs before I bought it . It’s a 1979 sf-4 . I was born in 79 and it’s my birthday month .. so I figured it’s meant to be . I love this guitar. It’s more resonant than the epi I had and the pickups are super (I’m assuming they’re are the hb-1s ? ) I took the guard off as I was bumping it too much and it felt awkward. Anyway here’s some pics . Thanks for all the help on this really great forum . Jeff

 

[GGJaguar]

Lovely SF-4, congrats! Yes, those are HB-1 pickups. They're quite versatile. Enjoy!

 

[zulu]

A beauty!

 

[walrus]

Oh, very nice! Those are great guitars! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[shihan]

Welcome to the club! You won’t be sorry you joined. That’s a real beauty! Congratulations

 

[GAD]

Gorgeous! And a great choice!

Is it heavy?

 

[jeffmac]

Gorgeous! And a great choice!

Is it heavy?

Around 9lbs . Great for siting down and thinking things over

 

[jeffmac]

Does anyone know if there’s a big difference from the first 60s starfire 4’s compared to the late 70’s ? I’ve seen a few catalogs where the trim was changed after they discontinued some models . But I wonder if they are generally constructed the same.

 

[lungimsam]

Congrats! Gorgeous! It’s like a tea-with-lemon burst!!!

 

[GAD]

Does anyone know if there’s a big difference from the first 60s starfire 4’s compared to the late 70’s ? I’ve seen a few catalogs where the trim was changed after they discontinued some models . But I wonder if they are generally constructed the same.

The ‘60s Starfires are built a bit differently.

Scroll through here and you’ll find a bunch of Starfire reviews including a ‘60s. I don’t think I’ve written up a ‘70s yet:

GAD's Guilds | GAD's Ramblings

GAD's Guilds: One man's obsession with Guild electric guitars and his quest to buy and review them all. Reviews, sound clips, wiring diagrams, and more.

gadsguilds.com

 

[jeffmac]

The ‘60s Starfires are built a bit differently.

Scroll through here and you’ll find a bunch of Starfire reviews including a ‘60s. I don’t think I’ve written up a ‘70s yet:

GAD's Guilds | GAD's Ramblings

GAD's Guilds: One man's obsession with Guild electric guitars and his quest to buy and review them all. Reviews, sound clips, wiring diagrams, and more.

gadsguilds.com

Wow ! That’s quite an impressive webpage you have . Thank you ! What a resource for anyone thinking about trying out a guild .

I think the starfire 4 is the probably the most popular guild as it compares closely to the Gibson es 335 . Am I correct in that the starfire 4 is the first semi hollow body whereas the 3,2,and 1 are all complete hollow bodies? Also seems that the 5 is just adding the trem system to the 4 . Have you done a review of a 60s starfire 4 ? Thanks so much again ! I have some reading to do

 

[BradHK]

Wow ! That’s quite an impressive webpage you have . Thank you ! What a resource for anyone thinking about trying out a guild .

I think the starfire 4 is the probably the most popular guild as it compares closely to the Gibson es 335 . Am I correct in that the starfire 4 is the first semi hollow body whereas the 3,2,and 1 are all complete hollow bodies? Also seems that the 5 is just adding the trem system to the 4 . Have you done a review of a 60s starfire 4 ? Thanks so much again ! I have some reading to do

Yes, the vintage Starfire I, II and III are fully hollow single cutaways. Starfire I had one pickup, Starfire II had two pickups and the Starfire III added the Guildsby and associated bridge. Starfire IV, as you noted, is a semi-hollow like a 335. Starfire V adds the Guildsby and associated bridge when they were floating. Starfire VI adds more bling to the Starfire V (binding, gold, etc.). Not all Starfire VI had a Guildsby. There was a Custom Starfire VII but that is another version entirely.

I have a 1960’s Starfire IV and V and a 1979 Starfire 4. My 1960’s versions are later 1960’s so the neck joins the body at the same fret as my 1979. To me, the main differences is that the 1960’s are a lighter build (maybe just lighter wood?), smaller Anti-hum pickups, and a floating bridge. All of these items work together so I can’t make any comments on any one specific item and the associated feel or sound difference. My 1960’s are a little more bright and airy sounding to me. The 1979 is thicker sounding using the same amps and settings. I will reach for different ones depending upon what sound I want that day.

 

[jeffmac]

Yes, the vintage Starfire I, II and III are fully hollow single cutaways. Starfire I had one pickup, Starfire II had two pickups and the Starfire III added the Guildsby and associated bridge. Starfire IV, as you noted, is a semi-hollow like a 335. Starfire V adds the Guildsby and associated bridge when they were floating. Starfire VI adds more bling to the Starfire V (binding, gold, etc.). Not all Starfire VI had a Guildsby. There was a Custom Starfire VII but that is another version entirely.

I have a 1960’s Starfire IV and V and a 1979 Starfire 4. My 1960’s versions are later 1960’s so the neck joins the body at the same fret as my 1979. To me, the main differences is that the 1960’s are a lighter build (maybe just lighter wood?), smaller Anti-hum pickups, and a floating bridge. All of these items work together so I can’t make any comments on any one specific item and the associated feel or sound difference. My 1960’s are a little more bright and airy sounding to me. The 1979 is thicker sounding using the same amps and settings. I will reach for different ones depending upon what sound I want that day.

Very helpful! Thank you . I think the harp tailpiece adds a unique tonal quality compared to a stopbar style .
I like to use some effects and with my x150 the feedback with any fuzz I used was out of the question. So the semi hollow solves that issue for me .

 

[GAD]

Have you done a review of a 60s starfire 4 ? Thanks so much again ! I have some reading to do

1966 Guild Starfire III | GAD's Ramblings

This 1966 Guild Starfire III came to me as a surprise gift. Well, it came to me after I apparently bought it on eBay while under the influence of Nyquil and Aged Rum. Well, it was fine Aged Rum and Coke (the real Mexican kind with real sugar, dammit) and then a shot of Nyquil. …

www.gad.net

 

[jeffmac]

1966 Guild Starfire III | GAD's Ramblings

This 1966 Guild Starfire III came to me as a surprise gift. Well, it came to me after I apparently bought it on eBay while under the influence of Nyquil and Aged Rum. Well, it was fine Aged Rum and Coke (the real Mexican kind with real sugar, dammit) and then a shot of Nyquil. …

www.gad.net

Thanks GAD for the link but that’s a 3 . Can’t wait to read it though

 

[teleharmonium]

Rum, coke, and Nyquil "NGD" is our official cocktail

 

[HeyMikey]

Wow, very nice Jeff. Just killer. That golden and brown burst really pops. What is that black knob at the top - a master volume? Nine+ pounds is why I gave up my ES347. Ok sitting but otherwise… man it’s heavy. Rock on.

 

[GAD]

Thanks GAD for the link but that’s a 3 . Can’t wait to read it though

Ah - sorry missed that you wanted a IV. I've not owned a '60s IV, mostly because I really REALLY like the '90s Starfires and tend to focus more on those.

 

[jeffmac]

Wow, very nice Jeff. Just killer. That golden and brown burst really pops. What is that black knob at the top - a master volume? Nine+ pounds is why I gave up my ES347. Ok sitting but otherwise… man it’s heavy. Rock on.

thanks man.yes master volume . The m80 I have has one as well and it’s one of the most useful additions I’ve noticed . A wider strap around the shoulder helps a bit with the weight but for the most part it’s a seated position guitar for sure . One thing I admire about a semi hollow is that extra bass you get. Strat can’t do that

 

[jeffmac]

Ah - sorry missed that you wanted a IV. I've not owned a '60s IV, mostly because I really REALLY like the '90s Starfires and tend to focus more on those.

If anyone will ever do a review of one I hope it’s you !

I think it’s the same quest for all guitarists with the semi hollow and the weight issue . Almost the same as finding a lighter les Paul .

I’m mostly curious about how the 60s sf4 compares weight wise .

Thank you !