Guild Newark Starfire IV vs V

[guitarnewb]

Hi there. I was wondering which Starfire you guys would recommend. I can buy a Starfire IV or a Starfire V. Aside from the bigsby, the only difference on the Nawark V is the master volume knob? Is the master volume knob a benefit for tone shaping? Some guys said that the master volume knob gets in the way when they play. Anyways, which one would you recommend?

P.S. I could also buy a 1967 Starfire V, but it's got a maple top and apparently the mahogany tops sound warmer, so I want a mahogany top, and apparently the particular Newarks I'm looking at are mahogany.

Anyways, this is a great forum. I've been reading a lot on here and learning as I go. Thanks for any and all information on these excellent guitars.

 

[dbirchett]

I have a Westerly Starfire V and, honestly, my only complaint with it was the Fender-designed HB-1s. I also have some Gretsches that have the master volume. In terms of tone and playability, I doubt that you will find much difference. I looked for a V because I wanted a Guildsby. I then replaced the pickups with TV Jones Power'Trons. Sound superb through my Executive Amp, at least with someone else playing. You can wire the pots so that the volume controls can act as a master volume.

I think that you have it backwards on the tonal quality of the woods. With acoustic guitars, Maple is known to be a sharper tone while Mahogany is warmer. Seems to me that I heard that a lot of maple Guilds have mahogany underneath. So I wouldn't dismiss the maple Starfire out of hand.

I would definitely look at Westerly Starfires. They are well made and the best looking Starfires made, either fefore or after. Read GAD's review of Starfires. They are greatly underpriced compared to Gibsons.

Anywhere, I never get tired of showing mine off:

 

[GGJaguar]

They are both really nice guitars (I had the mahogany NS Starfire V). I think the main feature you need decide on is Bigsby or no Bigsby. I don't use master volumes much so, for me, that's less important. Good luck with your quest!

 

[Walter Broes]

I wouldn't assume too much about how an electric guitar is going to sound going by the outer laminate. This is the inside of my lam spruce x175...

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG. Wood is not so important as it is laminated anyway and it is a semi-hollow guitar. More important is the neck shape, my 67 IV has a very narrow and thin neck, so the Newark St. models might have a wider and bigger neck. It's up to what you like.
Ralf

 

[guitarnewb]

I could buy a newark. I could also buy a 67 starfire IV, or a 1990s westerly IV. Which one do you think would be the best guitar? I'm looking for an awesome guitar that is not a gibson. I'm so sick of Gibsons. They can be awesome, but I don't want to spend $6000 on a gibson when I could get 2 guilds.

 

[SFIV1967]

I could buy a newark. I could also buy a 67 starfire IV, or a 1990s westerly IV. Which one do you think would be the best guitar? I'm looking for an awesome guitar that is not a gibson. I'm so sick of Gibsons. They can be awesome, but I don't want to spend $6000 on a gibson when I could get 2 guilds.

Like I said, it depends what neck width and thickness you prefer...and what pickups. Both a 67 or a 1990 could be awesome guitars if they fit your preferences. Both are very different and the Newark St. is also different, you need to try them all to know what you like.

If you want to read about the pickups, the 67 has mini humbuckers, the Newark St. has the copies called LB-1. The 1990 has probably HB-1, very different. Look here:

GAD's Guilds - Reviews and More | 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.

www.gad.net

Ralf

 

[guitarnewb]

I like a warm, rich tone, that overdrives nicely. I use a lot of pedals, and like a low to medium gain pickup.

 

[DeArmond Hammer]

I could buy a newark. I could also buy a 67 starfire IV, or a 1990s westerly IV. Which one do you think would be the best guitar? I'm looking for an awesome guitar that is not a gibson. I'm so sick of Gibsons. They can be awesome, but I don't want to spend $6000 on a gibson when I could get 2 guilds.

Best would be buying all of them and selling the ones that aren't your favorite. An alternative is to read @GAD's excellent reviews, watch some videos of the guitars, look for other reviews, and try to guess which would be your favorite.

I like a warm, rich tone, that overdrives nicely. I use a lot of pedals, and like a low to medium gain pickup.

You might like the Westerly, as I think it has the cleanest pickups. I think the '67 Anti-Hums and their Newark St. reissues have a bit more honk to them. @GAD has some helpful sound demos in his reviews.

 

[guitarnewb]

Build quality wise, would the westerly be the best? Obviously, it would be easier to get one in excellent shape than a vintage one. I know that the newarks are MIK, but are they of good quality in terms of their build?

 

[SFIV1967]

For sure a Westerly one with HB-1 humbuckers is a great one, but it depends on the condition. The Newark St. models are also good but the LB-1 little humbuckers are not in the same league of a good Guild HB-1. Without seeing the guitars it's all theory only...

Ralf

 

[GSFV]

I think it depends. What everyone has said is good input thus far. But as someone who is a big fan of the NS guitars, i love mine. I did change out the wiring harness for all american parts (found a way to keep the original guild knobs because that's important to me) and since then I love it even more! Brought out a lot of clarity and pleasing high end/treble (especially for the neck pickup).

If you're able to, play them and let your hands/ears bet be the guide. Not always possible to play ahead of time, but if it is that's the way to go.

 

[stantheman]

I went with the Starfire V this time.
It's a Son Seals Thing, Mr. Hot Sauce.

 

[shihan]

You won’t be sorry if you get a Westerly SF. Quality is second to none. The neck is fantastic; not too skinny and easy to get around on. Be aware, though, that they can have different PU’s. HB-1’s, SD-1’s (mine has these; great PU’s) or the later Fender variant.