Howard Herbert

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I was born and raised in Philly, got drafted into the army in 1966 then moved to Nashville in 1968. Been here ever since. I started playing guitar at age 9 in 1956 and my guitar teacher was Howard Herbert. He owned Herberts Music in Mayfair in North East Philly. I studied with him until I left home in 66. Anyone ever heard of him? He was well known in that area. He passed away in 1998 and was 88 years old. Dennis Sandolie and Chuck Hess were two popular jazz guitarists during that time period. My main reason for posting was when the Guild Starfire came on the market around 59 or 60 Howard was supposed to have been responsible for helping design the guitar. He was also a Guild and Gretsch dealer. Any comments? :D
 

hansmoust

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Nashville TelePlayer said:
My main reason for posting was when the Guild Starfire came on the market around 59 or 60 Howard was supposed to have been responsible for helping design the guitar. He was also a Guild and Gretsch dealer. Any comments? :D

Welcome Nashville TelePlayer,

Personally, I have never heard from Howard Herbert but then again, I'm from the Netherlands. However, I do have a notation in one of the Guild repair ledgers from the '60s in which there is an entry on 3/15/62 for the repair of a Guild Starfire II with serial # 14000 for H. Herbert.
That probably is your teacher or I should say: That must be your teacher.
The guitar is question is one of the earlier ones from 1960. As you may know, the earliest single cutaway Starfire series were based on the superstructure of the T-100, which was inroduced during 1958. Even though I've never heard of Mr. Herbert in relation to the design of the Starfire, it is very well possible that he was one of the people who made suggestions for that particular model. That's how these things usually work.

Anyway, I thought you would find it interesting to hear about this little bit of info from my files.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl
 

billydlight

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Hey Guys
I am in the Philadelphia area as well. I found Howard Herberts Music back in the late 80's. He was THE Guild Guy in Philly. He always had a few Boss Guilds on the wall. I bought a Blackfire III deluxe from him. He did a special run of these in 1960, there was a bunch in the area. You can see it here.


http://www.billydlight.com/Rocknroll/BlackfireIII.htm

He was a sweet old guy, his store is still there being run by his son. You can still go in there and find coool guilds once in a while. He had avery loyal customer base. When they die or stop playing they bring back their Guilds.

It's a cool place.

-B
 
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I was born and raised in Philly, got drafted into the army in 1966 then moved to Nashville in 1968. Been here ever since. I started playing guitar at age 9 in 1956 and my guitar teacher was Howard Herbert. He owned Herberts Music in Mayfair in North East Philly. I studied with him until I left home in 66. Anyone ever heard of him? He was well known in that area. He passed away in 1998 and was 88 years old. Dennis Sandolie and Chuck Hess were two popular jazz guitarists during that time period. My main reason for posting was when the Guild Starfire came on the market around 59 or 60 Howard was supposed to have been responsible for helping design the guitar. He was also a Guild and Gretsch dealer. Any comments? :D
I was a student at Herberts Music from 1985 to 1987 and Bob Herbert (Howard's son) was my teacher, and I got to meet Howard and his wife who were always in the store. Bob was one of the nicest people I've ever met and Howard and his wife were really nice too. I was trying to reconnect with Bob but I can't find anything on the internet regarding Bob. I'm sorry to hear about Howard but he was a great guy!!! I don't know anything about the Guild Starfire but there were always tons of guitars for sale in the store.
 

Default

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Premier tremolo amp_sm.jpg.540x540_q85_autocrop.jpg
 

Stuball48

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Welcome NashvilleTele and I am about 40 miles west of you in Dickson. Really enjoyed hearing your story and the responses.
Hans is the recognized Guild Guitar authority.
You have found a wonderful forum.
 

davismanLV

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Default brought the thread back by finding that cool reference to that Howard Herbert guy, which is pretty fun. I wonder if Nashville TelePlayer will ever even see it? One of those hit and run members......
 
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Sorry to be late to the party. I was a Herbert student ‘65 to’67. I purchased a ‘66 Starfire lll from him when I as 15 years old with my paper route money and he tried to discourage me. Too much guitar for a little kid. I still have it. He was a great teacher and I am now working to be a jazz guitarist like him 50 years later now that I an retired.
 

shihan

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That’s one crazy looking guitar Haward is playing in the Guild amp ad. Seems like Guild would have provided him with some sort of Guild guitar. Different times...
 

Default

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That's a Premier guitar. He was a Premier endorser at the time, a Guild dealer later on.
 
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Sorry to be late to the party. I was a Herbert student ‘65 to’67. I purchased a ‘66 Starfire lll from him when I as 15 years old with my paper route money and he tried to discourage me. Too much guitar for a little kid. I still have it. He was a great teacher and I am now working to be a jazz guitarist like him 50 years later now that I an retired.
 
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