Just bought a 1960 SFIII, help me feel good about this...

[BIGFOOT]

I have been looking for a hollow or semi-hollow for sometime, not sure of what I really wanted. Looked at a lot of Guilds, Gibby's, and Gretches, even Epiphones. Then this one jumps out with a buy-it-now price.

I jumped on it because it looks very clean, which was a key requirement. I paid a lot, and the BIN price went up $200 just as I was pushing the button.

It has the DeArmonds, but looks like it has been used very little.

Will the neck be thin or thick? What should the p'ups sound like?

Should I be happy? Wish I could have tried it first. :shock:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ingPayment

 

[Jeff]

I have been looking for a hollow or semi-hollow for sometime, ..... Looked at a lot,.. Guilds, Gibby's, and Gretches, .. Then this one jumps out with a buy-it-now price.

I jumped on it because it looks very clean, which was a key requirement. I paid a lot, and the BIN price went up $200 just as I was pushing the button.

It has the DeArmonds, but looks like it has been used very little.

Will the neck be thin or thick? What should the p'ups sound like?

Should I be happy? Wish I could have tried it first. :shock:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ingPayment

Bigfoot,

Welcome to the site and congratulations on a sweet guitar.

You did pay a lot, be happy, she looks to me a special guitar. I recently bought a late model reissue SF, it's no where near as cool as yours looks to be but it's been the best skill development investment.

I'd suspect the neck is gonna be moderately thin & slick like butter. Leastwise that's what it looks like to me.

I've never had the pleasure of playing a 60"s vintage so somepne else will have to give you accurate details.

My humble opinion; you bought a nice guitar!!

Jeff

 

[jp]

I have been looking for a hollow or semi-hollow for sometime, not sure of what I really wanted. Looked at a lot of Guilds, Gibby's, and Gretches, even Epiphones. Then this one jumps out with a buy-it-now price.

I jumped on it because it looks very clean, which was a key requirement. I paid a lot, and the BIN price went up $200 just as I was pushing the button.

It has the DeArmonds, but looks like it has been used very little.

Will the neck be thin or thick? What should the p'ups sound like?

Should I be happy? Wish I could have tried it first. :shock:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ingPayment

Okay Bigfoot, take a deep breath. Calm. . . calm. . . calm. . . happy place. . .OOOHHHMM. . . now.

If everything is as claimed in the auction description, you have purchased yourself a very coool guitar! Gorgeous! I saw this one too. This guitar with these appointments is not something seen too often--particularly black Dearmonds, Kluson tuners, and a plum(? never seen) finish.

First off, I always thought the Starfires came out a year or two later, but the label clearly shows it as such. Comments by Hans (author of the Guild Book and LTG member) may shed some light on the stamped "STARFIRE" on the label. I've never seen that either. According to the serial number and headstock shape, it is definitely a 1960 model. Never seen a Starfire with Klusons before. They look original. Bigsby story is correct. Guild didn't start putting branded Bigsbys on until some retailers would put one on a Starfire II and sell it for the price of a III. Pickguard is older-style (my fave) and the stairstep-style didn't come until around '64.

The Dearmond story is also correct. Gretschs had black and Guilds white. Another Hans question. All examples I've seen with black have been swapped out. If those are original Dynasonics, they should sound great! People pay big bucks for those nowadays. The classic red mid-60s SFs are known for their smooth toneful mahogany tops. Since the SF took its base from the T-100, a laminated maple top, some of the earliest SFs actually have maple tops instead--a bit brighter sounding. Yours is quite visibly maple.

The 50s Guilds had thicker neck profiles, but not as chunky as a Gibson. They generally tend to become slimmer starting at '62-'63. Many, like myself, love the feel of Guild necks which instantly feel natural and comfortable. Yours will probably feel slimmer than a Gibson, but not at all thin--you know Guild perfect.

Ultimately, it is an extremely cool guitar that I hope you hate and want to sell to me instead. Seriously, that's the look I'm going for with my '65 Starfire, but with a branded Guild Bigsby and a master volume. I'm curious to hear what the finish looks like in person. If you don't like it, you should have no problem getting your money back. However, I think you'll love it.

Hope this helps and post pics when it comes. Oh yeah, and welcome to LTG. :wink:

 

[Walter Broes]

Bigfoot - if your guitar is anything like mine, there's absolutely nothing to feel bad or weird about!

You didn't exactly get it cheap, but if that guitar is what it's supposed to be, a very, very early Starfire, I don't think you overpaid either. A Guild with those black DeArmonds has got to be the rarest of the rare, and judging from those pictures, it's in great shape too.

I paid about half that for mine, but mine has been refinished, and is a "player", something a collector would definitely pass on.

But these are great guitars, mine's a '61, and I absolutely love the way it sounds and plays.

Re: neck - I don't think two are the same, but realistically I think you can expect a slender neck.
The nut width on these Guilds is typically a little narrower than, say, on a same era Gibson or Gretsch, and in combination with the "not very thick" neck, it's an effect I like : if a neck is thinner ànd wide, I usually don't like it very much because it starts feeling "flat" and wide.
These still feel a little rounder and fill up your hand between thumb and fingers nicely, it's not like you're holding a flat plank that constantly digs into your palm. (hard to describe, I hope this makes some sense.)

Congratulations with a fine guitar, and welcome to LTG.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Looks like a premium price for a premium guitar.

Should hold it's value.

I read and article once that said, investment wise it's always worth it in the long run to pay more for rare or great condition. Seems you have both.

Oh yeah, and you get to play it too! Let's see ya do that with stamps or coins!

 

[hansmoust]

Oh yeah, and you get to play it too! Let's see ya do that with stamps!

True! I heard that you're not even supposed to 'lick 'm'!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[caveman]

It's gorgeous, and I guess it will rock big time, mr. bigfoot. Let us know how you feel once you have played it. I think you'll be having a big grin all over your face !

 

[chrisb]

For my first-ever post here, I'm delighted to say you should be VERY happy! I lusted after that one for a little while and almost pulled the trigger myself, but it's a wee bit out of my budget.
I currently have a DeArmond SF3 reissue, and I'll take it over my bandmate's vintage ES-335 any day-- the neck is slimmer & more comfy and the pickups are absolutely magic!
I've been jonesing for a vintage one for a few years now and am getting closer. Yours looks superb, and that color!!!
One of the most underrated guitars out there, people are slowly learning and I think these will only appreciate in value.
Congrats!

 

[mad dog]

Boss: that is a boss looking geetar. I had my eye on this and several other SF models, hope there is a SF II or III in my future soon. I hope it sounds as good as it looks.

 

[BIGFOOT]

Well you folks bring comfort to me with this purchase. I've never bought a guitar that I didn't try first, and this is the most expensive.

Clearly you all are pleased with your Guilds. I know that I like my Guild acoustics.

What do these p'ups sound like? Are they similar to HB's, mini-HB's, P90s, SC, or ??

I tell you I am ready to drive from Indy to FL to pick it up!

 

[Default]

From what I understand, they're particularly powerful single coils. For similar guitar tones, look up Duane Eddy and Eddie Cochrane on youtube. Fifties Chet Atkins clips will also give you a taste. I also understand that they sound great though a Vox. Any of Walter's clips with his black Starfire really show off the Dearmonds!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_HsSgfreAs
About half way through, during "I love rocknroll".
This one's better, IMHO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v9i-hwS4jQ&feature=related

 

[Walter Broes]

Hard to describe the sound of a pickup of course...but I'd say those DeArmonds have the "ooomph" and output of a healthy P90 pickup, but with some more Fender-like twang and percussiveness.

And yes, that's my '61 in those clips...

edit : OK, let me try something here...don't know if it's going to work.
I'm trying to link to an MP3 of a recording of my band a couple of years ago.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/1/26/695184/16 - I won't call - the Seatsniffers.mp3

Hope this works - if it does, the electric guitar on this track is my Starfire, plugged into a Dynacord Amigo amp (somewhat like a big Champ : 1X6L6 output) The amp was plugged into my Super Reverb's 4X10" ceramic Jensens, and the echo you're hearing was added in mixdown with an echoplex, no other effects used.

 

[BIGFOOT]

Walter, some nice twanging there! Hope mine sounds that good.

Sent off the cashier's check yesterday. I'll give you all an update after it arrives and I get my first 10 hour session in with it.

Merry Christmas!

BF