Looking for specs and info 1974 Starfire VI

[PapaLeo67]

Where can I find the complete specs on a 1974 Starfire VI? I want to add another Guild to my stable and don't know enough to be confident that its not been modded. Where was it made? What pickups were on this model? Ive been wanting a nice USA Starfire VI but they are usually not in the best condition, and values are everywhere. I have seen them from $1800 to $4000.

 

[fronobulax]

Try poking around https://www.gad.net/Blog/gads-guilds/

You can check for a catalog which may or may not be correct and may or may not be complete but it is something.

You could also post pics and get opinions ranging from useless to expert.

A 1974 should have been made in Westerly, RI.

Is there a specific reason for a 1974 or is this a target of opportunity?

 

[PapaLeo67]

Is there a specific reason for a 1974 or is this a target of opportunity?

Yes, Target of opportunity! I will have more info next week. I love the starfire VI and never had a chance to get a vintage model in excellent condition. I just want to know what to look for when I see it in person.
I purchased my 1st Guild last summer, and hopefully this will be my third! LOL

 

[SFIV1967]

Here is the page from the 1975 catalog showing the Starfire 6:

https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Guild-1975-Electric-Catalog-pg04_1600.jpeg

Ralf

 

[PapaLeo67]

Here is the page from the 1975 catalog showing the Starfire 6:

https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Guild-1975-Electric-Catalog-pg04_1600.jpeg

Ralf

Thats the one! I wonder if the specs changed from the year before. Did anyone see this? It was posted on Reverb as a 75 for a really high price, but serial says 1974.

 

[adorshki]

Thats the one! I wonder if the specs changed from the year before. Did anyone see this? It was posted on Reverb as a 75 for a really high price, but serial says 1974.

In case you haven't seen some of the "explanations", Guild was known to change specs "on the fly" especially when it came to things like pickups/bridges/tuning machines.

So just because a piece may have parts that weren't "spec" for that year's catalog doesn't mean they're not original.

Which explains why Frono said catalogs "May or may not be correct" and sort of makes the "spec change" question moot except possibly for body dimensions, but I think those were consistent over the life of that model.

Member Hans Moust can normally confirm whether or not parts are original if nobody else can.

 

[SFIV1967]

Yes, this is a beautiful 1974 one and the seller is not a very reputable seller as he was known for exchanging vintage parts with new parts on other guitars or equipment, but what I see in the ad is that the guitar looks to be all original and also looks to have all original parts on her. So he didn't bother changing something as far as I can see.

Only the truss rod cover is mounted upside down which is an easy change to correct.

So congratulations on a wonderful looking (and I guess also sounding) Starfire 6 !

Ralf

 

[Rambozo96]

Yes, this is a beautiful 1974 one and the seller is not a very reputable seller as he was known for exchanging vintage parts with new parts on other guitars or equipment, but what I see in the ad is that the guitar looks to be all original and also looks to have all original parts on her. So he didn't bother changing something as far as I can see.

Only the truss rod cover is mounted upside down which is an easy change to correct.

So congratulations on a wonderful looking (and I guess also sounding) Starfire 6 !

Ralf

He also used to spam lowball offers when I would try to sell some vintage pedals.

 

[Rambozo96]

Also when I was trying to purchase a Guild I bought a G37 from him and he totally failed to mention the two large and badly repaired top cracks that looked like they been doctored up in the photos or the pictures taken at an angle that camouflaged them. Also the lack of packing in the case caused further damage in shipment causing a foot long crack on the bottom which seeing this is a dealer they should’ve known better. I ended up sending it back because the cost of repairs and the fact it needed a neck reset as the saddle was so low the high E would wiggle around in the saddle so that would have been more than what I had paid for it. The refund process was painless for the most part but the whole situation was sketchy. The guy relisted it a few months later for higher than what I paid for. I hope whoever bought it didn’t give $900 for it...

 

[Guildedagain]

Is this the guitar - or pictures of - that shows up daily as a scam ad on eBay?

 

[awagner]

Here is a listing for a 1979 Starfire VI at TR Crandall Guitars.

1979 Guild Starfire VI – TR Crandall Guitars

I have seen this one in person. It is absolutely beautiful and appears to be all original, in excellent+ condition. I did not plug it in and am not very knowledgeable about electrics, but if you are looking for a Starfire VI, you might want to inquire further.

 

[PapaLeo67]

Here is a listing for a 1979 Starfire VI at TR Crandall Guitars.

1979 Guild Starfire VI – TR Crandall Guitars

WOW, That is a beauty!!!

 

[PapaLeo67]

Is this the guitar - or pictures of - that shows up daily as a scam ad on eBay?

Are you freaking kidding me?
Maybe somebody lifted the pictures from their website. The seller is Bonfires Vintage. I know some people here had a problem, but the guy has 98% positive feedback on well over 6000 Reverb sales. I have no reason to believe its a scam, but we will see.

 

[Guildedagain]

He's not the scammer, but someone posts a very very similar Starfire almost day on eBay with text that says "Do not bid, cash price $2000, email me direct at ..... "

He's obviously stolen the picture from somewhere, Starfire in blue lined case with very similar angle, so I thought maybe this was the guitar he's using as bait.

Shame on eBay for letting this happen, over and over and over.

Bonfires has a bit of a reputation. He was interviewed in an article in the recent past, very cocky attitude about what he does, "monetizes his knowledge" says he, and then list something like Teisco pickup as vintage Guild, etc, etc.

I used to buy and sell some very nice vintage watches on eBay - watch out, here comes the veer - and I realized years ago - especially with something as risky as vintage Rolexe's - that it is not the item you are buying, it is the seller, the person, and the trust you have in that person, without the trust, nothing.

 

[PapaLeo67]

Thanks for the replies... Here are the sellers original pictures. What do you all think?

 

[GGJaguar]

I'm not a Grover expert, but those Rotomatics look like recent tuners (maybe Ralf can chime in). I believe they should look like these:

 

[jp]

The seller is Bonfires Vintage. I know some people here had a problem, but the guy has 98% positive feedback on well over 6000 Reverb sales. I have no reason to believe its a scam, but we will see.

This seller is a dirt bag, and there are numerous cases where he has knowingly deceived people and misrepresented new gear as vintage. Despite the pretty pictures, I would heed the advice if multiple people take the time to warn you about this guy.

 

[fronobulax]

The seller is Bonfires Vintage. I know some people here had a problem, but the guy has 98% positive feedback on well over 6000 Reverb sales. I have no reason to believe its a scam, but we will see.

Search results for query: Bonfires Vintage

letstalkguild.com

This issues with Bonfires Vintage seem to be what is not disclosed - if the buyer is not smart enough to ask whether something is original BV is not going to advertise that parts were swapped. I personally tend to assume that something was original unless changes or modifications were disclosed. People who think of BV as a scammer make that assumption and BV by their silence does nothing to correct the impression.

 

[Default]

I think he might have been the guy that was trying to sell reissue HB1's as vintage, but I'm not 100% positive. Only about 85% positive.

 

[PapaLeo67]

Does anyone have an opinion on the pictures I posted above?
Seller says he got it from an estate sale. That could very well be a lie, but maybe not.