Looking for specs and info 1974 Starfire VI

[GAD]

Pickups are original. Frets are not.

I would send that back. Unless Hans says otherwise, '70s Guilds came with very low/wide frets. Those look like tall jumbos.

 

[PapaLeo67]

Pickups are original. Frets are not.

I would send that back.

Didnt think so...

 

[geoguy]

Guild did not finish those fret ends like that, imo.

I would assume that is a crack in the neck heel, not a scratch. Curious to hear what your luthier says.

Maybe try to negotiate a suitable price reduction, instead of returning it? Frets are a wear item that eventually need to be replaced, anyhow.

 

[GAD]

I would also take a UV light to the guitar to see if it's been worked on, but honestly just from your pics I'd send it back.

 

[GGJaguar]

Pickups look right so that's good. Fingerboard is dirty but can be cleaned. Frets not right. Scratch is more likely a crack since it goes all the way to the neck/body joint.

 

[SFIV1967]

Guild did not finish those fret ends like that, imo.

Agreed. That is a refret (but a refret done a longer time ago already) that wasn't done well at the edges and with odd shaped fretwire. It hurt my hands from just looking at those 90 deg angled edges of the frets! No real luthier would do that ever.

A factory (or good luthier) done fretboard has proper angled fret ends like on this 1974 one:

This crack number 1 is the neck to body connection of the heal, the lacquer cracks on older guitars, so that is not a big deal. Try to wiggle the neck if the heel is loose or not.
The crack number 2 is the line where the added neck heel piece is glued to the neck and obviously the neck had some kind of impact at some point in time, so a crack developed in the lacquer. I call that more cosmetic, that neck heel will not fall off... Again, wiggle the neck.

Ralf

 

[PapaLeo67]

I am heartbroken... Its going back. My high res camera is a lot better than my eyes. I think this had a neck repair at some point. Its not a scratch.
Why am I heartbroken? Because the pickup sound and electronics are perfect and incredible. No noise or static at all!

Please help me find my dream guitar. This one was so close. I have to have a 70s mint condition Starfire VI

 

[PapaLeo67]

More PICS

 

[PapaLeo67]

If there is a database of bad serial numbers to warn people, please add this one.

 

[GAD]

Mint Starfire VIs are few and far between in my experience.

This one has been for sale for years. Could be worth a look: https://cnj.craigslist.org/msg/d/fanwood-guild-starfire-vi/7308381456.html

Discussed here: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/gorgeous-westerly-starfire-vi-w-phase-switch.206714/

 

[PapaLeo67]

Mint Starfire VIs are few and far between in my experience.

This one has been for sale for years. Could be worth a look: https://cnj.craigslist.org/msg/d/fanwood-guild-starfire-vi/7308381456.html

Discussed here: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/gorgeous-westerly-starfire-vi-w-phase-switch.206714/

Probably available because its local pickup only. If I get to NJ, Maybe Ill pay a visit. I love the blondies.

 

[GGJaguar]

Its going back.

Don't blame you and I hope the return goes smoothly.

 

[fronobulax]

if I get to NJ, Maybe Ill pay a visit. I love the blondies.

Several LTGers in NJ. You might find an enabler who was selling to ship to you. Depending upon where you are there might be a chain that could be assembled to get the guitar closer.

 

[geoguy]

What did your luthier say about this guitar?

 

[SFIV1967]

The top of the guitar was spectacular! Very nice.

Initially I didn't think the neck to body joint had a problem, it was simply age I'd say. But the frets looked "terrible", whoever did that refret didn't know how to do it.
But thinking about it, maybe the guitar had a neck reset, especially looking at the fretboard to body connection I think that is what happened and the "crack" number 2 as I called it happened during the neck reset! That would explain all of that, neck reset and refret by somebody who had no experience doing it!

Ralf

 

[PapaLeo67]

What did your luthier say about this guitar?

Just came back from him, He says its a terrible fret job, but can easily be redone, and he believes the neck is cracked. Cant say how deep it is without sanding off some finish. Otherwise, it was a beautiful piece. We already started the refund process. I wanted this one really bad. Those pickups sound awesome. I still want to puke!

 

[PapaLeo67]

You might find an enabler

HAHA... I might need an intervention soon.

 

[SFIV1967]

This one has been for sale for years. Could be worth a look: https://cnj.craigslist.org/msg/d/fanwood-guild-starfire-vi/7308381456.html

Discussed here: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/gorgeous-westerly-starfire-vi-w-phase-switch.206714/

Looks good!

And this is how fret ends have to look!

Ralf

 

[PapaLeo67]

The top of the guitar was spectacular! Very nice.


But thinking about it, maybe the guitar had a neck reset, especially looking at the fretboard to body connection I think that is what happened and the "crack" number 2 as I called it happened during the neck reset! That would explain all of that, neck reset and refret by somebody who had no experience doing it!

Ralf

That's precisely what I am thinking!!!

 

[geoguy]

That crack in the neck heel can be glued, if the neck was ever taken off again.

Just sayin'.