Looking for specs and info 1974 Starfire VI

[Guildedagain]

I would dread selling anything to people that want mint 50 year old guitars that were made to be played, but I never ever ever buy a guitar that says mint in the listing, I know it's bogus, there's no such thing.

I have better eyes than most people, or at least they work. I had a guy send me a "mint" Les Paul flametop, that actually had worming on the back, nevermind the usual nicks and dings everywhere.

It was obvious that guitar had been played lots, witness the missing gold plating. It doesn't just fall off, it wears away with playing and cleaning.

As warned, Bonfires got you. A possible crack and an unmentioned fret job. I'm still learning as I go, and I tend to buy guitars that are a good deal on impulse, but a lot of all the guitar problems I've had in the last few years could be alleviated by asking seller for a pic of the 1st three frets, and more of the frets/fretboard.

Problem like huge gouges in the G/B strings from either capo or guitar falling forward and strings denting frets, and nasty irrepairable side to side gouges in the fingerboard from wannabe luthiers working on the frets.

Ask to look at the frets, ask to look at the fingerboard, or you will have surprises.

Pickups and electronics are important, but you play the neck.

 

[Guildedagain]

When you list on Reverb, this is "mint" and applies to no instrument I've ever owned.

"Mint items are in essentially new original condition but have been opened or played."

Excellent, I never use this category either, too clean for me.

"Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care."

I go for this one, regardless if the guitar has heavy checking, etc.

Very good.

Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.

Next, "Good".

Good condition items function properly but may exhibit some wear and tear.

Next up, "Fair". Totally unfair actually, in this day and age of companies like Fender/Gibson charging a mint for fakey wear "relic" guitars, I'm not about to start apologizing for real wear that is actually pleasing to the eye.

Fair condition gear should function but will show noticeable cosmetic damage or other issues.

After that it's "Poor" and "Non functioning" two categories that don't apply to anything I've gone out of my way to spend money on.

 

[Rambozo96]

Well shoot, I was hoping you’d have a better experience than some of us did. When I decided that G-37 was too far gone for what I had paid for it the return process was mostly painless.(it would have required $1200 in repairs to a side crack, poorly repaired top cracks and a neck reset it badly needed as the high e didn’t rest very firmly on the saddle). I didn’t hear much from the guy directly after I said it would go back as I imagine he was quite miffed but I didn’t want to take a massive loss on that guitar. Those Starfires you’re after they’re out there, just be patient and I guess avoid Dumpster Fire....eerrr Bonfire Vintage.

 

[Rambozo96]

BUT if this plays out like my G-37 unfortunately it’ll get relisted like nothing ever happened until he finds a buyer that’s a complete push over. If I run into any nicer starfires I will shoot you a message. As mentioned minty ones aren’t very common in my experience as unfortunately the first thing that gets replaced in those is the pickups which is a crying shame as I feel the mid 70’s Starfire I played it seemed the pickups let the woods and acoustic tone really shine through. We’re they PAF’s? No but we have like a million PAF clones out there depending on how spendy you wanna be. But a PAF sure ain’t no HB-1.

 

[PapaLeo67]

When you list on Reverb, this is "mint" and applies to no instrument I've ever owned.

"Mint items are in essentially new original condition but have been opened or played."

Excellent, I never use this category either, too clean for me.

"Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care."

Yes, you are totally correct and I agree whole heartedly. Yes, I said I want mint, but I know that does not exist... even when new...lol

 

[PapaLeo67]

Well shoot, I was hoping you’d have a better experience than some of us did. When I decided that G-37 was too far gone for what I had paid for it the return process was mostly painless.(it would have required $1200 in repairs to a side crack, poorly repaired top cracks and a neck reset it badly needed as the high e didn’t rest very firmly on the saddle). I didn’t hear much from the guy directly after I said it would go back as I imagine he was quite miffed but I didn’t want to take a massive loss on that guitar. Those Starfires you’re after they’re out there, just be patient and I guess avoid Dumpster Fire....eerrr Bonfire Vintage.

I sent a refund request mentioning several issues that went against his description.... His response only addressed the crack which he says wasn't there when he shipped it. I am awaiting support to respond since this happened Friday night. My guess is, I will get a full refund, and he will probably get a shipping claim, and the guitar back to do it again. SAD STORY

 

[Rambozo96]

I’ll guess he would also say that about the fretends like the UPS guy decided to open this random box with a guitar in it and attack the fret ends with a rusty flathead screw driver. For nearly $4k that guitar ought to be pretty clean.

 

[GAD]

I sent a refund request mentioning several issues that went against his description.... His response only addressed the crack which he says wasn't there when he shipped it. I am awaiting support to respond since this happened Friday night. My guess is, I will get a full refund, and he will probably get a shipping claim, and the guitar back to do it again. SAD STORY

Typical of Bonfires I'm sad to say. If he won't step up Reverb will likely cover you. I've had great results with Reverb when they've needed to step in. Just be the one to calmly show them the pics and details about how much was not covered and you'll prevail in the end.

 

[kakerlak]

Hey Ralf, Guild didn't stack the heels on these, so that's not a glue line check/separation. Either a crack (looks like it) or an unfortunately placed scratch. And that refret is super amateur, to the point you can see the frets are crowned erratically off-center. At least they're jumbo enough to make better, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were poorly seated and/or inconsistent lengths.

The slight binding shrinkage/separation and checking lines along it is so common on these, I wouldn't sweat it and the guitar is really clean looking, in an overall sense, but that crack and godawful refret are serious value detractors. I'd want a $1k off this guitar to keep it.

 

[PapaLeo67]

Typical of Bonfires I'm sad to say. If he won't step up Reverb will likely cover you. I've had great results with Reverb when they've needed to step in. Just be the one to calmly show them the pics and details about how much was not covered and you'll prevail in the end.

He seemed happy the neck was cracked. That will get me refunded and he will get a shipping claim. He will probably sell it again someday.

 

[SFIV1967]

Hey Ralf, Guild didn't stack the heels on these, so that's not a glue line check/separation.

Thanks! I thought that would have been the correct spot for a glue line. Should have checked my Starfire IV.
Ralf

 

[Guildedagain]

He seemed happy the neck was cracked. That will get me refunded and he will get a shipping claim. He will probably sell it again someday.

I feel for whoever has to deal with this "shipping claim". How could that happen in shipping?

Reverb eats it I'm afraid, and it just makes fees go up.

 

[jp]

Hey PapaLeo -

This just popped up today on Reverb. Are you still looking?

Guild Starfire VI Natural 1974 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[PapaLeo67]

Hey PapaLeo -

This just popped up today on Reverb. Are you still looking?

Guild Starfire VI Natural 1974 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

YES

 

[PapaLeo67]

YES

JP, Thank You!
I made an offer, he countered, and I accepted.
I also just got off the phone with him and am confident it will be packed perfectly with all gaps in case filled.
Funny Thing, My refund from the nightmare finally came through YESTERDAY!
Thank you so much for the alert.

 

[GAD]

Nice!

 

[Rambozo96]

JP, Thank You!
I made an offer, he countered, and I accepted.
I also just got off the phone with him and am confident it will be packed perfectly with all gaps in case filled.
Funny Thing, My refund from the nightmare finally came through YESTERDAY!
Thank you so much for the alert.

Was fixing to ask if that panned out for you. I think Dumpsterfires Vintage isn’t on reverb anymore.

 

[PapaLeo67]

Was fixing to ask if that panned out for you. I think Dumpsterfires Vintage isn’t on reverb anymore.

His store says he is on vacation. I was refunded for "not as described" NOT shipping damage. So, Im thinking he wont be able to file a claim. Im keeping my eye out for it to come up for sale again.

 

[Rambozo96]

His store says he is on vacation. I was refunded for "not as described" NOT shipping damage. So, Im thinking he wont be able to file a claim. Im keeping my eye out for it to come up for sale again.

If it plays out like that G-37 I bought it would be a safe bet. It’s all on him for not doing a better job describing the issues. Hope this next Starfire is all you ever wanted

 

[jp]

JP, Thank You!
I made an offer, he countered, and I accepted.
I also just got off the phone with him and am confident it will be packed perfectly with all gaps in case filled.
Funny Thing, My refund from the nightmare finally came through YESTERDAY!
Thank you so much for the alert.

Cool! That makes me so happy! I hope it turns out better than the previous fiasco. It makes me want to go find that seller and light a bag of poop on his porch. I'm glad the refund came through.

The blondie is super sexy and clean, clean, clean! It's rare that the gold plating is so well-preserved as well. Also, true HB-1s most likely. Just gorgeous. :C)