NBD: 1967 Starfire Sunburst

[Yggdrasil]

Well, I got this in from eBay. Not quite as described, but with less wear than my previous SFs - & it is a burst, which I have always had a hankering for. Serial number (BA 820) places it squarely in 1967, not 1966 as claimed. The crack in the top turned out to be cracking in the headstock, which I'll have to repair. Some binding separation, which I may or may not address. Need a new nut & the case is falling apart. The pup is detached from the chrome ring, but I've glued those before. Electronics are fine. So all in all it looks like maybe $400 to clean it up.

Here's the pic page: http://music.jeffersoncampervan.com//1967GuildStarfireBass.html

 

[fronobulax]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Thanks. Looks real pretty. Hope the repairs won't be a problem.

 

[Yggdrasil]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Thanks. Looks real pretty. Hope the repairs won't be a problem.

I had 12th Fret here in Toronto look at it - a bit more wrong than was represented, but nothing that can't be rectified.

 

[twocorgis]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

That's a beautiful burst! My DeArmond Starfire has one just like it. I strung the DA with a set of DR Red Devil rounds today, and like Jeff says, it sounds way better with the stock humbuckers. It looks pretty funky with red strings on it too, don't you think?

I think we're going to get along just fine. 8)

 

[krysh]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

:shock:
I'm blind.

 

[twocorgis]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

:shock:
I'm blind.

No likey, Michael?

 

[krysh]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

:shock:
I'm blind.

No likey, Michael?

no, sorry sandy, the red strings don't suit the nice burst, black ones might fit.
do the drs sound good at least?

 

[Yggdrasil]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

That's a beautiful burst! My DeArmond Starfire has one just like it. I strung the DA with a set of DR Red Devil rounds today, and like Jeff says, it sounds way better with the stock humbuckers. It looks pretty funky with red strings on it too, don't you think?

I had 2 DeArmond Bursts just like that one - one stock, one DarkStarred. Very nice.
I agree that black DRs would look better - altho the red would really fit a cherry Starfire!

 

[twocorgis]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

:shock:
I'm blind.

No likey, Michael?

no, sorry sandy, the red strings don't suit the nice burst, black ones might fit.
do the drs sound good at least?

That's OK Michael; there's certainly no accounting for taste. I rather like them though, and I think they sound great; much much better than the flats that were on them when it arrived, that just sounded dead and muddy. I agree that black strings (or even just regular ones) probably would look better, but I can't complain. This set was a freebie at a DR event at my local Guitar Center. I got talking to one of the reps, and he just gave them to me! In fact, I forgot that I even had them, so it was like found money. 8)

 

[twocorgis]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

That's a beautiful burst! My DeArmond Starfire has one just like it. I strung the DA with a set of DR Red Devil rounds today, and like Jeff says, it sounds way better with the stock humbuckers. It looks pretty funky with red strings on it too, don't you think?

I had 2 DeArmond Bursts just like that one - one stock, one DarkStarred. Very nice.
I agree that black DRs would look better - altho the red would really fit a cherry Starfire!

I'd do that, but the SF1 really does sound best with TI flats on them. So be it...

 

[fronobulax]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Maybe give the red strings to jthrel for his incoming JS?

:lol: :lol:

 

[jthrel]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Hello.... and congrats on the nice looking Starfire bass.

I had binding problems similar to those on your guitar repaired on the upper bouts of my '69 Starfire XII. Instead of trying to graft or stretch the old binding, the luthier filled the void - mostly with super glue plus sawdust (the bottom 2/3 of the void) then the filled the remaining depth to the surface with a stainable mixture. He did a laudable job of matching the finish color. :shock:

I think it came out rather nicely and the binding can't be snagged or pulled away further.

Al

 

[bassmyf]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Well, I got this in from eBay. Not quite as described, but with less wear than my previous SFs - & it is a burst, which I have always had a hankering for. Serial number (BA 820) places it squarely in 1967, not 1966 as claimed. The crack in the top turned out to be cracking in the headstock, which I'll have to repair. Some binding separation, which I may or may not address. Need a new nut & the case is falling apart. The pup is detached from the chrome ring, but I've glued those before. Electronics are fine. So all in all it looks like maybe $400 to clean it up.

Here's the pic page: http://music.jeffersoncampervan.com//1967GuildStarfireBass.html

Congrats. My identical sunburst SFI, is yours slightly younger twin ( BA 822). Mine doesn`t have any of the structural issues, but your finish looks to be in much better shape. Promised Jamie and Craig photos a while back, but I was waiting to get my D40 back from the luthier to get the full Guild family portrait. Monday is the day, so hope to get some up soon.

 

[jthrel]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Maybe give the red strings to jthrel for his incoming JS?

Although the red strings are quite "festive", I fear a terrible clash with a cherry JS. I suppose the red strings would help when playing the bass in a dark room. 8)

 

[Yggdrasil]

Re: NBD: 1967 Starfire I Sunburst

Congrats. My identical sunburst SFI, is yours slightly younger twin ( BA 822). Mine doesn`t have any of the structural issues, but your finish looks to be in much better shape.

Siblings! Too bad we can't get them together for Xmas!

The finish on mine is excellent for a bass of this age. The issues, according to my tech, have no structural impact - I was just noting what was not disclosed in the auction description/in response to my questions to the seller, since the "light" description was the subject of the original posts in the "seen on eBay" forum on LTG ( http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=28915 ).

I do believe that I have bought this from the elderly original owner and I do not think he was being deceptive, just not ebay/web savvy.

The tech was impressed with overall condition, the straightness of the neck, the lack of significant fretwear, etc. None of the issues MUST be addressed - the bass is stable as is.

I'm happy with the bass - it gives me what I want in a Starfire. Once I address a few issues, I'll have a great Starfire.

I was thinking of taking it to Fur Peace when I go in March (I'm in Jorma's class in the Double Dose Workshop - http://www.furpeaceranch.com/instructors/jack_casady.html )- but am having second thoughts, since the fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood & I have to cross the Canada- US border with it