New Starfire I vs New Starfire IV

[KirkD777]

Nah - just get some Gorgomyte cloth and rub 'em shiny. If they need more than that then it's probably time for a leveling.

Thanks, I'll check it out. I always rub the back of a glossy neck with a green 3M pad. It puts about a year of breaking it in instantly. Unfortunately, you have about a 68% chance of getting a lemon on these lower-level guitars. I buy em on Amazon so when they show up with crap frets etc. I can just have them come pick it up for free and try another one. Lol.

 

[KirkD777]

Nah - just get some Gorgomyte cloth and rub 'em shiny. If they need more than that then it's probably time for a leveling.

So I've scored some upgraded hardware and pickups. The pickups I have are two wire and were those solderless Gibsons that they made for awhile. Do you think its worth yanking out the electronics now or just trying the "cheat method" and splicing them in? I cant do the wiring work on a semi hollow so Id be paying a guy to change out the wiring and pots etc. Did you have a tone change worth the effort by taking out the electronics? Everything works right now although I'll be going from 4 wire stock to 2 wire Gibsons.

 

[GAD]

So I've scored some upgraded hardware and pickups. The pickups I have are two wire and were those solderless Gibsons that they made for awhile. Do you think its worth yanking out the electronics now or just trying the "cheat method" and splicing them in? I cant do the wiring work on a semi hollow so Id be paying a guy to change out the wiring and pots etc. Did you have a tone change worth the effort by taking out the electronics? Everything works right now although I'll be going from 4 wire stock to 2 wire Gibsons.

I did not take out the electronics. I just reported on it and put the guitar back in the pile.

Going to 2-wire pickups means the existing wiring won't work properly since the four wires are needed for the coil-split feature. They can certainly be made to work but I'm too tired right now to think about what would be necessary.

 

[KirkD777]

I did not take out the electronics. I just reported on it and put the guitar back in the pile.

Going to 2-wire pickups means the existing wiring won't work properly since the four wires are needed for the coil-split feature. They can certainly be made to work but I'm too tired right now to think about what would be necessary.

Lol. I don't blame you. Yeah, I knew the coil-split wouldn't happen. Just didn't know if it was worth it to go in deep. I usually spend the money but not sure I've ever really noticed that big of a change really. I'm usually on ten always. Hell, I'm not even sure I'll love the pickups. I got a Gibson 61R and a BB2 out of the trade. I'm sure they'll sound pretty good. Just never tried them. I was thinking I'd get like $70 for the pickup and I ended up with like $200+ in pickups. Have you ever heard the pickups I got in trade?

 

[Muckman]

The easy solution would be the Starfire iv harness from guild. Better soldering quality, made for the same control layout etc. and for two wire buckers.

 

[Muckman]

Lol. I don't blame you. Yeah, I knew the coil-split wouldn't happen. Just didn't know if it was worth it to go in deep. I usually spend the money but not sure I've ever really noticed that big of a change really. I'm usually on ten always. Hell, I'm not even sure I'll love the pickups. I got a Gibson 61R and a BB2 out of the trade. I'm sure they'll sound pretty good. Just never tried them. I was thinking I'd get like $70 for the pickup and I ended up with like $200+ in pickups. Have you ever heard the pickups I got in trade?

The more I’ve gravitated towards PAF style humbuckers, the more I appreciate the variety of tones available with tweaking the volume and tone controls. If I’m playing heavy rock, I set my sound for “face melting” at 10 and ride the volume between 4-8 most of the time. The interaction with the tone control changes depending how you have the volume set and it all centers around which frequencies are clipping, compressing etc…..at least that’s my experience playing through single channel amps pushed hard

 

[KirkD777]

The easy solution would be the Starfire iv harness from guild. Better soldering quality, made for the same control layout etc. and for two wire buckers.

Yeah, I'd do that but I've already got the parts. I'm gonna pay someone anyway.

 

[KirkD777]

I did not take out the electronics. I just reported on it and put the guitar back in the pile.

Going to 2-wire pickups means the existing wiring won't work properly since the four wires are needed for the coil-split feature. They can certainly be made to work but I'm too tired right now to think about what would be necessary.

My real question is do you think it'll make a difference in sound by replacing all the wiring? I know I'm going to lose the coil-split option but I feel like I always spend a lot of money getting someone to change out all the electronics in a semi-hollow but don't notice dramatic effects. Do you think the wiring, pots are good enough to just splice the better pickups in? I usually run everything on 10 anyway. Thank you.

 

[GAD]

My real question is do you think it'll make a difference in sound by replacing all the wiring? I know I'm going to lose the coil-split option but I feel like I always spend a lot of money getting someone to change out all the electronics in a semi-hollow but don't notice dramatic effects. Do you think the wiring, pots are good enough to just splice the better pickups in? I usually run everything on 10 anyway. Thank you.

Barring from any bad solder joints causing problems, I doubt you’d notice a difference.

You could alter the sound with different value pots and caps, but a straight replacement on a SFI would result in the save sound with better routing and solder joints. That’s a good thing, but it won’t affect tone.

Now, if you’ve got scratchiness or crackles, then I’d say replace the wiring.

 

[Boneman]

I’m currently being tempted by a hardly used starfire IV, used for an asking of $800. comes with the case candy. Do you guys feel that is a good deal? And can you add the harp tailpiece if it doesn’t currently have one? I see Guild sells them online under parts.

 

[KirkD777]

Barring from any bad solder joints causing problems, I doubt you’d notice a difference.

You could alter the sound with different value pots and caps, but a straight replacement on a SFI would result in the save sound with better routing and solder joints. That’s a good thing, but it won’t affect tone.

Now, if you’ve got scratchiness or crackles, then I’d say replace the wiring.

Thank you. No problems with the parts yet. I'm sure down the line I'll have to replace something. But I once did the cheat method to a Sheraton. Sold the guitar to a friend about 30 years ago and he's never had a problem. And he tours all the time. All I did was twist the wires and use electrical tape to keep them from coming apart.

 

[KirkD777]

I did find this on ebay so I'll change the tailpiece out and I've got a gotoh bridge and a new bone nut to be installed.

ALUMINUM Stop Bar Tailpiece for Epiphone Gibson Les Paul SG Guitar, Metric Studs | eBay

Tailpiece is 1.1 oz. Total weight with studs and stud inserts: 2.7 oz. For USA guitars, use the tailpiece body only as it will fit on to the existing studs. 8 mm studs screw directly in most existing anchors for import guitars.

www.ebay.com