New Starfire IV Not Quite Jazzy Enough -- What to Do?

[Prudy]

Hi All,

As you may have seen I recently acquired a Westerly-made Starfire IV several weeks back -- its awesome, to be sure, but I realized that it doesn't quite fit the bill in terms of the tone I was looking for in a Spanish-style acoustic/electric guitar. I'm essentially looking for something a bit more 'jazzy'.

I would like to ask you your opinions on other model Guild guitars that you would consider excellent for Jazz and that perhaps have a solid top or are without a center block? My ignorance of the Guild models is pathetic, I apologize, but seeing the quality and workmanship of my Starfire IV I would very much like to find another Guild instead of going to Gibson or the like -- I really don't know where to start looking in terms of different models and features, however.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Prudy

 

[krysh]

first i would recommend to try flatwounds on the sf4.
the x-150/170/175/300/350/500/700 are in the jazzy category,
or also the "artist awards" and related if you like to spend much more.

 

[jp]

Agree with krysh! The X-models.

The Starfire IV is definitely more of a rock and roll axe. There are a lot of great Guild jazz models, especially from the Hoboken, NJ factory period. (Don't get me wrong, the Westerly, RI examples are also fantastic.) You just happened to choose one of the few semi-hollows Guild made. Almost any other Guild archtop you choose will be great for jazz, although many didn't have solid tops. For example, many of the X-models had laminated spruce or maple tops, yet I'd pit my CE-100DP against a solid top Gibson any day. I think the X-170 was one of the only models ever made with a soundpost. There is a current thread in which a member stated that the X-160 also has a soundpost. Any of the X-models are perfect for jazz. My fave is the CE-100. The T-100s and Starfires I, II, III are also good and, as thinlines, a little more versatile.

There are also many variations within many of the models. Best to search this forum, the net, or check out review at Harmony-Central.

 

[dklsplace]

I don't see that you posted any pics of the SF when it arrived. Do you have any yet?

What type of bridge is on this one? Bigsby tail piece or harp?

 

[Prudy]

Hey Guys...

Thanks for the great answers.

You're right, I've been delinquent in posting the pics...I'll do that this evening.

The bridge is the stop-bar style, just like the modern 335's, etc.

I'll do some searching on the forum and Google for the X series info...thanks again!

Pics to follow...

Prudy

 

[Zachary]

I would have to agree w/jp. I recently acquired my first Guild...a ce-100dp from the Hoboken era. I wanted an archtop that would give me a "jazz tone". I sweated and sweated over whether or not to get the Guild or an ES-150. I am so glad I got the ce-100. It is the most versatile guitar I've ever played. I love having the 2 old Franz pups, and what also blows me away is how much the tone pots affect the sound. So many varities...it can rock, it can twang, and it can put on a tux and go to the supper club.

 

[buche]

Hi Prudy,

I've got a Starfire II and I find it to be an incredibly versatile guitar. It has laminated maple top, sides and back as well as being a true hollowbody with no center block. It delivers a wonderfully warm jazzy sound but can also cut through the mix and rock out. Like Zachary's CE-100dp, my tone pots are incredibly effective throughout their range. I would definetly recommend the SFII as an affordable versatile guitar that can give you a jazz tone and response without leaving you limited to that genre. Good luck!

cheers!

Buche

 

[Jeff]

Prudy,

Where are you? I'm in Olympia & have a new SF III in the house, I'm curious myself just how it Differs from the SF IV .

Mebbe we should meet in the middle & A - B, yours & mine.

I have to change the bridge on mine, it's not compensated for an unwound G & I'm tearing the G string up practicing bends. 2 days & the G string is a rag.

 

[BluesDan]

Hi Prudy,
I recently jumped into the world of archtops with the purchase of an X-700........this guitar is all smooth jazz tone. With flatwound strings it is pure jazz, tried Thomastik Be-Bop round wounds and managed to coax a pretty cool blues tone from her. If the other X series Guilds are similiar, you won't go wrong with an X series for jazz. And they look awesome too!!
Regards,
BD

 

[Prudy]

Jeff,

I'm in Seattle, Greenlake area. That would be fun to A/B the two.

Thanks for the other suggestions, guys...keep 'em coming! I'm working on some pics right now...

Prudy

 

[dklsplace]

Can you describe a bit more about how this guitar sounds to you, & where you think "more jazzy" should be?

My first thought would be to try a rosewood or ebony bridge rather than the TOM. This will take some of the sparkle & bite out. Neck pickup alone with the treble rolled off some as well.

 

[Jeff]

try a rosewood or ebony bridge rather than the TOM. This will take some of the sparkle & bite out. Neck pickup alone with the treble rolled off some as well.

I believe I'm gonna try a rosewood bridge on my SF III,

Particularly since the unwound G compensated alumnum bridges are back ordered at Elderly & I can't find another place that stocks them.

 

[FNG]

try a rosewood or ebony bridge rather than the TOM. This will take some of the sparkle & bite out. Neck pickup alone with the treble rolled off some as well.

I believe I'm gonna try a rosewood bridge on my SF III,

Particularly since the unwound G compensated alumnum bridges are back ordered at Elderly & I can't find another place that stocks them.

Hans has one, I think...

http://www.guitarchives.nl/guitarsgalor ... .php?id=42

 

[Jeff]

[

G compensated alumnum bridges are back ordered at Elderly & I can't find another place that stocks them.

Hans has one, I think...

http://www.guitarchives.nl/guitarsgalor ... .php?id=42[/quote]

Effin,

Yes he does, he wrote & leveled with me,. He has so much in it by the time he gets it he has to charge twice what they sell for here.
Hans gave me the link to Elderly.

There is the part about actually finding one here. Probably ought to shut up, Hans figures out they're out of print his price is likely to skyrocket.

I was talking to Smitty about the sound my SF makes, he says it sounds great, I think it has too much "bite" ?? Wouldn't mind experimenting for a bit more mellow. Smitty seems to think a rosewood bridge might be good & Don's comments above the same.

I liked the pics Walter posted up of his Archtop with the tuneomatic on a rosewood base. SF has problems with space between the strings & the top but I think I'll shoot for something similar for starters.

Meanwhile I'm playing the bat crap out of it the way it is.

 

[Prudy]

Pics still on the way...I couldn't get a good shot last night. Flash issues.

I think I need to take them in the natural light of day, and in Seattle right now, that's only possible on the weekends!

I'm intrigued by the 'replace the bridge' idea...how much do you suppose it would run me to get an ebony bridge and to install a non-bigsby style tailpiece? That may work, but I wonder if I'd end up spending as much on the fix as it would cost me to get another Guild (assuming I sold the IV)

Prudy

 

[Jeff]

Jazzy this looks. It's been on Anchorage CL for several weeks.

I have family in Palmer Ak & intended to go up & look at it but came down with the mutha of all colds at Arlington. Talked with the seller a couple time Then the deal on my SF came up.

5 minutes form Anchorage International Airport.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/msg/451297959.html

 

[hideglue]

Particularly since the unwound G compensated alumnum bridges are back ordered...

There is the part about actually finding one here.....

Jeff,

I'll poke around the basement this weekend

 

[dklsplace]

I'm intrigued by the 'replace the bridge' idea...how much do you suppose it would run me to get an ebony bridge and to install a non-bigsby style tailpiece? That may work, but I wonder if I'd end up spending as much on the fix as it would cost me to get another Guild (assuming I sold the IV)

I have a rosewood bridge & base in stock right now. Probably around $20 shipped. Nother forum member Jas has a harp tail piece up on ebay & I believe it was listed here for $35?

 

[Default]

If Jas' harp falls through, I've got a harp that I'm not going to be using.

 

[guildzilla]

Prudy, you may find the SF IV will suit you fine for jazz with the right combination of strings and bridge. The Guild humbuckers you have should be the same as on X-150, X-170, X-500 from the same year. OTOH, I'm sure you know the sound you seek better than I do.

Jeff, I have a never used (unslotted) Bigsby bridge for wound G. I bought it when I still had my SF III, which came with the bridge you apparently have.

I'd be glad to sell it to you for what I paid - $29. Send me a pm if you are interested.