newbie starfire iv hunt

[fisherking]

Hi all:

I'm new to this forum, just got inducted last night. Thanks for having me! I've been reading posts on here for awhile, anything I can absorb about Starfire IV's. I'm very interested in finding one, but there don't seem to be tons of them floating around out there.

I've been eyeing a red Reissue that's on ebay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-Starfire-IV-W ... 1|294%3A50

Does anyone know what year this would be? Serial # is AG001046. I can't find anything online that lists out serial numbers beyond 1999. Based on serial #'s I see on Guild site, I would place this guitar as being around a 2000? Also I've read some stuff where sometime in the 90's they switched from the Guild made HB1's to a Fender made version, and there's been some comments that those are not as desirable. I think this particular guitar based on its vintage prob. has the Fender made versions right? I'm not necessarily opposed to the fender ones I guess, but have read some slightly negative comments about them.

Also I've seen the '87 Starfire that's at Gruhn guitars, that's got the high output XR-7 pickups on them which were standard on the 80's versions I believe, which I am not as interested in. But I do like the fact it's got a master volume, and I like the looks of it. What do you think of the idea of buying an 80's starfire like this and then putting some HB-1's in there? Would they even fit? Maybe this is a backwards idea (and more expensive probably) and I should just keep waiting and watching.

Curious what thoughts people might be able to offer about these things...

Thanks for any input!

 

[GAD]

Welcome!

I've been down the path you're taking. Be careful young Jedi, for there lies the path to madness.

I've not had the best luck with the Ebay seller who's selling the red one, though others have. Fair warning that he seems to flip guitars. You may find that he bought that one for hundreds less a few months ago.

I almost bought the one at Gruhn's myself.

I ended up with two Starfires.... and two X170s. Check out my other posts for lots of pics. Some things I've discovered in my journey:

Older starfires seem to have really small necks; 1 5/8" at the nut vs. 1 11/16" on the newer ones.

Never believe anyone that says a guitar is "mint" or anything close to it - especially when dealing with vintage instruments online.

The AG serial number means it was made in Westerly RI in the Guild plant. A CA (IIRC) serial would indicate that it was made in the Fender Corona CA plant. Many prefer the Westerly Guilds, but there are many people who say you can't tell the difference between them. I've not owned a Corona made Guild, but they look fabulous. Word is there's never been a bad time for Guild guitars.

The HB1 humbuckers in the older SFs are *fabulous*. The newer Fender-made ones - not so much. They're not the same size either, so abandon any thoughts of just swapping in some old ones into a new SF without routing. Been there.

The 80's Starfires for a while had exposed bobbin Dimarzios in them. I don't like the look, and the pickups don't hold a candle to the HB1s. YMMV.

Master volume is cool.

This is the right place to ask questions. There is some amazing knowledge here, very little of it I can claim as my own.

Good hunting!

GAD

 

[GAD]

BTW the benefit of the newer pickups is that they are of a standard size, so you could buy some kick-ass WCR pickups for example and they'll fit right in, though you'll need to work with the funky/cool Guild mounting system.

GAD

 

[fronobulax]

I'm new to this forum, just got inducted last night.

Welcome. I don't have anything to add since almost everything I know about Starfires with extra strings I learned from LTG and it sounds like you have already done that homework.

Good luck on the hunt.

 

[fisherking]

The HB1 humbuckers in the older SFs are *fabulous*. The newer Fender-made ones - not so much. They're not the same size either, so abandon any thoughts of just swapping in some old ones into a new SF without routing. Been there.

What about the routing in an 80's starfire? Do you know if that would accept some Guild HB-1's without need for routing etc? I would imagine that 80's routing may be some different...

Gad, I think one of the Starfire's you got was a Corona, right? Did you swap the pickups in it once you got it? I think I saw in another post that after you got it you commented you were looking to do that.

Also what are WCR pickups? I can do a search online too...

 

[GAD]

What about the routing in an 80's starfire? Do you know if that would accept some Guild HB-1's without need for routing etc? I would imagine that 80's routing may be some different...

Gad, I think one of the Starfire's you got was a Corona, right? Did you swap the pickups in it once you got it? I think I saw in another post that after you got it you commented you were looking to do that.

Also what are WCR pickups? I can do a search online too...

WCR Pickups are the best humbuckers I've ever played: http://www.wcrguitar.com/

$300 a pair generally, but worth every penny. I'll probably end up putting a set in my '00 SF4 if they'll fit in the guild covers.

My '00 Starfire was made in Westerly RI. I have not swapped the pickups since I wanted to swap in HB1s until i discovered that they won't fit.

I don't know for sure about the XB1s, but I think they're standard sized humbuckers. Hans would probably know for sure.

GAD

 

[hansmoust]

Also I've seen the '87 Starfire that's at Gruhn guitars, that's got the high output XR-7 pickups on them which were standard on the 80's versions I believe, which I am not as interested in. But I do like the fact it's got a master volume, and I like the looks of it. What do you think of the idea of buying an 80's starfire like this and then putting some HB-1's in there? Would they even fit?

Hello fisherking,

Glad you made it here. Welcome!

You should have no problems fitting HB-1 humbuckers in an '80s guitar that has XR-7 pickups.
They will drop right in.

One of the thing you may not like is the weight of the '80s versions. They vary a lot so if you don't have a very strong back, make sure you check the weight before you buy.

Good luck!

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[GAD]

Hey there is a kick-ass stereo mahogany '76 Starfire on TGP for sale. He wants $1800 for it, but he's had it listed for months (used to be $2000). I've talked to him at length about it, but it's got a 1 5/8" neck so it's no good for me.

Killer condition for a '76 too. Worth checking out.

Or you could just buy my '73 already.

GAD

 

[fisherking]

Hey there is a kick-me stereo mahogany '76 Starfire on TGP for sale. He wants $1800 for it, but he's had it listed for months (used to be $2000). I've talked to him at length about it, but it's got a 1 5/8" neck so it's no good for me.

Killer condition for a '76 too. Worth checking out.

Or you could just buy my '73 already.

GAD - thanks for the leads. Your '73 looks great but I really would most like to have a red one (sunburst would be my second choice), that's what I'm most drawn towards. I also found the mahogany one on TGP that you mention. What does it mean that a guitar is stereo? I don't know what that entails. Also, did Guild make some guitars w. a natural mahogany finish or has that guitar been refinished, does anyone know...I might be interested in that guitar, but again, would most like a red one...

I personally wouldn't mind a 1 5/8 neck, I mostly play a '52 RI Tele, and that has a 1 5/8 neck at nut, and I'm used to that..

 

[GAD]

GAD - thanks for the leads. Your '73 looks great but I really would most like to have a red one (sunburst would be my second choice), that's what I'm most drawn towards. I also found the mahogany one on TGP that you mention. What does it mean that a guitar is stereo? I don't know what that entails. Also, did Guild make some guitars w. a natural mahogany finish or has that guitar been refinished, does anyone know...I might be interested in that guitar, but again, would most like a red one...

I personally wouldn't mind a 1 5/8 neck, I mostly play a '52 RI Tele, and that has a 1 5/8 neck at nut, and I'm used to that..

If you want red, then I'd probably grab that 80s model at Gruhn and slap some HB1s in there. Hans says they'll fit, and man that's a killer combo.

Stereo means that with an adapter cable you can plug into two amps at once. IIRC, one pickup to each amp, but I've been wrong before - in this thread in fact!

I've seen other mahogany Guilds that look just like that one, so I'd think it's not been refin'd.

By the way do a Google search for "Nationwide Craigslist Search" and you can find some killer stuff. Might have to talk the seller into shipping, but it happens. That's how I got my '73.

GAD

 

[fisherking]

You should have no problems fitting HB-1 humbuckers in an '80s guitar that has XR-7 pickups.
They will drop right in.

One of the thing you may not like is the weight of the '80s versions. They vary a lot so if you don't have a very strong back, make sure you check the weight before you buy.

Hans, thanks for the input and for your response to my email a few days ago.

 

[fisherking]

Here's another red Starfire I've been looking at online, at House of Guitars. Based on block inlays, master volume and harp tailpiece etc, this must be a 70's version. I don't know if I trust this place tons. I've read some stuff online about their less than stellar customer service etc.

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=1848123#

They say year unknown and that there's no case. The fretboard looks pretty grimy on this (which could be cleaned up for sure). I can't tell if the tailpiece is rusty or not. The pic is nice in that it gets really big if you click on it a few times.

I may call them and see what kind of sense I get...

 

[GAD]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online without extensive conversations with the seller. I'd also want detailed pictures, in focus, well lit, of the front and back.

If you're at all like me, then you're getting excited about every one you see.

Be patient, and the one you want will appear.

GAD

 

[ave del noche]

I saw that stereo one on TGP a month or two ago. I still think it's overpriced by about $400 or so given the market. I guess that's why it hasn't sold yet! It looks like a nice one, but I agree that if the red is what you want you're better off holding out for it. It was a common finish color so you shouldn't have a problem finding one. If you just wait and look on ebay you'll find a MUCH better deal on an even earlier one. Have you considered looking for one with the mini-humbuckers? My experience is like Hans' in that as the years went on (esp late 70's-80's) there were a number of boat anchors, whereas my '65 in under 7lbs. Good luck!

 

[fisherking]

My experience is like Hans' in that as the years went on (esp late 70's-80's) there were a number of boat anchors, whereas my '65 in under 7lbs. Good luck!

Thanks for the input ave.

Yeah, on the 87 starfire at Gruhn they did get back to me on both width of neck at nut: 1 5/8
and weight (per Hans recommendation that I ask about this): 8 lbs 7 oz.

That doesn't seem overly heavy to me, maybe a bit towards heavier than lighter, but maybe it is heavy for a Starfire? Maybe someone can fill me in. I just know from looking at Tele's online at stores since I'm mostly a Tele person that their weights seem to go bet 7-8 lbs typically. So this 8 lb Starfire doesn't seem crazy heavy.

Another thing on this '87 based on the pictures it seems thinner as far as thickness of the body, thinner even than the reissues perhaps. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me and they are actually the same as the reissues. I do know the vintage vs. reissues vary in width based on pics from GAD if I'm remembering correctly...

Maybe I should keep waiting and watching..

 

[Jeff]

[........I really would most like to have a red one (sunburst would be my second choice), that's what I'm most drawn towards. ..

Mebbe one like this ?? Same seller has a nicely figured Blonde SF III for $1000.


http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/msg/1126229602.html

 

[fisherking]

Looks like someone bought the mahogany one on The Gear Page. Anyone around here?

That was a nice clean one to be sure based on pics.

 

[fisherking]

Hi, still on the prowl for a Starfire, haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.

There's one on ebay, it's listed as a '66 and accord. to the serial # it is, but it looks like the neck is joining body at 18th fret. I thought that didn't happen until '67. If anyone can enlighten me on this, that'd be awesome. Maybe Guild made the switch part way through '66?

Here's link to the guitar I'm talking about...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-1966-Star...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

 

[mad dog]

Looks like someone bought the mahogany one on The Gear Page. Anyone around here?

That was a nice clean one to be sure based on pics.

I tried damn hard to trade for it. Nice looking geetar, very nice guy, but no dice. For some reason, Guilds elude me constantly.
MD

 

[hansmoust]

There's one on ebay, it's listed as a '66 and accord. to the serial # it is, but it looks like the neck is joining body at 18th fret. I thought that didn't happen until '67. If anyone can enlighten me on this, that'd be awesome. Maybe Guild made the switch part way through '66?

Hello fisherking,

The guitar in question is indeed an instrument from late 1966. 1967 is the general date for the change on most double cutaway Starfire models. But the switch from 16th fret neck joint to 18th fret neck joint didn't take place exactly on Jan. 1st 1967. On some instruments it happened a little earlier depending on the amount of old necks they still had in stock.

I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl