WTB Original 61’ Starfire III or II Pickguard

[Dylan McGee Jones]

I have a really cool and rare original 61’ Starfire III (Blue Star) that is only missing its original pickguard with mount and screws. I’m pretty sure it came with the old chevron “V” emblem and not the “star” but I could go with either honestly. The Starfire II and III had the same guard from that era so either will do, and I’d be ok with modifying a 1 guard as well. She is well loved and played, and I want to get all the little twiddly bits together so she can be presented to the world properly again. Ive attached images of the two pickguards available in 1961 for Starfires, there was a switch from the chevron to the star mid-year apparently.

Thank you all!

 

[Shakeylee]

that is just about the perfect guitar

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

that is just about the perfect guitar

It sounds incredible and woody, the tremelo is extremely smooth, and it actually looks more blue in person. You can see it slightly in the “shadow” of where the pickguard used to be, and on the back side as well. 60 years of fading changed it into a transparent grey which is equally cool and unique. Thanks for lookin’!

 

[Shakeylee]

It sounds incredible and woody, the tremelo is extremely smooth, and it actually looks more blue in person. You can see it slightly in the “shadow” of where the pickguard used to be, and on the back side as well. 60 years of fading changed it into a transparent grey which is equally cool and unique. Thanks for lookin’!

any youtubes or anything of this gem?

 

[SFIV1967]

So that would be what you want: EDIT: No, see post #13 from Hans!

I know you are looking for an original one, anyway, I don't know how well the Newark St. pickguards would fit, I think they were made for the small LB-1 humbuckers

Pickguard - Starfire III - Nickel Mounting Hardware | Guild Guitars

Replacement pickguard assembly for Starfire III model. Includes mounting hardware and screws. Black with nickel hardware. Distance between pickups: 91mm Pickup cavity: 32.5mm Item #: 770-2311-049 If you’re looking for a part to fit a guitar that was made prior to 2014, please click here.

shop.guildguitars.com

Ralf

 

[cupric]

Saw this on eBay this morning.

Vintage 1960's Guild Guitar Pickguard. Clear. Starfire etc.. NOS. Luthier. | eBay

This is an original, unused, 1960's Guild Starfire pickguard. This is the real deal. This one is interesting for two reasons, First off, it's clear! When finished, they are notched at the top and that wasn't done to this one!

www.ebay.com

 

[SFIV1967]

Saw this on eBay this morning.

Vintage 1960's Guild Guitar Pickguard. Clear. Starfire etc.. NOS. Luthier. | eBay

This is an original, unused, 1960's Guild Starfire pickguard. This is the real deal. This one is interesting for two reasons, First off, it's clear! When finished, they are notched at the top and that wasn't done to this one!

www.ebay.com

It's the wrong shape and vintage for that guitar but nice to have no cutouts for the pickups yet, so one can still adjust it. It just neeeds to be pained black from the back.
But it's worth asking that seller if he has a correct one as he had tons of vintage Guild pickguards and other parts! I bought from him in the past and shipment arrived quickly in Germany.

Only one example picture of what he had, all original Guild parts:

Ralf

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

any youtubes or anything of this gem?

Not until I get a guard on her!

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

So that would be what you want:

I know you are looking for an original one, anyway, I don't know how well the Newark St. pickguards would fit, I think they were made for the small LB-1 humbuckers

Pickguard - Starfire III - Nickel Mounting Hardware | Guild Guitars

Replacement pickguard assembly for Starfire III model. Includes mounting hardware and screws. Black with nickel hardware. Distance between pickups: 91mm Pickup cavity: 32.5mm Item #: 770-2311-049 If you’re looking for a part to fit a guitar that was made prior to 2014, please click here.

shop.guildguitars.com

Ralf

Yea this is exactly the one I need, I think this sold for like $275?!?! Uggg. I’ve been in contact with Guild, they sent me specs on all their current pickguards and none of them fit properly unfortunately, the Starfire 3 being the closest but it has the HBs cutout already and the DeArmonds are smaller and round. I’m happy they were so responsive though. Here are some pics for anybody who would be interested.

 

[SFIV1967]

Check with that ebay seller in post #6, if you are lucky he still might have uncut blanks with that shape! (However most parts he had were starting from the mid 60ies)
Ralf

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

It's the wrong shape and vintage for that guitar but nice to have no cutouts for the pickups yet, so one can still adjust it. It just neeeds to be pained black from the back.
But it's worth asking that seller if he has a correct one as he had tons of vintage Guild pickguards and other parts! I bought from him in the past and shipment arrived quickly in Germany.

Only one example picture of what he had, all original Guild parts:

Ralf

I saw this the other day on eBay and considered reaching out. I’ve actually bought a few truss rod covers from him in the past, and am starting to wonder if he is sitting on a stockpile of NOS parts or manufacturing his own and passing it off as vintage. I’ll look into it now, thank you!
Dylan.

 

[SFIV1967]

...I am starting to wonder if he is sitting on a stockpile of NOS parts or manufacturing his own and passing it off as vintage.

Definitely all vintage stuff. I think they are cleaning out an old luthier shop.
Ralf

 

[hansmoust]

I have a really cool and rare original 61’ Starfire III (Blue Star) that is only missing its original pickguard with mount and screws. I’m pretty sure it came with the old chevron “V” emblem and not the “star” but I could go with either honestly.

Hello Dylan,

That particular guitar left the factory with the 'Star' pickguard. I could help you with a period correct pickguard, so if you're interested go ahead and get back with me through my website.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

Hello Dylan,

That particular guitar left the factory with the 'Star' pickguard. I could help you with a period correct pickguard, so if you're interested go ahead and get back with me through my website.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Hey Hans! I just sent you an email, thank you for chiming in on this thread! Cheers.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

It's the wrong shape and vintage for that guitar but nice to have no cutouts for the pickups yet, so one can still adjust it. It just neeeds to be pained black from the back.
But it's worth asking that seller if he has a correct one as he had tons of vintage Guild pickguards and other parts! I bought from him in the past and shipment arrived quickly in Germany.

Only one example picture of what he had, all original Guild parts:

Ralf

And again!

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Thank you all!

I think I used to own that greenie. It had a big smudge mark on the back

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

I think I used to own that greenie. It had a big smudge mark on the back

Yessss it does!!! Probably from years of a warm belly running up against it. I got it at Chicago Music Exchange about 15 years ago or so, it’s a serendipitous and long story but i loved it the moment I saw it.

It has been played by one person for a very long time, and they removed the pickguard probably to rest their pinky on the top of the body instead of hitting the guard (as you can see by the scratches where the finger landed within the bluer “shadow” of the original guard). I swapped out the vintage rosewood bridge it came with for a correct original early 60’s Guild branded aluminum rocker bridge. It sounds absolutely fantastic, plugged in or acoustic. Do you know anything about it’s origins?
Dylan.

 

[SFIV1967]

What a beautiful looking Blue Star! Can't imagine there were too many in blue. Usually you see the other colors.
Mike has four of them (Cherry III, Emeraldfire III, Amberstar II, Blackstar III). But no Bluestar!

Ralf

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

I bought it from Craig Brody. That's all I remember.

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

So that would be what you want:

I know you are looking for an original one, anyway, I don't know how well the Newark St. pickguards would fit, I think they were made for the small LB-1 humbuckers

Pickguard - Starfire III - Nickel Mounting Hardware | Guild Guitars

Replacement pickguard assembly for Starfire III model. Includes mounting hardware and screws. Black with nickel hardware. Distance between pickups: 91mm Pickup cavity: 32.5mm Item #: 770-2311-049 If you’re looking for a part to fit a guitar that was made prior to 2014, please click here.

shop.guildguitars.com

Ralf

Yea this is exactly the one I need, I think this sold for like $275?!?! Uggg. I’ve been in contact with Guild, they sent me specs on all their current pickguards and none of them fit properly unfortunately :/ I’m happy they were so responsive though.

I bought it from Craig Brody. That's all I remember.

Guitar broker in Fort Lauderdale? There’s a guy in LA too apparently.