Starfire 1 LC - Jazz Tone ?

[advid]

I've not played the SF I, so no experience with that guitar.

One thing that can help is to not play with volume full up on the guitar. I hack away at jazz sounds with most any guitar. Staying on the neck p/u, rolling off quite a bit of tone, a good half of volume - and letting the amp do the work - usually gets me closer. Also, I always play with mild clean boost, which also fattens the sound.

All that said, hollowbodies - for me, with a strong preference to single coil p/u equipped - are where it's at for the earthy jazz tones. Teles can get there too.

.......I find that the tone controls on my SF1 hardly do anything worthwhile.....Full on until perhaps the last eight of a turn when suddenly everything dissapears..almost useless as far as controlling tone variation...
It can produce a good range of tones for blues/rock and that sort of stuff but mine sounds really not much like the videos shown....Anyway - none of them are playing an SF1 like mine....
JUst been trying it again - it's 'OK' - good for the money I suppose....but I think I'll put it under the bed again .....

 

[Bernie]

Your link doesn't work for me GuildsandanSG - seems like the -i- in the middle or the url should leave room to a I (big i) or an 1 (different option)...You'd get a Guild video then...In case the OP is not aware of the push-pull tone knobs and doesn't get the whole of the guitar's abilities, good to watch this video (though he probably did I'd bet)...

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Your link doesn't work for me GuildsandanSG - seems like the -i- in the middle or the url should leave room to a I (big i) or an 1 (different option)...You'd get a Guild video then...In case the OP is not aware of the push-pull tone knobs and doesn't get the whole of the guitar's abilities, good to watch this video (though he probably did I'd bet)...

Sorry. I always have trouble posting links.

 

[advid]

..I'm fully aware of the push/pull controls....there is a dramatic drop in volume when switching from one to the other on both pickups...no good gigging if you're switching between them quickly (just my opinion)..
Both this and the aforementioned fairly useless tone controls really let this guitar down....
It plays very well and can give some good sounds....but it's not a 'jazzer'...

QUESTION..How do you take the bridge off - does it just slip of over the bolt'screw adjusters ?
I'm definately going to fit a rosewood bridge on it just to see if it affects the tone a bit....I'm determined to try and get a jazzier sound out of it before it goes under the bed again....

 

[KirkD777]

You can try replacing the pots to quality audio pots or sell it and possibly get one of the full hollowbodies. Or try the new "Inspired by Gibson" Epiphones. Those are coming with high quality electronics and a bone nut so a better bargain than most of the competition. Changing all that stuff out would cost at least $200 on the Guild. Have you tried a full hollow and just not liked it? Because those are known as a "jazz box" for sure.

Finding one of these used would probably get you closer than the Starfire IMO. The entry level Gretsch hollowbodies are a good bargain as well. All within the price of a Starfire.

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[JohnW63]

Does your amp have a high and low gain input? I found my SFIV woke right up on the high gain input. The volume died right after about 8 on the low gain channel.