Starfire 4 2005 which pickups ?

[guitarlover]

I'm interested in a guild starfire 4 from 2005 but am wondering which pickups are in it. Here's a pic I received . Is this the Seymour Duncan version of the Guild HB1 ?

 

[GAD]

Those look like SD1s which means either that's not a 2005 or they're not original to the guitar. If they're original to the guitar then it's more likely a 1997-1999. Pics of the entire guitar would help. Also does it say Westerly or Corona on the sticker in the F-hole? If it says Westerly then it's definitely not a 2005.

 

[guitarlover]

The pickup rings do not seem to be original since there is an extra unused hole .

 

[guitarlover]

 

[guitarlover]

 

[guitarlover]

Last picture gives the best view of the label but not clear enough for me to tell.

 

[guitarlover]

 

[guitarlover]

What would be an acceptable price ?

 

[GAD]

That is a 1996 Westerly guitar. The extra hole is because someone at some point replaced the SD1s with something else and drilled the extra hole instead of using an adapter.

I couldn't value it without seeing it in-hand, and I couldn't guess as to values in Europe, but that price seems pretty high to me. I'd probably expect pay $1500 in the US for that guitar today. Maybe as much as $1800 if I had to have it and the previous owner hadn't butchered the rings and everything about it was absolutely mint with zero fret wear.

Link to the guitar for those playing along at home: https://www.someneckguitars.com/products/guild-starfire-sf-4-2005

 

[guitarlover]

Thank you very much for your answer. In my (very limited experience) prices in Europe easily up to 20 % higher than in the united states. The sellers just add VAT and custom charges you would have to pay when importing from the us.
Frets are said to be in an excellent state.

 

[GAD]

FWIW they’re excellent guitars. They’re a bit thinner than the later examples and I prefer the thicker models, but they’re still great. About the closest in my reviews would be the ‘98. Note that the ‘96 shown above has the not so great pick guard that sits on top of the rings. Easy enough to take it off if it bothers you.

 

[GGJaguar]

And that one has a nicely flamed maple neck before they switched back to mahogany!

 

[GAD]

And that one has a nicely flamed maple neck before they switched back to mahogany!

And the front looks SUPER nice in the sunlight where the sun can really make the grain pop! Here's a '94 I had:



Man, was I ever a putz for selling that one. That's the guitar where Hans introduced me to 4-wire HB1s. The '94s also had ebony boards and gold hardware. I think the silver hardware looks better, but man do I love an ebony fretboard.

I should add that Starfires in the early-mid '90s are pretty uncommon, so if you get it you can tell everyone that it's RARE!!1!!

 

[guitarlover]

I feel GAS !!!

 

[GGJaguar]

I should add that Starfires in the early-mid '90s are pretty uncommon, so if you get it you can tell everyone that it's RARE!

It's rare!!

 

[guitarlover]

Still intrested in this guitar. If I get confirmation that the frets are more than ok, I really may go for it before the end of this week.
I am under the impression that for European standards the price is not ridicilously high but I don't want to be the guy that makes the market prices go up for the rest of you guys. So tell me if I'm wrong ;-).
Question : Are the "butchered" PU rings easy to replace ?

 

[guitarlover]

Well, I think i f*** this one up.
Sent a few mails with questions but maybe this all took too long and probably the seller now thinks I am not seriously interested. I do not get an answer anymore after my last question wther the price is negotiable and wther there is a warranty on the instrument.

I was really willing to pay more than the normal market price because I would be buying from a real professional shop provided they would confirm me they would do shipping with full insurance and that there some kind of warranty from the shop (no legal terms visible on website, makes me a little nervous as a "jurist"- the shop does get good reviews though and seems to have a good reputation so maybe I should relax a bit more ).

Oh well, money saved and I am happy enough with the collection of guitars I already have.
Apologies to you guys for all my questions here and maybe also to the seller for waiting too long ( but I am not going to beg to buy either ;-) ).

Maybe I should just stick to my trusted local guitar shop... Never nervous when I buy there ;-) .

.