Starfire Bass Info- years produced

[idealassets]

Guild Starfire bass instruments appear to be a bit more scarce than the Starfire 6 strings, based on what comes up for sale.

I am looking to get one. What was the last year they were made? How does the mahogany body sound compared to maple? Also what were the finishes other than blond, green, red, and burst?

Now for a tougher aspect. How easy might it be to get replacement parts or work done on a Stafire bass?

Thanks!
Craig

 

[fronobulax]

You asked the wrong folks

See this if you want other opinions. See this and follow some links for Starfire Bass p0rn.

I am going from memory so my years may be off. Starfire basses were first produced circa 1964 to 1977. The traditional start date is 1965 but there are documented sightings in 1964. Fender did a reissue in the late 1990's - I'd say 1997-1999. The DeArmond by Guild Starfire is also considered an acceptable substitute and dates to late '90's/early 00's.

I'd say at any given moment I could find 3 to 5 vintage Starfire basses for sale. The reason they might appear scarce is that most people think scarce really means "priced for more than I could or would ever afford". Prices are dropping from the record $3,500 for a SF I down to a more recent $1,600 for a Starfire I in reasonable condition. But right now there are several sitting at dealers with prices north of $2,000.

No one has ever discussed the sound difference between the maple and mahogany. Usually it is the color. The real sound driver is the pickup. The earliest ones had at least one variation, the "Mickey Mouse" PU. From some time in 1965 through some time in 1970 they used a Hagstrom Bisonic which is the Holy Grail. From 1971 through 1977 they had a Guild humbucker which is an acquired taste. Most folks who have heard a Hagstrom either insist on one or plan on replacing the PUs with Dark Stars.

Finishes I know of are natural, burst, cherry, green, brown and black. In the wrong light or in some photographs it is difficult to tell the green from the black. What I called natural may actually include several different finishes.

I don't know that they are especially difficult to work on. Parts will be a problem if you want vintage. The saddles often split and this source gets about $60 for a set. The guy who makes them sometimes posts here. See PeteyBass here for a discussion of metal saddles. Vintage bridges and knobs are pretty rare and command fairly steep prices ($100+ for a bridge, $25+ per knob and more if there is a complete set). If vintage is important to you then I would not even consider anything unless all the parts were there, original and working.

I've never played a reissue or a DeArmond. Generally the vintage with Bisonic will command more than the vintage with humbuckers which gets only slightly more than the reissue which commands more than the DeArmond.

I have only personally played a vintage with Bisonic, but I have the humbuckers in my JS and have been told by people I believe that they don't sound that much different in a Starfire. Now that you know the basic variations there are sound clips on YouTube. There is a DeArmond for sale here.

I have been quite happy with my SF I and folks with SF II's have reported using only the neck PU for as much as 85% of their playing so the choice between a SF I and II may hinge more on availability than utility.

I'm tired of typing but you get the idea :wink:

 

[mgod]

No one has ever discussed the sound difference between the maple and mahogany. Usually it is the color.

Not quite true- I've discussed it a lot. I get rid of most mahogany SFs, and keep only maple.

 

[krysh]

No one has ever discussed the sound difference between the maple and mahogany. Usually it is the color.

Not quite true- I've discussed it a lot. I get rid of most mahogany SFs, and keep only maple.

never played a hog one but love my maple one with the bridge bisonic (1 magnet) and steel rounds through a well driven tube amp. 8)

 

[fronobulax]

No one has ever discussed the sound difference between the maple and mahogany. Usually it is the color.

Not quite true- I've discussed it a lot. I get rid of most mahogany SFs, and keep only maple.

My apology. For whatever reason the discussions did not make an impression on me which is surprising. Short answer for future reference is that maple sounds "better" than mahogany in a vintage Starfire bass.

 

[fab467]

No one has ever discussed the sound difference between the maple and mahogany. Usually it is the color.

Not quite true- I've discussed it a lot. I get rid of most mahogany SFs, and keep only maple.

My apology. For whatever reason the discussions did not make an impression on me which is surprising. Short answer for future reference is that maple sounds "better" than mahogany in a vintage Starfire bass.

Wouldn't you want to hear both for comparison purposes before you gave that 'short answer'? I know I would.

 

[fronobulax]

Wouldn't you want to hear both for comparison purposes before you gave that 'short answer'? I know I would.

Under normal circumstances I might but this is a special case for two reasons:

a) I believe the acoustic guys when they discuss the difference between the various tonewoods and so I expect some difference and would predict that the maple would be "brighter" than mahogany.

b) I personally place a lot of stock in what mgod says and am quite comfortable quoting him as a source for my own opinions :wink:

And, of course I did hedge my bet by leaving "better" in quotes leaving it to the reader to determine a definition of "better" and whether they agreed.

 

[mgod]

Hah!

I do know some folks who prefer mahogany, and I don't have a pref for maple or mahogany in other instruments. But in Starfires, after almost 40 years, I always stick to maple. To my ears, and my body/hands, its a deeper, warmer sound, not quite as bright or hollow sounding. True for guitars as well.

 

[fab467]

I was "basing" my comments on the fact that Starfire basses are semi-hollow and therefore, like their acoustic six string cousins, could possibly sound different from each other depending on the materials used. But I'm no expert and could quite possibly be wrong...
Edit: Just read my mail...thanks.