Starfire III Information

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Hello friends,

I have refurbed a Guild Starfire III with serial number 41592 stamped on the back of the head and on the label inside the guitar.

When looking at all the serial number lists I could find on the internet, I can't seem to find 41592. I emailed Guild and the best they could come up with is "Based on your serial number, it appears that your guitar is in a bit of blind spot - based on the serial, it would be safe to say that it was made between 1965-1970. "

So, anyone out there on the forums have any other information they could give me about this guitar?

Thanks a bunch
 

GGJaguar

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Welcome to LTG! We like photos and would love to see your Starfire. Based on my own experience, I think it was made in 1965. Hopefully Hans will see your post and respond. He is the world expert on Guild and would know for sure.
 
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Hey there. No prob. Here are some pics.
 

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sailingshoes72

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Welcome! According to "The Guild Guitar Book" by Hans Moust (a member of this forum) your Starfire III was made in 1965.

the last serial number for 1964 is 38636
the last serial number for 1965 is 46606

Sometime during 1965 the serial number system changed to include a two-letter prefix that identified the model number. That is probably the reason for the confusion. That is a great looking axe that you have there!
 
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Hello Bill,

This is extremely useful information. Thanks a bunch. I knew by looking at the other serial number sites I was looking at that the letters were eventually added, but still could not find the numbers in the range of the serial number of my axe.

And yes, it's is very tasty. My father bought it in 1967 and it's been in the family every since. I took it and am in the process of refurbing and was able to keep all of the original parts. There is nothing that did not come on this guitar when it was bought except the new strings I put on it. The pegs are all in great shape and it holds tune fine. The nut is pretty much still perfect. All the electrics still work as well. The hardest part was refurbing the fret board, as it was REALLY REALLY dry, but after a little TLC, it all came out pretty good. Sounds really good too.

I also have a vintage Fender Twin Reverb that was bought the same time the guitar was. Has original tubes and still sounds great.
 

sailingshoes72

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That's a great story! I like that the guitar has stayed in your family and is all original "except the new strings I put on it". I'll bet it sounds great thru the vintage Twin Reverb! Do the neighbors get upset when you crank that baby?
 
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That's a great story! I like that the guitar has stayed in your family and is all original "except the new strings I put on it". I'll bet it sounds great thru the vintage Twin Reverb! Do the neighbors get upset when you crank that baby?

Not too bad. My neighbors are far from me and the room I have the amp in is my studio room with my drums et al in there too, so I sound proofed it a bit.
 

mavuser

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Norah Jones has that same exact guitar btw, and Will Bernard has one also. They both gig with them. just haunting vintage tones in both cases (they don't play like Jerry though- and not as loud!).
Tony Scherr has a 65 SF-2 also, definitely refurbished and definitely gigs w that as well. These are the best sounding guitars I have ever heard. Not necessarily the most versatile (unless u are Garcia), but what they do- they do better than any other. the early GD recordings w Jerry on the SF-3 are simply incredible, and a gift to us all. No one else really plays one that way. And he swapped it out after just a couple years or so. When I think of Jerry on the Guild, I think of those early St Stephen>the Eleven jams.
 
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