Strange experiences with 1979/80 Starfire 4

[Westerly Wood]

Long time no news, here an update: The SF sounds great on a BF style amp (I tried Super and Deluxe Reverb), but not with tweed style amps (I tried the tweed setting on a VHT Special 12/20 RT which is both my goto amp and setting), as this is just too much in mids. The HB1 seem to provide so much mid level volume that taming it by way of the BF scoop does it a favor.

so it's a keeper then?

 

[Los Angeles]

every guitar is different, but this is really a strange report as the HB1 pickups are considered by most to be somewhat "scooped" already. they are not usually mid-range-y guitars, nor mid-range-y pickups.

 

[Andreas]

so it's a keeper then?

Most likely not, as I am trying to scale down on gear. Right now I do use it, but mainly because my 335 is being refretted. As soon as it is back I am pretty certain that the SF will be untouched. Unfortunately, the market in Germany is not good for vintage Guild guitars right now, so I might be stuck with it for a while, maybe I will change my mind, who knows ...

every guitar is different, but this is really a strange report as the HB1 pickups are considered by most to be somewhat "scooped" already. they are not usually mid-range-y guitars, nor mid-range-y pickups.

Yes I know. I can only report from my experiences, and comparing to a vintage and a recent 335 the SF sounds WAY more low- to mid-rangey, the neck PU in particular, such that I would never ever touch the tone control on it (which employs a hefty 47nF on top). Maybe I can provide a video comparing it, I will give it a try when the 335 is back.

 

[polarizing]

That's not the type of strange I had in mind when I read the thread title