These Newark Street Guilds are filled with surprises

[barrycreed]

I have a Maestro long Vibrola lying around, and was looking at my Polara reissue wondering wondering.....

 

[iamjethro]

My Starfire III is Korean made and a really fine feeling guitar.

 

[Boneman]

My Starfire III is Korean made and a really fine feeling guitar.

Yea no knocking on them from me. I didn’t set out specifically to buy Korean made guitars, but somehow I ended up with 4 of them, and they are all well crafted instruments.

 

[cupric]

I've heard it be said that Korea is on par with Japan in quality. They certainly look really nice. Someday I hope to play a few. I would love a Aristocrat. I've wanted one since forever. Back before the internet it was a mystical beast. I lived in RI, and visited a host of music stores. Never saw one in the flesh.

 

[jp]

I've heard it be said that Korea is on par with Japan in quality. They certainly look really nice. Someday I hope to play a few. I would love a Aristocrat. I've wanted one since forever. Back before the internet it was a mystical beast. I lived in RI, and visited a host of music stores. Never saw one in the flesh.

The NS models I've had in hand truly are fine instruments with solid build quality. I bought GAD's M-75 gold top Aristocrat from Default, to whom he sold it, and it's my current favorite first grab instrument. It's a wonderful sounding and playing instrument that's lightweight, can be played acoustically or plugged in, and is incredibly versatile.

I've also been entertaining a trip back to shred land for the heck of it, and all the Korean Ibanez models I've been checking out locally are equal in quality to 80s and 90s Japanese builds IMHO.

 

[barrycreed]

My Korean Polara is a pretty solid guitar. No flaws or anything on it. There looks to be less of a neck angle compared to a Gibson SG when you look at the side profile.

 

[barrycreed]

I have seen a black TBird NS for sale, not far from me. Worth checking out? How do those reissue trem units hold up? It's this or revisit the Jazzmaster.

 

[GGJaguar]

I have seen a black TBird NS for sale, not far from me. Worth checking out?

Absolutely! I love mine. The trem is wonkier than a Jmaster/Jag unit though, so you'll have to give it a go to see if it will work for your playing style. I much prefer the Fender trem, but the Tremar on the Guild does work.

 

[barrycreed]

Absolutely! I love mine. The trem is wonkier than a Jmaster/Jag unit though, so you'll have to give it a go to see if it will work for your playing style. I much prefer the Fender trem, but the Tremar on the Guild does work.

That's my only problem. The trem. I know the Jazzmaster trem can be troublesome enough at times, so.....

 

[Muckman]

This may be noted here, already. No more plug in pickups on the S100. Very tidy wiring

 

[barrycreed]

Pretty difficult to find the black polara reissues, in Europe, anyway.

 

[Muckman]

Pretty difficult to find the black polara reissues, in Europe, anyway.

They were on this side of the pond, as well. I waited for about 18 months for Sweetwater to get the black finish back in stock. Actually, I had forgot that I even hit the "notify me when back in stock" button....it had been such a long time. I like the white, well enough...the cherry is not my favorite finish on any solidbody guitar, the black is gorgeous. They are great guitars, I highly recommend one in any finish!

 

[barrycreed]

They were on this side of the pond, as well. I waited for about 18 months for Sweetwater to get the black finish back in stock. Actually, I had forgot that I even hit the "notify me when back in stock" button....it had been such a long time. I like the white, well enough...the cherry is not my favorite finish on any solidbody guitar, the black is gorgeous. They are great guitars, I highly recommend one in any finish!

I have the white one, but always liked the black look.

 

[Muckman]

The white is a very classy look on the S100

 

[lungimsam]

Best color of all the NS S-100 to date!!!

 

[barrycreed]

So I sold my S-100 white, and really think I need a black one. I love the black one!

 

[ClaytonS15]

I just stumbled upon this thread after playing a “new” trans red NS S-100. I think I’m about to trade a wonderful but HEAVY late 80s Epiphone Sheraton II to get it. Will report back. This one is quite lightweight and reminds me of my old S-90, but with a bigger and better neck (for me). We’ll see!

 

[GGJaguar]

 

[lungimsam]

So do these stay in tune well and the fretted notes play solidly in tune, what with the longer string length behind the bridge before they reach the tailpiece?

 

[Minnesota Flats]

I have a couple of NS (MIK) Starfire basses. I know that some kinda look down their noses at them, but I think they're perfectly serviceable instruments.

Also have an MIA (Westerly) SF bass. Yes, the craftsmanship and finish may be a cut above the Korean ones and the hardware and woods are nicer, but I still play the NS ones as well and don't think of them as junk.

I'm kind of finicky about cosmetic condition, so a 1960s or 1970s SF bass in condition which I would find acceptable would be a rare find that would fall pretty much outside the realm of my budget.