Visual clues - reissue vs 70's Starfire

[fronobulax]

When faced with a photograph of a Starfire bass with Guild humbuckers (not the bisonic so we are only talking about circa 1970 through 1977), the following are what I would look for to determine whether the bass is a 70's bass or a 90's bass. Am I wrong on any point? Are there visual clues I have missed?

Bridge - the vintage bridge will have rosewood saddles that rest on (and could be removed from) "paddles" that slide along the bridge plate. The 90's bridge has metal saddles that travel along a threaded screw that is above the bridge plate. It is hard to tell but the mounting screws for the reissue are farther apart than those for the vintage.

Brads - the vintage will had a brad as a marker for each of the tone and volume controls. The reissue will not have the brad or other visual cue that helps determine settings.

Toggle - the vintage has a toggle switch that was marketed as a bass boost. The reissue will not.

I have a suspicion that the master volume knobs differ but I don't have any confirmation.

 

[hieronymous]

What's a "brad"?

 

[fronobulax]

What's a "brad"?

Having swallowed the urge to respond with a smart a$$ answer, I will reply that it is a small tack or nail, at least as I use (or abuse) the term.

This thread triggered the discussion and if you look at the pictures there I think you can see what I mean.

 

[mgod]

I look at the bridge - if its a Fender bass bridge shaped like a harp, its Fender-made.

 

[mellowgerman]

I do believe the pickup-selector and master volume are farther apart on the 90's reissues... I'm pretty sure anyway

 

[idealassets]

I do believe the pickup-selector and master volume are farther apart on the 90's reissues... I'm pretty sure anyway

Although minor in consideration, here is a comparison:

"1974" with headstock & paper tag of 1974 S/N's

"1999", from ebay

I notice that on the 74', the pickup toggle switch is much larger, and the master volume control is "below" center of the neck pickup.

Looking at the Guild production data, 1967 was the baner year for this body style. Then production fell off to just a few dozen produced every year. Could it have been that most the heavy 3 piece bands had gone to solid body electrics basses at about that time? Fortunately there were a few that didn't cave in to the Blue Cheer, etc sound.

Craig

 

[fronobulax]

The bridges alone says to me that both guitars are either not 1970's vintage or they have replaced bridges. Of course if they are both '90's then my brad marker hypothesis is incorrect.