Westerly Starfire Bass

Guzzitd63

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For the OP:
https://reverb.com/item/38621520-extremely-rare-usa-1999-guild-starfire-ii-bass
The price is pretty high but .... it does appear to include the original REALLY REALLY nice case.
(Mine didn't come with that red-plush case when I bought it second hand in 2002 or so.)
And check out Justin Meldal-Johnsen's work with a re-issue Starfire on many Beck albums.
He even have his own "Ask a Pro" forum on talk bass.
 
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fronobulax

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For the OP:
https://reverb.com/item/38621520-extremely-rare-usa-1999-guild-starfire-ii-bass
The price is pretty high but .... it does appear to include the original REALLY REALLY nice case.
(Mine didn't come with that red-plush case when I bought it second hand in 2002 or so.)
And check out Justin Meldal-Johnsen's work with a re-issue Starfire on many Beck albums.
He even have his own "Ask a Pro" forum on talk bass.

JMJ may have posted here a couple of times.

IIRC a blond 90's SF II with DarkStars that belonged to JMJ sold for over $3K on eBay at a time when $3K would get you a very fine condition pre 1970 original Starfire II and some change. The bass was noteworthy because an eBay scammer grabbed the original listing and then pretended to offer the bass for $1,500 or so, several times over the next few months. Scam was of the "don't bid, send me an email" type.
 

Guzzitd63

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... with Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) on backing vocals. ha!
Glorious rich sound throughout but a good visual at 2:45 or so.

Chrome Guild-buckers and natural Mahogany finish (cherry?)
Must be a different bass.
He's stated (on his forum) it is completely stock save the D'Addario chromes.
Still owns it and records regularly with it.
 

fronobulax

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Chrome Guild-buckers and natural Mahogany finish (cherry?)
Must be a different bass.
He's stated (on his forum) it is completely stock save the D'Addario chromes.
Still owns it and records regularly with it.

Different bass for sure since he sold the one I was talking about :)

Some Guild bass comments in https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/new-member-with-a-question.146090/ circa 2007.


Hijacking my own thread here, but I just thought you may find my Guild story kind of interesting: I'm one of the last remaining Guild bass endorsers that is still being asked to hang in there because of more basses coming down the pike sometime in the next year. I can't say much about it right now, but someone will likely let the cat out of the bag pretty soon. Anyway, I was a Fender guy who fell in love with Guilds and signed up with Fender in 1998 to promote their new Starfire bass reissue; a bass which I still feel is a well done instrument with a cool tone and vibe. If you'd like to hear an example of my trans red '99 Westerly Starfire, check out Beck's "Sea Change". At least half of that album (such as "Lonesome Tears", "Paper Tiger", "End of the Day" and others is that bass through a B-15 and no DI. I think it sounds pretty good...it's getting kind of beat after 8 years of touring and countless records, but I'll never let it go. I've got another one, same year, that didn't really sound quite as cool or lively - it was a natural one with maple top. Fred Hammon and I ended up putting Dark Star pickups in there, which helped a bit.

Anyway, I'm stoked to be getting into Guild guitars now as well. I appreciate the hospitality here!

Best,
Justin

The keeper is in the video. The other bass mentioned is the one that was sold.

I remember some noise circa 2007 that the Starfire bass would be back and made in America. A key rumor was that FMIC (owner of Guild) was negotiating with Fred Hammon about Dark Stars. I also think someone reported that FMIC had measured a vintage bass belonging to the member. I think one thing that tanked the deal is that Fred could not produce the number of pickups ordered and could not ramp up production.

I would not surprise me if some of the work ended up being used for the Newark Street Starfire, but that is speculation. Going further out on a limb I wonder if they realized the weren't going to make enough money on a MIA electric and expanded and reworked the project to become the Newark Street line.
 

mavuser

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OP purchased a Hoboken SF bass from me.
you're welcome, mgod.
 

oscarwao

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OP purchased a Hoboken SF bass from me.
you're welcome, mgod.
Sure did and it is wonderful. Still would like a late ‘90s reissue but the current asking is just too much for me. Oh well, guess I will have to make due until further notice.
 

tsarter

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That picture is from the day Fred and I met. Feb, 2003, pre-Dark Star. The '73 black M-85 on the left with Humbuggers received the first pair of Dark Stars later that year. The sunburst Starfires on the floor left and the red double black pickup one on the couch are Fred's. The rest are mine, except maybe the later Jet Star on the right. I had one, which I sold after I bought the older one on the left - but this one might be before that or it might be Fred's: I actually can't remember, though as I recall he brought over 4 basses, so it's probably his.

My memory is that Fred's sunbursts are 70s basses with BiSonic transplants. I'm sure about one of them, but both might be. He's in the picture, laying out of sight holding up the Coronado IV.

There are 4 that were my session mainstays: the double pickup SF, 3rd from right on the floor; the Lesh bass, the black solid body M-85, and the black M-85 in between them.

I love this photo and your description. Incredible basses there!
 
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