Westerly vs. Corona

[bootbun]

Hello, new to the forum here -

I have been looking for a good example of a Starfire II, just curious if anyone here can speak to how the Corona built instruments stack up to the late Westerly (98-99) era. What I have heard in bits and pieces out there is that the Corona electrics were very good quality. I am wondering if the Westerly cache has any true merit, especially for those late period Westerly-but-post-Fender era instruments.... would be interested in any thoughts.

 

[chazmo]

Hello, new to the forum here -

I have been looking for a good example of a Starfire II, just curious if anyone here can speak to how the Corona built instruments stack up to the late Westerly (98-99) era. What I have heard in bits and pieces out there is that the Corona electrics were very good quality. I am wondering if the Westerly cache has any true merit, especially for those late period Westerly-but-post-Fender era instruments.... would be interested in any thoughts.

Welcome to the forum, bootbun!

I think the general concensus around here was that Corona wasn't steeped in acoustic background, and the acoustics from that era were somewhat spotty in quality. The Tacoma move, which took place in 2005, seems to have resolved most folks' quality objections, at least from what I've read here. My 2006 Guild is really wonderful, not that that's a signficant sample size.

My understanding, though, was that Corona was not a bad place to get an electric from. That was their specialty, I guess, before Fender put Guild there.

Best wishes!

 

[walrus]

The Bluesbird I used to have was built in Corona - it was very well built, very tight - a "tank", really. And it sounded great! So I agree with Chazmo's assessment.

Good luck!

walrus

 

[Squawk]

I have a late Westerly Blues 90 and a Corona Bluesbird - if Hans didn't tell me that, I wouldn't have known - no difference in quality.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Bootbun and welcome!: +1 what they said. cj

 

[Mark WW]

Welcome and sorry for a late reply. I had (2) Corona's an X-150D and a SF3. Both were meticulous and very nice guitars. I just could never bond with the P/U's which is definately a personal thing.

 

[gbrand]

I have one of the last run X-160 made in Corona, built very well. Great guitar.

 

[bootbun]

Thanks everyone for the helpful input - I pulled the trigger, 2005 Corona SF II! Will report some impressions once I get it....


http://www.vintagevaultguitars.com/...-sunburst-vintage-feel-tone-jazz-monster.aspx

 

[Guildmark]

Ooooooohh! :shock:
Niiiiiiiiice!!

Congratulations!

 

[california]

My one "keeper" Bluesbird has been and still is my Corona goldtop. I've had a couple others this year, both Westerly, that while looking great just weren't quite up to the goldtop in tone or feel.

 

[zom-zom]

Last year I bought a Corona Starfire III from a LTG member, and it's become my favorite guitar.
I play through either a Hiwatt or Park combo at reasonably loud volume, and it sounds great.

It's also one of the most flawlessly finished guitars I've ever owned, it's just perfect.


I also have a question, I am wanting to buy a Starfire IV now as well, and I was wondering about necks. The SF III has a really fat neck that is perfect for my hands. Do the Coronas generally have thicker necks, including SF IV models?

 

[bootbun]

For those newbies to the forum (like me) who are interested in this topic, there was a nice thread that I missed from earlier in the year you can check out:

http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4299