Working my way through the Dearmond Line

[mad dog]

Found a used Dearmond Starfire Special in a NYC shop this week. Went back last night to try it. Only had a minute to plug in. And the light was really low, more like a bar. So outside of some dust and smudges, I couldn't assess condition too well. Guessed it had the usual wear. The feel was right, so I traded a guitar I never play (old short-scale Supro) for it straight up.

Got it home, cleaned it up in bright light and discovered it has no wear. Not a scratch. What a beautiful instrument! A two tone sort of sunburst, orangish yellow to black. Right away I'll replace the pots, caps and do a treble bleed mod on the neck p/u -- as this worked wonders with my M75T. Very cool guitar. I'd been jonesing for a t-400, still want one in fact, but this DA fell into my hands first. Can't wait to hear how it sounds live.

 

[matsickma]

Hi md,

The DeA SF Special is one of my favorites. I sold one like yours for my brother a few years back. Was a beautiiful burst. Mine is red.

I like how comfortable the SSS (SF3) type neck is to play. It is a little chunky and the position on the body is like the old Guilds before 1967. It doesn't extend out far from the body. I think the Guild SF2/3 have also kept the old style neck position over all these years.

At some time in the past or present I have owned all of the set neck models of Guild. In many cases multiple models from different years of manufacture.

The T-400 are also great guitars. I own a blond with white 2k's and a Torange with a set of black Dynasonics (replaced the 2k's). I had a early red model but sold it a few years ago. The action on the earlier model was not as good as my later models.

Sounds like you got a good deal.

M

 

[mad dog]

M:

Seems I'm headed down the same DA ownership path you describe. I forgot to mention. This new (to me) Starfire Special appears to be one of the earlier ones. Has the white-faced 2K pickups, also has the word "Guild" on the truss rod cover. You're right about the neck feel. A little deeper front to back than a 335, but quite comfortable. Playability is surprisingly good. Action a little low on the bass side, minor stuff. Plays very well.

I am still curious about those T-400s, especially how it differs sonically from this semi-hollow Starfire. If you ever decide to let one go, please let me know.

 

[matsickma]

Hi md,

I am not likely to be selling a T400 any time soon. However they pop up often on ebay. For planning purposes budget $700 with a case. If you do better then great.

Tone wise they are very different. SSS is bright even at the low end. T400 are deep airy. More feed back prone but in a good way. Not a problem like a jazz body. The feedback characteristic is an excellent tonal feature. You can get it loud enough to get tonal feedback (i.e., low frequency harmonic sound-not high pitch squeel or low frequency howl.) without killing your ears. At this level the combination oy the Player/T-400/Amp are all synegistic. This is the mode you typically want to be in when in a studio session.

The action and neck of a T400 is probably the best of all DeArmonds.

Interestingly the acoustic tone of the T400 is not that impressive. It sounds thin with minimal bass response. An equivalent Guild DE400/500 would sound deeper because of the quality of the materials. However when amplified the T400 comes into is own. Sonically it really shines when when amplified.

Good Luck

M

 

[mad dog]

A follow up on the new Starfire Special. Didn't really get to hear it last night, so spent the whole day hoping I made the right choice, should I have waited for a T-400?

Very happy now I didn't wait. This guitar has some sound. I'm impressed. Does swampy, stinging blues tone, Does wide-open, smooth clean, screams up high (through a tweed pro type amp, the Sewell Wampus Cat). And feels just about right. I'll take a t-400 too. These Dearmonds are excellent.