1992 vs 2001 Starfire IV

GGJaguar

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I’m finally getting around to jotting down my “compare and contrast” thoughts for these two guitars. My initial thinking was they would be similar enough to offload one, but it turns out they are more different than I anticipated. They both weigh about the same (within an ounce or so). The 1992 model differs from the 2001 by virtue of its thinner body, narrower/shallower maple neck, ebony board, Müller bridge/tail, and most importantly, HB-1 pickups. The gold hardware and 5-ply stairstep pickguard we’ll call cosmetic differences only.

In a nutshell, I prefer the larger neck on the 2001 Starfire, but I have absolutely no issues or problems playing on the smaller necked ‘92. The biggest difference is, of course, in tonality. The HB-1s on the ’92 are bright, but have a “bloom” of harmonic overtones which make them sound richer while retaining clarity. Not thick and muddy like a PAF type can be. They work well for a variety of musical genres.

The FMIC buckers on the 2002 Starfire seem 2-dimensional in comparison. They are bright, but don’t have the richness of the HB-1s. In addition, the mids and highs are hard and a little brittle. However, in this particular guitar (and for me), this is not a bad thing. That “hard” sound works really well for a lot of classic rock and it lets effect pedals color the sound nicely. All good! And it means I get to keep both guitars. :smile-new:

As an aside, while I like the FMIC pickups in the SF-4, I don’t find them so nice in a fully hollow guitar like my X-150D and X-180. If the new Guild HB-2s sound close to original HB-1s or even to the mid-late 1990s Duncan SD-1s, they would be good replacement candidates for those guitars.
1992%20SF-4%20and%202001%20SF-4.jpg
 

shihan

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Thanks for the review. Very interesting contrasts between the two. Mine (a ‘97 with the SD-1’s) is right in the middle.
as another PU option, I remember reading that the SD-1 PU was Seymour Duncan’s PAF PU. Might be another option; they’re really nice.
 

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SD1s don't fit in the Fender HB1 routes. SD PAFs would, but they're boring without the double humps.

Beautiful specimens!
 

HeyMikey

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Interesting comparison.
What do these guitars weigh on average?
What are their neck widths and contours?
Is there a significant difference in price between 90’s and 00’s?

I’d probably pick the one with the most comfortable neck and if needed swap out one or both pups, or tweak the tone with a stomp box.
 

GGJaguar

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What do these guitars weigh on average?
What are their neck widths and contours?
Is there a significant difference in price between 90’s and 00’s?

In my experience they usually run in the mid 8 lb range, but some can weigh much more. I think most of the SF-4s had 1 5/8" nut widths and thin to medium C-shaped necks up until the late 90s and early 2000s when they were widened to 1 11/16" with a medium D-shaped profile. Exceptions exist since these were hand-made necks. The prices of SF-4s from the 1996-2004 period don't seem to vary based on year of manufacture and can realistically be had for less than $1500. The SD-1 pickups used from 1995-1999 sound great in the SF-4. I have a '97 SF-4 with them, but didn't include it in this comparison because it has a mahogany body making it a much warmer and "woodier" sounding guitar than the two maple examples. But full disclosure, I prefer single coil pickups so I gravitate toward brighter sounding humbuckers like the HB-1.

Also, GAD has much more SF-4 info:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/02/02/2000-guild-starfire-iv-4/
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/04/07/1998-guild-starfire-iv-4/
 
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GGJaguar

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Their backsides are pretty, too. :smile-new:

1992%20SF-4%20and%202001%20SF-4%20rear.jpg
 

mavuser

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very nice...now u need one with SD-1's. and another with California's
 

HeyMikey

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Thanks GG on the weight and specs. I just read your and GAD’s excellent reviews. A lot of great info in there. The size and weight of these SF-4 are unfortunately what necessitated me to sell my beloved 1990 ES-347. It could do anything. That and the fact that it’s sale funded three Guild acoustics, which at this point makes much more sense for me. The look of GAD’s gorgeous 2000 reminds me of it. That is a real beauty. And the price for a nice one is terrific compared to the Gibsons.

I have an Epi ES-339 and the size/weight is perfect, but its too much of a downgrade and just doesn’t inspire me to want to play. If I do start thinking seriously about getting a decent electric again, after reading your reviews, I might be more inclined to pick up a late 90’s SF-3 or Gibby 339, either of which would be easier to handle. The more I look the more I’m really now digging the SF-3’s. Maybe...
 
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GGJaguar

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very nice...now u need one with SD-1's. and another with California's

I have '97 with mahogany body that has SD-1s. I think the output of SF-4s with DiMarzio and California pickups would be a little too hot for my needs.

Chiaroscuro%20IV.jpg
 

gilded

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So, having read GAD's Blog information that is mentioned above in post #5, it seems like a 1998 SF4 would have both Seymour pickups and a 1 11/16th" nut width.

What about 1999 models? SD pickups? 1 11/16th" nut width?? An enquiring mind wants to know!
 

GAD

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So, having read GAD's Blog information that is mentioned above in post #5, it seems like a 1998 SF4 would have both Seymour pickups and a 1 11/16th" nut width.

What about 1999 models? SD pickups? 1 11/16th" nut width?? An enquiring mind wants to know!

My '99 SFV has SD1s: https://www.gad.net/Blog/2020/01/17/1999-guild-starfire-v-blue/
My '99 X170T has Fender HB1s: https://www.gad.net/Blog/2017/07/30/guild-x-170-t-mars-edition/

The neck on the blue '99 Starfire is 1 3/4"!
The neck on the '99 X170T is 1 11/16+"

I'd say it depends on the guitar.
 

kakerlak

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Yeah, Harry, seems like necks started being all over the place in the '90s. My X-700 ('94) is a full 1.75" and, though the general thought seems to be Fender era is wider, I've seen various 2000s models sold claiming 1 5/8" over the years.

So do those "Guild" pickup covers on the newer pickups fit on any generic humbuckers? Always wondered whether you could swap something boutique/better into the late model US Guilds and just transfer over the covers to retain appearances.
 

GAD

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Yeah, Harry, seems like necks started being all over the place in the '90s. My X-700 ('94) is a full 1.75" and, though the general thought seems to be Fender era is wider, I've seen various 2000s models sold claiming 1 5/8" over the years.

So do those "Guild" pickup covers on the newer pickups fit on any generic humbuckers? Always wondered whether you could swap something boutique/better into the late model US Guilds and just transfer over the covers to retain appearances.

I would bet that anyone advertising a 1 5/8" neck on a 2000-era Guild didn't measure it and just grabbed the number from a website somewhere.

I tried to have my Fender HB1 pickups converted to boutique and the winder said that his bobbins would not fit into the covers. I'm not sure why, but he had to wind his recipe onto the Fender bobbins that he unwound from the HB1s.
 
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