Walter Broes
Enlightened Member
I'm not sure - I think Bigsbies were probably an option on everything, and some dealers ordered them like that?
Hi Eric,Congratulations on being the new owner of that vintage 1964 Starfire IV! I’m sure you will enjoy it with or without the “Bigsby”.
Although I’m a new member of this forum, I have owned a 1966 Starfire II since new and it’s definitely the best playing and sounding electric guitar in my hands I have ever felt. It’s the standard by which I compare all other electric guitars.
Please do not have any additional holes drilled to accommodate your desire to have a tremolo! I hope you can find one that fits without doing that.
I have a feeling you are in the right forum to help with your search.
Thanks for the warm welcomeIf there, it would be after the model name, e.g., Starfire IV SPEC (or something like that). As Ralf said, this guitar was probably modified by the customer, not at the shop.
Welcome aboard, chopstickmusic.
It looks like “Sb” for SunburstThanks for the warm welcome
I did find a photo of the label but can’t make what it says after IV? Does it say “Spc”?
The "special" or "spc" or "spec" would be written on the label when the guitar left the factory.
So if a Starfire IV shipped with an added master volume as example or with Guildsby that would be marked on the label with "special" or "spc" or "spec". Anything not according to specification was marked that way.
Here are just two examples of other vintage Guilds, an F-30 and a CA-100:
Ralf
That makes senseIt looks like “Sb” for Sunburst
I know I am going to miss something but these are the specifications I always remember when describing the differences between a 1960’s Starfire IV and V. The V has block inlays, Guildsby and matching bridge, master volume, and upgraded tuners. I am sure I missed something but these are the key items I think about.edit: OK, I just read more carefully and I see there was some change in the electronics (and a 3pc neck)... So, I would imagine those would be the defining characteristics to differ between them, not the tailpiece.
Thanks. patience is the key so I’ll try and source an original Guildsby, even if costly but the old lady deserves it. I have no problem with the bridge so a single roller Bigsby should work.Some IV's came with a Bigsby, I used to have a cherry 1964 with a factory Bigsby, and I don't think it had the "special" on the label.
A 1964 would have had the single-roller "Guilsby" like the kind you see on a Starfire III. They háve become very hard to find, and expensive if you do. The value of these guitars having gone up as much as it has, I'd try to be patient and wait for a US Guildsby to show up on Ebay, Reverb or maybe on this forum.
If you have no problem getting good playing action with the bridge that's on your guitar now, there is a very good chance a single roller Bigsby will work - that's a medium tall bridge.
Oh, that is a complicated topic.... You would need to study the Starfire history based on serial numbers here.... According to Walter a few in 1964 were shipped with bigsby (or was it a Guildsby?) and no "spec" was on the label, at least that is what Walter remembers. Also some dealers especially in UK ordered some normal Starfires and added bigsbys but that mostly happened on the Starfire II which they converted to a "III" that way...Not sure I heared that on a IV.So, Walter, what's the difference between a Starfire IV and V then?
I’m learning so much - thanks for spreading some incredible knowledge and entertaining anecdotes hereOh, that is a complicated topic.... You would need to study the Starfire history based on serial numbers here.... According to Walter a few in 1964 were shipped with bigsby (or was it a Guildsby?) and no "spec" was on the label, at least that is what Walter remembers. Also some dealers especially in UK ordered some normal Starfires and added bigsbys but that mostly happened on the Starfire II which they converted to a "III" that way...Not sure I heared that on a IV.
However once the V was discontinued in around 1973 the IV got V appointments like master volume and block inlays...So you see its not easy...
And a guy with the name Keith Richards played an early 70's Starfire IV with HB-1s and added Bigsby in "Shine a Light"...Hence some people even resprayed them black to look like the one Keith played...Keith original one is hanging in Chicago in the Buddy Guy Legends bar.
Ralf
Thats another great observation - This forum is really amazing.. thanks so muchOh, and one more important info!
A 1964 had a neck to body connection on the 16th fret vs later in 1966 when the connection changed to the 18th fret!
So when comparing them the position of the neck and pickups and the bridge changed on the body! That has also an influence on the type of bigsby I guess due to the break angle. Better break angle on the 1964 model vs. the 1966 model.
And if you wonder how that black early 70's Guild Starfire IV with added Guildsby from Keith Richards ended up in Buddy Guy's Legends bar in Chicago, here is the story: (Keith played her at Beacon Theatre and gifted her to Buddy at the very end if you watch carefully "It's yours!", even Ronnie was surprised!)I’m learning so much - thanks for spreading some incredible knowledge and entertaining anecdotes here
And if you wonder how that black early 70's Guild Starfire IV with added Guildsby from Keith Richards ended up in Buddy Guy's Legends bar in Chicago, here is the story: (Keith played her at Beacon Theatre and gifted her to Buddy at the very end if you watch carefully "It's yours!", even Ronnie was surprised!)
Ralf