Another Starfire question

[powerwagonjohn]

I know it's all up personal taste but I am really wanting and looking for a Starfire IV, V or VI. So what year do you all prefer. I am leaning towards a late 1960's or 1970's models but I am not counting out the 1980's or 1990's. I really don't have any experance with them so I am open to all comments. I do love the sound Buddy Guy gets out of his guitar. I have been out to his club quite a few time and have seen him a bunch of time, even when he was the guitar player with Junior Wells.
Thanks John

 

[GAD]

They're all great!

The reissues have nicer necks IMO. Ive owned them from every decade. For me the 70/80s sound the best, but the 90/00s play the best due to the wider necks.

 

[MojoTooth]

Late 60's early 70's, but I also like the thinner neck/nut width

 

[NEONMOONY]

OK, so when is the point that they are considered "reissues" ? If you are willing to indulge, I have the same question about some other electric models like the SF3, Bluesbirds etc?. Has this been covered already somewhere in an old thread?

 

[GAD]

I don't know exact dates. I pretty much assume anything from the mid 90s forward to be a reissue. I've seen some fabulous 80s Starfires, but I haven't seen many of them. I'd love to get my hands on one with an ebony board, but I've never seen one in person. I've seen a couple for sale but they wanted stupid money for them. No idea what the neck width on those are, but I imagine them to be 1 5/8" like the 60s/70s models. If I found one with block inlays and a 1 11/16" necks I'd probably pay stupid money.

Reissues are either Westerly made or Corona made, and we Guild snobs prefer the Westerly models for no reason other than we're Guild snobs. Every Corona guitar I've ever made has been fabulous, but it's just not a real Guild when it comes from the Fender factory, even though it's made with the same attention to detail. Even the factory 2nd Bluesbird I had from Corona was a fabulous guitar.

 

[Walter Broes]

If you want that agressive, piercing trebly tone Buddy Guy got with Junior Wells on this, for example, look for a 60's Hoboken-made one with the smaller humbuckers.

How's that for out-snobbing you GAD? :lol:

 

[dapmdave]

There's a difference tone-wise between the 60's and the 70's versions, as they changed pickups around 1970 or so. The earlier ones had smaller pickups with a brighter, more chimey sound. Quite a nice tone, actually. But many prefer the 70's pickups, called HB-1s.

Dave

 

[AlohaJoe]

I kinda prefer the older, small buckers. They're very crisp without being too piercing and can cut through a band like Freddie Kruger. :lol:

 

[iismet]

I've got a couple of 03' Coronas (BluesBird & SFIV) both are beautiful instruments. I would not hesitate to purchase a Corona built Guild - excellent value.

 

[coastie99]

I don't know exact dates. I pretty much assume anything from the mid 90s forward to be a reissue. I've seen some fabulous 80s Starfires, but I haven't seen many of them. I'd love to get my hands on one with an ebony board, but I've never seen one in person. I've seen a couple for sale but they wanted stupid money for them. No idea what the neck width on those are, but I imagine them to be 1 5/8" like the 60s/70s models. If I found one with block inlays and a 1 11/16" necks I'd probably pay stupid money.

'85 SP here, with ebony 'board. Nut width a smidgeon greater than 1 5/8", but nowhere-near 1 11/16"

I'd love to compare neck profiles from different eras with any members who'd be keen to do the same. Mine has a slender neck.



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[GAD]

If you want that agressive, piercing trebly tone Buddy Guy got with Junior Wells on this, for example, look for a 60's Hoboken-made one with the smaller humbuckers.

How's that for out-snobbing you GAD? :lol:

Well done! :lol: :lol:

 

[MojoTooth]

If you want that agressive, piercing trebly tone Buddy Guy got with Junior Wells on this, for example, look for a 60's Hoboken-made one with the smaller humbuckers.

How's that for out-snobbing you GAD? :lol:

These old videos of Buddy on his SFIV with the mini's are what made me seek out a SFIV with mini's! WIsh he had continued to play Guilds, I always loved his Starfire tone better than his Strat tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXJ-YPKqguA

 

[davemcc]

For GAD - here is a SFIV with ebony and gold hardware

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell ... Z266670814

 

[GAD]

For GAD - here is a SFIV with ebony and gold hardware

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell ... Z266670814

Sweet cats...


I must have it.

 

[powerwagonjohn]

I know what you mean!!! That's exactly what I was looking for and it seems like a good price too.
Thanks John

 

[parker_knoll]

mini/small humbuckers for the win, definitely. i even have a few inserted in other guitars