Corona Starfire V

[Southpaw]

This being my first post, please bear with...I'm a left-handed acoustic player looking for an electric and my local store has a left-hand Starfire V that they keep saying was Westerly made , but the serial #CH00-2304 (I've learned from this site) indicates it was made in Corona. It sounds nice, but has anyone experienced problems with any of the Corona Starfires, esp. w/the finish? They're asking $2K.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG!
No, it was not made in Corona, Westerly is correct.
Hans Moust could tell you exactly which year this lefthanded Starfire 5 with S/N CH002304 was made. (Hans has previously dated a slightly higher S/N CH002329 as made in year 2000), so that CH002304 was most probably also from 2000. (Edit: Hans corrected below that CH002304 was already made in 1999)
Oh, and $2000 sounds high, but it's a lefthanded guitar which seems to be rare. I would start offering $1600 and see what they say.
Ralf

 

[Southpaw]

Ralf - thanks! I guess the post that I read that C was for Corona and T for Tacoma may have been wrong, or I misinterpreted. It's also odd I couldn't find this S/N on the Guild site or any other like Adirondak. Again - very helpful.

 

[hansmoust]

I guess the post that I read that C was for Corona and T for Tacoma may have been wrong, or I misinterpreted.

Hello Southpaw,

Welcome! You're looking at different serial number systems and the first letter of the serial number prefix doesn't always tell you what period the instrument is from or where the instrument was made. Sometimes it does but not in this case!

Anyway, the lefthanded Starfire V you're interested in was made during 1999 and consequently it was made in Westerly, RI.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[guildman63]

Welcome, southpaw.

$2000 is definitely high, particularly for a left-handed guitar that has less of a demand. $1500 - $1600 is more than fair for a guitar like that. They are nice, so good luck!

 

[fronobulax]

$2000 is definitely high, particularly for a left-handed guitar that has less of a demand.

It seems to me that there are lefties who will pay a premium for a lefty because comparatively few were made. In other words is it supply or demand that drives the price? The supply is low which would increase the price but the demand is also low which would lower the price.

 

[Southpaw]

Thank you Hans and Ralf and everybody else for all your comments. I purchased the Starfire V for $1,800 - I do live close to NYC where everything is more expensive. It's my 1st Guild and it's just gorgeous and sounds great. Considering I grew up a few miles from the Westerly factory, as a teenager every time I would go by the shop I would dream of owning a Guild. it means a great deal to me to have a guitar from that factory.

 

[walrus]

Congratulations, southpaw!!!

Post some pictures when you can!

walrus

 

[guildman63]

Congrats! And PICS!!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[SouthernSounds]

Welcome & Congrats, Southpaw!

Any pics? If not, it never happened...

All the best,
B.

 

[Default]

Welcome, southpaw.

$2000 is definitely high, particularly for a left-handed guitar that has less of a demand. $1500 - $1600 is more than fair for a guitar like that. They are nice, so good luck!

Actually, lefties that aren't Strats or Teles tend to be much more expensive because they aren't made in large amounts and the stores know that they can get more for them. $1800 would be high (imho) for a standard SF5, but it's a good score for an American made left-hander.

TTIWWOP! :mrgreen:

 

[Jeff Haddad]

welcome, and if it's the guitar in your avatar, it's a beauty! Nice to have that guitar with the lifelong dream since walking by the factory as a kid.

 

[Southpaw]

That is the SF V I purchased in my avatar - I'll post more pictures soon.

 

[guildman63]

Welcome, southpaw.

$2000 is definitely high, particularly for a left-handed guitar that has less of a demand. $1500 - $1600 is more than fair for a guitar like that. They are nice, so good luck!

Actually, lefties that aren't Strats or Teles tend to be much more expensive because they aren't made in large amounts and the stores know that they can get more for them. $1800 would be high (imho) for a standard SF5, but it's a good score for an American made left-hander.

TTIWWOP! :mrgreen:

Some sellers definitely look at it that way, but I have seen left handed non-Fenders or Gibson's sit and sit until the price was dropped way down. I agree that Guilds are not your typical used guitar, and I would probably fork over $1800 if I were in the market for a similar guitar since I would kick myself if I waited and missed out. It's always a tough call, but still a good value at $1800 for sure. Looking forward to seeing pics!

 

[davismanLV]

Hey, Southpaw!! Welcome to the forum. Can't wait to see pics of the SF soon!! Congrats on your purchase.....

 

[Ravon]

Great snag! Pictures please

 

[Southpaw]

Thanks everybody for the kind welcome - I've been so busy playing the SF I haven't been able to figure out how to post the pictures here.

 

[SFIV1967]

I haven't been able to figure out how to post the pictures here.

Oh, well, you did the avatar picture succesful, so it's the same procedure. I assume you have your pictures on a photos hosting site, so you paste the link to the *.jpg picture between the "Img" buttons which you see above the window when you type a message.
You can look at any other post where you see a picture and go on "quote" like you would reply and see how it looks.
Ralf

 

[Southpaw]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36187745@N03/

Haven't quite figured out how to post individual pictures, so in the meantime, here's a link to flickr.

Thanks again for all your help. Let me know what you think.

~ Southpaw

 

[guildman63]

Very nice indeed! Must be hard to put that baby down!