I've got a Starfire, fellas, and I need some help...

[jkmann]

Sorry for this random post, but I've been scouring the internet, and I think you guys might be able to help me.

My Dad gigged around in the 60s and 70s, and I always knew that he had a nice bass rig. He was super protective of it. Wouldn't even let me play on it, and I'm 27 now. Well, recently he's had a change of heart, and he's let me have his bass, which, as you can tell most likely, is a 67 Starfire.

I am trying to get this thing insured, and I'm wondering: how much are they worth? I literally cannot find a single human being on the internet selling one (I can imagine why), so I have no idea how to approach putting a value on it.

Thanks a ton in advance.

Also, not to worry (or maybe disappoint, haha), I'm not selling it, ever.

 

[dapmdave]

Sorry for this random post, but I've been scouring the internet, and I think you guys might be able to help me.

My Dad gigged around in the 60s and 70s, and I always knew that he had a nice bass rig. He was super protective of it. Wouldn't even let me play on it, and I'm 27 now. Well, recently he's had a change of heart, and he's let me have his bass, which, as you can tell most likely, is a 67 Starfire.

I am trying to get this thing insured, and I'm wondering: how much are they worth? I literally cannot find a single human being on the internet selling one (I can imagine why), so I have no idea how to approach putting a value on it.

Thanks a ton in advance.

Also, not to worry (or maybe disappoint, haha), I'm not selling it, ever.

Welcome to LTG!

Can you post a picture of the bass? It would help a lot, and we love pictures!

Dave

 

[jkmann]

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome.

Have a gander here. I'd say 75% of the pictures in my p0rn collection came from "for sale" listings so they do sell.

I have seen asking prices from just below $1000 to $4,500. The eBay record was $3,500 for the bass below which allegedly went to a collector in France, several years ago now.

I thought that was over priced at the time.

I'd say an original close to pristine '67 SF I might cost $2000 to replace, which, of course, is higher than the price you could sell it for under most circumstances. Pictures would really help because things like color, headstock shrinkage, truss rod cover originality and alignment could affect value.

My kids have no interest in my basses ;-)

 

[chazmo]

neat in natural finish!

 

[fronobulax]

OK. For starters that is either a bass from 1970-1977 or it has had the highly desirable Bisonic pickups replaced with the much less desirable Guild humbuckers. If the serial number is BA-xxx or BA-xxxx then the PUs are replacements. If it is five (or six) digits it is a '70's bass. I vote for '70's because the mini-toggle for the "bass boost" is present and that is typical of original 1970's but not of 60's basses with replaced PUs. It superficially looks in good condition but it is the Bisonics that seem to sustain the value of Starfire basses. I'll throw out $1600 as replacement value just to get a number out there that folks can disagree with me about.

Because it will come up in the discussion I think a reissue Starfire II was recently sold by a poster here for a little over $2,000 but I consider that extreme good luck for the seller and not something the market can sustain. Again, my opinion is that one data point does not a trend make, but that is an opinion.

 

[twocorgis]

Welcome jkmann!

That beautiful bass looks like a later Starfire II bass with the humbuckers, which generally aren't quite as sought after as the earlier basses with the Hagstrom BiSonic pickups. It must be newer than a '67 as the earlier ones had a straight across bridge like my previous '67

According to Frono's now famous thread, BA 145x is the lowest serial number with the curved bridge. My green '68 is serial number BA 1703, so that would place the changeover somewhere in '67 I'm guessing. What's the serial number of yours? Are the pickups original?

 

[jkmann]

Okay, cool. That helps. I had no idea they made them that long, so forgive my ignorance on the actual year. I've just never seen one before and had heard that name attached to it.

To my knowledge, he bought it brand new and it is still in nearly cosmetically flawless condition. One of those meticulous dudes with his gear. I'm not so gentle, which is why I will likely only record with this one or gingerly fiddle with it.

Nothing has been replaced, either, to my knowledge. I'm glad there are forums like this to help in such specific circumstances!

 

[mellowgerman]

I'm with Frono on this one. $1600 would probably be average market value for it... however, Guilds seem a bit more inconsistent than some other brands in terms of what they go for on ebay... sometimes they go for less and sometimes they go for more... all seems to depend on who wants it at any given time.
Additionally and also supporting Frono's estimate, there's currently a decent looking 70's Starfire II at elderly for $1650 (link below). Granted, the OP's looks like it's in a bit better shape, but considering that elderly is a reputable used instrument dealer, I wouldn't say that better condition in a private sale would necessarily mean higher value.
http://www.gbase.com/gear/guild-and-reg ... -bass-1973