NGD - 1961 Starfire III Ebony

[BradHK]

I am a huge fan of the vintage Starfires with DeArmonds. I went to look at one today and just couldn’t leave the store without it. Very good condition and a great neck angle with plenty of room to lower the bridge. Nice wide nut and full feeling neck. It looks solid black unless the light hits it right and then you can see through the Ebony and the maple comes through with some flame on the back. Hard to pick up on my crappy iPhone camera. The only bad part is that my wife was with me when I bought it (actually she bought it for me) and she said this is my Christmas present so I have to put it away until then! Looking forward to Christmas!

It has not gone through the spa treatment with new strings and such yet but it still looks pretty good!

 

[Default]

< drool >

 

[Stuball48]

Love that color. You can use it as a mirror.

 

[GGJaguar]

Hubba Hubba! Nice Xmas present! Looking forward to your full report.

 

[twocorgis]

Damn! I don't even like black guitars, but that's pretty!

Working up a NGD on my '70 SF IV with DeArmonds, but still have some work to do.

 

[BradHK]

Damn! I don't even like black guitars, but that's pretty!

Working up a NGD on my '70 SF IV with DeArmonds, but still have some work to do.

Thanks! I will admit that I have been checking regularly to see if you have posted the NGD on the Starfire IV with DeArmonds. Really looking forward to that NGD!

 

[Norrissey]

Oh man! That's killer. Congrats!

 

[twocorgis]

Thanks! I will admit that I have been checking regularly to see if you have posted the NGD on the Starfire IV with DeArmonds. Really looking forward to that NGD!

I still need to get a proper machine from @hansmoust, and want to have my luthier clean it and set it up. I bought a Gator 335 case for it, and while it's kind of "Gibsony" it fits perfectly, and is decent enough quality for the $120 I spent on it.

When Mike gets done with it, I'll post up.

 

[Harp Tail]

Fabulous, Brad! You really spoiled yourself this holiday season.

 

[HeyMikey]

Very nice Brad! What year is it and just how wide is the neck? I would like to find one with a 1-11/16 but all the ones I’ve asked about were 1-5/8.

 

[GAD]

Dayum!

 

[Shakeylee]

to me,that's the ultimate guitar.
congratulations

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Congrats! It looks really clean!

 

[secndshft]

Oh c’mon!!! Now you’re just showing off.

 

[mushroom]

Awesome
I love black Guilds. Fantastic.

 

[Walter Broes]

Congratulations! That's about as good as it gets!

 

[BradHK]

Very nice Brad! What year is it and just how wide is the neck? I would like to find one with a 1-11/16 but all the ones I’ve asked about were 1-5/8.

This one has a 1 11/16” nut and my other 1961 Starfire has a 1 3/4” nut. It has been easier for me to find Guilds with wider nuts before 1966 or so. However, I have a couple from the late sixties that also have wide nuts. I just keep my eyes open

 

[Smiert Spionam]

Good catch! I was going to call them this week about that one.

 

[walrus]

Beautiful in black! Congratulations!

 

[Walter Broes]

This one has a 1 11/16” nut and my other 1961 Starfire has a 1 3/4” nut. It has been easier for me to find Guilds with wider nuts before 1966 or so. However, I have a couple from the late sixties that also have wide nuts. I just keep my eyes open

Interesting there's so much variation in the same year. I have a refinished '61, and while I've never measured it, it's a small neck all around : definitely on the narrower side in the nut, and generally a thinner, smaller neck. Not unlike some post-65 Gibson 335's and 330's I've played.