NGD - 1966 Starfire II

[BradHK]

I purchased a 1966 Starfire II earlier today from Elderly. They say it needs a neck reset and it has one area of binding shrinkage on the rear of the cutout. Other than those stated issues it looks all original, I like the finish color (dark red burst?), it has Grover Sta-tite tuners rather than those Japanese tuners, and I thought it deserved to be saved. I definitely did not want to see this parted out. I called and talked to an employee this morning. Very nice person who took measurements (nut width of 45mm!) and answered all of my questions. We agreed on a price of $1,100 with the OHSC. With shipping it was $1,149 to my door. Not sure how long the link will be up but here is the link and some photos from their site. The serial number is EK-421 which does not show up in the online serial chart list. They said the pots date to the 47th week of 1965. Can anybody confirm the build year with that serial number? I can‘t wait until it arrives and is brought back to play great!

Guild Starfire II Thinline Electric Hollowbody Guitar (1966)

This Starfire II features bound mahogany body and neck, Brazilian fingerboard, adjustable bridge, "G" harp tailpiece. Equipped with dual humbucking pickups, distinctive sound! (needs neck reset, fret level, reglue binding, clean electronics, strings, etc. - sold AS-IS)

www.elderly.com

 

[hansmoust]

I purchased a 1966 Starfire II earlier today from Elderly. The serial number is EK-421 which does not show up in the online serial chart list. They said the pots date to the 47th week of 1965. Can anybody confirm the build year with that serial number?

[

Yup! That's a Starfire II from the year 1966.

Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[GGJaguar]

I like the redburst finish! Congrats! Looking forward to your NGD report.

 

[walrus]

That's a beauty!

walrus

 

[DynaSonicTheHedgehog]

Congrats!!! Looking forward to seeing the NGD and any repairs you take on. You got it for a steal!

 

[BradHK]

Yup! That's a Starfire II from the year 1966.

Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Thanks!

 

[BradHK]

It just showed up! Wow, that was fast! Purchased Friday morning, shipped out Friday afternoon from Michigan and delivered Sunday in NYC. That may be a record for any guitar I have purchased. I will let it acclimate overnight then open tomorrow after work. Something good to look forward to on a Monday! A proper NGD with guitar in hand will follow

 

[F30]

That is a great burst. Super unique to me. I've never seen one like that. Outstanding.

 

[F30]

Looks like the saddle is set for wound "G".
Love to hear what you think of those pickups after you play it for a bit.

 

[Harp Tail]

Congratulations, Brad!

That's the one piece of "furniture" that will make your NYC pad feel like home.

 

[jp]

What a beauty! Another nice find, Brad. You deserve and award for saving all of these Guild from certain deconstruction dealer doom.

 

[llmonty]

Congrats! Love that burst finish and the guitar AND case look so clean!

 

[BradHK]

I just unboxed the Starfire and it was like opening a time capsule. It looks like the original owner purchased the guitar, started to learn guitar on it, then gave up and put it away. It is in amazing condition but needs a really good clean. The neck angle was not as bad as I was expecting. It had flat wound strings with a wound G and the wound strings were wrapped at both the ball end and the end that wraps around the tuner. The case was filled with misc things including the original receipt (purchased for $261 on Feb 13, 1966), strings, polishing cloths, an unused strap, a book printed in 1963 called Nick Manoloff’s Spanish Guitar Method Book No. 1, and tons of clippings from some other publication to learn chords.

I took off the strings and have started the clean and inspection. The inside of the case looks new but the guitar has obviously been sitting for many, many years. The Frets are caked is grim and the fretboard is really dirty. Here are some photos before being cleaned up. I will post the cleaned up guitar photos a little later.

Wrapped strings:



Before and after fret cleaning:



Misc photos of items in the case:

 

[Frankee]

I purchased a 1966 Starfire II earlier today from Elderly. They say it needs a neck reset and it has one area of binding shrinkage on the rear of the cutout. Other than those stated issues it looks all original, I like the finish color (dark red burst?), it has Grover Sta-tite tuners rather than those Japanese tuners, and I thought it deserved to be saved. I definitely did not want to see this parted out. I called and talked to an employee this morning. Very nice person who took measurements (nut width of 45mm!) and answered all of my questions. We agreed on a price of $1,100 with the OHSC. With shipping it was $1,149 to my door. Not sure how long the link will be up but here is the link and some photos from their site. The serial number is EK-421 which does not show up in the online serial chart list. They said the pots date to the 47th week of 1965. Can anybody confirm the build year with that serial number? I can‘t wait until it arrives and is brought back to play great!

Guild Starfire II Thinline Electric Hollowbody Guitar (1966)

This Starfire II features bound mahogany body and neck, Brazilian fingerboard, adjustable bridge, "G" harp tailpiece. Equipped with dual humbucking pickups, distinctive sound! (needs neck reset, fret level, reglue binding, clean electronics, strings, etc. - sold AS-IS)

www.elderly.com

So nice. Hope to join you soon.

 

[jp]

I love when all that history is included with a guitar. Have fun exploring!

 

[Harp Tail]

Exactly. Guitars with stories are always more fun.

 

[GGJaguar]

I just unboxed the Starfire and it was like opening a time capsule.

Wow, fantastic!

 

[BradHK]

It has been cleaned up and I strung it up to see the action and any needed adjustments. The good news is that the nut slots are way high and the action is not terrible. Once I lower the nut slots to the correct height I should be able to fit a rosewood bridge base under the original bridge that will give the desired action. There is plenty of break over at the saddle to lower and still have a good angle. I will save the original bridge base to keep just in case I ever reset the neck.

It also cleaned up really well! This may have the best finish condition of all of my vintage guilds. Just one small finish spot on the back of the neck from a stand or something. I also love the dark red burst and the sides almost look candy apple in the right light. Anybody know what Guild called this finish? I can’t believe Elderly did not clean this up, set it up, and ask for a lot more money.

 

[GGJaguar]

Such a great guitar!

 

[Harp Tail]

Incredible find in these condition and with all that case candy.