NGD - 1966 Starfire II

[Harp Tail]

Very sleek (non identical) twins, Brad!

 

[Eric66]

I'm actually impressed by the the fact that you were drawn to the sober elegance of the Starfire during teenage, when most tend to lust after flashier or better known instruments.

I believe the "music row" of NYC used to be on 48th Street and not 47th, though.. I myself have spent more than a few afternoons at "We buy guitars" after having somehow befriended what I believe was the owner. I still have the pics I took of a Hendrix owned Strat (with case candy and some stage clothing) that he then sold at auction.

Yes, I’m mistaken, it was on 48th Street now that you mention (or was it?), I believe it’s mostly all gone now… for a while I had an office on the 2nd floor in an old railroad type walk up apartment building on 49th between 6th and 7th Avenues closer to 7th. Easy walking to peruse the shops. I remember one time I got a lead on where to buy one of those (at the time) “illegally” published “Real Book(s)” and when I went up to the counter to ask for a “C” copy and I was given the cross examination for a while until the clerk relented and provided me a copy to buy. I’ve since bought copies legally after the copyrights aged out I guess (I don’t know, late 1980’s to early 1990’s) for all the instrument parts.

I originally wanted a Gibson 335 but was talked out of it by a very discerning professional at that studio where I bought (actually a 16th birthday present from my parents which of course lends itself to the emotional attachment) the Starfire who described the Gibsons in general as just “tree trunks” which was probably an apt description given the Starfire’s wood tone that’s so “live”! My first choice was a blonde Starfire IV but apparently blonde wasn’t available and when I was shown the cherry red Starfire II it just fell for it!

 

[Eric66]

Here are my vintage Starfire IV and V from this period with pinstripes on the pickguards

Wow! Maybe they were only in the IV, V, or VI models??? Are your beauties 1966?

Maybe I’ll break out the Hans Moust book I just got from eBay from its cellophane wrapping from the publisher later today.

I’m almost ready a to ask how I can get one of those pickguards to hold for a swap but then again maybe my Starfire’s mojo will be out of equilibrium!

 

[Harp Tail]

The very author of the book you just purchased would be the best source to try to find another pickguard for your Starfire.

 

[Harp Tail]

Guitarchives.nl is Hans Moust's website

 

[Guildedagain]

Time capsule clean.

 

[rbrcbr]

Nice, I saw this one kicking around for a bit but the "needs neck reset" description put me off. Congrats, glad to hear it's not too far gone!

 

[mellowgerman]

Awesome guitar! I've always said that one of the nicest guitar tones I've heard was a '64 Starfire II with the same pickups, plugged directly into a Sears Silvertone 1482 combo amp (though the speaker was non original). The finish on yours just puts it over the top! Stellar.
Bonus to hear that the neck angle isn't too bad. My first step would probably be to just put a "low profile" Graph Tech Resomax bridge on there and some Thomastik 11's for nice low tension, then rock the heck out of it! Should do the trick if it's not a critical neck issue.

 

[BradHK]

Just thought I would provide an update. I made a new wooden base and used the original Hagstrom micro-matic bridge and was able to get a nice low action. I then decided to use the original unmodified bridge base and modify a new aluminum bigsby bridge top to sit flush on the original adjustment thumb screws rather than rock. Comparing the two I liked the sound of the aluminum bridge on this guitar so that is what I am currently using. The action is less than 0.03” on both the high and low side with no buzzing anywhere. It also has a good string angle at the bridge and plays great without the cost and risk of a neck reset!

 

[Harp Tail]

Very crafty, Brad - excellent skills!

 

[DynaSonicTheHedgehog]

Wow!!! That's incredible, who needs a neck reset? It makes me wonder how close they looked at it...