Starfire 4 "help me choose one :)"

[raney]

Dear forum members hello

I am searching for a starfire 4 model to buy. I'd like to get close to a kind of 335 guitar as I had one ine the past and figured that the ES 175 I recently bought (whose head was broken by my 1 year son yesterday :twisted: :twisted: ) does not really fill my blues-rock needs.

I had in the past a "slim jim" wich I liked but I'd prefer a stop bar (again 335). But hey I really love Guild guitars and there is no point in buying Gibson again, I really want another Guild :mrgreen:

So here it is, after a "biref" introduction, what would you suggest me as a good Starfire IV ? I've seen that some from back in the days (60's early 80's) have a different setup than more recent (90's) especially no stop bar. What do you prefer in terms of sound, is there any difference ?

Again I was looknig at the most recent and saw that some were crafted in Rhodes Island, and ohters in California, is there a choice better than the other btw the two ?

Thanks a lot for your wise advice

Maxime

 

[guildman63]

Maxime,

Welcome! The Starfire 4/IV is a great guitar, so very nice choice! First, the difference between Starfire 4 and Starfire IV is age. Roman numerals were dropped in the 80's, I believe (someone correct me if I am wrong), and Guild was based in Westerly, RI from 1966 until 2001. In the 60's Guild mini humbuckers were used, and through the 70's, 80's, and at least until the acquisition by Fender in 1995 Guild HB-1's were used. Both sound quite different, and others can speak better to how the difference is with a Starfire 4/IV. After Fender stepped up the pickups were switched to Fender HB-1's, I believe, and while many prefer the Guild versions the Fender versions sounded pretty good to me...pickups are always personal preference. Prior to 1966 Guild was based in Hoboken, NJ, and some of the older models may have single coils in them, but someone else can confirm or deny that.

After 2001 Guild moved production to Corona, CA, and in 2004/2005 they stopped production of electric guitars all together. Those guitars used Fender HB-1's or SD1's, but again, that can be spoken to better by someone else. Then, in 2012 Guild re-released the Starfire VI, which is more like a Starfire IV in features, but is more like a ES-335 in shape. I have one and it sounds fantastic!!

As for which SF-4/IV model you want, that all depends on what sound you want and how much you are willing to spend. The new GSR Starfire VI is highly recommended, and there are still some available. It will, however, cost you somewhere between $3000 and $3500 new. A mid-late, or 2000's Starfire IV can probably be had in excellent condition for between $1000 and $1500. A Starfire 4 with Guild HB-1's should also be in the $1500 range, while a Starfire IV with either Guild HB-1's or Guild mini humbuckers in excellent condition will likely be more. All are very good choices in my opinion, but you need to decide how much you want to spend, and what sound you are looking for. Check out Youtube for ideas on sound.

I'm sure others will chime in, but I hope this helps.

 

[Los Angeles]

Welcome to the forum!

Keep in mind that every individual instrument varies a little bit, so your mileage may vary from guitar to guitar.

I've owned a total of 5 starfires throughout my guild owning years, and currently own 2. This is my general impression of the starfires from different eras:

If your aim is to get a brighter more "chimey" 60's guitar sound like the Beatles and the Byrds often used, I would aim for a 60's model. These guitars have very small necks and a number of them (but not all of them) have a weird bump behind the nut called a "volute." Despite the amazing sound, these aspects of the neck sometimes turn folks away from these guitars. You should seek one out and try before you buy (maybe even see if a forum member lives nearby and give theirs a try). These guitars truly sound incredible and for that reason are towards the top of the cost list.

If your aim is to get more of a darker smokey sound, I would aim for the 70's and 80s. The more mahogany in the guitar, the darker it will likely sound. hog neck and hog center block will fatten up the tone all the way to Cream era Clapton or Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. If you find one that has a mahogany top and back, the tone will be smokier still. This is where I live. Love those guitars.

Around 1975 or 76, Guild switched to fatter fret wire. I prefer wider frets, so my current starfires are both from the mid to late 70's. If you like thinner frets, aim for early 70's.

One primary difference between the 70's and the 80's versions is the change from the traditional harp tailpiece (70's) to the stop bar (80's). I used to prefer stop bars because I felt they held intonation better, but now I very much prefer the harp tailpiece because it gives me a slinkier feel. I love bending the low notes and my strings last longer with the harp tailpiece.

If your aim is to find a good bargain, well, that's where the 90's Starfires come into play. They are generally the least valuable, and where you'll save the most money. I think this is for a good reason. I'm not a very big fan of this era of the starfire 4. But again, a lot of people own them and love them, so don't let my opinion get in the way here. Going into the 90's, and particularly the late 90's, the Starfire became a different beast altogether. The bodies are thinner, the guitar is lighter (this is a plus, they are much more comfortable to have strapped over your shoulder for hours) and the fender pickups are both hotter and a bit - I don't know - edgier(?) sounding than Guild HB1 equipped guitars (this is just my opinion, and I defer to more knowledgeable folks on this matter). You can usually pick one up for around $1000-$1200.

 

[Default]

Between the hb-1s and the Fenderbuckers, they came with Seymour Duncans. Hotter/edgier would probably be the SD-1s. The Fender-made humbuckers are darker and are the least well regarded pups in the marketplace.
Just fyi.

 

[Zelja]

If you like a fuller neck the 90's SF4s could be the go. I have one from '97 and after I swapped the pickups to HB-1s I find it to be a really satisfying guitar. It's probably my favourite neck on the Guild electrics that I have, through the 63 CE-100D also ranks right up there.

I can't compare it yet to my SFV as that's still with my brother in the US but I can wait to get that guitar in my hands as well (though I did dream about a few nights ago - it sounded great ).

 

[GAD]

Start with this: http://www.gad.net/Blog/2010/06/24/guil ... c-guitars/

Then buy Han's book.

IMO, what you want is a late 90s Westerly Startfire.

 

[raney]

First let me say a big THANK YOU !

I knew this was the place to talk guild !! Gad I watched your site, great source of advice thanks !

Well that helped me adjusting my choice. So I think I'll go for a late 90's Westerly made SF4 even if I've seen great vids of earlier models. I noticed the pickup probably more "guildish" (hb1) with pre 1995 production but that will depend on what I find around the net (not so many). The point is that I live in ... France ... we do not have a lot of Guild options around here so I'll have to buy form the internet in the US probably (that's what I did with my slim jim).

By the way I find the price ranges you give are a bit low compared to what sellers give, mostly for the 90's production !! but that's market economy after all !

Here's what I came up with lately :

a late 90's :

http://www.gbase.com/gear/guild-starfir ... 97-blonde#

A guy in Paris selling this early 80's harp tailpieced model :
http://www.leboncoin.fr/instruments_de_ ... htm?ca=7_s

Again thank you, GUILD rules !

 

[cestlamort]

Depending on how far you are from Paris, I would suggest checking that one out. Although it's more expensive than in the US, it seems to be okay for European prices (generally: dollars -> euro + 10% or so from my casual observations. I may be wrong here, though).

More importantly, it is always best to be able to try the guitar out in person.

Good luck!