Starfire I 12-string

[Boneman]

I received their announcement email as well, and at first thought wait, isn't there already a SF 12er? Now that I see the subtle differences I think, good on Guild for helping folks enter the market with less expensive instruments. Plus they added a split coil with push pull knob!?? Man oh man, these days are a good time to be starting out on guitar if you are on a tight budget.

 

[matsickma]

Yep...same here. Sweetwater on the list to have them soon.
At that price I will try to manage the neck size. Sold my SF12 many years ago due to the neck issue. Have a DeArmond S7312 with a nice wide neck. However the SF1 variants are very good instruments. I compare them to my USA vintage guitars and with the exception of tuners I can't spot any issues. Must admit the coil splitting switch is a real positive feature!
M

 

[Default]

Isn't the Indonesian Starfire the one without bracing and a block connecting the top and back? I seem to remember something about that.

 

[GGJaguar]

Isn't the Indonesian Starfire the one without bracing and a block connecting the top and back?

Yes. At least the Starfire I Single Cut does as per GAD's review. Also, the Korean Starfire II ST has this same brace-less construction.

 

[Nuuska]

I'm on the Guild mailing list apparently and got an email today on this SFI-12. I'm curious, what is the difference between the SFIV-12 and this new SFI-12. They are both NS and look similar. But this latest SF is half the price.

The f-holes are located differently

 

[Bill Ashton]

I would really love to hear a "shoot-out" between the Guild Pacific-Rim electric 12-strings and the Gretsch models; the other G-brand has two, one priced in the stratosphere (I presume Tarada-made) and another much lesser priced.

Some day, before I die, I have to have one like on the cover of "Chet Picks On The Beatles"...

 

[hearth_man]

The f-holes are located differently

Yep. Different tooling, different plant I guess. Good catch!

 

[Ixtlan]

WANT

 

[lizardville]

Hi guys.
I finally got my starfire I 12 a couple of months ago and still on honeymoon BUT a problem has arisen. The neck pickup volume pot has many dead spots.
Talk to the distributor and want to send the guitar to the nearest oficial service center that is located in the UK!. Funny things is that I'm located in Spain and I think is overhaul to ship a guitar Internationally just to replace a pot.

Can any of you guys confirm me exactly the kind of pot I need so I can get it fixed locally?

Thanks in advance

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

First I would turn the pot forth and back full tilt at least 20 times to see if it makes any difference - could just be some oxidation in there.

Remember that even them el-cheapo pots can easily take 10-50 000 turns before they wear out - the better ones can take a million.

If there's no remedy - then why not just pull it out and see what it is?
If it takes long time to get the part - you can always solder the wires together and play the guitar w that pup volume "@10"

 

[SFIV1967]

Can any of you guys confirm me exactly the kind of pot I need so I can get it fixed locally?

Aren't the volume pots in your guitar push/pull pots?
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-Starfire-I-SC-ElectronicsGroundKnot.jpg
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-2020-NewarkSt-SFI-SC.png

The whole harness and soldering work is not the greatest as you see here in GAD's review of a single cutaway Starfire I:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-Starfire-I-SC-ElectronicsMessyWiring.jpg
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-Starfire-I-SC-ElectronicsJoints.jpg

The pictures are from GAD's review:

Guild Newark St. Starfire I SC Review | GAD's Ramblings

Here we have a 2020 Guild Starfire I SC (single cut) in Seafoam Green that I absolutely had to have based on the color alone. There is a fair bit of stir in the online guitar forums about these Starfire I guitars, most of which revolves around the question, how is Guild making these for …

www.gad.net

Ralf

 

[lizardville]

Aren't the volume pots in your guitar push/pull pots?
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-Starfire-I-SC-ElectronicsGroundKnot.jpg
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-2020-NewarkSt-SFI-SC.png

The whole harness and soldering work is not the greatest as you see here in GAD's review of a single cutaway Starfire I:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-Starfire-I-SC-ElectronicsMessyWiring.jpg
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/3020/05/Guild-Starfire-I-SC-ElectronicsJoints.jpg

The pictures are from GAD's review:

Guild Newark St. Starfire I SC Review | GAD's Ramblings

Here we have a 2020 Guild Starfire I SC (single cut) in Seafoam Green that I absolutely had to have based on the color alone. There is a fair bit of stir in the online guitar forums about these Starfire I guitars, most of which revolves around the question, how is Guild making these for …

www.gad.net

Ralf

Yes, you are correct and they are push/pull type of pots.
I found that article myself and really put me off about trying to fix it myself or find someone locally.
It's a shame because the guitar looks and sound great for what it actually cost. But now we now where they Compromise the QC.
So I think in the end I will have to get it fixed by the oficial service and wait patiently for its return from the UK. ( With all the delay brexit will mean in this case).
At least , the guaranty will cover all cost.
Thanks and I will keep you informed.

 

[DrumBob]

My final thoughts on the sample sent to me for review was, it was pretty good, not great, but if you don't want to spring for an expensive electric 12-string, it'll do.

I took it to a gig this summer for the lead guitarist to play, and his response was, "Next time, bring your Rickenbacker."

 

[matsickma]

Curious if his preference was based on the Rickenbacker because he was accustomed to the tone of the lower octave string being in front of the higher octave string?

 

[DrumBob]

Curious if his preference was based on the Rickenbacker because he was accustomed to the tone of the lower octave string being in front of the higher octave string?

He didn't say, but he likes Rick 12 strings, and he especially likes my 330-12 FireGlo, which is the best Rick 12 I have ever played. I will say that the Guild didn't stay in tune very well on the gig. He had to retune after every song. He also said it didn't quite have the same jangle qualities as the Rick. I have Toaster pickups on both my Rick 12s.

 

[matsickma]

The "staying in tune" concern is essentially a hardware issue so the low price point for the SF1-12 may be the culprit. I am intrigued by the the HB2/coil split SC mode that can alter the overall guitar tone.

Do the Ric's toaster pickups sound like DeArmond 2000?

 

[DrumBob]

The "staying in tune" concern is essentially a hardware issue so the low price point for the SF1-12 may be the culprit. I am intrigued by the the HB2/coil split SC mode that can alter the overall guitar tone.

Do the Ric's toaster pickups sound like DeArmond 2000?

No, they don't. Similar, but the Toasters win in this contest. My two Rick 12 strings came with Hi Gain pickups and I refitted Toasters on both. They have more jangle.

 

[lizardville]

Hi again.
Mi love/hate story with this guitar continues.
The distribuitor decided to replaced my guitar after they did a crappy job replacing The potenciometer. Their guitar tech somehow managed to bend The stop tail screws.
So, I received a brand new one. I decided to replaced The strings because I'm used to using 11's and I prefered a wound 3rd.
But while installing The low A string (gauge 42). The plastic nut snapped...
So... I've written to guild asking where could a get a proper replacement as their store only offer acoustic 12 string nuts.
I've found this on thomann

Graph Tech GT PQ 1568 00 Nut Sl 12 String

Cejuela 12 Cuerdas Con muescas, Hasta un 16% más de sustain, Tono brillanteDimensiones: Longitud: 47,63 mm, Ancho: 4,75 mm, Altura: 8,66 mm

www.thomann.de

It seems to be a little longer than the 43mm that show the guild Web.
Could anyone help me to find a suitable one?
Worse case scenario, I'll take it to my guitar tech to build me one to specs.

Thanks in advance

 

[chazmo]

Hi again.
Mi love/hate story with this guitar continues.
The distribuitor decided to replaced my guitar after they did a crappy job replacing The potenciometer. Their guitar tech somehow managed to bend The stop tail screws.
So, I received a brand new one. I decided to replaced The strings because I'm used to using 11's and I prefered a wound 3rd.
But while installing The low A string (gauge 42). The plastic nut snapped...
So... I've written to guild asking where could a get a proper replacement as their store only offer 12 string nuts.
I've found this on thomann

Graph Tech GT PQ 1568 00 Nut Sl 12 String

Cejuela 12 Cuerdas Con muescas, Hasta un 16% más de sustain, Tono brillanteDimensiones: Longitud: 47,63 mm, Ancho: 4,75 mm, Altura: 8,66 mm

www.thomann.de

It seems to be a little longer than the 43mm that show the guild Web.
Could anyone help me to find a suitable one?
Worse case scenario, I'll take it to my guitar tech to build me one to specs.

Thanks in advance

Yikes. Not a good story.