Starfire IV in Clearwater, FL

[micklevanon]

FYI - There's an absolutely gorgeous and mint 97 SF4 for sale at Stevie B's in Clearwater. Asking price is $1395. The colour is sort of cherry, or a reddish mahogany. All I know is this thing looks like it just came out of the factory, it's that clean. Great player too. I have pictures if anyone is interested.

cheers
m

 

[Thunderface]

Stevie B's! My first S-100, the walnut '73 Standard, came from Stevie B's.

 

[micklevanon]

Cool. Nice git. Love the case too.

cheers
m

 

[cestlamort]

This one?

Very, very clean.

 

[micklevanon]

Cleanest SF4 I've ever seen. If I came even remotely close to playing that type of guitar I'd buy it for myself. It's a stunner.

cheers
m

 

[Geo]

I’m currently saving my GAS fund for a SF4 but still a couple of months from seriously shopping for one.

This one looks great. How does a ’97 compare to the earlier SF4? I like the look of the harp tailpiece over the Gibby style stop tailpiece but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Will Stevie B’s haggle or are they firm on their prices?

George

 

[micklevanon]

Hi George,

I can't help you with the difference between 97 and earlier. I do know this has been hanging in the shop for a couple of months now, and they will haggle.

I also have about 7 or 8 photos of the guitar showing much more detail.

Full disclosure, I have no connection to the shop other than I get work done there. But I have a good relationship with Joe, the manager there (Stevie, the owner, is in the shop in Butler, PA).

cheers
m

 

[GAD]

I’m currently saving my GAS fund for a SF4 but still a couple of months from seriously shopping for one.

This one looks great. How does a ’97 compare to the earlier SF4? I like the look of the harp tailpiece over the Gibby style stop tailpiece but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Will Stevie B’s haggle or are they firm on their prices?

George

Depends on what you mean by "earlier". Assuming you mean 70s or 60s models:

A '97 will have a 1 11/16" wide fretboard at the nut vs. 1 5/8" for older models. I've had 90s Starfires dated from 1994 and later, and they all had wider fretboards. Thicker too - the 60s and 70s seemed to be a pencil neck period for Guild. This alone caused me to sell all my vintage Guilds and stick with 90s models. The 97 may have SD1s in it (mine did). Older ones will have HB1s. The 90s models are thinner bodied than the older ones. There's some variation in my experience, but the 70s were all thicker. I have a picture of the difference around here somewhere. You noted the tailpiece difference. To me, it's cosmetic only. Someone did a comparison of two old ES335s that were identical except for the tailpiece, and he felt no difference, and you could hear none in the video. I've heard arguments for days on either, but I think it's more important on a fully hollow guitar.

HTH,

GAD

 

[Geo]

Thank you GAD!! Very good info and exactly what I wanted to know. :wink:

I sent Stevie B's an email with an offer late yesterday evening,,, haven't received a counter offer yet. If they work with me I might pull the trigger. Deals usually come along when my wallet isn't quite ready but I've chose guitars over food before. :lol:

George

 

[Geo]

Well, the SF IV is on consignment, so they can’t come down very much on the price. Looks like I’ll be able to eat this month after all. :lol:

It would be a good one to have but I'll keep shopping.

George

 

[micklevanon]

Ah, sorry to hear that George, I don't remember Joe (the manager there) telling me it was on consignment. But hey, on the plus side, food is good!

 

[Geo]

Yep, Joe is the one that replied to my email. I especially like the color and condition of that sweet SF & it’s probably worth the money but I want to spend closer to 1K. Joe said they could only knock $100 off the asking price.

Thanks for the heads-up on it. Hope it finds a good home.

George

 

[micklevanon]

Joe's a stand up guy, has never steered me wrong. I hope she finds a good home too, but I also wish I played an electric, I'd bring her home with me!

cheers
m

 

[Geo]

If it’s still available when May rolls around I might have a serious talk with Joe. It makes it easier to consider buying online, knowing a fellow member has already check it out.

A Starfire IV is very high on my GAS list. 8)

George