Stepped vs rounded pickguards?

[jcwu]

Hello hollowbody experts!

I'm just curious, with the reintroduction of the Guild Starfire, I'm picking up a dislike of the rounded pickguard, almost as if the stepped pickguard has a revered place in Guild lore. Is there a particular reason? Didn't the rounded pickguard come first?

For what it's worth.. I totally dig the rounded pickguard. It just looks more... feminine to me, and I like that. I really do. Just wondering if there was more to the preference for the stepped guards than just personal preference.

 

[SFIV1967]

Good question! Yes, the rounded pickguard was first, as also written in Hans' book on page 34. That's also the page where Hans explains in which year the stairstep pickguard was introduced on the Johnny Smith model as first model. Just looking through Hans book shows all kind of other models which used the stairstep pickguard in the early years.
Why they changed from the rounded to the stairsteps? No idea, I guess purely a design change. Since the Starfire IV, V and VI line was introduced after that change happened, they always had the stairstep pickguard. Hence it's unusual to now see the new GSR Starfire VI with the rounded version, as that never existed on a Starfire IV, V or VI in the past. I think that is why you noticed the "dislike" of the rounded version on the GSR Starfire VI. But the more I look at it, the more I actually like it as well.
Ralf

 

[Default]

I like them both! That's why I need more guitars. 8)

 

[kakerlak]

Good question! Yes, the rounded pickguard was first, as also written in Hans' book on page 34. That's also the page where Hans explains in which year the stairstep pickguard was introduced on the Johnny Smith model as first model. Just looking through Hans book shows all kind of other models which used the stairstep pickguard in the early years.
Why they changed from the rounded to the stairsteps? No idea, I guess purely a design change. Since the Starfire IV, V and VI line was introduced after that change happened, they always had the stairstep pickguard. Hence it's unusual to now see the new GSR Starfire VI with the rounded version, as that never existed on a Starfire IV, V or VI in the past. I think that is why you noticed the "dislike" of the rounded version on the GSR Starfire VI. But the more I look at it, the more I actually like it as well.
Ralf

The Burt Weedon (sp?) model is a gap-bridger...

 

[Jeff Haddad]

I always considered the stepped pickguard as sort of a nod to "'60's futurama" styling. I like the rounded guard better on archtops, but I didn't really care for it as much on that new Starfire. Maybe it'll grow on me, but it sure is great to see some Guild electrics again!

 

[Walter Broes]

I love the rounded pickguards, they just look weird on a Starfire IV, because Starfire IV's never came with those. I think the laminated spruce top on the new Starfire is weird too. I'm very underwhelmed by the looks and specs of that guitar, if I'm enterily honest, especially for $4000.

 

[matsickma]

I have a fondness for the rounded pickguards my self and I like the "chevron" symbol. It is kind of curious why Guild adopted it in the early years. I also perfer the clear plexi pickguards with the painted black back.

In gerenal my preference in pickguird style tends toward the Guild era. Any new electrics these days are great to see.

Guild should reissue the Aristocrat and Thunderbird even if it was a limited run for NAMM.

M

 

[Zelja]

Guild should reissue the Aristocrat and Thunderbird even if it was a limited run for NAMM.

Agree, especially the Aristocrat as it would be relatively unique on the market.