Thunderbird kickstand

[merpt]

In 1964/65, I purchased 2 Guild Guitars from Lou Dronge (Al's brother). I have been a "Guild Guy" ever since. Currently I am looking to purchase a kickstand for the Guild Thunderbird. I woul greatly appreciate any help finding one of these.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! Interesting story! Feel free to post some pictures, we always love pictures.
Somebody will answer soon I'm sure, but as far as I remember an original one was not found, I remember people who made a copy however.

Ralf

 

[BradHK]

I have been keeping my eyes open for an original kickstand but I have not yet seen one pop up for sale. I needed one for a guitar I purchased so I decided to make one. Luckily I had another Thunderbird with the kickstand to measure and copy. I used an original hinge (I see them pop up for sale every so often) and made the kickstand out of stock steel that matched the dimensions of the original. Cut, shaped and polished. I might get it chromed but I am waiting on the next time I get some stuff chromed to add to the job. Just an FYI, if you find a used one make sure it is for a Thunderbird rather than a Polara as the Thunderbird kickstand is longer. This is the result:

 

[Bill Ashton]

Is this not a "Danger, Will Robinson!" kinda add-on? Prolly removed from the OP's guitar for a reason?

 

[merpt]

1st three purchased.

 

[merpt]

I have been keeping my eyes open for an original kickstand but I have not yet seen one pop up for sale. I needed one for a guitar I purchased so I decided to make one. Luckily I had another Thunderbird with the kickstand to measure and copy. I used an original hinge (I see them pop up for sale every so often) and made the kickstand out of stock steel that matched the dimensions of the original. Cut, shaped and polished. I might get it chromed but I am waiting on the next time I get some stuff chromed to add to the job. Just an FYI, if you find a used one make sure it is for a Thunderbird rather than a Polara as the Thunderbird kickstand is longer. This is the result:

Nice job. Finding the hinge is paramount.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

Some info in this old thread you might find useful...Hans suggested a hardware store hinge and the dimensions are listed by a former Guild employee.

the infamous crash-o-matic stand

gents, I'm new here I was looking for info on the built-in stands as used on the S100 and S200 guitars and found this forum, so I figured this would be the best place to ask can anybody post a picture of the the hinge of the built-in stand, how it is assembled to the stand and onto the back...

letstalkguild.com

 

[Hobbesickles]

1st three purchased.

What year is your Starfire VI?

 

[chazmo]

Welcome to LTG, merpt! Good luck in the hunt for a new kickstand.

Some beautiful Guilds you have there. Looks like you've kept them in great shape!

 

[sailingshoes72]

Is this not a "Danger, Will Robinson!" kinda add-on? Prolly removed from the OP's guitar for a reason?

Here's my contribution to a "kickstand" discussion. I lifted it from an earlier thread about the music of Tom Petty.

I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers back in 1995 during the "Dogs With Wings Tour". He and the band sounded terrific and they played all the songs that I wanted to hear. Mike Campbell played his red Guild Thunderbird during the show and then engaged the "kickstand" and set it up onstage. It was amazing that no one knocked it over as they moved around the stage the rest of the night.

 

[merpt]

What year is your Starfire VI?

1974

 

[merpt]

1974

 

[merpt]

2nd 3 purchase.
1st is a Guild Capri, 2nd a Guild Stratford and third is a Guild Starfire 3. All 3 have gold hardware. In 1963 or 64, I saw the Kingsmen of "Louie Louie" fame at the Surf Ballroom in Nantasket Beach, MA. Mike Mitchel was the guitar player using a Starfire 3 (blew my mind). This was my introduction to the Garage Band genre.

 

[chazmo]

Your guitars are really, really in beautiful shape, @merpt . Were all bought new?

 

[merpt]

Your guitars are really, really in beautiful shape, @merpt . Were all bought new?

Yes. The old Polara and the Starfire 6 were bought through Lou Dronge in the mid sixties and early seventies. My first Starfire was stolen in 73 and Lou got me a replacemnt. All the others are recent purchases.

 

[chazmo]

Wonderful. @merpt !

Bummer about the Starfire, but I'm glad you got a replacement!

By the way, I've not heard much (if any) discussion about Lou Dronge... Was he part of Guild? Or, perhaps he was a guitar dealer?

I don't remember Mark Dronge mentioning Lou either when he spoke to us back in New Hartford in 2013.

 

[GGJaguar]

Fabulous guitars, @merpt!! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[merpt]

Wonderful. @merpt !

Bummer about the Starfire, but I'm glad you got a replacement!

By the way, I've not heard much (if any) discussion about Lou Dronge... Was he part of Guild? Or, perhaps he was a guitar dealer?

I don't remember Mark Dronge mentioning Lou either when he spoke to us back in New Hartford in 2013.

Lou was Al's brother and the head of the Northeast Guild Distribution. I bought the guitars from Pulsifer School of Music in Newton, MA and that is where I met Lou. Somewhere in Guild literature there is a picture of him with his brother.

 

[merpt]

Wonderful. @merpt !

Bummer about the Starfire, but I'm glad you got a replacement!

By the way, I've not heard much (if any) discussion about Lou Dronge... Was he part of Guild? Or, perhaps he was a guitar dealer?

I don't remember Mark Dronge mentioning Lou either when he spoke to us back in New Hartford in 2013.

This is the best I can do for the Serial Nnumber. Guitar is black.

 

[Hobbesickles]

This is the best I can do for the Serial Nnumber. Guitar is black.

Wow, that is 3 numbers away from mine if I am reading yours correctly. Mine finished in Walnut and the serial is 104249.