What is a 1966 Guild Starfire III supposed to sound like?

[adorshki]

Weird to see Jerry age like that. He looked about the same for 20 years and then, boom!
I think a lot of bands in the 1960's used Guilds, didn't they? Hans would know why but I suspect that Guild was far more open to endorsement deals and had an agent in the music biz who clued them in on up and coming bands. Had to be that (plus the fact that the Guilds were cheaper than Gibson models, correct?)
So many mid 1960's rock bands used Guild, a lot from the West Coast..
Interesting history.

Funny you should mention that but a lot of folks here feel Guild DIDN'T do enough to promote the brand that way. I suspect it might also have something to do with their willingness to make a special order for just about anybody. The Dead actually went to Westerly in '69 I think it was, and Bobby came back with a special Starfire (?), pictured in Hans' book. I know Paul Simon used one, Yanovsky from the Lovin' Spoonful used an early Thunderbird, used on every hit single, reported in the intro to Hans Moust's "Guild Guitar Book". Remember "Summer In The City" ?. In a "Behind the Album" (or whatever the heck they call it) segment on "Disreali Gears" Clapton mentions being inspired by a Spoonful tune for the progression for "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and also was an endorser, his picture with an F50R is in Hans' book and one of my buddies who's deeper into Clapton trivia than me says its that axe (or at least an F50) on "Thorntree in the Garden" on Layla. There's Yardbirds footage of Beck with an early F212 for "Heart Full Of Soul". Keef Richards was reported to be using an M75 (?) very early in the Stones, like '65? (reported on this forum.) Steve Miller with 12 string on cover of "Rock Love". Casady played a Starfire bass which became one of the first Alembics....Hendrix had a 12-string (I have a picture of the receipt from Manny's in one of the Hendrix bios but don't rememebr which one at the moment) Of course as soon as I go home tonight I'll remember some more, but as you can probably tell I LOVED the pop/rock music scene from about '64 thru about '71 with a special love for the San Francisco scene...since I grew up near there. There's another thread around here of "Guild Players" that covers a lot of other folks too. I just wanted to inflame your nostalgia, maybe stimulate you to pull out some vinyl this weekend...I sure will!
Note edited for accuracy twice.

 

[Steve Hoffman]

I think that the flashy red Guild Starfire on the cover of that Reprise Kinks album back when I was a kid (was it "Kinda Kinks"?) made me aware of Guilds. Such a pretty red color. Fun stuff.

 

[billydlight]

pull the neck pickup and flip the leads. They are connected to lugs. Its easy. Why be out of phase??

 

[Steve Hoffman]

Checked. Mine is not out. Adjusted the two volumes as instructed in earlier post. Perfect now.
8)

 

[GAD]

Checked. Mine is not out. Adjusted the two volumes as instructed in earlier post. Perfect now.
8)

See - you answered your own question. How is a '66 SFII supposed to sound?

Perfect.

 

[coastie99]

I think that the flashy red Guild Starfire on the cover of that Reprise Kinks album back when I was a kid (was it "Kinda Kinks"?) made me aware of Guilds. Such a pretty red color. Fun stuff.

That would be "The Kink Kontroversy" Steve. Still sounds great.

First Guild I ever saw, and for some freaky reason, the image remained always in my head.

Delightful little Kinks ditty here, at 4.10 ............... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5DibWsJW9Y

 

[Steve Hoffman]

Love PICTURE BOOK, thanks. Hard to believe that Ray and Dave didn't get along after watching that.

Great band. Glad they played a Guild at some point in their career. :!:

 

[adorshki]

So many mid 1960's rock bands used Guild, a lot from the West Coast..
Interesting history.

I was so focused on electric when I first responded to this, I forgot what may be the most importanat one of all: A Guild D40 opening Woodstock in the hands of one Mr. R. Havens...and in the background during "Freedom" on can briefly spy what appears to be an F50 in the care of a bandmate, which can be heard during same set...I can't think of a way to beat THOSE creds! :lol:

 

[Default]

Just as an aside, Jerry referred to having a Starfire "before he developed musical taste" and "it had a bright sound he kind of liked."

I don't think Guild played the endorsement game very well. From what I've heard, endorsement deals were two free guitars a year, at least in Buddy Guy's case. That kind of pales in comparison to Fender and Gibson's cash payments.

 

[capnjuan]

... I think a lot of bands in the 1960's used Guilds ...

Hi Steve ... and some mid-60s boy-bands too

 

[Default]

That"s what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Anything by the Kingsmen too!

 

[fab467]

... I think a lot of bands in the 1960's used Guilds ...

Hi Steve ... and some mid-60s boy-bands too

Great band... 8)

With or without the Guilds. Though probably better with! Thanks Capn... :wink:

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Fab; no Guilds here either but one of the great hair bands ... :wink:

 

[Default]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GeYgT5 ... re=related

 

[capnjuan]

Sal and the Beaux ... looking for answers ...
[Expand player at lower left, open Playlist, scroll to number #26 ... keep kleenex handy ]

 

[Default]

Nine Pound Hammer. :shock:

 

[fab467]

Hi Fab; no Guilds here either but one of the great hair bands ... :wink:

Great song capn and co-written by Sonny Bono!

 

[fab467]

Sal and the Beaux ... looking for answers ...
[Expand player at lower left, open Playlist, scroll to number #26 ... keep kleenex handy ]

Enjoying the memories fellas.

Here's one our garage band did back in the day... http://new.music.yahoo.com/beau-brummels/tracks/dont-talk-to-strangers--217346924

 

[Steve Hoffman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GeYgT58d0&feature=related

Sorry to bump this old thread but I used to love these guys as well. Takes me back to being a kid.. Thanks for the links, folks.

 

[hobo]

I was under the impression that the Starfire on the first Dead record had the DeArmonds. (however, I do subscribe to the belief that tone is in the fingers, whatever the count)