Hello there. I got hold of a Starfire which is in need of some attention. That might be putting it lightly. But the guitar is basically only a chassis. I don't know any history of it. It was one of those estate kind of deals. So I don't know if it was used as a parts donor, or if it was on its way to an upgrade or clean and the body lost contact with the rest. But the price was right, I liked how it felt in the hand and how it looks, and I always wanted a Guild. Since I happened to be looking for this type of guitar, I bought it.
It's a Guild Starfire 4. One of the older ones, with the harp tailpiece and the master volume control. It's only the body and a cracked tailpiece. It seems it had been sitting this way for some time. It's dirty, gunky and need a good deep clean. So no tuners, no pickups, no electronics. I did a cleaning test on a small part of the body and it seems it will look just fine after a good clean and a buff. Body is not damaged, neck is straight. Everything is fine structurally speaking.
I have already had a look around and parts don't seem exactly readily available. But I'm not worried about keeping it 100% original, matching years etc. I just want to get it to be playable. At least for now.
Pickups seem to be one of the sticking points. I think they came with HB1s? They don't show up often and when they do they cost a bit. I know there are HB1 reissues. No idea if they fit or sound as good. Another option which I most likely would prefer over a reissue HB1 would be a De Armond. Somebody had a guitar with them and it sounded absolutely stunning! Despite being humbuckers by the looks and size of them, they sounded different in some scale. Again no idea if they would fit. Seems the same size as humbuckers so maybe. Haven't seen one for years, so memory might be failing. I checked and they seem to be rare as well. But maybe a little easier to find than HB1s and also better priced. Although maybe not so different in that last point. From the sound side, a toss really. HB1s seem quite Gibson like? The De Armonds have a different mojo somehow. Quite like it. But would be happy with either one. Which ever I could get my hands on first.
The next hard to get would be the tailpiece it seems. I know the new ones have a version with the harp. But I have no idea if it would fit. I guess if the distances do, holes can be customized. As long as the piece cover the holes on the body.
Electronics will probably be the easiest. I don't even need to follow any original wiring. But did they have 50's wiring? I would guess not and just your now conventional way.
Tuners, it seems they came with Grovers? I guess there will be no problems there.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this through. It has a bit of a dog rescue feel to it. She deserves a second life and some enjoyment playing again. I'm hoping I will have the chance to exchange some ideas here throughout the process and get her up and running as soon as possible. Thank you.
It's a Guild Starfire 4. One of the older ones, with the harp tailpiece and the master volume control. It's only the body and a cracked tailpiece. It seems it had been sitting this way for some time. It's dirty, gunky and need a good deep clean. So no tuners, no pickups, no electronics. I did a cleaning test on a small part of the body and it seems it will look just fine after a good clean and a buff. Body is not damaged, neck is straight. Everything is fine structurally speaking.
I have already had a look around and parts don't seem exactly readily available. But I'm not worried about keeping it 100% original, matching years etc. I just want to get it to be playable. At least for now.
Pickups seem to be one of the sticking points. I think they came with HB1s? They don't show up often and when they do they cost a bit. I know there are HB1 reissues. No idea if they fit or sound as good. Another option which I most likely would prefer over a reissue HB1 would be a De Armond. Somebody had a guitar with them and it sounded absolutely stunning! Despite being humbuckers by the looks and size of them, they sounded different in some scale. Again no idea if they would fit. Seems the same size as humbuckers so maybe. Haven't seen one for years, so memory might be failing. I checked and they seem to be rare as well. But maybe a little easier to find than HB1s and also better priced. Although maybe not so different in that last point. From the sound side, a toss really. HB1s seem quite Gibson like? The De Armonds have a different mojo somehow. Quite like it. But would be happy with either one. Which ever I could get my hands on first.
The next hard to get would be the tailpiece it seems. I know the new ones have a version with the harp. But I have no idea if it would fit. I guess if the distances do, holes can be customized. As long as the piece cover the holes on the body.
Electronics will probably be the easiest. I don't even need to follow any original wiring. But did they have 50's wiring? I would guess not and just your now conventional way.
Tuners, it seems they came with Grovers? I guess there will be no problems there.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this through. It has a bit of a dog rescue feel to it. She deserves a second life and some enjoyment playing again. I'm hoping I will have the chance to exchange some ideas here throughout the process and get her up and running as soon as possible. Thank you.