1965 Guild Starfire Bass

[kittyboy]

*** SOLD ***

Here's another bass I thought I'd keep forever, but I'm playing more upright again and an acoustic electric bass is now redundant for me.

I bought the bass in san francisco 10 years ago from a guy who'd had it since 1969. The Starfire only came with one pickup in '65 and '66, so like a lot of his heroes were doing, this guy had Rick Turner install a second hagstrom bisonic pickup, around 1970. At some point the tuners were changed to schallers--they work smoothly and evenly. A brass nut was also installed.

The bass has obviously been refinished, but I think the natural look on this bass is very flattering. The binding is complete and well-fit to the body. There is an extra hole where the input used to be, right next to the current location. Knobs are repro, but they're cool. The strap button was lowered; the bass balances well.

There is an old repair to the headstock that will put some of you off this bass, but it's not that bad. It was a serious crack, but the headstock was not snapped off, and it was well-repaired. It's been there since I've had the bass and is totally stable.

The bass has been strung with the same set of TI flats for a few years, and I have the original case, which I think is quite rare.


I'm valuing the bass at $850 and the case at $150 and will accept $925 if you want to keep the two together.

Trades are a possibility, but cash is king.

Possible trades might include cool P/Js, Ps with J necks, and telecaster-style guitars. But again, cash is king.

Here are some specs:

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildStarfireBass.php

and here's an article listing the Starfire as one of the 10 most important electric basses in rock and roll history:

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildStarfireBass.php

[kittyboy]

more pics:

[kittyboy]

more:

[GeneralElectric]

oooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo


This is very tempting...

[plasson]

if it wasn't for the crack I'd be all over it...
aaaaaaahhhh so tempting...

[Vakmere]

Call Jack Cassidy, He'll like this one.

[kittyboy]

To answer some questions that were PM'd:

*The frets are original and virtually new. The guy I bought the bass from didn't play much

*Aside from the headstock crack the neck is very clean

*Action is excellent, bass received a pro setup at 30th St Guitars a few years back, plays very easily

[GeneralElectric]

You have the TRC by chance?

[mellowgerman]

PM'd

[Luckie]

Pm'd

[plasson]

would you consider selling the pickups alone?

[kittyboy]

Originally Posted by plasson

would you consider selling the pickups alone?

It's possible, but not likely. I've already received several quality trade offers, which I'm mulling over, and am still waiting to see if I get a good cash offer...

[Blues Bass 2]

I had a 67 Starfire II in the early 70's and it was just a great sounding and playing bass if you are into the short scale . Before the Guild I had a Gibson EB-3 and the Guild just stomped it tone wise . As long as the headstock repair is done well this is an awesome bass .

[BassesForTheWin]

bump

[kittyboy]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

You have the TRC by chance?

TRC is mia, but replacements are available on ebay for not much coin...

[kittyboy]

lots of nice trade offers so far

i bought something yesterday, so cash or mostly-cash offers get priority, but i'm open to hearing any offers you might have

[Luckie]

Bump to curry trade favor.

[kittyboy]

bump, last call for cash and trade offers

[bassman0902]

PM'ed

[kittyboy]

bump