Dearmond Starfire Bass

[Stevns]

Hey Justin

I was wondering if you ever had tried a Dearmond Starfire bass? and if you have what do you think of it?

I live in Denmark and it is impossible to find a Guild Starfire bass in this cold and chilly country, so I have thought about buying a Dearmond instead.

Thanks for taking you time here at Talkbass to answer questions. I'm a big fan of your playing and thanks for a fantastic concert at the Roskilde Festival last summer! Simply amazing!

Stevns

[lunarpollen]

I've heard that the DeArmond Starfires are excellent, almost as good as actual Guilds but for a lot less money.

[jmjbassplayer]

Fender sent me one, it sucked, I sent it back. It was totally lifeless, had poor build quality, and a weird neck bow. Didn't really rate next to my Guilds. Maybe mine was a dud...I'd like to think so. Hate to say it, but that was my firsthand, subjective experience.

JMJ

[Stevns]

Ok. Thanks for your opinion. I will wait for a Guild to show up then!

[Pirkka]

I have tried to find Guild Starfire but it seems like you can't find them in Europe or those who have them won't sell them. Not in eBay or anywhere. I live in Finland and I have DeArmond Starfire, it's nice bass and I just have to go with it before I find Guild. Maybe at some point I'll change Darkstar pickups in it. I bought my DeArmond from Stockholm. I have seen two DeArmonds in Finland before I bought mine, I guess they are pretty rare round here.

Big reason why I wanted Starfire with flats was this one bassplayer with fro and song about laws and sex. I once got to play it live, it was great.

But hey,Stevns, if you find some place in copenhagen with Guild starfires hanging on the walls, please contact me. It takes something like 1,5 hour to fly there from Helsinki.

[Stevns]

He he. I'll give you a headsup if I find one or two but dont count on it. I have never seen a Guild in Denmark.

I think I will give the dearmond a chance and try it out. I will return with a review.

Stevns

[ShoeManiac]

There really is something awesome about hollowbodies. If you're looking for a hollowbody in general, there are a couple on the market that are definitely worth checking out: the Epiphone Jack Casady signature bass, and the Lakland Hollowbody. I own a Jack Casady and it's got a fantastic range of tones. I've also played the Skyline version of the Lakland and it played and sounded amazing.

And if you're really set on that Starfire style tone? Try putting some darkstar pickups in either one of those hollowbody basses. Those pickups really capture the essence of the original Guild Starfire's pickups.

PS: there's a vintage Guild Starfire listed for sale currently.

[Lavrans]

Enjoyable thread. For future reference here's the story on Starfire scales:

Guild Starfire (Original): Short scale 30.5”
DeArmond Starfire (re-issue): Medium scale 32”
Epiphone Jack Casady (New): Long scale 34”

As I have the DeArmand, I did a search and found a good set of strings (on Amazon!)
-D'Addario ENR71M Half-Round Bass Guitar Strings, Medium Scale, Light- which play quite well.

[Lavrans]

Here's some background about me and my DeArmond Starfire. I got it on eBay a month or so ago for under $500. It's my first bass, although I've been messing about with guitars for many years. I'm largely influenced by late 60's guys like Casady, Lesh, Bruce and Entwhistle. (Saw them all play live back in the day..) I also like later players like Jaco, Mark Egan, Michael Manring.
I have a Peavey MAX 126 practice amp, with a tube-like "vintage" setting. I mostly practice with headphones so I don't bother the neighbors. I just sent away for the Digitech 'Bass Squeeze' to see if I can get some of that Jaco sustain higher up. I'm playing D'addario light gauge medium scale half rounds, and like them very much. I can't afford Dark Star pickups, but am OK with the De Armonds.
I'm a retiree and have no intention of gigging professionally- it's a hobby thing for me, although I would like to maybe just jam with people sometime. ( I live in Cambridge MA.)
One of my goals is to take a weekend workshop at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace ranch in Ohio with Jack Casady sometime next year. ( I've been going there for guitar workshops for a couple of years.)

So tell me about your experiences with the DeArmond Starfire?