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How much is my Guild Starfire Worth?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Oldbasslover, Jul 8, 2013.

  1. Jul 8, 2013 #1
    Oldbasslover

    Oldbasslover Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Florida
    I have a Guild Starfire Bass that I bought used in the early 70's (72-73?) that I just don't play much any more. It is very difficult to determine how much these guitars go for, and have seen prices from the $1000 range to the $3500 range...

    According to the Vintage Guitar Magazine article here my bass was produced in the early 70's due to the neck position of the pickup. Although the Dating Your Guild website here shows the serial number made in 1967. So, I am not sure.

    Lots and lots of sentimental value in this guitar - I am really loathe to sell it, but I would love to afford a "premium" bass - such as a Sadowsky, or an Alembic to be able to play until I get Alzheimer's.... ;)

    Any help with either worth, or websites that can be helpful would be great. I have done a lot of searching around, and can't find any websites that are helpful. Ebay is obviously all over the place...

    Overall, she's in pretty good shape as you can see from the pictures. It is all stock, except had to replace the nut, although I still have the original nut if some collector wanted to have a totally stock instrument - can't play it though with the original nut due to wear of the 4th string groove causes buzzing unless you like your action really really high...

    There is are dings here and there - a bit of buckle rash that is not through the finish. Some finish wear on the back of the neck. Binding is pretty good all around. There could be a tiny bit of separation, but it is actually hard to tell if the binding is separated, or just some chips off the finish.

    Lots of pictures, and could put up more, but looking for some good advice from folks here. I hope some people are interested in this piece of rock and roll history if for nothing else that there are not so many of these floating around anymore...

    FWIW, I have the OHSC case that came with it. Obviously has some signs of wear, and the padding is not as thick as it used to be, but I still use the case to keep the guitar in it, and take it places when I go to play. It still protects it well.
     

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  2. Jul 8, 2013 #2
    Oldbasslover

    Oldbasslover Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Florida
    More pictures
     

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  3. Jul 8, 2013 #3
    Oldbasslover

    Oldbasslover Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Florida
    more pictures
     

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  4. Jul 8, 2013 #4
    Oldbasslover

    Oldbasslover Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Florida
    some more pictures showing the defects around the binding.
     

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  5. Jul 8, 2013 #5
    Oldbasslover

    Oldbasslover Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Florida
    some head bangs and whatnot from playing too damn close to the drummer and his cymbals... ahh youth, and not worrying about damage....
     

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  6. Jul 8, 2013 #6
    BobaFret

    BobaFret

    Jan 22, 2008
    Exactly the amount of money somebody would pay for it.
     
  7. Jul 8, 2013 #7
    Jim Carr

    Jim Carr Dr. Jim

    Jan 21, 2006
    Denton, TX or Kailua, HI
    fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
    Nice bass. I had a '66 but with a mickey-mouse pickup in the bridge position.
     
  8. Jul 8, 2013 #8
    Woodsbass

    Woodsbass

    Apr 11, 2011
    Carleton County, New Brunswick
    Just one of the great answers that makes me really think that supporting membership is worth it.
     
  9. Jul 8, 2013 #9
    D.M.N.

    D.M.N. (O))))

    Oct 6, 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
    I'll give you $200.



    No, but seriously, you can get some good cash for that, it appears to be in pretty good condition and has the Bisonic. I'm no expert, but I've seen ones in a lot worse condition sell near the $1500 mark, I don't think $2000-2500 would be hard to get with this one. Of course, as I said, I'm nowhere near authoritative on the subject, just basing on what I've seen others sell for.


    By the way, given the Bisonic, it's most likely a 1967 model, I can't remember exactly when the Bisonic was phased out, but it was in the early 70s.
     
  10. Jul 8, 2013 #10
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
    I don't know, but I love it. Gorgeous bass.
     
  11. Jul 9, 2013 #11
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Dr.-Evil-One-Million-Dollars.png

    Nice bass, man! Not sure what it's worth but I'd keep it.
     
  12. Jul 9, 2013 #12
    JxBass

    JxBass

    Aug 5, 2008
    Me too, I still have mine. Like Phephron, I don't play it much but it has tons of sentimental value for me as well. I've sold a bunch of pretty neat basses and some that were quite collectible, but not this one. Put me in the camp that says "keep it" and try to find another way to fund the new bass.
     
  13. Jul 9, 2013 #13
    4OnTheFloor

    4OnTheFloor

    Apr 19, 2010
    Youngstown, OH
    +1
     
  14. Jul 9, 2013 #14
    chadds

    chadds

    Mar 18, 2000
    Not a sarcastic comment. It is funny.;)
    If someone will pay $25,000 if even for sentimental value that could raise the price of all of the similar ones out there.

    I'd keep it. It's original and another may not come your way. Yet to each his own. I think you have some other bass you could flip. Don't you? ;)

    You may go through a bunch of Sadowskis, Alembics etc. until you find the one. In fact the vast difference between the ones you wish to try says you're in for a fun search.

    Keep the Guild. :)
     
  15. Jul 9, 2013 #15
    krysh

    krysh

    May 27, 2008
    near hamburg * germany
    you can check www.letstalkguild.com for more infos and there even someone might be very tempted. it has the 60's bridge that was discontinued in 1967 so this should be a 1967 starfire 1 bass with the more rare sunburst and so a maple body. are the wooden saddles original?
    if all is original (OHSC included) in this condition with a little patience you should be able to get around US$2000, but if you don't have to sell it, keep it, worth will increase with time.
     
  16. Jul 9, 2013 #16
    spufman

    spufman Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2005
    Central CT
    That's a nice one, I would expect about $2k for it. I agree, try and keep it - it's a great bass and it has sentimental value for you as well. Just make sure what you're getting makes you say, "WOW," in several ways.
     
  17. Jul 9, 2013 #17
    Oldbasslover

    Oldbasslover Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Florida
    Thanks for all the thoughtful replies... Well almost all.... :D

    Yeah, I realize its a "one of a kind", and played it since high school. Mostly play my EBMM Sterling that I picked up from Quadzilla here on TB.

    @krysh - wooden saddles are original. Everything is, except as I mentioned the nut which needed replacing just due to wear.

    It does have a sound that just can't be mimicked. Neck dive is bad, like many guitars of that era. It's how I got a few of those head nicks.

    Well, I am just thinking, but reasonably serious. If I decide to part ways, you all will see it up here on TB.

    I'll check out that website though. Be happy to answer any questions about it though, or respond to general comments. A nice piece of history.