Impressions of the Guild Starfire Chris Hillman Bass... [This invalid link has been removed]
The fit, finish, binding, and setup of this MIK instrument are top notch. Except for some faint file marks on the fingerboard, which are just about imperceptible, I'd say the bass is flawless, including the frets. This bass is worthy of the old Westerly, Rhode Island builders, they should be proud.
The tuners, controls and output jack are crisp and snug feeling. Nut is well-executed. This instrument is brand new, and was the last new one I could find anywhere in the U.S. I paid what was asked (gulp) with little choice, but did briefly consider a vintage instrument, which was about $1000 more with several significant condition issues.
Complete specs here: [This invalid link has been removed]
The highlights of the specs are: this instrument is no longer produced, the weight is ~8.5 lbs, scale length is 30.75 inches, pickup is a single bridge Guild BS-1 BiSonic single coil—an accurate detailed recreation of the 1966 original—as can be said of the entire instrument. Good hardshell case. I am in love.
Playing it—Yeah. It is like going back in time for me. It feels exactly like the instrument I had from 1967-1974. I abandoned that Guild as my main player about 1970, though I kept it and used it from time to time. This reissue nails the look and feel of the original 100%. For real.
In addition, the sound of the bass, wearing its D’Addario ECB81 flat wound lights (45-100), is midrange growly and complex. No mud here, tones range from a wide-response single coil bright sparkle with the tone control open, to a genuine MusicMan-type growl with it fully closed. All nicely musical and useable. No big lows, but a very serious barky growl.
Ergonomically, it is easy to play if worn fairly high, despite a mild neck dive. Neck dive was not an issue playing finger style. Pick-style, it might be a little more problematic, though I only used a slick standard-sized Ernie Ball nylon webbing strap. In any case, I never recall having a problem playing 4 set gigs pick-style when a lad.
Speaking of pick playing, the bridge has a very nice "heel" on it that facilitates bringing your right arm in over the tailpiece area. You can comfortably rest your forearm on that bridge heel, and play "free wrist" mandolin-style like Chris Hillman. Again, this is just like the original. You can see the bridge feature I am referring to in the bridge photo above.
The mahogany neck is narrow, with a pronounced U cross-section—something like a cello—just as the original was. Chords are easy and speak well. The thumb-rest/tug bar pair are well-positioned for a sweet spot kind of finger-style or thumb tone, and playing over the front of the pickup (nearer the bridge) works well for even more "horn-like" MM-style growl. You can even slap it. Maple body is slim, but resonant and feels good.
I must confess I am more comfortable now with 34"scale 4-strings, 35" scale 5-strings, and a 41.5" scale upright, but the Starfire's 30.75" short scale is nice and comfy. Now my only problem is to find a musical context where I really can use it. Having it as a toy is fun, but it is a good sounding bass that will work well in a rock band, brit invasion, or folk-rock kind of ensemble—guess I need another project!
