NBD - Guild Starfire II

[BQFS]

I have admired these from a distance for a very long time. Way out of my price range generally. Plus I don't play four string basses as often as I used to, playing 6 string mostly these days, then five string.

Well, I am determined to own no more than two of any configuration, so this means my Danelectro Hot Rod Red is going to the auction block fairly soon.

The other four I own is a 20th Anniversary silverburst Jack Casady Signature, a wonderful instrument with amazing tone, and highly versatile.

I have gravitated towards lighter basses after having had five lower back surgeries in the past decade and the Guild is nothing but light, which is great.

Plus, what sealed the deal was the price. The asking price was $850, but we ended up at $750 (which I NEVER thought the owner would go for - shows you it never hurts to ask) which I didn't know included an actual Guild case (very well built) worth at least another $100 or so. My JCS case from Epi was $125 on sale, for comparison.

Anyway, here's a look at it, sitting in its case. All I need to do now is order a tube of epoxy so I can move the Straplok from the back of the neck to the upper bout. I've done that on roughly a half dozen basses by now, and even wrote up the procedure for other Talkbass players who might wish to do the same thing. With the strap button originally on the back of the neck at the heel, the bass not only tends to dive, but also, more annoyingly, tilts away from the body. Moving it to the upper bout cures all that.

Anyway, have a look!

 

[1Kay]

Congrats! Very nice bass and SUPER price.

Enjoy!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have admired these from a distance for a very long time. Way out of my price range generally. Plus I don't play four string basses as often as I used to, playing 6 string mostly these days, then five string.

Well, I am determined to own no more than two of any configuration, so this means my Danelectro Hot Rod Red is going to the auction block fairly soon.

The other four I own is a 20th Anniversary silverburst Jack Casady Signature, a wonderful instrument with amazing tone, and highly versatile.

I have gravitated towards lighter basses after having had five lower back surgeries in the past decade and the Guild is nothing but light, which is great.

Plus, what sealed the deal was the price. The asking price was $850, but we ended up at $750 (which I NEVER thought the owner would go for - shows you it never hurts to ask) which I didn't know included an actual Guild case (very well built) worth at least another $100 or so. My JCS case from Epi was $125 on sale, for comparison.

Anyway, here's a look at it, sitting in its case. All I need to do now is order a tube of epoxy so I can move the Straplok from the back of the neck to the upper bout. I've done that on roughly a half dozen basses by now, and even wrote up the procedure for other Talkbass players who might wish to do the same thing. With the strap button originally on the back of the neck at the heel, the bass not only tends to dive, but also, more annoyingly, tilts away from the body. Moving it to the upper bout cures all that.

Anyway, have a look!

View attachment 7219673

Sweet!

 

[embellisher]

Wow! Nice bass, even nicer price!

 

[ghostdog93]

Color me jealous. That's a gorgeous instrument. All that AND a hard case. Congrats!

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Congratulations and Compliments. I had a 2017 Starfire II a little while back I'd gotten as a factory second. That thing was remarkably close to my '67 Starfire bass. I sold it to a TB'r (with the hardshell case) I can't recall in a downsizing move a few years ago. Can't keep all the great ones.

 

[JRA]

looks like you 'did good' on all counts --- great looking EB at a nice price! --- congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[dmt]

Sweet. I’d get one of those too if I could justify it (but I already have lots of instruments I’m not playing… anyway, I think those are very attractive, with a great sound)

 

[BassBrass]

this may have no value to you if you are already set with strings for it, but I bought a green one a couple years back (great color for a Christmas present)
and after trying different strings including Rotosound flats (too dull and less sustain) and DR Blue (too bright), I accidentally bought a package of EB Cobalt Flats Light gage (45-100, usually I get med), tried them and they are why I've kept the bass. A little bit of added cobalt treble brings out the beautiful mid freq voice of this bass (which you can roll off to get thump only).

 

[DJ Bebop]

“I like it!”

 

[Wesley R]

It is beautiful and a half.
If there ever was a machine built for black tape wounds, this would be it. Drool, drool, triple drool.

 

[tidbits]

This is one of those basses I have absolutely no need for, but do I ever want one. Congrats on the new bass, it's beautiful!

 

[Chenzo]

Beautiful bass, this is one of those I didn't know I wanted till I saw it Enjoy!

 

[GretschWretch]

Wow! You got THAT for only $750?

 

[Jeff Scott]

“I like it!”

View attachment 7219945

You look awfully familiar, DJ.

 

[Ostie]

I’m looking at a Starfire I for sale in my region. I don’t need another bass but dang, it’s cool. I already own a JC and I doubt that it sounds better than that.

 

[BQFS]

this may have no value to you if you are already set with strings for it, but I bought a green one a couple years back (great color for a Christmas present)
and after trying different strings including Rotosound flats (too dull and less sustain) and DR Blue (too bright), I accidentally bought a package of EB Cobalt Flats Light gage (45-100, usually I get med), tried them and they are why I've kept the bass. A little bit of added cobalt treble brings out the beautiful mid freq voice of this bass (which you can roll off to get thump only).

In general I hate flats, but I did try a set of EB Cobalt flats for a Jack Casady bass I was going to defret, but sold instead. I do have a 5 string set lying around, and may try those, but I have a set of LaBella SuperSteps on order, and I also may try a set of DR Black Beauties which I also like a lot. Thanks for your suggestion. I thought the EB Cobalts were as close to the sound of a roundwound as could be.

 

[burpgun]

I’m looking at a Starfire I for sale in my region. I don’t need another bass but dang, it’s cool. I already own a JC and I doubt that it sounds better than that.

It is of course entirely subjective but I flipped a Jack Casady for a Starfire I and am 100% happy about it. The Guild is more focused, has a better sound and a really wonderful neck. You’ll really want to decide how important short and long scale is to you because that’s the main difference.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Excellent score! They have gotten expensive. I got mine for $275, but that was in 1994, so, about $550 in today's dollars.

Hollowbody basses were looked down on in the 90s, but it's been my favorite bass since I got it and gets more play time than any other.

Pyramid strings sound really good on it and can even get a credible slap tone, if you get used to the tight string spacing.

 

[BQFS]

It is of course entirely subjective but I flipped a Jack Casady for a Starfire I and am 100% happy about it. The Guild is more focused, has a better sound and a really wonderful neck. You’ll really want to decide how important short and long scale is to you because that’s the main difference.

Owning both, I wouldn't say that the SF sounds "better" but it definitely sounds different. Keep in mind that strings make an INCREDIBLE difference on both basses. I have LaBella Super Steps on the JCS, and just put Black Beuties on the SF. Both sound great. I'm not about to sell my JCS.