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New guy needs Guild Starfire Help

#21
maconbass said:
My father had a red one in near perfect condition that sat in a closet most of my life. I think it was a '68. It even still had the original flat wound strings on it. I'm 37 now and a few years back I inquired about it because I wanted to check it out (after reading about them here on TB). He informed me that just weeks earlier they had a yard sale so he put it out for sale. A neighborhood kid bought it for $30. Made me sick.:crying:
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maybe u can trade him a shiny mim fender for that bass? :P
 
#22
Hi,
Hans Moust has a book out about Guild guitars. The shape of the bridge would make it pre 67' I think. After that, Guild switched to a harp shaped bridge. The color, I think was called emerald green and is rare. Basses that had mahogany tops were finished in transparent cherry, while basses with maple tops were finished in sunburst and "custom colors like yours. All of this is what I remember from when I bought my SF about 3 years ago, so I may be off a little. That is just a beautiful bass! You should put some TI jazz rounds (or flats) on it and have some fun.:hyper:
 
#23
Thanks again to everyone for all the help. The serial number was stamped into the back of the head, I can't believe I never saw those numbers. My bass was made early in 1967, before the bridge style was changed.

Thats a sad story maconbass. My son is lucky I never want to get rid of anything. Now that I know allot more about my bass it will never be put into a rummage sale.

Rickenboogie - I just started learning about flat wound strings and have a set ordered. I should have them by the end of the week.

tomshepp - I learned on another site that Guild switched from the flat top bridge like mine to a harp shaped bridge during 1967. I'll check into the TI flats, thanks.
 
#25
Pilgrim said:
Thanks for the info on the wood saddles...but what did Alembic have to do with Guild? Did I miss something?
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I was just referring to those instruments Alembic modified for Jack Casady, Phil Lesh, and others that were built from Guilds. They replaced the stock bridge with a brass item like their current instruments have for increased sustain, adjustability, etc. I meant to write "They were part of the reason Alembic replaced the bridge when they modified Starfires to increase the sustain dramatically."
 
#26
waseok said:
maybe u can trade him a shiny mim fender for that bass? :P
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My father didn't know where the kid lived or who he was. I imagine that bass is probably all beat to hell and covered in stickers now. I hate even thinking about it. It sat in my dad's closet the entire time I was growing up but I never wanted to play it because I didn't think it was "cool". I was into the more modern style basses. As soon as I started to appreciate vintage instruments is when I asked Dad where it was. After all those years, I was just a few weeks too late. 30 friggin dollars!:mad::bawl:
 
#27
Many people consider the old Guild Starfires to be the best hollowbody basses out of them all. Yours looks nice! Was it new when you bought it? Looks like it's in good condition, and I think the Green finish is a rare one. Might be worth checking out the pickup, to see if it's an original Hagstrom. That would help date it too, since they stopped making the Hagstrom pickups in the late 60s.

Here's mine. A 1966 Starfire:

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Love it! They're truly great basses :D
 
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#29
I'm not the original owner Lokire. I bought it from a guy I worked with in when I was in high school. His wife played and I don't remember why she was selling it. It was about 12 years old when I bought it. Just one of those right place at the right time kind of deals.
 
#30
This is most likely way too late ....but anyway it may help someone else. I have the exact same bass 1968 emerald green Starfire I, love that green! I’m surprised no one mentioned that the serial # is always stamped on the back of the neck....so even with the missing label you can still track it's date of birth down. The rosewood saddles are what the pre 70 Starfire's came with...and the emerald green is a rare one...don't ever let it go!!
 

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