Guild Starfire IV Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966)
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Item # 8205
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Guild Starfire IV Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Hoboken, NJ, cherry lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body, laminated mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
The Starfire series has been Guild's most consistently successful electric guitar line since its inception, and was by far the company's most popular electric instrument in the 1960s. This Starfire IV from mid-1966 is a double cutaway, semi-hollow instrument with a laminated mahogany body in a deep cherry red. We believe the finish on this guitar to be a Guild factory refinish from the mid/late 1970s, probably a warranty repair. The guitar's label indicates it was a cherry finish originally (older Guild labels are very helpful in this regard), but the color and character of the lacquer are indicative of the factory style from around 10 years after the instrument was originally built. The tuners were upgraded to Guild-logo Schallers as well, although interestingly it appears after the finish work was completed.
All other features and hardware are correct for 1966. The guitar has the older 16th fret neck joint, a distinguishing feature on semi-hollow Starfires made before mid-1967. The pickups are the typical 1960s Guild humbucking pickups, similar to but a bit brighter and crisper than the Gibson equivalent. Like Gibson's similar ES-335, the Starfire IV has a solid block running through the center of the body, cutting down on feedback and giving the guitar a tighter tone, with better feedback resistance.
This Starfire IV is a very versatile guitar and has been a perennial favorite among players of many styles -- they are particularly well-thought of as an electric blues instrument. While not absolutely original, this is a very attractive looking and truly excellent player's example; a fine 1960s gigging guitar and still an notable bargain compared to similar period Gibson or Gretsch instruments.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 3/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar is extremely clean with very little wear, and is an excellent player. As noted, it appears to be a slightly later factory finish and the tuners were updated, likely at the same time. It looks to have been very little used since. A very sharp looking and sounding guitar. Includes the original 1966 HSC. Excellent + Condition.
The Starfire series has been Guild's most consistently successful electric guitar line since its inception, and was by far the company's most popular electric instrument in the 1960s. This Starfire IV from mid-1966 is a double cutaway, semi-hollow instrument with a laminated mahogany body in a deep cherry red. We believe the finish on this guitar to be a Guild factory refinish from the mid/late 1970s, probably a warranty repair. The guitar's label indicates it was a cherry finish originally (older Guild labels are very helpful in this regard), but the color and character of the lacquer are indicative of the factory style from around 10 years after the instrument was originally built. The tuners were upgraded to Guild-logo Schallers as well, although interestingly it appears after the finish work was completed.
All other features and hardware are correct for 1966. The guitar has the older 16th fret neck joint, a distinguishing feature on semi-hollow Starfires made before mid-1967. The pickups are the typical 1960s Guild humbucking pickups, similar to but a bit brighter and crisper than the Gibson equivalent. Like Gibson's similar ES-335, the Starfire IV has a solid block running through the center of the body, cutting down on feedback and giving the guitar a tighter tone, with better feedback resistance.
This Starfire IV is a very versatile guitar and has been a perennial favorite among players of many styles -- they are particularly well-thought of as an electric blues instrument. While not absolutely original, this is a very attractive looking and truly excellent player's example; a fine 1960s gigging guitar and still an notable bargain compared to similar period Gibson or Gretsch instruments.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 3/8 in. (41.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar is extremely clean with very little wear, and is an excellent player. As noted, it appears to be a slightly later factory finish and the tuners were updated, likely at the same time. It looks to have been very little used since. A very sharp looking and sounding guitar. Includes the original 1966 HSC. Excellent + Condition.