{"product_id":"guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-3473","title":"Guild Starfire Bass I Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)","description":"Guild Starfire Bass I Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Hoboken, NJ, black lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 1960's Guild Starfire bass has recently been gaining attention as one of that decade's most distinctive bass guitars. Despite its general resemblance to the more common Gibson EB-2 and Epiphone Rivoli, the Starfire is a completely different animal sonically, putting out a very clear and powerful sound with a wide frequency range and an almost piano-like growl unusual in a hollowbody bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarfire basses became a prominent part of the San Francisco sound in the late 60's with both Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane choosing the model for their psychedelic explorations of the low end. Earlier prominent users of the model were Steve Boone of the Lovin' Spoonful and Chris Hillman with the Byrds. With a very slim and fast-playing neck, the Starfire is the perfect bass to \"take off\" on and remains as unique as when first designed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuild did not even enter the electric bass arena until 1965, when the semi-hollow double-cutaway Starfire line and the solid-body line both had a single-pickup bass added. While the solid body Jetstar soon crashed and burned, the Starfire became one of the company's most popular items. The body is not fully hollow -- there is a solid block running through the center in the manner of an ES-335, giving a tighter response than a true hollow-body bass. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe real secret to the early Guild basses' unique sound is the large Hagstrom-made Bi-sonic pickup, which looks like a double-coil unit but is in fact more akin to a giant DeArmond Dynasonic. With large magnet slugs for polepieces, this pickup has a very powerful attack and a broad harmonic range quite unlike either the more familiar Gibson bass humbucker or the Guild humbucking pickup which replaced it in 1970. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Starfire I is from 1968, with a custom black finish that is a catalog option but is rarely seen. By this point, these basses had several developments from the earlier models. There is a pushbutton \"baritone\" switch which cuts low end and increases clarity even further. This feature was added to the line around the time the pickup was moved to the position just under the fingerboard: the earliest Starfire basses feature the single P.U. closer to the bridge. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chrome Hagstrom bridgeplate is extended on the treble side to allow for longer saddle travel; it also looks rather more like Guild's traditional \"harp\" tailpiece in an attractive if possibly unintended touch. The tuners are the typical American-made Klusons where the first models had European Van Ghents. This bass is all original except for the nut and one tuner screw and a fine and unusual example of this 1960's classic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 16 5\/16 in. (41.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3\/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1\/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/2 in. (38 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery nice original condition; some overall finish wear, most noticeably to the back of the neck and two bucklewear areas on the back of the body. There is some finish discoloration to the side near the jack area. The plastic headstock veneer has shrunk very evenly and is not pulled up at all, giving the appearance of a bound headstock! Plays and sounds excellent; overall a very nice and rare bass with original case. Excellent Condition.","brand":"Guild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853206999180,"sku":"3473","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_deab987f-671e-4fa3-ac66-ac57cca83713.jpg?v=1774332012","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/guild-starfire-bass-i-semi-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1968-3473","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}