Guild Starfire Specs

In the 1960s, Guild Starfire guitars were popular with bands such as the Grateful Dead.

The Guild guitar company was founded in 1952. After finding success in the acoustic instrument market, in the 1960s they began to produce electric guitars. The Starfire series was one of their first lines of electric guitars.

Types

Over its lifespan, the Starfire was available in six different models. The Starfire I, II and III were originally semi-acoustic guitars. The Starfire IV, V and VI were semi-solid body electric guitars. Some models featured Guild Bigsby vibrato tailpieces (a whammy bar). A Starfire bass was also produced for a period of time. Standard and custom colors were available.

Features

Models evolved over time. In 1973, for example, all Starfire models were manufactured with a body that was 1 and 7/8-inches thick, 16 and 3/8 inches wide, and 20 and 1/4-inches long. The neck was constructed at a scale of 24 and 3/4 inches. All models featured mahogany necks, rosewood fingerboards (though the Starfire VI had an ebony fingerboard in 1973) and two sets of humbucker pick-ups.

Fun Fact

Guild Starfire guitars are now considered highly collectible items. According to Premier Guitar, a mint condition 1968 Guild Starfire IV fetches between $2,200 and $2,500 at auction (as of 2010). Some famous artists who have used models in the Starfire line include Jerry Garcia, Dave Davies, Leslie Fiest, Buddy Guy and Lightnin' Hopkins.

References

• Vintage Guitars: Guild Starfire Electric Guitar
• Premier Guitar: Guild Starfire IV