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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2431.0. "Guild Starfire Worth???" by POWDML::BERNARD () Thu Feb 06 1992 13:18

    Hi Gang,
    
    A friend of mine just asked if I'd inquire as to the value of his 1969
    Guild Starfire VI.  I played it last night and *WOW* what a neck!  The
    guitar and case are in good shape, the only problems being one nasty
    patch on the back where a previous owner must have worn a pretty
    good-sized belt buckle and a small piece of the binding at the neck
    heel is coming loose.  Otherwise it's in real nice shape.  It's a
    burgandy-ish color, if that matters, with gold hardware.  Oh, and
    because it hasn't been played much since Mr. Belt-buckle owned it, it
    could use a good set-up, strings and polish (that's why I have it).
    The serial number is something like "06  297" if that matters.
    
    If anyone could give me some insight as to its value I'd appreciate it.
    
    Thanks,
    
    John
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2431.1not enough to retire onRANGER::WEBERFri Feb 07 1992 11:254
    Mint ones are usually around $750. From your description, more like
    $600.
    
    Danny W.
2431.2thanks for the infoPOWDML::BERNARDMon Feb 10 1992 11:213
    Thanks Danny!  I'll let him know.
    
    John
2431.3PHAROS::SAKELARISWed Feb 12 1992 08:4716
    Whoa - $750 ? I dunno about that. I have a '68 (might have been
    manufactured in '67) Starfire V. I'll guaranty the neck on these
    guitars are the very finest available. (the V is the exact same guitar
    as the VI with the exception of the gold plated hardware). I've never
    seen one used with a price tag more than $329. If someone gets more
    than that for theirs, I 'd like to know about it (not that I'd ever
    sell mine - posterity value) 
    
    I've had mine since I  brought it home from the music store I was
    working in back then. It's list price at the time was $650, with the VI
    getting $750. It is a great guitar. Its only weakness is the pickups.
    They were designed to be general middle of the road type pickups. In
    about '76 i put DiMarzio Superdistortion Humbuckers in it to greatly
    improve the sound.
    
    "sakman"
2431.4More differences between VI & VRANGER::WEBERWed Feb 12 1992 10:1710
    The SF VI has more binding and fancier inlay, with an Ebony
    fingerboard, so there are more differences than just the plating, It
    has a bound headstock, the "G" headstock inlay rather than the V's
    "Chesterfield" inlay, Split  pearl/abalone blocks, bound f-holes, more
    plies on the body binding and on the neck, too.
    
    There is a better market for the VI than the other Starfire models and
    they are typically about twice the price of a V or IV.
    
    Danny W.
2431.5PHAROS::SAKELARISThu Feb 13 1992 07:537
    Yep, Now that you mention it (differences between V and VI) I guess
    you're right. I had forgotten. Nevertheless, both models are great
    guitars with outstanding necks, and the pickups for both leave something 
    to be desired. Not bad mind you, just there are better pickups on the
    market today IMHO.
    
    "sakman" 
2431.6EMG's???POWDML::BERNARDThu Feb 13 1992 12:486
    Thanks Guys!  A gree on all counts - should I inherit this thing the
    pickups would have to go, but what a neck!  I cleaned up the
    fingerboard with some 0000 steel wool and finished it with a drop of
    bore oil...  it's like ICE!  
    
    /JB