New Guilds?

**p1p** · 03-06-2019, 06:45 AM

Does anyone have experience with the newer Korean made guilds? I’m looking at the Starfires. Help much appreciated!

**delo054** · 03-06-2019, 11:51 AM

I can't speak to the Starfire, but a Guild a150 savoy is my main gigging guitar and I love it! You can hear it on tracks 1, 3 & 4 in the link below.

**lammie200** · 03-06-2019, 12:52 PM

Yep. I switched over from my Peerless Jazz City to both a Guild A-150 and X-175. All three are Korean made. I love the Guilds. I particularly like the 9.5" fretboard radius and the three piece neck construction. The Peerless has a flatter radius and an scarf joint. The Guild craftsmanship is excellent and the designs are probably very close to the original models. I wouldn't pay top dollar for them though. They frequently come up for sale in the $700-$800 range including excellent quality hardcases. My Peerless will be up for sale soon.

**p1p** · 03-06-2019, 01:12 PM

Thanks, I'm particularly curious about the quality since I have none locally to try.

**ugarte** · 03-06-2019, 05:41 PM

I had the opportunity to play a couple of the a-150s on a recent trip and I think its a legitimate choice for an entry level laminate archtop (which is actually a well populated category). There seems to be quite a few of them available online second-hand for good prices, I've thought a lot about buying one and screwing a lollar gold foil into the neck position. Overall though, if you can find an Eastman ar503 for similar money I would go with the Eastman.

**lammie200** · 03-06-2019, 06:14 PM

A-150 Savoy in Blonde – Guild Guitars

It's a solid spruce top, but the OP is interested in a Starfire anyway.

**MikeTT** · 03-06-2019, 06:28 PM

I have the newest Bluesbird and played the current CE-100 and one of the starfires (don't remember the exact model). Liked all of them very much and found no flaws. Especially the finishes are very nicely done considering the price range. I might get another model, they're currently my favorites among the "cheaper" archtops.

**Hep To The Jive** · 03-06-2019, 06:41 PM

I used to own of one of the early Korean X-175, and it had one of the best necks I ever played. Medium thickness, 9.5 radius and the narrow 1 5/6 nut width. I sold it it but kinda miss it sometimes.

I've heard they change the width of the necks to something wider lately, by 'popular' demand, so I'm not gonna bother. Too bad, they lost a fan.

**lammie200** · 03-06-2019, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

I used to own of one of the early Korean X-175, and it had one of the best necks I ever played. Medium thickness, 9.5 radius and the narrow 1 5/6 nut width. I sold it it but kinda miss it sometimes.

I've heard they change the width of the necks to something wider lately, by 'popular' demand, so I'm not gonna bother. Too bad, they lost a fan.

They aren't too wide. About a typical 1-11/16ths. Eastmans are 1-3/4" which is too wide for my tastes. But regardless you can always have a nut cut to 1-5/8ths string spacing specs if you want.

Korean made guitars are usually very decent quality IMHO. For that matter I don't really consider them cheapo even though these Guilds are usually a few hundred less than a brand like Peerless.

**GNAPPI** · 03-07-2019, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by p1p

Does anyone have experience with the newer Korean made guilds? I’m looking at the Starfires. Help much appreciated!

The modern maple necked SF IV is on my list to try and get my hands on, but in So. Flo. there are none in local shops. Truthfully, vintage SF IV's with mahogany necks (which I have played) are not that much of an uplift from a new SF IV and if I can snatch one I may go that route. If I do, Steve miller twang here I come :-)

**p1p** · 03-07-2019, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by ugarte

I had the opportunity to play a couple of the a-150s on a recent trip and I think its a legitimate choice for an entry level laminate archtop (which is actually a well populated category). There seems to be quite a few of them available online second-hand for good prices, I've thought a lot about buying one and screwing a lollar gold foil into the neck position. Overall though, if you can find an Eastman ar503 for similar money I would go with the Eastman.

I’m not really looking for an entry level type guitar. I’d like to get something quality but not necessarily break the bank. I can’t even try Eastman’s locally either. They’re in my budget as well, but not keen on the overly glossy look they all have and violin type aesthetic.

**lammie200** · 03-08-2019, 02:51 AM

FWIW I would consider the Newark St. Guilds more mid-level than entry level. I think something like an Epiphone would be more entry level IMHO.

**p1p** · 03-08-2019, 02:57 AM

Thanks, that’s the impression I got with the prices.

What would generally be considered a top-level, professional guitar then? Brands and prices? I feel I’m ready for one as I get better.. and finding my sound? My current mid-level one doesn’t beg me to pick it up, or plug in really.

**Hep To The Jive** · 03-08-2019, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by p1p

Thanks, that’s the impression I got with the prices.

What would generally be considered a top-level, professional guitar then? Brands and prices? I feel I’m ready for one as I get better.. and finding my sound? My current mid-level one doesn’t beg me to pick it up, or plug in really.

Get some vintage Guild, or 80s/90s Guild. It won't break the bank, and you have a pro quality instrument. I prefer Guild to Gibson anyway, playability and tone wise.

**p1p** · 03-09-2019, 02:52 AM

I'm looking at this now, just seems a bit steep to me: Guild Starfire II 1999 Red | Weald of Guitar | Reverb

The seller is also too far for me to actually see and play the guitar first.

**Drifter** · 03-09-2019, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by p1p

The seller is also too far for me to actually see and play the guitar first.

If that's an issue you should tell us where you are located.

I have played a few of the Korean Guilds, I thought they were quite good for the money, good built quality but hardware of mediocre quality. You'd probably have to swap the jack, switch and pots after a while. Also, the poly urethane is too thick and glossy for my taste, somehow they just don't look and feel right. I'd prefer a used US-made Guild or Heritage over a new Korean Guild any day.

This guy tries to sell his '97 Starfire II for years now without success. Can't recall at what price he started out but it must have been more than 1600,00 EUR. Now he's asking 1300,00 and he would consider an offer. Don't know if he would ship worldwide but that sounds like a killer deal to me.
Guild Starfire II - 1997 in Baden-Wurttemberg - Oberried | Musikinstrumente und Zubehor gebraucht kaufen | eBay Kleinanzeigen

No affiliation by the way, I've just stumbled across this ad over and over again.

**Roberoo** · 03-09-2019, 09:31 AM

I have the Korean blonde Savoy with the reproduction Dearmond floating pickup. A great guitar and the build quality is excellent - top shelf. I have played some new Starfires and they are good also. There is a lot to be said for looking for used Guilds. In my case I could not find a used version with a floating pickup so I went new.

Good luck.