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For sale here is a '23 ltd edition Star Fire III with bonus and an interesting comparison. You will notice in the pics the guitar is shown next to a red '60 Hoboken made excellent condition collectible SF. I have been the caretaker of this git for awhile, heres the back story. I borrowed the '60 from a friend and liked it so much he let me "borrow" it. He was not interested in selling and I wasnt shelling out $2k-$3k for one but wondered how the new ones Guild had been boasting about would compare. These are made in Korea (the semi hollows and solids in China) and I have had some exceptional guitars from there. The immediate thing with this model is the pickup, when I fired up the '60 for the first time I about pooped! The sound was fat big warm and inviting sort of the best of paf/p90 combo. I generally play (attempt) chord melody on lg archtops but this took me back to the '60s through my deluxe. The pickups are hot so I got great tones out of the amp I wondered how close Guild could get on the new "ltd edition" minis. After playing them side by side for a while now my honest appraisal is that Guild should take a bow. The new pickups are so close a small tone or volume control change eliminates any difference. Ive been through both of these with an endoscope build quality is identical. The body shape of the '23 is tapered, I think it looks great and the git is super comfy to play. The necks are the same dim but the frets on the '23 are much nicer and the guitar came to me with an impeccable set up. Frets are leveled polished and beautifully crowned and rounded. The fingerboard is a gorgeous stripe ebony. I dont use a whammy bar so I replaced it with a '60s made in W Germany original tailpiece, holes lined up exactly and whammy bar (never used!) included. Also has very nice almost like new case with all case candy and ships in factory carton double boxed. I can say without hesitation I actually prefer the new one both in sound and playability (and looks) The build is dead on as good as the Hobokens or Westerleys. Im asking $875. shipped to lower 48 paypal only no returns Have good record here reverb and ebay following is guilds promotion:
Guild's limited edition black Starfire III is a rip-roaring hollow-body guitar that looks exceptional, plays wonderfully, and projects a rich, crisp tone. From its LB-1 "Little Bucker" pickups to its vibrato tailpiece, cream binding, and ebony fingerboard, this axe is chock-full of vintage mojo.
The Starfire III boasts a hollow mahogany body with an arched top, giving it a gorgeous, open voice that resonates with punchy mids and crystal-clear highs. Its bright, natural sound is further complemented by its dual LB-1 pickups - they churn out a warm, jangly tone that's similar to a PAF pickup but with more high-end presence.
Enchanting tones aren't all this beauty has to offer - guitarists will also love the old-school feel of its Vintage Soft "U" shaped mahogany neck. They'll also appreciate its smooth-playing ebony fingerboard that allows effortless riffing across all 20 narrow jumbo frets. Plus, its Grover tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability, and its tailpiece lets players perform bends and vibrato for maximum creative expression.
The Guild Starfire III is a dream come true for musicians who love vintage-inspired guitars. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own this awesome limited-edition Guild - contact us today to add it to your collection!
Specs
Body Type: Hollow
Body Shape: Starfire III
Body Top: Arched Mahogany
Body Sides: Mahogany
Body Back: Arched Mahogany
Purfling: Black/Ivory ABS
Body Binding: Cream ABS
Neck Material: Mahogany
Scale Length: 24 3/4" (629mm)
Neck Shape: Vintage Soft "U"
Nut Width: 1 11/16" (43mm)
Truss Rod: Dual Action
Truss Rod Wrench: 7mm Socket Wrench
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fingerboard Radius: 9 1/2" (240mm)
Fingerboard Inlays: Pearloid Dots
Frets Total: 20
Fret Type: Narrow Jumbo
Fingerboard Binding: Ivory ABS
Bridge String Spacing: 2" (52mm)
Hardware Finish/Plating: Nickel
Bridge: Guild Tune-O-Matic with Ebony Base
Tailpiece: Guild Vibrato Tailpiece Hollow Body - Aluminum
Tuning Machines: Grover Sta-Tite Open-Gear 18:1
Strap Buttons Vintage Pawn
Pickguard: Black with Guild Logo
Bridge Pickup: Guild LB-1
Neck Pickup: Guild LB-1
Pickup Switch: 3-Way Toggle
Controls: Neck Volume & Tone, Bridge Volume & Tone, 3-way Toggle Pickup Switch
Included Case: Guild Deluxe Electric Guitar Hardshell Case
Upper Bout Width: 11 3/4" (299mm)
Lower Bout Width: 16 3/8" (416mm)
Body Depth Upper Bout: 1 3/4" (44mm)
Body Depth Lower Bout: 1 7/8" (48mm)
Body Length: 20 1/4" (514mm)
Overall Length: 41" (1041mm)Last edited by Rickco; Yesterday at 03:49 PM.
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04-03-2025 09:05 PM
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What is the difference between this guitar and the other black Starfire IIIs listed on Sweetwater and other sites for considerably less than you're asking?
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Sweetwater has it on sale, it's selling for a few hundred dollars more elsewhere. However, Sweetwater says the guitar has a rosewood fretboard which is odd because other dealers say it is ebony as the op said. They also say that the neck is 42mm rather than 43mm as the op stated.
Guild Starfire III Hollowbody Archtop Electric Guitar with Guild Vibrato Tailpiece Cherry Red | Guitar Center
Actually, new ones are $950 + shipping here:
Guild Starfire III Newark Florentine-Cut Hollowbody w/ Tremolo – Bananas at Large
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Not according to Reverb, GC, etc.
Originally Posted by Mick-7
The Guild website states the fingerboard (and the base of the bridge) is "Indian rosewood or ebony (dependent on production date)." Originally Posted by Mick-7
Finally, how about we give the OP a chance to respond to the question I posed to him?
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Uh, yeah. OP is selling a used guitar. Originally Posted by Mick-7
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Yes SW is offering them for $800 +tax ($60?) and that is a great deal. Mine is lightly played with a few scuffs. Mine includes the 2 tailpieces the one thats on there Ive seen go for $200. and turns it into a very nice jazz guitar. Mine also has had the fretwork beautifully dialed in, leveled crowned polished plays 11s down to 2/64 no buzz. Im not sure there's any difference btwn my "ltd edition" '23 and the new ones, I can say whether you grab mine or SWs this one is directly comparable to a '60s model and in my case a better player same thing with the T50s. Anyone interested make an offer, Im originally from N Jersey so dont worry about being insulting...
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Yes, why did you post this link to a new one? - Guild Starfire III - Sweetwater.com Originally Posted by jazzshrink
Rickco, Guild says that these guitars may be made in Korea, China, or Indonesia. Is there a serial number on yours that would indicate the country of origin?
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Rickco,
Thanks for the honest and informative response. Hopefully it will lead to a sale. Good luck!
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This model made in Korea Originally Posted by Mick-7
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An interested buyer may consider that SW is offering a plek for $299. indicating theirs isnt set up. This one is done fret level polish etc. I have 2 pleked guitars this one is every bit as good as a matter of fact better because the hand finishing and polishing is better. This one plays excellent right out of the case just set the action height Also the 2 tail pieces add value go price an original '60s SII TP or the whammy bar, you get both. Yes this one is pre owned with a few scuffs, just like your new SWs gonna look after you take it out of the case and play it for 2 weeks. Is the '23 special? I dont know but it plays and sounds incredible. apples to apples Im including $400+- in extras that SW isnt. Guitars from SW never come setup.The TPs may or may not have value to you if they do you dont have to hunt for and pay (last one I saw was $200) for one. Make an offer
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No, they are set up, they promote the Plek machine fret leveling service for all the guitars they sell, except perhaps the high end ones. Originally Posted by Rickco
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Why would you plek a guitar thats already set up? If you were going to do it why not the high end ones? Last week a friend of mine purchased a les paul from them and was so disgusted with the set up he sent it back. I like sweetwater but if purchased a guitar from them Id plan on taking it to my tech for optimum playability. Originally Posted by Mick-7
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The Plek machine levels frets, it's not a set-up. I don't know enough about it to say if it's worth it for most guitars - call me skeptical. But most online guitar dealers, particularly the high volume sellers, don't set up the new guitars they get from the manufacturers, that would be a full-time job. Which is another reason to buy from an individual seller like you or a local music store whenever possible. Originally Posted by Rickco
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BUMP price drop, this is the best deal on this guitar on the web,its ready to ship. This guitars build, sound, playability and condition are as good if not better than the domestic examples. It is made in Korea not China. Ive been playing it right next to a '60 that would easily be valued at 4 times my asking and was crazy for until I played this one. All set up with excellent fret work and pickups that sound as good as original minis. $750 free shipping,its ready to ship, lower 48 only PP only
Thanks for lookin
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Chunking, does it work for Jazz improv?
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