Billy Apple Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) After much deliberating about my Coronado (I loved it but it was just too heavy) I've finally got the short scale semi that if I'd seen it first I would've got it first. You'd think these semi hollows would be light, but the center blocks in them add quite a bit of weight, however Guild have got it right with the Starfire Very happy with this. Nice slim and light, balances well, ballsy tone and powerful pup. The build quality and finish is superb, it looks gorgeous. The tuners are quality Grover and the head-stock looks great with the inlay. This with the 3 ply binding could be on a Gibson at twice the price.. The whole thing does feel Gibsonesque.. even the funny bridge with wooden saddles! The body is mahogany laminate with a glued in mahogany and maple stringer neck. unlike the Coronado, this looks a very faithful reproduction of the original. I kept the La Bella's I had on the Coronado, so these are on and the horrid new bass strings are off, so now we are cooking! Edited June 30, 2015 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysh Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 congrats and welcome to the guild family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Lovely - I have short scale GAS, this isn't helping!!! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Very nice. I have looked at these often. I used to have the DeArmond version with Hammon Dark Stars fitted. Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Excellent choice - had a good old noodle on one in Wunjo, top of my list once the gig money comes pouring in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Lovely bass, congrats John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1415439012' post='2600267'] Excellent choice - had a good old noodle on one in Wunjo, top of my list once the gig money comes pouring in [/quote] You've most likely played it! I had the choice of two so picked the best one and it is absolutely flawless. There's nice touches too, apparently the nut is bone and it certainly looks different to the usual plakka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 That's a lovely looking bass Sean. That pickup position is interesting too. Are those thumb rests between the pup and the neck? Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 [quote name='howdenspur' timestamp='1415443221' post='2600342'] That's a lovely looking bass Sean. That pickup position is interesting too. Are those thumb rests between the pup and the neck? Rod [/quote] The pole pieces of the pup are the larger diameter bits, so the pup is more of a mid position than you'd think. The smaller screws adjust the pole heights. Yes, thumb rest and tug bar. They're removable, I'm in two minds about them at the mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) I nicked this pic of the underside of the pup from the Dark Star thread showing how the pole pieces are adjusted.. Edited November 8, 2014 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 When I had a Starfire with those large single-coil pickups people usually mistook them for humbuckers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Gorgeous. I still want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I love Guilds. Class act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Looks like a real classic. And those pickup innards are a work of art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1415816999' post='2604113'] They are indeed, and if you look closely at the sticker you'll see they are approved by the Royal Horticultural Society, which is a boon! [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 Just an update here. When I bought this it came in a gig bag, however it should've come in a hard case. There was a lack of cases due to Fender pulling out of distribution. Had a call from Wunjo today, Guild have a new distributor and I'm getting a brand spanker hard case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1426273568' post='2716535'] Just an update here. When I bought this it came in a gig bag, however it should've come in a hard case. There was a lack of cases due to Fender pulling out of distribution. Had a call from Wunjo today, Guild have a new distributor and I'm getting a brand spanker hard case! [/quote] ... and are you still rating it above the Coronado? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukulelelab Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Always nice to see a Guild Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1426274272' post='2716552'] ... and are you still rating it above the Coronado? [/quote] Yes. The Darkstar pup packs a punch and the whole thing is easier on the shoulder. Mind you I really liked the cherry burst finish on the Coronado but both basses have excellent finishes. If the Coronado had the massive sound block reduced and TV Jones pups it would be killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I wish they'd reissue the two pickup version! That would sell a bunch! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Lovely - has anyone A / B-ed these against the '60's originals? I've had a few EB-2's but never one of these; always fancied one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukulelelab Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1426285775' post='2716709'] I wish they'd reissue the two pickup version! That would sell a bunch! Si [/quote] Well it looks like the two pickup version will soon be available again. Check out that post on the Guild facebook page: [url="https://www.facebook.com/guildguitars/photos/a.298445806104.150579.98726376104/10152598462551105/?type=1&theater"]https://www.facebook...?type=1[/url] Edited March 14, 2015 by ukulelelab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 [quote name='ukulelelab' timestamp='1426364263' post='2717421'] Well it looks like the two pickup version will soon be available again. Check out that post on the Guild facebook page: [url="https://www.facebook.com/guildguitars/photos/a.298445806104.150579.98726376104/10152598462551105/?type=1&theater"]https://www.facebook...?type=1[/url] [/quote] Sweeeeeet Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Just picked up a very nice hard case for this that came gratis from Wunjo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edpirie Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I asked Guild about the two pup version and it's due out July/August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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