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Guild Starfire III
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Guild Starfire III

Hollow Body/Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitar from Guild

Sonny Boy Havidson Sonny Boy Havidson
Published on 01/09/10 at 13:57
Made in America in 2001 so one of the last Guild Electric
Flamed maple body in natural finish (there are versions mahogany seems to me there), mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard, two humbuckers Guild. Comes with two floating bridges / tailpieces: Bigsby vibrato bridge with aluminum must be regularly replaced or trestle bridges on adjustable wood base (for better intonation and stays in place better) and grouse and tailpiece. The tuners are Grover.

Well ... The only thing about the original (besides the items listed are pre-assembled with care) is that it's a half box without central beam, not like a Gibson ES-335 and it changes everything for the weight and sound.

No over-decoration, it remains in good taste. No overloading of nacre, so nothing too much.

What could be useful to add? If there is serious: the splitage microphones or mechanical obstacles (in the case where we mounted the Bigsby), or - in extreme cases of delirium - a Varitone.

UTILIZATION

I'm mostly an acoustic guitarist and I've never managed to get the proportions and mass balance of solid bodysuits. I climb ropes net semi-flat top so I'm not sure my ergonomics criteria are those of everyone.

To access the treble is a semi-hollow jazz junction of the handle with the cash box at the fourteenth and not a Gibson SG, so even if the neck is excellent, this is not for the Schreder in treble.

Controls are effective and knobs are progressive.

In short, it provided a guitar for jazz, country or rockabilly, and has been carefully designed for that.

When the Bigsby is mounted, its use would oppose the holding of the agreement if it is excessive but if the tuning is good.

SOUNDS

My game .. is very personal ... I defined myself as a guitarist doing most wanted a simple accompaniments rhythmic but not as a soloist. To give references: JJ Cale and Gabriel Yacoub. Otherwise, I love John Scofield, but I do not do as much as him.

For sound, I'd say it's the missing link between Gibson and a Gretsch. I was looking for a guitar that would allow me to go from jazz to rock to Tom Petty with a great ride especially in Chet Aktins and that is why I chose it.

Next the whole bridge / tailpiece used, it has a rather different sound. The bridge's aluminum Bigbsy allows a more incisive while the tun-o-matic bridge on wood sounds more organic and more jazz.

I play mostly clear sound in a Laney Lion Heart 5W all-tube Class A (tone at the Vox) but is capable of Starfire in saturated sounds nice but with the hollow body, I do not dare too much for fear of starting feedback (and that's not my thing).

Three mic positions all have a good personality. The neck pickup is warm and be organic, the bridge pickup slammed knows to be necessary and the intermediate position is a good balance between the two. They are quiet but ... they are double coils is provided for.

Negative point: there is a parasite that vibrates and stuff that I have not yet identified although I think it's at the plate. It's not really hard and it does not pass through the microphones.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought used 5 months ago. A few years ago, I sold my Danelectro because I did not feel comfortable with a guitar solid body (or almost). I play for 13 years and tried a lot of electric guitars and I do not think buying an electric one day (I was gone for a Martin D28) and continue to put in my micro magnetic roses when I wanted a sound Electric (JJ Cale again) but this instrument has a good balance between acoustic and electric guitar:
- Ergonomics typed enough jazz
- Good range of sounds, at least those that I seek. As I said, it's a good balance between Gibson and Gretsch.
- A sacred look without excess

I appreciate the flightcase excellent and the idea of ​​offering both a normal tailpiece and Bisby.

For the price - 1300 € in my case - I have an instrument of excellent craftsmanship, reliable and durable. Compared to other semi-prestigious banks, I think what has not been invested in the glitz has been in the design and construction. For the same price at the time, we had a Gibson ES-135 and it was a Gretsch dream. So I think there has been an instrument you do not pay but the name of a level anything but amateur.