Guild’s origins were in the archtop universe, with key members of its staff coming from Epiphone in 1952. The explosive popularity of the guitar in folk and rock, however, moved its main focus to steel string acoustic guitars, but they continued to produce high-quality electric archtops.
This 1974 Guild Starfire II Walnut is in good, all original condition and is a great example of the quality of Guild instruments during that period.
The Starfire II is a fully hollow, 17 inch wide thinline mahogany laminate guitar with floating rosewood bridge, florentine cutaway and the classic Guild harp tailpiece. The lacquer finish is lightly checked and there are just a few dings and scratches; the finish on the front of the headstock has a small amount of rippling.
The guitar plays quite well and is set up with a moderately low action. The neck is a relatively thin and comfortable profile, with a bound rosewood fingerboard and a 24.75 inch scale length. To my hands, the profile used on these early 70’s models is one of the most comfortable. The Guild open tuners are smooth and positive. The pickups are Guild humbuckers, and these tend to have a great tone, with a PAF type openness and clarity.
A non-original SKB hardshell case is included.
Serial Number: 98574, built during 1974 at the Guild plant in Westerly, Rhode Island.
Pricing: $1,599.00 with SKB hardshell case SOLD
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