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Average Price: $1,342

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Description

Step into the rich tapestry of the '60s rock revolution with the Guild Newark St. Collection Starfire IV ST-12. This 12-string electric guitar channels the era's iconic sound, offering a perfect blend of jangle, chime, and growl. The thinline semi-hollowbody design, inspired by the classic Guild Starfire, ensures not only a lightweight feel but also a resonant, full-bodied tone that’s perfect for rock, country, blues, and beyond.

Equipped with a pair of LB-1 Little Bucker pickups, this guitar delivers a unique tonal palette, balancing the warmth of humbuckers with the crisp clarity of single-coils. The 3-piece neck, crafted from a combination of mahogany and maple, is a testament to durability and playability, promising a lifetime of reliable performance. Its ebony fingerboard adds a touch of elegance and enhanced articulation, allowing your creativity to flow effortlessly.

Whether you're laying down tracks in the studio or performing live, the Starfire IV ST-12 is an indispensable instrument that elevates your music. The pinned Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide exceptional intonation and tuning stability, ensuring that every note rings true. This guitar doesn’t just play music—it creates an experience, making it a cherished companion for any musician looking to explore new sonic landscapes.

Key Features:

  • Thinline semi-hollowbody design inspired by the '60s Guild Starfire
  • LB-1 Little Bucker pickups for versatile tonal range
  • Durable 3-piece mahogany/maple neck with ebony fingerboard
  • Pinned Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for stability
  • Grover Sta-Tite 97 tuners for precise tuning adjustments

Product specs

Brand Guild
Model Newark St. Collection Starfire IV ST-12
Finish Aspen Green, Cherry Red, Shoreline Mist
Year 2018 - 2021
Categories 12-String Electric Guitars, Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Green, Red, Silver
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 9.5"
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 12-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What type of music is the Guild Starfire IV ST-12 best suited for?

The Guild Starfire IV ST-12, with its semi-hollow body and 12-string configuration, is ideal for genres that benefit from rich, shimmering tones, such as folk-rock, classic rock, and jangle pop.

How does the Guild Starfire IV ST-12 handle feedback compared to other semi-hollow guitars?

The Guild Starfire IV ST-12's semi-hollow design helps manage feedback effectively, making it a versatile choice for both live performances and studio recordings.

What are the standout features of the Guild Starfire IV ST-12's pickups?

The Guild Starfire IV ST-12 is equipped with dual humbuckers, providing a warm, full-bodied sound with excellent clarity, suitable for both clean and overdriven tones.

Is the Guild Starfire IV ST-12 comfortable for extended playing sessions?

With a 9.5" fretboard radius and a 24.75" scale length, the Guild Starfire IV ST-12 offers comfortable playability, making it suitable for extended playing sessions without causing fatigue.

What is the neck profile like on the Guild Starfire IV ST-12?

The Guild Starfire IV ST-12 features a set-neck construction with a comfortable, rounded profile that provides smooth playability across the fretboard.

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST-12 12-String Demo

Video thumbnail for Guild Starfire IV ST-12 12-String Demo by Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST-12 12-String Demo

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guild Starfire IV ST-12 Demo by Guitarist

Guild Starfire IV ST-12 Demo

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for SNAMM '18 - Guild Starfire IV 12-ST 12-String Demo by Premier Guitar

SNAMM '18 - Guild Starfire IV 12-ST 12-String Demo

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Reviews

PROS

  • Fast neck allows for smooth and quick playability

  • Excellent tone with a full, chimey sound and balanced highs and lows

  • Faithful reissue that stays true to the original 1967 Starfire-12

  • Wider neck enhances playability for single string notes and runs

  • Beautiful Shoreline Mist finish with great neck and body binding

  • Comparable quality to higher-end models, offering excellent value

CONS

  • Initial setup issues with high nut slots and improperly cut bridge saddles

  • Quality control concerns with setup details despite high MSRP

  • Pickguard aesthetically out of place for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild Newark St. Collection Starfire IV ST-12.

Features and functionality

  • The Starfire IV ST offers a stop tailpiece instead of the traditional trapeze tailpiece, adding a unique element to its design.

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  • The green finish is highly praised, adding a unique aesthetic appeal that sets it apart from more common finishes.

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Use cases and applications

  • Owners highlight the guitar's versatility, noting its ability to produce a jazzy lead tone with the bridge pickup volume and tone dialed down.

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  • The Guild Starfire IV is favored for its semi-hollow body, making it suitable for genres requiring a dynamic range such as jazz and blues.

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Build quality

  • The Newark St. Collection guitars are crafted in Korea by Sound Professional Guitar Co., Ltd., ensuring consistent build quality similar to that of D'Angelicos and Gretsch Electromatics.

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  • The Guild Newark St. Collection Starfire IV is noted for its consistent build quality, rivaling more expensive American-made models.

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User experience

  • The neck pickup is generally preferred by owners for its beautiful tone, while the bridge pickup may not be as favored, indicating a tonal preference among users.

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  • Players love the neck shape for its comfort and note an impressive amount of sustain that enhances playing experience.

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  • A user mentioned their Guild Starfire IV maintaining high performance even after extensive gigging, highlighting its durability.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Users suggest that replacing stock mini-bucker pickups with higher-output pickups could potentially increase feedback, indicating the guitar's sensitivity to pickup changes.

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  • Users recommend considering the Eastman T486 for its Seymour Duncan pickups, which provide a distinctive tonal upgrade over stock options.

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Comparisons

  • Users liken the pickups to lower output Gretsch Filtertrons rather than high output ceramics, suggesting a vintage tone profile.

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  • The Guild Starfire IV is suggested as a robust alternative to a vintage 335, with craftsmanship matching older, more expensive models.

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  • The Guild Starfire IV is often compared to the Hagstrom Viking for offering similar quality and tone at a competitive price point.

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Critic Reviews

Guild Starfire IV ST-12 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Guild's Starfire IV ST-12 is a stunning blend of vintage charm and modern playability, boasting a versatile tonal range that suits various styles. Its sleek design, comfortable neck, and quality construction make it a joy to play. While it may not have the market saturation of its competitors, it offers a unique alternative with a sweet jangle and rich sound. There's minimal to critique, making this guitar a worthy investment for 12-string enthusiasts seeking both aesthetics and functionality.

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