Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $1,895
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Introducing the Starfire II ST, a semi-hollow guitar with a graceful single Florentine cutaway and extra thin mahogany body. The Starfire II ST comes equipped with dual LB-1 Little Bucker pickups, replicas of Guild’s original smaller size humbucking pickups. These pickups, which have a footprint that falls in between a full size humbucker and mini-bucker, define the Starfire II’s uniquely-Guild sound. Other premium features include a mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, elegant ivory white body binding, and a beautiful high gloss natural finish. This model features a Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for increased sustain and stability. The Starfire II is a welcome addition to the Starfire family, offering Guild’s classic vibe and vintage tone. The Guild LB-1 “Little Bucker” was first offered in 1962 as an upgrade from single coil pickups. Tonally, it has a little more jangle than a traditional PAF humbucker. The resistance and inductance of these pickups sit comfortably between a typical single coil and typical humbucker – contributing to the airy nature of the LB-1 without compromising its warmth. The LB-1 has a unique footprint, placing it in-between a mini-bucker and a full size humbucker.
Product specs
| Brand | Guild |
| Model | Starfire II |
| Finish | Cherry |
| Year | 1964 |
| Categories | Hollow Body Guitars |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Red |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Guild Starfire II best suited for?
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The Guild Starfire II is well-suited for genres like jazz, blues, and classic rock due to its warm, resonant tone and semi-hollowbody design, which provides a rich, full sound.
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What is the neck profile of the Guild Starfire II like?
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The Guild Starfire II features a comfortable, slim neck profile that allows for smooth playability, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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Does the Guild Starfire II have a tremolo system?
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Yes, the Guild Starfire II is equipped with a tremolo tailpiece, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects.
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What type of pickups does the Guild Starfire II use?
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The Guild Starfire II features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, offering a rich, warm tone with reduced noise, ideal for a variety of musical styles.
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Is the Guild Starfire II suitable for beginners?
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While the Guild Starfire II is a high-quality instrument with excellent tonal characteristics, its features and price point might be more suited to intermediate and advanced players who can fully appreciate its capabilities.
Videos
Cutaway Magazine
Guild Starfire II Dynasonic
Guild Starfire II Dynasonic
Cutaway Magazine
1965 Guild Starfire II | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars
GuitarPoint
Reviews
PROS
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Unique vintage design with a distinctive 1960s configuration
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Fantastic tone style when feedback is controlled
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High-quality electronics and pots, best in class
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Wide range of tones from classic rock to jazz
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Lightweight, comfortable for extended playing sessions
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Smooth neck with low action, easy playability
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Excellent value, worth more than its price
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Beautiful clean tone through amplifiers
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Fits well with standard cases
CONS
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F holes may require finishing touch-ups
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Pickups may need customization for some preferences
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Not suitable for very high-gain music styles
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild Starfire II.
User experience
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The Guild Starfire II is praised for its lightweight design and comfortable neck, making it easy to handle for extended play sessions.
Source -
One owner appreciated the Starfire II ST over a Gibson 335, citing a better price-to-performance ratio and a stronger personal connection with the Guild.
Source
Features and functionality
Comparisons
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Some players find the neck too thin compared to other models like the Jack Casady bass, which might affect preference based on playing style.
Source -
The Starfire II ST is noted for its thinner profile compared to typical 335-style guitars, offering a unique feel and sound at a more accessible price point.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Guild Starfire II is often highlighted for its sound quality, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a distinct, high-quality tone in a semi-hollow body bass.
Source -
The guitar can achieve warm, airy jazzy tones with the neck pickup and a drive pedal, making it versatile for various musical styles.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings
Excellent for the price
I bought this this morning, but have been after my friend to sell it to me for some time, so I have played it much. He never/seldom used it. I got it for a good price because it is used. The electronics are all very nice. The pots are very good quality (maybe the best I've seen). The pickups get some tough reviews online, but I think they are matched well. The bridge is bright sounding and the pot has a nice even roll off with tone and volume. It doesn't have extreme high gain like some humbuckers, but seems to me to be good for classic rock, blues, jazz, and anything clean. The neck is much sweeter and seems more pleasant to my ear. The two working together can produce a wide range of tone. I tend to keep it in middle position with the tone dialed back on the bridge. The finish is nice, but I have seen better. The big issue is the f holes are not smooth underneath where the finish was sprayed. This is an easy fix. I can't speak to the factory setup, because my friend does this well. It plays like a dream with low action and no issues. The price I'm seeing on thesevused is in the $700 range and $899 or more for new. This guitar is well worth more than that. The fact that it was made in Korea doesn't bother me; some American made guitars I have had don't measure up to this. I had an old epiphone Sheraton case that it fits like a glove in so I was happy about that too.
I've been playing this a lot over the last week and did my first gig with it this week. Lots of comments on the tone and beauty of the guitar. It is light so playing into the night is not hard. I love it.
I sent the pickups off for a rewind to Radioshop.com because of the vast difference in the neck and the bridge. They did sound good before, but the bridge wasn't what I wanted.
Super Hollowbody guitar
This guitar I mainly use in the studio. The pickups sounds amazing and unlike any guitar I`ve ever tried. It feel smooth and the look is brilliant. The clean tone through my fender amp is beautiful.
Artist usage
Add artist
Buddy Guy is noted for using the Guild Starfire II, as highlighted in the "Starfire II ST Featured in Guitarist Magazine" article by Myrna Cazessus on Guild Guitars.
Muddy Waters is noted for using the Guild Starfire II, as highlighted in an article by Myrna Cazessus on Guild Guitars' website.
Lightnin' Hopkins is known to have used the Guild Starfire II, as highlighted in an article by Myrna Cazessus on Guild Guitars.
Robert Lockwood Jr. is featured using the Guild Starfire II, as highlighted in an article by Myrna Cazessus for Guild Guitars.
"Dupree picks an early-’60s Guild Starfire III with two DeArmond single-coils and a Bigsby B6 tremolo as he shares the mic with King Curtis at a 1966 record-release party for Percy Sledge. "
Album Usage
The Guild Starfire II has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Guild Starfire II, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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