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Average Price: $939

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Description

The Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody is a harmonious blend of vintage allure and modern craftsmanship, poised to elevate your sound to new heights. Revered by legendary musicians like Buddy Guy, this semi-hollowbody electric guitar is a testament to Guild's enduring quality and innovative spirit. Its classic double-cutaway design offers exceptional playability, allowing you to explore every fret with ease.

Dive into a rich sonic palette with its dual LB-1 “Little Bucker” pickups, meticulously designed to emulate the beloved tones of the 60s and 70s. Whether you're laying down smooth jazz lines or driving rock riffs, the Starfire IV ST delivers a warm, resonant tone that cuts through the mix with clarity and character. The combination of a laminated mahogany body and a three-piece mahogany/maple neck ensures both durability and rich sound projection.

This guitar isn't just about nostalgia; it’s a versatile companion for the contemporary player. Experience the smooth action of the Guild Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, offering stable intonation and sustain. From the studio to the stage, the Starfire IV ST is ready to become a cornerstone of your musical journey.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody electric guitar with double-cutaway design
  • Dual LB-1 “Little Bucker” pickups for vintage-inspired tones
  • Laminated mahogany body with a three-piece mahogany/maple neck
  • Guild Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
  • Comfortable 22-fret rosewood fingerboard

Product specs

Brand Guild
Model Newark St. Collection Starfire IV ST
Finish Cherry Red, Emerald Green, Natural, Shoreline Mist, Vintage Sunburst
Year 2015 - 2021
Made In Korea, Republic of
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Green, Natural, Red, Silver, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 9.5"
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody suitable for?

The Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody is versatile, making it ideal for genres like jazz, blues, rock, and indie. Its semi-hollow body design provides a warm, resonant tone that complements clean and overdriven sounds, appealing to a wide range of musical styles.

How does the neck profile of the Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody affect playability?

The Guild Starfire IV ST features a vintage soft U-shaped neck, providing a comfortable grip for most players. This profile is well-suited for both chordal playing and single-note runs, offering a balance between comfort and control.

What pickups are used in the Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody, and what tones can they produce?

The Guild Starfire IV ST is equipped with LB-1 humbuckers, which deliver a rich, warm tone with clarity and punch. These pickups are great for achieving both smooth, jazzy cleans and gritty rock overdrive, making the guitar versatile for various musical contexts.

Is the Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody a good choice for live performances?

Yes, the Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody is well-suited for live performances due to its semi-hollow design, which provides excellent resonance and feedback control. Its robust construction and versatile tonal options make it reliable and adaptable on stage.

What is the scale length of the Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody, and how does it affect playability?

The Guild Starfire IV ST has a scale length of 24.75 inches, which is typical for many electric guitars. This scale length offers a slightly slinkier feel, making bends easier and providing a comfortable playing experience for most guitarists.

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST Demo

Video thumbnail for Guild Starfire IV ST Demo by Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST Demo

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo at GAK by GAK

Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo at GAK

GAK

GAK

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional tone quality, surpassing expectations and comparable to high-end models

  • Excellent build quality, feels durable and well-crafted

  • Offers diverse tonal capabilities, enriching musical expression

  • Great value for money, comparable to more expensive guitars

  • Perfectly balanced pickups, providing rich, clear sounds

  • Vintage vibe with unique design, not a 335 knock-off

  • Comes with a high-quality hard shell case

  • Typically arrives in excellent condition, showcasing good quality control

CONS

  • Neck joint issues reported in some units

  • Difficult warranty support experiences

  • Limited color options for this model

  • Occasional craftsmanship defects like cracks and sloppy toggle switch

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody.

Build quality

  • Guild Starfire IV ST is Korean-made, featuring cool pickups and a stylish appearance with an ebony neck.

    Source
  • Some Starfire IV models have been noted to feature mixed elements, such as Starfire IV binding and Starfire V inlays, which might interest collectors or customization enthusiasts.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Starfire V includes a master volume and vibrato tailpiece ("Guildsby"), distinguishing it from the IV, which has a stop tailpiece.

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  • The Guild Starfire I DC model includes a coil-split feature, offering bright single-coil tones in addition to the standard humbucker sounds, enhancing tonal flexibility.

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Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for jazz leads with bridge pickup volume and tone turned down, providing versatility between jangle and smooth tones.

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  • It's reported that the Starfire II ST delivers a magical sound when paired with a Vox AC10 amplifier, suggesting a specific setup for optimal tone.

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Comparisons

  • Guild Starfire models have been compared to Gibson ES 295 for similar tonal qualities and aesthetic design.

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  • The Starfire's pickups are preferred over those in a Gibson 335 by some owners for their unique tonal qualities.

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  • The Gretsch Streamliner Center Block Jr is noted for its lightweight design, a feature that potential Guild buyers hope will be similar in the Starfire models.

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Value and pricing

  • Buying a "USED" stamped Guild from Music Go Round offers a brand-new guitar at reduced costs, though it voids the warranty.

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Other

  • The current Guild Starfire models are constructed under the guidance of Ren Ferguson, formerly of Gibson Acoustic, hinting at a high standard of craftsmanship.

    Source

User experience

  • Emerald green finish of the Starfire I DC is highly praised for its aesthetics, though it is often backordered due to high demand.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Guild Newark St Starfire IV review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody shines as a semi-acoustic powerhouse, offering a comfortable neck and a rich, unique tone that straddles blues and rock genres effectively. Its vintage aesthetic is eye-catching, and the Guild Anti-Hum pickups deliver a bright, articulate sound. However, be cautious with extreme bends, as tuning stability can suffer, showcasing slight intonation issues. Overall, this guitar is a rewarding experience for players who appreciate its character and can navigate its minor quirks.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how David Le'aupepe uses Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody

David Le'aupepe

Singer, Guitarist

Gang of Youths

...
Verified via reverb.com

After recording most of the guitar tracks for the second Gang of Youths album "Go Farther in Lightness", Dave auctioned this guitar for charity on Reverb. According to Reverb, it's "a beautiful, made-in-Korea, 2000 Guild Starfire IV ST finished in emerald green that served as Le’aupepe’s main guitar for two years". Dave says "I wrote every song on the album on this guitar except for ‘What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out’ and ‘Keep Me In The Open,’". It can be seen used throughout this video: https://youtu.be/fuLrdYIBD-4.

Album Usage

The Guild Starfire IV ST Hollowbody 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 IV ST Hollowbody, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Guild Starfire IV
Guild Starfire IV Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
1

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