Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,248

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

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High-end

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Description

The Guild Starfire IV ST Maple is a masterful blend of vintage allure and modern precision, capturing the essence of the classic '60s semi-hollowbody designs while offering features that today's musicians demand. With its iconic thinline body and flamed maple construction, this guitar is not only a visual marvel but also a sonic powerhouse. The Starfire IV ST's double-cutaway shape provides exceptional access to higher frets, making it a versatile choice for various musical styles.

Equipped with dual LB-1 "Little Bucker" pickups, this guitar delivers a unique tonal palette that sits comfortably between single-coil brightness and humbucker warmth. Whether you're chasing the crisp jangle of rock or the smooth sustain of blues, these pickups respond beautifully, offering rich, vintage-style tones. The 3-piece neck of maple and walnut reinforces durability, ensuring your Starfire IV will withstand the rigors of constant play while maintaining impeccable playability.

Designed with a stopbar tailpiece and Grover Sta-Tite die-cast tuners, the Starfire IV ST boasts outstanding tuning stability and sustain. Experience the resonant, open sounds of a semi-hollowbody with the solid-body comfort, perfect for the stage or studio. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or an aspiring musician, the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple promises a lifetime of musical inspiration.

Key Features:

  • Flamed maple body with a thinline semi-hollow design
  • Dual LB-1 "Little Bucker" pickups for a versatile tonal range
  • 3-piece maple/walnut/maple neck for enhanced durability
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Stopbar tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge for increased sustain
  • Grover Sta-Tite die-cast tuners for reliable tuning stability
  • Includes a hard case for protection and portability

Product specs

Brand Guild
Model Newark St. Collection Starfire IV ST Maple
Finish Antique Sunburst, Emerald Green, Natural Flame
Year 2015 - 2021
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Green, Natural, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 9.5"
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
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"
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple best suited for?

The Guild Starfire IV ST Maple is versatile, making it ideal for genres like jazz, blues, rock, and indie. Its semi-hollow body and dual humbucker pickups provide a warm, resonant tone that can handle clean and overdriven sounds effectively.

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

The Guild Starfire IV ST Maple features a soft U-shaped neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip for most players, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar styles. This shape is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a substantial neck feel.

What are the main tonal characteristics of the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple's pickups?

The Guild Starfire IV ST Maple is equipped with LB-1 humbuckers, known for their vintage-inspired tone with excellent clarity and warmth. These pickups deliver a balanced sound that is great for clean tones and smooth overdrive.

Is the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple suitable for beginners?

While the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple offers professional-grade features, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners. However, its semi-hollow design may require some experience to fully appreciate its tonal nuances.

Does the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple come with a case?

Yes, the Guild Starfire IV ST Maple includes a hardshell case, providing protection for transport and storage. This is a valuable addition for maintaining the guitar's condition over time.

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo by R.J. Ronquillo

Video thumbnail for Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo by R.J. Ronquillo by Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo by R.J. Ronquillo

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo by Trevor Menear by Guild Guitars

Guild Starfire IV ST Maple Demo by Trevor Menear

Guild Guitars

Guild Guitars

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

Video thumbnail for Demo Guild Starfire IV ST by Cutaway Magazine

Demo Guild Starfire IV ST

Cutaway Magazine

Cutaway Magazine

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • Some Starfire IV ST models are noted for their stunning white finish with an ebony neck, praised for exceptional craftsmanship.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Purchasers of "USED" stamped models, refurbished by MIRC, report flawless fit and finish with precise setups right out of the box.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Starfire IV ST features a stop tailpiece, differing from the standard trapeze tailpiece, offering distinct tonal and playability characteristics.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Starfire III is often compared to a Gibson ES 295 in terms of design and tone, with users noting similar characteristics.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners highlight the Starfire IV ST’s versatility for jazz tones, especially when using the middle pickup position with adjusted bridge pickup settings.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • "USED" stamped Starfire V models are available for around $700, providing a cost-effective alternative to new models with minor cosmetic repairs.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Guild Newark Street Starfire IV ST review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Guild Starfire IV ST Maple is a respectful nod to its classic predecessors. It shines with its impressive finish and retains the iconic tone, offering a comfortable playing experience. Its build quality justifies the price, especially with the included hard-shell case. The high fretwire may not cater to everyone's preference, but it enhances bendability and vibrato. Overall, it's a stunningly crafted instrument that embodies Guild's resurgence in the market.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Mayer uses Guild Starfire IV ST Maple

John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live video of John Mayer performing "Come When I Call," he can be seen playing a Guild Starfire IV ST Maple in an Antique Sunburst finish. The guitar can be seen throughout the video, with a closeup of it around 1:43.

See how Dave Le'aupepe uses Guild Starfire IV ST Maple

Dave Le'aupepe

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Music Feeds

Le’aupepe has put the guitar — an Emerald Green Guild Starfire IV/ST — up for auction on the online music marketplace Reverb.com, and will be passing all the proceeds from the sale onto the Refugee and Immigrant Centre for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), a Texas-based nonprofit organisation which provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrant children, families and refugees.

Le’aupepe says the guitar was used to write most of the songs on Go Farther In Lightness, including ‘Fear And Trembling’, ‘Say Yes To Life’ and ‘The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows’. It was also his main touring guitar between 2016 and 2018.

“It has been part of me through the most significant period in my career and life,” Le’aupepe says.

Read more at https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/gang-of-youths-david-leaupepe-auctioning-go-farther-in-lightness-guitar-charity/#tceP8Vhiw84s4sgj.99

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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