Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $1,188
Standard/Professional
$500
$1201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Guild Starfire V Hollowbody". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Indulge in the sublime resonance of the Guild Starfire V Hollowbody, a semi-hollow, double-cutaway masterpiece that perfectly encapsulates the vibrant energy of the 60s. Boasting a distinct character and classic aesthetic, this guitar is finely crafted to enhance your individual playing style. Its all-mahogany body with an arched top and back, coupled with dual f holes, creates a sound that is rich, warm, and authentically Guild.
The Guild Starfire V is equipped with twin Guild LB-1 "Little Bucker" pickups, ensuring a versatile tonal range that can effortlessly transition from rock and blues to roots and more. The three-piece neck, composed of mahogany/maple/mahogany, guarantees durability and long-lasting playability, whilst the vintage-style "soft U" profile and an ebony fingerboard with pearloid block inlays offer a comfortable and satisfying playing experience.
The Guild Starfire V is not just a musical instrument; it's a statement of style, featuring an elegant ivory white body binding, black/white purfling, and a gorgeous white finish. Complete with a Guild vibrato tailpiece, Grover Sta-Tite tuning machines, nickel hardware, and a plush-lined hardshell case, this guitar is truly a nod to the golden era of rock and roll.
Key Features:
- All-mahogany body with arched top and back
- Twin Guild LB-1 "Little Bucker" pickups
- Three-piece mahogany/maple/mahogany neck with vintage-style "soft U" profile
- 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearloid block inlays
- Three-way pickup selector switch
- Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup and master volume
- Guild vibrato tailpiece
- Grover Sta-Tite tuning machines
- Nickel hardware
- Plush-lined hardshell case included
Product specs
| Brand | Guild |
| Model | Newark St. Collection Starfire V |
| Finish | Black, Cherry Red, Emerald Green, Snow White |
| Year | 2014 - 2021 |
| Categories | Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Semi-Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Black, Green, Red, White |
| 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
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What type of music is the Guild Starfire V Hollowbody best suited for?
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The Guild Starfire V Hollowbody is versatile and particularly well-suited for jazz, blues, and rock genres due to its warm, resonant tone and semi-hollow body design.
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How does the Guild Starfire V compare to the Gibson ES-335?
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The Guild Starfire V offers similar tonal qualities to the Gibson ES-335 but at a more affordable price point. It features a slightly deeper body and unique styling, providing a distinct sound and feel.
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What is the neck profile like on the Guild Starfire V?
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The Guild Starfire V features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing, accommodating a variety of hand sizes.
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Does the Guild Starfire V come with a case?
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Yes, the Guild Starfire V comes with a hardshell case, providing protection and easy transport for the guitar.
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Is the Guild Starfire V suitable for beginners?
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While the Guild Starfire V is a high-quality instrument, its features and price point may be more suitable for intermediate to advanced players looking for a versatile semi-hollowbody guitar.
Videos
Guild Guitars
Guild Starfire V Demo by Trevor Menear
Reviews
PROS
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Stunning aesthetic with impressive finish and inlays
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Clear, articulate pickups with a unique vintage character
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Master volume control offers convenient sound adjustments
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Smooth playability with low action and easy fret access
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Bigsby tremolo provides solid performance and fun use
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Versatile tone suitable for jazz, blues, rock, and more
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High-quality build and craftsmanship, comparable to US-made models
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Warm, airy sound with excellent sustain
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Distinctive sound stands out from similar guitars
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Excellent value for its price range
CONS
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Heavier than typical semi-hollow guitars
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Floating bridge can be less stable for some players
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Pickup switch cover color may not appeal to all
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Occasional need for post-purchase setup adjustments
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild Starfire V Hollowbody.
Build quality
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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Starfire III is likened to a Gibson ES 295 for similar tonal qualities, though notable differences exist.
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The Guild Starfire V, being semi-hollow, contrasts with the fully hollow Epiphone Casino, affecting resonance and feedback characteristics.
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The Epiphone Casino's pickup configuration with actual Gibson P-90s is suggested for those seeking a classic, iconic sound.
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A vintage Harmony Rocket is recommended for those exploring alternative hollowbody options, noted for its unique sound and potential value appreciation.
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Owners highlight the Starfire V's sustain, noting it surpasses the Gibson ES-335, offering a more extended sound.
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Value and pricing
Mods and upgrades
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Kent Armstrong Casino pickups are a recommended upgrade for enhancing the Epiphone's sound quality significantly.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings
Classic looks, classic feels at a perfect price.
Like Guild says, this guitar is "Made to be played". The Starfire V is a guitar that feels true to the 60's era, the guild proprietary pickups give the guitar a sound that is unique distinguishing it from similar style guitars with humbuckers like the ES-335, having a well defined bottom end with a great emphasis on the mid-highs that make the guitar cut through the mix. The construction screams quality, there is no part of the guitar that feels cheap, from the wood to the bone, there is no doubt the guild Starfire V will set you back to the 60s with an incredible sound and quality.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this photo, taken at Iha's 2012 performance in World Cafe in Boston, Iha can be seen playing the black Guild Starfire V.
Leslie Feist, the acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter, is pictured with a Guild Starfire V Hollowbody guitar in a user-uploaded photo on Wordpress.
According to Guild's artists page Renaud uses this 1967 Starfire V on stage and in studio during the time of "Strange Trails".
According to this interview (transcribed from the February 2000 issue of Guitar Player magazine), Kevin utilized a Starfire during the recording of Third Eye Blind's second album, Blue.
During the BanG Dream! 7th☆LIVE Budokan performance, Riko Kohara can be seen playing a Guild Starfire V Hollowbody guitar in the Hello, Happy World section.
For "Damn It All" performance at 89.3 The Current, Staveley-Taylor used the Guild Starfire V, judging by the Bigsby vibrato,
On the cover of Bad Axe, Son Seal's standard guitar that he uses is the Guild Starfire 5.
Album Usage
The Guild Starfire V 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 V Hollowbody, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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