Summer NAMM: 12-string Guild Starfire IV

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
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MrFingers
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Summer NAMM: 12-string Guild Starfire IV

Post by MrFingers » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:14 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGsNV1KxbWM

Image

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Starfire IV ST-12

If you’re craving that 60s choral, jangly guitar tone defined by the Beatles and the Byrds, the Starfire IV ST 12-String both sounds and looks the part. Based on our popular Starfire IV ST, this thinbody semi-hollow electric has the added power of 6 more strings! Premium features include an all-mahogany body, solid spruce center block, ebony fingerboard, and Guild’s hallmark mahogany neck with maple center seam. Instead of a harp tailpiece as seen on the first Guild electric 12-string (the Starfire XII made from ’66-’74), this modern version has a Tune-O-Matic bridge with a stopbar tailpiece for increased sustain and stability, imperative for keeping those extra strings in tune. The Starfire IV ST 12-String includes dual LB-1 “Little Bucker” pickups, replicas of Guild’s original smaller size humbucking pickups.

Available in Aspen Green & Cherry Red, and includes hardshell case.

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Re: Summer NAMM: 12-string Guild Starfire IV

Post by Singlebladepickup » Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:26 am

Looks incredible, but doesn't sound as good as Danelectro or Dipinto 12 strings in the demo. Not enough jangle. Maybe if the pickups were swapped...

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Re: Summer NAMM: 12-string Guild Starfire IV

Post by Musjagjazz » Tue Jun 26, 2018 11:40 am

Looks incredible, but doesn't sound as good as Danelectro or Dipinto 12 strings in the demo. Not enough jangle. Maybe if the pickups were swapped...

It's a known problem that the Bridge p/u is underwound for these LB-1 (Little Bucker) pickups used on this guitar. Also on the S-200 T Bird & the recently reissued Jetstar.

For whatever reason, Guild refuses to fix it, saying that since the Neck uses different wire (42g) and are rated higher (7.02K) than the Bridge (5.06K) (41g wire), it evens out and are balanced properly. They aren't.

It's too bad because the Neck p/u is wound correctly, the Bridge p/u is just underwhelming.
When Fender sold Guild to Cordoba, Fender were about to fix it but this issue got lost in the sale.

I guess it would just cost Guild/Cordoba too much to fix all the new guitars that have sold with the LB-1 Bridge p/u.

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