Guitar museum > Guild > Starfire III > 1961 Guild Starfire III Hollow Body w/ Orignial Case

1961 Guild Starfire III Hollow Body w/ Orignial Case

This guitar is no longer for sale (sold on 2007-10-03)
Price : US $1,500.

1961 Guild Starfire III Hollow Body w/ Original Case
- According to Gruhn Guitars this is a 1961 Starfire III
- The serial no. is 17533
- The trustrod cover says Starfire however the sticker on the inside of the guitar says Amberfire (Hand Written).
- Also Guild who is not originally owned anymore by the way. Also stated the company started production of Starfire's in 1960 so this must be one of the first production runs.

I do not know the factory specs though I will try my best to list them.
Made in the USA.
20 FretFully Hollow ('F' Holes)
ThinlineSingle Cutaway
Independent Volume and Tone Controls
Two DeArmond Model 200 pickups with Adjustable Poles (Not 100% but they seem original and is what I found online based on other starfires at the time.)
3-Way SelectorSingle Piece Mahogany Neck
Rosewood Fretboard
Mahogany BodyFloating Bridge
Original Bigsby TremeloSinge Binding Around Body
This Guitar is really a beautiful piece. Such a sweet guitar to play. Though it has wear it's still in beautiful playing condition. As you can see on the auction page it does have some buckle rash but it has not affected the playability of this guitar. This guitar was rather hard to find information for. Based on what I found I believe it to be accurate or at least damn close!!! If you have any questions or comments it would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time! - Thanks!

This guitar is sold (sold on 2007-10-03)

Post a comment on 1961 Guild Starfire III Hollow Body w/ Orignial Case :

Phil said...
I agree Greg, they have a great sound. Very clear and crisp. They are the same pick ups that were used in the Gretsch models from that period. The pick ups in this guitar are the original single coil Dearmonds.

James said...
not original pickups. Original would have been single coil, of the same size

Greg Brown said...
Nice guitar! I have a 1960 SFIII and is identical except the pickups are black instead of white (like on the early Gretchs), tremelo says Bigsby instead of Guild (because it was otherwise easy to change a SFII into a SFIII), and my original tuning pegs are enclosed Klusons. I must say that I absolutly love the pickups on this guitar. Neck plays like a dream too. Just a real beauty these old guitars.

Phil said...
Wow - I was doing some research on Guild SFIII's and came across this in my searching. What a surprise! I am the proud owner of this very guitar and am happy to share any information about it. I have also taken better pictures since the ebay auction ones above.


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1961 Guild Starfire III Hollow Body w/ Orignial Case

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