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Guild Starfire I DC Semi-hollow Electric Guitar - California Burst

Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, Guild Vibrato, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - California Burst
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Guild Starfire I DC Semi-hollow Electric Guitar - California Burst
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Mahogany-bodied Spin on Guild’s Classic Starfire I

Inspired by Guild’s most iconic 1960s semi-hollowbody designs, the Starfire I DC defies traditional maple-bound construction for the depth and mellow tone of a mahogany body. This guitar’s arched center-block construction supplies the airy, resonant quality of some timeless Guild semi-hollow electrics, at the same time helping to neutralize squealing and squelching in a loud performance setting — quite an asset onstage, especially for high-octane rock music. Standard-sized HB-2 alnico humbuckers — which build off Guild’s iconic HB-1s — supply a warmth and bite that Sweetwater guitarists find compares favorably to the almighty PAFs. Not only that, but push-pull pots unlock a distinct single-coil chime that suits less raucous applications like blues, surf, country, and rock music superbly. It’s all topped off with a Guild-branded vibrato bridge built for expressive players.

Split HB-2 humbuckers

With its HB-2 alnico humbuckers, your Guild Starfire I DC serves up a wide range of multi-generational tones. These pickups unleash fullness and sustain by the truckload, with enough PAF-like warmth to satisfy even the most discriminating tone connoisseur and push-pull coil-splitting for that classic single-coil spank. Plug into a mid-gain amp, and you’ll experience a dynamically rich harmonic breakup. Or park the Starfire I DC in front of a high-gain amp, and you’ll enjoy otherworldly sustain tailor-made for blues and rock leads. Guild’s HB-2 humbuckers do a great job of contemporizing the classic HB-1s used by Guild for the past 60 years. Adding proprietary coil-split circuitry, the Starfire I DC packs sensitivity and dynamics to please virtually any player.

Semi-hollow construction

A center-block, semi-hollow construction — hollow on both sides with a solid core running through the center — gives the Starfire I DC electric guitar that classic Guild tone and response without sacrificing live playability. Together with its quality tonewoods, comfortable neck, Guild vibrato bridge, and daring modern electronics, the Starfire I DC has all the makings of a truly pro-level instrument.

Guild vibrato tailpiece

The Guild-branded vibrato tailpiece installed on the Starfire I DC supplies ample expression and exacting control. From caterwauling rockabilly leads to cascading waves of texture and color, you'll find all the nuance you need in the Starfire I DC's expressive vibrato system.

Guild Starfire I DC Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar Features:

  • Inspired by the classic Guild semi-hollowbody guitars of the 1960s
  • Mahogany semi-hollowbody design supplies a rich, almost acoustic-like depth to your every note
  • Modern thin “U” profile mahogany neck is a must-have for players with a penchant for speed
  • 12.5-inch-radius Indian rosewood fingerboard, along with 22 narrow-tall frets, offers a decidedly modern playing experience
  • Guild HB-2 humbuckers build off the legendary HB-1 humbuckers, splitting the difference between PAF-style tones and more modern power
  • Push-pull coil splits to cop shimmering single-coil sounds
  • Rock-solid Guild hardware, including Guild vintage open-gear tuners and a Guild vibrato tailpiece

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Semi-hollowbody
  • Body Shape Starfire I
  • Body Material Mahogany
  • Top Material Mahogany
  • Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
  • Color California Burst
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Mahogany
  • Neck Shape Modern Thin U
  • Neck Joint Set Neck
  • Radius 12.5"
  • Fingerboard Material Rosewood
  • Fingerboard Inlay Pearloid Dots
  • Number of Frets 22, Narrow Tall
  • Scale Length 24.75"
  • Nut Width 1.6875"
  • Nut Material Composite
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Guild Tune-O-Matic, Guild Vibrato Tailpiece
  • Tuners Guild Vintage 18 Open Gear Tuners, 18:1
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Guild HB-2 Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup Guild HB-2 Humbucker
  • Controls 2 x volume, 2 x tone (Push/Pull Coil Split)
  • Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings D'Addario EXL115, .011-.049
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 99-742-0050

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Guild Starfire 1 DC Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar

Once again, Sweetwater knocked it out of the park...Guitar was more beautiful than pictured, great talk with my Sales Engineer Jacob Terhune...Item arrived 1 day faster than expected, very well packaged and basically in tune! Thanks again and look forward to more purchases...
Music background: Part time musician...
Rated 5/5

Guild Starfire DC 1

I've ordered the Guild Starfire DC1 with tremelo, the California Burst finish. I call it "Root beer" finish. It arrived yesterday in perfect condition. I also had the pleking done and the set up is perfect, best I've ever had on any guitar. That option is a bit pricey but I believe worth it. I've purchased other guitars from Sweetwater and always have the pro set up done, also have had locking tuners installed. They do a great job and the instruments are trouble free forever.

This guitar has its own character and sound; the HB2 pickups are clean, vibrant and the tone knobs are very subtle so I can really dial in the best tone depending on song, which amp I use, effects etc... The front pickup does offer some "jazzy" tone, though closer to a Country Gentleman sound if you've ever heard Chet Atkins. The coil split tone is really close to the P90 sound, which is what I hoped it would be because that tone is great coming out of semi-hollow guitar. In "crunch" mode it is like Ten Nudgent is here. What I really like though is that it has that rock-a-billy sound and like old CCR sound. So far a perfect instrument.

I really looked it over when it arrived. Everything is right. I've read comments about the build quality of Guild guitars --- no issues from my perspective. This guitar is well made, balanced, action is perfect (almost makes me want to buy another amp...).

The prices is great, Sweetwater service is exceptional, as always, and two additional sets of strings included (I asked for D'Addario LX110's be put on during the pro setup).
Music background: playing guitar 50+ years, in bands, jams, on stages, in garages.

When customers come to Sweetwater looking for great, affordable acoustic guitars, we're always quick to tell them about Guild. At the same time, Guild has brought us some real beauties over the years, ranging from top-end acoustic guitars to timeless jazz boxes, and we're happy to say our most seasoned players agree that these instruments are second to none. As one of the prime Guild dealers, we know that when we sell one of these instruments, whoever gets it is going to love it and play it a lot, especially after we put it through our 55-point Evaluation to ensure it leaves our climate-controlled warehouse in perfect condition. Whether you're looking for your first acoustic guitar or your next archtop, ask your Sales Engineer about Guild.

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