Bass of the Week: Guild Starfire II

This week we’re checking out the Starfire II from Guild. The iconic semi-hollow bass first debuted in 1967 where it was used by artists like Jefferson Airplane’s Jack Casady and the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh. It was reintroduced in 2015 to the delight of many a bass player.

Guild Starfire Bass II

Central to the Starfire II’s design is a pair of Guild BS-1 BiSonic pickups. “The Guild BS-1 BiSonic pickup was originally found in many of the solid and hollow body Guild basses in the 1960s and 70s,” the company writes. “The BS-1 has developed a cult following resulting in several reissue versions and designs, including the famous Darkstar by Fred Hammon and BS-DS by Curtis Novak. Wound to 6.4K Ohms, similar in specification to a Hammon Darkstar, the Guild BS-1 provides a refined modern tone in a classic package.”

Other features include a double cutaway body shape, mahogany sides, an arched laminate mahogany top and back, and a three-piece mahogany and maple neck. Listen to the bass in action:

Guild Guitars Starfire Bass II Specs:

Construction:Semi-Hollowbody
Scale Length:30¾″ (781 mm)
Body Top and Back:Arched Laminated Mahogany
Body Sides:Laminated Mahogany
Bracing:Center Block
Finish:Gloss Polyurethane
Body Binding:Ivory White with Black/White Purfling
Purfling:Black/Ivory White
Soundhole/F-Holes Binding:Unbound F Holes
Neck:3-Piece Mahogany/Maple/Mahogany
Neck Profile:Vintage Soft “U”
Neck Finish:Gloss Polyurethane
Nut Material:Bone
Fingerboard Material:Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius:12″ (305 mm)
Fingerboard Inlays:Pearloid Dot
Frets:21
Fret Size:Narrow Jumbo
Tuning Machines:Grover Vintage 142 Series
Hardware Finish/Plating:Nickel Plated
Bridge:Guild Adjustable Bass Bridge with Rosewood Saddles
Case or Gig Bag:TKL Deluxe Hardshell
Pickups:Guild BS-1 BiSonic Bass
Pickup Configuration:SS
Control Knobs:Black Plastic
Controls:Individual Volume & Tone, Master Volume, 3-wayToggle Pickup Selector
Strap Buttons:Vintage-Style

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