Guild's answer to the Gibson ES-335 comes in the Starfire IV, widely considered one of the best semi-hollow electrics money can buy.

What To Know

Often considered one of the better values in the vintage electric market, the Guild Starfire IV represents the Hoboken NJ builder's answer to the Gibson ES-335. Featuring a semi-hollow mahogany laminate body, a pair of original Guild mini humbuckers, and their classic "G harp" tailpiece, you're rewarded with a wonderfully responsive instrument that straddles the line between punchy and articulate.

This 1965 build features a nice slim/medium C carve neck with a slim taper, making it a total breeze to play. The original small frets are on the lower side, but that doesn't impact the guitar's ability to perform well and ring out true with chords and single notes.

The original Guild mini-humbuckers have nice output with loads of chime and sparkle. They impart a little bit of a Gretsch Filtertron tonality mixed with some of the Gibson/Epiphone mini-humbucker sound, but with a leaner low end and more open voice in general.

The headstock suffered a small crack behind the nut many years ago, and had been previously repaired with some minor glue injection into the seam. It was not a full break - more like a stress fracture - and has remained very stable with no structural defects. It's in otherwise great original condition with no modifications, including the original pickguard, knobs, electronics, and tuners. The 3-tone Sunburst finish is still quite vibrant with little fading, checking, or much beyond typical signs of play wear.

It comes in its original Guild hardshell case which also in nice condition with some old exterior moisture staining; it's structurally sound and fully operational.