Guild Starfire I Bass Guitar - Vintage Walnut

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars | 27 ratings

Price: 669

Last update: 01-10-2025


About this item

4-string Semi-hollowbody Electric Bass with Maple Top
Split Single-coil Pickup - Vintage Walnut
Rosewood Fingerboard
Mahogany Neck
Sides

Product information


Top reviews from the United States

  • Mark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great bass at a great price point
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022
    20+ year pro here. Got interested in this model when it was first released to fill the "short scale semihollow" gap in my collection. I'm very pleased with it. The split P-style pickup is unique for this format, and being able to switch from series to parallel via push-pull is a nice feature. Neck profile doesn't feel entirely different from a Fender Mustang Bass, but the tune-o-matic style bridge and tailpiece setup makes the string action feel much more like a standard 34" scale bass.

    Pros: Excellent tone. Great playability, even right out of the box. Great quality at this price point.

    Cons: Heavy, clunky, standard issue tuning keys that are marginally stable and add unwanted weight to the headstock, making it prone to neck dive. (My solution for this was to replace them with a set of Hipshot USA Ultralite tuners, which took a little over 4oz off the headstock. Made a huge difference in instrument balance and tuning stability.)

    Other con, but not with the instrument itself: It's not easy to find a decent case for this model without breaking the bank due to the ~16" lower bout. The Guild/TKL fitted hard case is almost $200, and the Guild Starfire gig bag is about $140. There is a gig bag available on Amazon made by ChromaCast for ~$65 that fits (albeit a little tight on the headstock with the stock tuners), but it's nothing I would tour or fly with - for local gigs/rehearsals, it's perfect.

    Overall, if you need a short scale semihollow in your arsenal and don't want to throw down for a vintage Gretsch, this one will more than fill the role. Very happy with the purchase.
  • Kristine Keele
    5.0 out of 5 stars Made To Be Played
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2022
    I play bass in an oldies Rock-n-Roll band, the Tri-Chevys. We are all about the music, entertaining the audience and "The Look". We all have matching shirts and shoes. Our guitar player started playing semi hollow body guitars. I was playing a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz bass, but because "The Look" is important to our band, I decided I needed a semi hollow bass.
    I went on a search for one that had "The Look" as well as great sound and playability. I found the Guild Starfire 1 and after reading every review and TalkBass chat as well as watching every video I could find, I ended up getting one for Christmas.
    When I pulled it out of the box, I was stunned at how beautiful it was. The pictures and videos don't do it justice. You really don't see the gloss lacquer over the cherry red mahogany finish like you do when you hold it. The neck is perfectly straight and came out of the box with really nice action. I was able to make it even lower with a few twists at the bridge. The neck width is very similar to my GL Jazz, and it is a joy to play. I like the look of the headstock and the tuners, but they tend to give the bass a bit of neck dive. I also love the simple volume and tone controls.
    I played it for a New Year's Eve gig. Super fun to play. This guitar is beautiful, sounds great and is "Made To Be Played".
    Customer image
    Kristine Keele
    5.0 out of 5 stars Made To Be Played
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2022
    I play bass in an oldies Rock-n-Roll band, the Tri-Chevys. We are all about the music, entertaining the audience and "The Look". We all have matching shirts and shoes. Our guitar player started playing semi hollow body guitars. I was playing a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz bass, but because "The Look" is important to our band, I decided I needed a semi hollow bass.
    I went on a search for one that had "The Look" as well as great sound and playability. I found the Guild Starfire 1 and after reading every review and TalkBass chat as well as watching every video I could find, I ended up getting one for Christmas.
    When I pulled it out of the box, I was stunned at how beautiful it was. The pictures and videos don't do it justice. You really don't see the gloss lacquer over the cherry red mahogany finish like you do when you hold it. The neck is perfectly straight and came out of the box with really nice action. I was able to make it even lower with a few twists at the bridge. The neck width is very similar to my GL Jazz, and it is a joy to play. I like the look of the headstock and the tuners, but they tend to give the bass a bit of neck dive. I also love the simple volume and tone controls.
    I played it for a New Year's Eve gig. Super fun to play. This guitar is beautiful, sounds great and is "Made To Be Played".
    Images in this review
    Customer image Customer image
  • steve m.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect bass for me
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
    I am giving it 5 stars ⭐️. It is a beautiful instrument. Great color and finish.The box it came in says "ready to play". It really is. I didn't have to do anything to set it up. The intonation was spot on. The string height was perfect for me. It has a nice round tone. I've played three gigs with it and I am retiring my other working bass that I've had for 29 years. The short scale neck plays "like buttah".
  • John Torrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice Guild Bass
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023
    I also own a Hofner violin style Bass. This one is that other timeless classic shape and plays nicely. I like the dark walnut finish. I'm sure it will get plenty of stage time with the Hofner. It is certainly a worthy instrument.
  • TomT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023
    I have really enjoyed playing this. Have not had feedback problems. Had a buzz problem, but found a good shielded cable cured most of it. May need a noise gate for a minor residual hum in certain situations. Not noticeable when playing with the band. Looks spectacular.
    Update. Have had no problem with noise and plays great. Stays in tune.
  • sdbolts
    1.0 out of 5 stars Too bad
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023
    REFUND My CIEVE Not Have Update .Bass was beautiful but that's as far as it got . Truss rod would not adjust . No way to tell if the nut was cut to deep but just from distance from the string to the first fret not gooD
  • Athena Phosphine
    5.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY IF YOU ARE MARRIED!,
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
    Once you tune/adjust this bueaty you MIGHT find yourself in divorce court.
    You WILL NOT be able to put it down,kids will be howling chores will not be done and you sig. other will be eyeing your friends!
    Is this sweetness worth ALL the anguish?
    YES YES AND YES!,,
    YOU will be single, BUT this loved 4string will be with you FOREVER!
    Buyers beware!
    Seriously very good quality and excellent sound get it IF you dare!!!
  • Michael McSween
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well made for pricepoint
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2022
    Bass arrived inside purchased case. GearTree was very accommodating with great service. Love the workmanship, not visible flaws. Intonation only required 2-minute tweak of truss rod and adjustable bridge. Arrived VERY CLOSE to perfect! Good projection unplugged, and fab tone plugged in. My third Guild instrument and will definitely keep Guild in my sights for future purchases!
    Customer image
    Michael McSween
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well made for pricepoint
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2022
    Bass arrived inside purchased case. GearTree was very accommodating with great service. Love the workmanship, not visible flaws. Intonation only required 2-minute tweak of truss rod and adjustable bridge. Arrived VERY CLOSE to perfect! Good projection unplugged, and fab tone plugged in. My third Guild instrument and will definitely keep Guild in my sights for future purchases!
    Images in this review
    Customer image

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