| Model | Starfire IV, Starfire Standard |
| Available | 1963-date |
| Pickups | Guild Humbuckers (ocassionally DeArmond single coils), XR-7s after 1980 |
| Scale | 24 3/4" |
| Body | Laminated maple or mahogany. 1 7/8 " thick, 16 3/8 " wide, 20 1/4 " long |
| Neck | 1 piece set mahogany, or 3 piece mahogany/maple - rosewood fingerboard. 22 frets, dot (pre-'73, post '80) or block inlays . Neck joins the body at the 16th (pre-'67) or 18th fret. |
| Hardware | Chrome plated. 2 volume and 2 tone controls, pickup selector switch. Harp tailpiece (SP-6 post '1980). Master volume from 1973. Grover StaTites, RotoMatics (post-'73). Optional stereo circuitry. |
| Finishes | Standard finishes: initially Cherry and Sunburst. Custom finishes: Ebony Grain, Emerald Green, Amber, Black, White, Blonde, Brown and Natural Mahogany.
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The Guild Starfire came in several variations, the Starfire IV being one of the most popular. Bluesman Buddy Guy (left) endorsed this guitar for Guild. (Image taken from Guitar Player April 1970
The Starfire IV, SF-IV, or Starfire Standard changed a little over its production run - the first major change was in 1967 when the neck/body join changed from the 16th to 18th fret. The next came in 1973 when the Starfire V was discontinued, and the Starfire IV (now renamed Starfire 4) gained some of its high-end features: block inlays, master volume control and RotoMatic tuners. Towards the beginning of the 1980s the Starfire IV was the only Starfire model left in the range, and it was updated significantly. The older Guild humbuckers were replaced by Guild XR-7s. The old harp tailpiece was replaced with a Guild Quick Change SP-6, and the rosewood fingerboard with block inlays was replaced with an ebony fingerboard with dots.
1969 catalogue Great fingerboard, brilliant tone, impressive looks. One of Guild's most popular Slarfires. Guild machines. Sunburst or Cherry-Red.
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1970 catalogue Great action, with brilliant tone
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1971 catalogue New humbucking pickups! More output than ever. All guitars and basses listed in this folder are equipped with Guild's newest pick-ups
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1975 catalogue Your first session with this guitar will tell you what a great choice you've made
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1978 catalogue Starfire arched top and back give you satisfying sound - pure and clean
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1982 catalogue Long preferred by Buddy Guy and Son Seals. A perennial favourite of guitarists of the last fifteen years. Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest even plays one
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