Guild Starfire Bass II Review

Great semi-hollow bass

If you are looking for a classic sounding semi-hollow bass, the Guild Starfire II Bass ticks off all the boxes. Mine weighs a very manageable 7.8 lbs. The slim neck is very comfortable, has a 30.75" scale I set up with medium scale GHS Precision Flats strings. The Bi-Sonic pickups deliver a deep rich tone and as an aside, they provide a very comfortable place to park your thumb.… read more The master volume control is handy after you dial in your tone. I find the Korean build is very satisfactory, nothing lacking in fit or finish (a beautiful deep Emerald Green in my case). I also own an Epiphone Rivoli II (1990's reissue}, an Epiphone Jack Casady, a Hagstrom Viking, an Eastwood Classic 4, a Fender Starcaster and this is the easiest playing of the bunch.

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Love This Bass!!

Purchased the Starfire II from Sweetwater in April. Had to wait a bit to get it, but totally worth it. My first short scale and I love the playability and comfort. Super versatile guitar. The pickups are amazing, can go from big fat super warm to growl easily. Love the configuration of the volume/tone and master volume. Perfect setup for me as I don't like to hassle with a… read more bunch of knobs. I've heard some minor issues about neck dive, no issue for me. Also, the craftsmanship on the build is incredible, all the little details are extremely well done. Very happy with the quality and feel of the instrument. And of course, Sweetwater was great to work with.

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A different bass for a different vibe

I find the attraction to any instrument is the unique vibes it brings with it, the new inspiration it feeds. I typically play fretless basses and this brings a very different feel/sound/tone to me. Not light, and with a slight neck heavy balance (not too bad with the right strap). The two pickups have very different tones and the blend of the two is also different enough that… read more I find myself using the three way switch between songs. I did have Sweetwater install flat wounds (chromes). The only negative is the switch itself feels cheap and makes an audible noise through the amp/house when used. I use a volume pedal on the floor to avoid the pop. It is very clear, plays cords very nice as well as harmonics. As stated, it is a bass that calls to be played and is always hard to put down.

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Goes a long way toward restoring my liking for shorties.

I played one of the single PU versions back in the stone age when I started playing bass. I ended up buying a Hagstrom Futurama, or HBII, or whatever it was called in that time and place. At the time the Hag was 2 PU and the same price... or less? I eventually got more into 34" scale and never looked back. Though this bass cannot growl with the big boys, I like the neck specs and… read more the sound of the repro Hagstrom biphonics. Sweetwater delivered a lot faster than I thought possible and the bass arrived in perfect condition. I did my usual mods and such, i.e. changed the control knobs, replaced the buttons with Schaller strap locks, oiled the fingerboard, and made some neck/action adjustments to my personal preferences. Intonation was right on. I'll be replacing the stock D'ddario strings with flat wound Labella. This reminds me of another reason I stopped playing shorties; string options are pretty limited for them. At this time, it seems that reasonably priced 45 X 105 strings are hard to find for this bass, especially in flat wound versions. Still, it seems to me to be a good addition to my recording weaponry......and it matches my Star fire V guitar.

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Starfire Bass in Cherry Red

I'm very happy with this bass! This is actually a review of the single pickup model. Mine was a special order through Sweetwater as the single pickup Starfire is normally not a stocked item. My Sales Engineer Ray Gonzalez went above and beyond the realm of customer service; I'd like to give him a shout out for all his efforts in obtaining this bass, a pleasure working with him.… read more Having purchased product from Sweetwater before, I knew I could count on them to receive a flawless instrument safely packed and ready to go right out of the box. I wasn't disappointed, it's a beauty...looks, plays and sounds great. The thin neck is easy to get around on and the 30.75 inch scale is right for a bass of this design. I've tried 34 inch scale instruments of this design and they put your fretting hand way too far out due to the balance and strap button position, this Guild has it just right. Many tones can be had depending on where you position your playing hand (over the pickup, over the thumbrest, edge of neck). I'm a stickler for detail and I can't find any flaws in the finish, no sharp frets....another happy returning Sweetwater customer!

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One Awesome Bass!

The Guild Starfire II is a solid instrument through and through. The independent Volume and Tone controls give this bass a wide range of sounds. The neck feels great and it's just so cool looking! Even better it comes with a hardcase! Well worth the cost.

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Amazing All Around

I received this bass as a gift after my original SF II was destroyed. It feels so similar to my old one. The tone is incredible, particularly the neck pickup. Such a woody tone. Love it.

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Guild Starfire 2 Bass

Beautiful fit and finish real eye candy that being said the sond and ease of playing are off the hook. Bought this bass for a Grateful Dead tribute band I'm playing with and this bass nails it. As usual I must give kudos to my saman Ed Nystrom great job as usual

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Loving it!

I love this bass. It is easily my second favorite of the basses I've ever owned. It plays so well and so easy. I had Sweetwater put La Bella 760FHBB Beatle Bass Flatwound Strings (0.050-0.100) on it and it sounds great! As other reviewers have mentioned, it does have some serious neck dive if you let go of it, but that's no reason not to buy this. Just be careful. The fact that… read more it comes with its own hardshell case is a bonus. If I were pressed to come up with something derogatory to say about it the only thing I can think of is that the marker dots on the side of the neck are small and not bright in color, which I have found difficult to see in low light conditions. This will likely be the last bass I ever buy. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

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I own one again!

I bought my first Emerald Starfire II in 1968. I played it in rock and country bands for several years. In the 70's I hit some hard times and sold it, always meaning to get it back. When I saw that Guild was reissuing this bass I saw my chance. Mine arrived this morning as my 67th birthday present from my lovely wife. What a beauty! the finish, the feel and that unbelievable… read more sound. It takes me back to the old days. Thanks Guild and Sweetwater!

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