Steel String

Guild Starfire IV Thinline Archtop Electric Sunburst, 1977

On February 12, 2018 /

The Guild Starfire IV first appeared in 1963 as a semi-solid version of the Starfire I, II and III think hollow models dating to 1960. The Starfire V and V I models were further upgrades, with extra binding and inlay. Obviously taking cues from the ES-335, the Guild Starfire IV featured a body of Maple or Mahogany laminate and matching center block and neck with rosewood fingerboard. In the 1970’s some differences started to creep in. Most of the Starfire IV models have a bound rosewood fingerboard with dot position markers.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

❌Sold❌ Bourgeois Slope D Steel String Guitar Sunburst, 2003

On February 8, 2018 /

Bourgeois guitars also tend to have relatively high neck angles, so there is more saddles exposed. In the short term, this means a bit more volume from the steeper angle of the string back to the pin. In the long term, it means that the guitar isn’t likely to need a neck reset for quite some time. Most steel string guitars will over time require a reset, and this can be an expensive proposition. Bourgeois seems to be taking a longer view with the higher angle.

Used

This instrument has sold

C. F. Martin 000-45 Steel String Guitar, 1942

On February 6, 2018 /

In terms of provenance, this guitar has had three owners and was used in a popular band during the 1950s. It has had an amount of work over the decades, some of it significant. One side appears to have been replaced, and the top has had a section replaced. This work was done very cleanly and may have been performed by Martin at their factory, though they have no record of it. Recently, in our shop, it has been refretted, had the first-position mother of pearl snowflake marker replaced, and received a full set up. It plays very well, and has a full, rich, even tone. The tonal nature of Brazilian Rosewood (denser than Indian) is evident in an slight added clarity.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson J-45 True Vintage Steel String Guitar, 2014

On January 26, 2018 /

Once in a long while, we see early J-45’s come through, and they are special. The Gibson J-45 True Vintage, labelled ‘J-45 TV’, is a good reproduction – with a few modern improvements – of those rare guitars. The J-45 appeared in 1942 as a replacement for the 1930’s J-35 model, and came only in sunburst to hide ‘defects’, which might now be called ‘figure’ in the Adirondack Spruce used for the tops. Almost immediately, the US joined WW2 and the J-45 was affected, notably with the loss of the truss rod. Still, those guitars are regarded by many as some of the finest built.

Used

This instrument has sold

C. F. Martin D-35 Steel String Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, 1975

On January 25, 2018 /

The Martin D-35 is one of the mainstays of the Dreadnought Acoustic lineup, delivering a strong, full bass response for bluegrass and folk styles.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Guild G312 12 String Guitar Natural, 1975

On January 24, 2018 /

This Guild G312 sports a standard dreadnought body shape, Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, mahogany for the neck and ebony for the fingerboard and bridge.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Steel String

Guild Starfire IV Thinline Archtop Electric Sunburst, 1977

❌Sold❌ Bourgeois Slope D Steel String Guitar Sunburst, 2003

C. F. Martin 000-45 Steel String Guitar, 1942

Gibson J-45 True Vintage Steel String Guitar, 2014

C. F. Martin D-35 Steel String Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, 1975

Guild G312 12 String Guitar Natural, 1975

THE TWELFTH FRET

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