Author Topic: 1967 Guild Starfire II (Read 261 times)

hifiguy · « **on:** May 05, 2011, 10:01:45 AM »

at Willie's American Guitars: http://www.williesguitars.com/index.cfm/basses/10/inventory/8

Hagstrom PUs, looks very nice indeed. No bargain price: $2500.

Shore is purdy, though;

pasewark · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2011, 10:08:59 AM »

You guys are killing me!

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2011, 10:57:54 AM »

That is a decent one ,however I do not like the angle that the new tuners were installed at . I have the same tuner replacement but mine were installed straight by Alembic around 1973 or so when the bridge and tail piece were replaced by Alembic units.

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:48:09 PM »

Looks like the same early type of Schallers found on early Alembics, with the triangular tab. So if you're looking for replacement vintage Schallers, why not score this Starfire, transplant the Schallers, and put on some nice Hipshots on here. (Just a thought.)

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2011, 01:29:37 PM »

I am thinking for the next mod on my Starfire would be replacement of the HI-A pickups to Alembic Activators with just 2 volumes and 2 lowpass filters with stereo output. I do not want to drill any more holes on the face except for maybe a master volume . I would like to use an external power supply if possible that will be fed in with a small multi-pin jack if necessary side mounted or have both signal and power on the same cable .such as a Series instrument. This is a possible project in the future . Here is my remaining Starfire : http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/84774.html?1282495288

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2011, 05:29:54 PM »

Which activators would you use?

The power and signal in the same cable trick should be pretty easy. You could probably even build one from the DS5 schematic so if you ever decide to use a Series bass, it would be compatible.

I'm still figuring out where to put my 5 pin jack on my Starfire. I'm leaning to doing it on the side instead of the front.

On another note, I do have another '67 Starfire II (sunburst) that I will probably be putting up for sale. It's all original, but has had a previous headstock catastrophe, which is ugly but stable. OTOH, the fingerboard is one of the most beautifully figured pieces of rosewood I've ever seen. I'll have to get some photos together.

pasewark · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2011, 05:33:06 PM »

That cherry one at Willies looks very nice! If the series I falls through, I might have to have a closer look!

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2011, 06:09:54 PM »

Edwin, as far as the multi pin power and signal cable I am thinking LEMO connector perhaps side mounted . I think the Lemos are a bit smaller. About 2 years ago I took my Starfire to show Mica and I think she said she might be able get some Activators made to fit . Perhaps they might be custom and if that is the case I have a custom casting idea regarding color if possible. I have a DS5R and DS5 but have some other ideas for an external power supply that just will give me the 9 volts DC for the activators rather then having to make an adaptor for the DS5/ DS5R. At any rate I am due to go up to Alembic soon with my Series I ( 81-1940 ) first to have a Master volume installed by the master hands of a fine craftsman first. My Starfire refitting project will be in the future after some more deliberation. This time I want to do it without cutting out the control and electronics cavity, I went that route on my other one that I later sold that had the Pluto Filters fitted with the Walnut panel; http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/2792.html?1262960781

edwin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2011, 11:19:36 AM »

Interesting. I went to the LEMO site and was immediately overwhelmed by the number of possibilities! It seems tempting to go this way, but I think I would want to have standardized connectors among basses.

It then occurred to me that it would be pretty cool to do something like the Apple MacBook Pro magsafe connector. I believe it's a five pin affair, it would just have to be set up so that it could only be inserted one way. Pretty easily done if one side of the connector is built up a little with a corresponding keyhole on the instrument side.

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2011, 12:17:44 PM »

Edwin , As far as the standard Alembic Series I/II way of interconnection I think the 5 Pin XLR is the way to go . I was thinking LEMO for the Starfire because of the dimensional specs and to keep the cutting into my Starfire down to a minimum. I was hoping to use the same hole as the current 1/4 jack perhaps only needing a slight increase in size with a LEMO.

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2011, 12:46:28 PM »

Edwin, what ever interconnects that you use ; Apple , Lemo or otherwise it might be prudent to purchase spare connectors in the case of breakage or failure. Apple is constantly migrating to different hardware and proprietary interconnection standards. I like to fix Desk top Macs and Xserves and they have had some great hardware and then let it go and do something new. Are you thinking of using the T or L style Apple Macbook Pro Magsafe connector ?

Wolf

(Message edited by sonicus on May 06, 2011)

edwin · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2011, 02:31:40 PM »

I'm thinking of neither seriously. There's no way that they would hold up on stage without popping off. However, I like the idea of the design so that when someone does trip over or step on the cable, it doesn't rip the connector out of the bass or yank it off a stand. So, something along those lines, with a magnetically fastened connector could be really cool. However the actual Mac connector seems too small and fiddly.

One of these days we should get together with Starfires and Alembics in hand!

sonicus · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2011, 02:48:42 PM »

Edwin , Yes, it would be great to to that at some point .

sonicus · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2011, 03:59:03 PM »

It is to late to correct my typing mistake above. So I will do it here:
Yes , It would be great to do that at some point.

(Message edited by sonicus on May 06, 2011)