Vintage-Inspired Semi-Hollow with Guild Vibrato Tailpiece
The Guild Starfire I DC w/ GVT in California Burst from the Newark Street collection delivers classic semi-hollow tone with modern versatility. Built with an arched mahogany body, mahogany center block for sustain and feedback control, and Guild HB-2 Alnico II humbuckers with push-pull coil splitting, this double-cutaway electric offers everything from airy clean tones to warm overdrive character to single-coil-style clarity. The Guild Vibrato Tailpiece (GVT) adds expressive pitch control for vintage-inspired phrasing, while the thin 1 ¾" body depth and 24 ¾" scale length ensure comfortable playability for extended sessions.
The California Burst gloss finish showcases the arched mahogany construction with vintage aesthetic appeal, while the double-cutaway design provides unrestricted access to all 22 frets. With a 1 11/16" nut width, thin U neck profile, and 18th fret neck joint, the Starfire I DC feels immediately familiar whether you're playing jazz chords, rock riffs, or blues leads. This is a guitar built for players who appreciate semi-hollow character, tonal versatility, and the expressive control that only a quality vibrato tailpiece can provide.
Semi-Hollow Tone & Feedback Control
The Starfire I DC's arched mahogany body with mahogany center block delivers the best of both worlds: the airy, resonant top end of a semi-hollow guitar with the sustain and feedback resistance of a solid-body. The center block anchors the bridge and tailpiece for excellent string transfer and controlled low-end response, while the hollow wings add acoustic resonance and harmonic complexity. Whether you're playing clean jazz chords, crunchy rhythm parts, or saturated leads, the Starfire I DC responds with clarity and warmth that cuts through any mix without unwanted feedback.
Playability & Comfort
The 24 ¾" scale length provides a slightly shorter string span with reduced tension, making bending easier and fretting more comfortable. The thin U neck profile offers vintage feel with modern playability, while the 1 11/16" nut width strikes the perfect balance for chord work and lead playing. The 18th fret neck joint provides comfortable upper fret access thanks to the double-cutaway design, and the thin 1 ¾" body depth makes this guitar feel light and responsive whether you're standing or sitting. From the first chord to the last note, the Starfire I DC feels like home.
Electronics & Tonal Versatility
The Guild HB-2 Alnico II humbuckers deliver warm, vintage-voiced tone with excellent clarity and dynamic response. The push-pull coil-split controls on both volume knobs unlock single-coil-style tones for added versatility, giving you everything from thick humbucker warmth to bright, articulate single-coil clarity. The three-way toggle switch provides classic neck, bridge, and both-pickups-on configurations, while independent volume and tone controls let you shape your sound with precision. Whether you're chasing jazz warmth, rock crunch, or blues grit, the Starfire I DC delivers.
Guild Vibrato Tailpiece & Hardware
The Guild Vibrato Tailpiece (GVT) adds expressive pitch control for subtle vibrato, dramatic dive bombs, and everything in between. The smooth action and stable tuning make it a reliable performance tool, while the vintage aesthetic complements the California Burst finish perfectly. Quality hardware throughout—including vintage-style tuners and a tune-o-matic-style bridge—ensures reliable tuning stability and excellent string transfer for maximum sustain and tonal clarity.
Semi-Hollow Versatility, Vintage Feel
The Starfire I DC excels across genres thanks to its airy top end for sparkling cleans, warm overdrive character that responds to your touch, coil-split capability for single-coil-style tones, and Guild Vibrato Tailpiece for expressive phrasing. Whether you're playing jazz, blues, rock, indie, or anything in between, this guitar delivers vintage-inspired tone with modern versatility and reliable performance.
Key Features
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Double-Cutaway Starfire I Body – Unrestricted fret access with classic semi-hollow aesthetic
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Arched Mahogany Construction – Resonant, warm tone with vintage character
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Mahogany Center Block – Sustain and feedback control with solid-body stability
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Guild HB-2 Alnico II Humbuckers – Warm, vintage-voiced tone with excellent clarity
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Push-Pull Coil Split – Single-coil-style tones for added versatility
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Guild Vibrato Tailpiece (GVT) – Expressive pitch control with smooth action
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24 ¾" Scale Length – Comfortable playability with reduced string tension
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1 11/16" Nut Width – Balanced spacing for chords and leads
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Thin U Neck Profile – Vintage feel with modern comfort
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Thin 1 ¾" Body Depth – Lightweight, comfortable design
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California Burst Gloss Finish – Stunning vintage aesthetic
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Newark Street Pedigree – Guild's modern take on classic semi-hollow design
Who It's For
The Guild Starfire I DC w/ GVT is ideal for blues and rock players seeking semi-hollow warmth with feedback control, jazz guitarists who need versatile tone shaping, indie and alternative musicians exploring vintage-inspired sounds, session players requiring tonal versatility across genres, and any guitarist drawn to the expressive control of a quality vibrato tailpiece combined with classic semi-hollow character.
Complete Specifications
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Brand: Guild
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Series: Newark Street – Starfire I
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Model: Starfire I DC w/ Guild Vibrato Tailpiece (GVT) – California Burst
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SKU: 99-742-0050
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UPC: 614252348744
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Condition: New
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Body Style: Double-Cutaway Semi-Hollow
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Body Wood: Arched Mahogany with Mahogany Center Block
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Body Depth: 1 ¾"
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Neck Profile: Thin U
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Scale Length: 24 ¾"
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Nut Width: 1 11/16"
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Frets: 22
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Neck Joint: 18th fret
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Pickups: Guild HB-2 Alnico II Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge)
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Electronics: Push-pull coil split on both volume knobs, 3-way toggle
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Tailpiece: Guild Vibrato Tailpiece (GVT)
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Finish: Gloss California Burst
Why Buy From ECG Music?
ECG Music is an authorized Guild dealer and a small, owner-operated shop. Before a guitar ships, Frank goes over it by hand: tuning and intonation checked with a Peterson strobe tuner, every fret checked for dead notes, and a close inspection of the finish, hardware, and playability. If something isn't right, it doesn't go out the door.
Guitars ship free nationwide. Optional Surebrite shipping insurance and extended warranty coverage are available.
Questions about the Guild Starfire I DC w/ GVT? Call us or send an email—we're here to help you find the right semi-hollow electric guitar.
