1965 Guild Starfire Bass Sunburst Hagstrom Bi-Sonic Pickup, Sounds Great!

Kansas City Vintage Guitars

Description

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1965 Guild Starfire Bass Sunburst Hagstrom Bi-Sonic Pickup, Sounds Great!

1965 Guild Starfire Bass Sunburst Hagstrom Bi-Sonic Pickup, Sounds Great!

Here is a very nice and vibey 1965 Guild Starfire Bass, a great-playing vintage example with the unmistakable character these mid-’60s Guild basses are known for.

This one features the highly regarded Hagstrom Bi-Sonic pickup, which delivers a strong, punchy, and articulate tone with plenty of depth and clarity. It’s a really musical pickup system and a big part of what makes these basses so special.

This example is a great player overall, and importantly there are no breaks or repairs, and the finish is all original.

It has been set up recently with a set of Thomastik flatwound strings, and plays nicely with good action across the board. The only changes are a set of Schaller tuners and upgraded strap buttons, both very player-friendly updates. If originality is a concern, the tuner conversion holes on the back could be addressed, but as-is it’s clearly set up to be used and enjoyed.

Cosmetically, the bass shows plenty of honest wear throughout, consistent with a well-played instrument, but nothing structural or concerning. The binding is fully intact, with only some light shrinkage in a few areas, which is common for Guilds of this era.

The frets still have decent life left, the neck feels solid, and the instrument plays well all the way up and down. The pickup is strong and healthy, delivering exactly the kind of classic, woody Guild bass tone these are loved for.

It comes with a recent Guild hardshell case.

The Details

Condition: Very Good (Player Grade Vintage)

Originality: Original finish; tuner and strap button upgrades

Finish: Original

Notes: Hagstrom Bi-Sonic pickup; no breaks or repairs; well-played example

Playability & Sound

This bass plays smoothly with a great setup and comfortable action, and delivers a fat, punchy, and articulate vintage bass tone. The Bi-Sonic pickup really shines here — strong output, great clarity, and lots of character in the mids.

Specifications

Brand: Guild

Model: Starfire Bass

Year: 1965

Pickup: Hagstrom Bi-Sonic

Strings: Thomastik Flatwound

Tuners: Schaller (upgraded)

Finish: Original

Case: Recent Guild Hardshell Case

Weight: 7.6 lbs.

Why Buy From Kansas City Vintage Guitars?

We specialize in high-quality vintage and modern guitars for collectors and serious players alike. With over 25 years in the guitar business, we focus on accurate descriptions, originality, and transparency.