A 50 Year Heritage
This dual-pickup, semi-hollow bass guitar adds both legendary style and a modern range of sonic options to Guild’s iconic Starfire Bass. Originally debuting in 1967, shortly after the single-pickup version, the Starfire Bass II quickly garnered a following that included Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane), Chris Hillman (The Byrds) and Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead). The recent addition of the BiSonic BS-1 neck pickup has expanded tonal options, giving bassists a warm, smooth sound for added flexibility and the fat, warm hollowbody bass tones not typically found in solidbody basses.
Guild BiSonic Pickups
The Guild BS-1 BiSonic pickup was originally found in many of the solid and hollow bodied Guild basses in the 1960s and 70s. The BS-1 has developed a cult following resulting in several reissue versions and designs, including the famous Darkstar by Fred Hammon and BS-DS by Curtis Novak. Wound to 6.4K Ohms, similar in specification to a Hammon Darkstar, the Guild BS-1 utilizes Alnico 2 magnets and provides a refined modern tone in a classic package.
All Mahogany Body Design and Short Scale Neck
With a thinline semi-hollowbody design, the Starfire Bass II is comfortable to play and delivers the organic, resonant sound and lush overtones of a hollowbody instrument. A short (30.75″) scale length makes navigating the fretboard a breeze, and is perfect for all types of players, including beginners and players with smaller hands.
Premium Features
Premium materials include a Ebony fingerboard and Mother of Pearl Guild “Peak” and Chesterfield inlay on the neck. Other features include Grover Sta-tite tuners, 500K individual volume, tone, and master volume knobs, and a hardshell case. Starfire Basses come with D’Addario EXL165 Nickel Wound Bass strings in Custom Light (.045 – .105), and some players enjoy with flatwounds for a smooth and unique playing experience.
Finishes
The Guild Starfire II comes standard with a transparent high gloss finish in natural. *New for 2023, Guild has re-released and limited run in all black gloss. An Emerald Green gloss finish is available on a maple bodied model, and the Starfire Bass II Flamed Maple is an elevated option with an eye-catching body wood and clear finish.
This guitar is available through any Authorized Guild Dealer. Find one near you by clicking the button above. If you have any troubles finding a dealer near you, please don’t hesitate to contact us and a Guild Representative will be happy to help.
*This is a running spec change to comply with CITES regulations. More information.
| Body Type | Semi-hollow Body |
| Body Shape | Starfire Bass |
| Body Top | Arched Mahogany |
| Body Wood (Solid Bodies) | N / A |
| Soundhole / F Holes Binding | Unbound F Holes |
| Body Sides | Mahogany |
| Body Back | Arched Mahogany |
| Purfling | Black / Ivory ABS |
| Body Binding | Ivory ABS |
| Neck Material | Mahogany with Maple Center Strip |
| Scale Length | 30 3/4" (781mm) |
| Neck Shape | Vintage Soft "U" |
| Nut Width | 1 1/2" (38mm) |
| Neck Thickness 1st Fret | 20mm |
| Neck Thickness 9th Fret | 22mm |
| Truss Rod | Dual Action |
| Truss Rod Wrench | 7mm Socket Wrench |
| Fingerboard Material | Indian Rosewood or Ebony (Dependent on production date)* |
| Fingerboard Radius | 12" (305mm) |
| Fingerboard Inlays | Pearloid Dots |
| Fingerboard Inlay Location | 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 (x2), 15, 17, 19, 21 |
| Frets Total | 21 |
| Fret Type | Narrow Jumbo |
| Fingerboard Binding | Ivory ABS |
| Color | Black (BLK) |
| Bridge String Spacing | 2" (52mm) |
| Hardware Finish / Plating | Nickel |
| Bridge | Guild Adjustable Bass Bridge with Rosewood or Ebony Saddles (Dependent on production date)* |
| Tailpiece | N / A |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Tuning Machines | Grover® 142C Vintage Open Gear Bass |
| Strap Buttons | Vintage Pawn |
| Pickguard | N / A |
| Bridge Pickup | Guild BS-1 BiSonic Bass |
| Neck Pickup | Guild BS-1 BiSonic Bass |
| Pickup Switch | N / A |
| Controls | Neck Volume & Tone, Bridge Volume & Tone, Master Volume, 3-Way Toggle Pickup Switch |
| Strings | D'Addario EXL165 Nickel Wound Bass, Custom Light (.045 - .105) |
| Included Case | Guild Deluxe Electric Guitar Hardshell Case |
| Upper Bout Width | 11 5/8" (295mm) |
| Lower Bout Width | 16 3/8" (416mm) |
| Body Depth Upper Bout | 1 3/4" (44mm) |
| Body Depth Lower Bout | 1 3/4" (44mm) |
| Body Length | 18 1/4" (464mm) |
| Overall Length | 46" (1168mm) |
| Item # | 3792410806 |
