'67 Gibson ES335 v. '69 Guild Starfire IV

These guitars are a well played 1967 Gibson ES335 and a pretty clean 1969 Guild Starfire IV. This recording is as usual for me pretty low quality, and a bit heavy on the reverb - oh well. Just a quick comparison. (The 335 is getting new saddles soon - the original travel screws are very oxidized and nasty - so the intonation is a touch "off" as I can't adjust it at the moment!)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gibson
• es335
• guild
• starfire

[glimmertwin1977]

...very interesting comparison. I think the Guild sounds richer overall but I wonder if the ES-335 doesn't record better in a thick arrangement. I could see the Guild better for a one guitar band and the ES more suitable when a more focused niche is needed when your splitting duties on guitar...splitting hairs though - both sounds really great. Youtube needs more comparison videos like this though.

[dicemansr77]

@glimmertwin1977 Thanks for the feedback. The recording quality was poor, but better than nothing. The Guild is still with me, the 335 sold to finish paying for law school. The Guild has been refretted and had some restoration work done by Guild (headstock veneer redone, pickguard fitted, neck refinished back to original color after a poor refin in the past). I am happy with only having the Guild left between the two, although the 335 was one sweet guitar.

[Bulletman426]

They both sound great,.the Guild sounds better to my ears. The Gibson has a chunkier neck. But IMO,.the guild just has a better tone. They are both amazing guitars. Nice demo!!

[dicemansr77]

@Bulletman426 Thanks! I ended up selling the 335 during a financial crunch. The Starfire had the neck refinished at Fender/Guild Nashville along with a refret (the neck had been refinished before and was not the correct color - body is original). I absolutely love the Starfire, and while I wish I still had the 335, I don't miss it as much as I would have the Starfire.

[Bulletman426]

@dicemansr77 LOL,..I should like the guild better because I have the first year made 1963 starfire ebony with the bigsby. All original and I just got it back on my 50th birthday this past Jan after a total restore. It was a surprised by my family as a gift. After all said and done it was a little over $800 to have it restored,.but the finish product is just amazing. I will have to make a video of it and let you know when I post it. The guitar is just beautiful. Thanks for posting your video

[dicemansr77]

@Bulletman426 Please do let me know when you've posted that video - I'd love to see/hear it! I've only had my hands on one old Guild, which is my own.

[wisesatyr72]

Guild is special man, theyre underrated guitars

[Savedfromhim]

Sweet

[clickswitchh]

Starfire sounded better 

[stuco]

The guild sounds better to me

[garyguitar]

I have a '67 Starfire IV and a '79 ES335 and like you say, they both have strong points, love em both. The 335 is more punchy and better for a lead sound like rock, blues, or country due to the stronger pickups. The Guild is more subtle sounds great on smooth jazz when you need a fat warm tone or rhythm to my ear. Either can be used for any music except maybe metal which I guess they could be utilized if boosted enough. Thanks for the video, too much reverb, not enough lead playing, (for me).

[Bulletman426]

@dicemansr77 I lost my Father when I was 7 and he left this to. He purchased it new in 1963. Awesome!