The Starfire V was essentially the same as the Starfire IV but with a few upgrades including block inlays, a Bigsby tailpiece, and a master volume control. Both guitars represent Guild's efforts to break into the electric guitar market in the early '60s. While these semi-hollowbodies are considered fine instruments and were adopted by some players at the time, they are of far less interest to collectors than their Gibson equivalents such as the ES-335. 

Years of Production: 1963 - 1973, 1999 - 2001

Body Style: Double cutaway semi-hollowbody

Wood Composition:  Laminated Maple or Mahogany body, three-piece Maple/Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard 

Design Elements: Two humbucker pickups, chrome-plated hardware, Guild Bigsby tremolo tailpiece, four control knobs and master volume knob

Notable Starfire Players: Buddy Guy, Lightening Hopkins, Jerry Garcia