The Starfire IV was part of Guild's efforts to break into the electric guitar market in the early '60s. Initially, the Starfire IV was the lower-end counterpart to the Starfire V. When the Starfire V was discontinued in 1973, however, the Starfire IV took on some of its higher-end features including block inlays and a master volume knob.  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 - 1987, 1993 - 2005

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, Adjustomatic bridge, four control knobs and master volume knob

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