Emerald Star III.

This was the name given to the early Starfire III models finished in Emerald Green. A true rarity.

It differs significantly from the Cherry Red models, as its body is made of laminated maple rather than laminated mahogany. A major difference. Just look at the beautiful maple grain visible through the finish on the top, and the spectacular flame figuring on the back.

It also features a Guild-branded Bigsby True Vibrato, genuinely manufactured by Bigsby. This was not an optional extra but standard equipment on Starfire III models from 1960 onwards. These vibratos were paired with an aluminium bridge, which is, of course, still present on this guitar.

In fact, all the hardware is original to the instrument: the Grover Sta-Tite tuners, Guild knobs, pickguard — everything is there.

Quite different from the much more common late-1960s models, this early example is equipped with two original DeArmond pickups, known as Dynasonics on Gretsch guitars. And just as with the Gretsch models fortunate enough to feature them, these pickups make an enormous difference. The plastic covers are white on Guild guitars and black on Gretsch models, but they are essentially the very same pickups.

This guitar has certainly been played, as you can see. The back of the neck shows considerable natural wear, but there are no dents, no repairs and no cracks anywhere on the instrument. The finish is entirely original, with no touch-ups.

A fantastic, exceptionally lively instrument, and a genuine collector’s piece thanks to its rarity and remarkable originality.

It comes with its original hard case, which remains in reasonably good condition, although it naturally shows some signs of age and wear.