DeArmond Starfire Custom Left Hand Lefty Semi Hollowbody Guitar USA Made Dearmond Goldfoil Pickups + OHSC + Bigsby

Here’s another from my personal collection. I’ve owned this guitar since 2004 and have kept it its case when not playing it. These are amazing guitars with quality build reputation made in Korea with USA made Dearmond Goldfoil pickups.

The DeArmond version of the Guild Starfire IV, this guitar is in very good condition. The neck and frets are fine, cosmetically quite clean. Comes with original Dearmond branded hardshell case.

Guitar was professionally set up for right handed string orientation as I’m left handed but learned on right handed guitars. The original nut is included. The 3 way pickup selector switch shaft as broken but still functions as it should and is an east repair.

The DeArmond version of the Guild Starfire IV, this guitar is in excellent condition. The neck and frets are fine, cosmetically quite clean. Comes with original Dearmond branded hardshell case.

Left handed Dearmond branded Bigsby (also known as “Digsby” because of the D), is an added mod. To find this part alone for the lefty is nearly impossible as it was only issued with the same era Dearmond Starfire Special model. This listing comes with original Dearmond “Harp“ style tailpiece.

Guitar is super clean all over for a 25 year old guitar. This is a pre owned guitar that does show signs of wear commensurate of age and use. I have owned this guitar for the past 20 years and always take good care of my gear. I have not played this one for a while so it is time to move it on. Please see all pics and video for more details.

GUITAR SPECS (as found online, some exact details may vary)

Year: circa 1999-2001

Serial number: KC9101317

Body: Double-bound semi hollow body with maple top, back and sides, dual f-holes

Neck: Maple 

Finish: Natural

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Scale Length: 24 ¾”

Number of Frets: 22

Pickguard: 5-Ply Black

Bridge:  Adjustomatic

Tuners:  Sealed nickel tuners

Pickups:  DeArmond USA goldtone humbuckers

Controls:  Skirted DeArmond control knobs for dual volume and tone controls and a 3-way pick up selector switch

Width at Nut:  1 11/16”

Weight: approximately 8 lbs 14 ounces on my scale

Original hard shell case included.

USA SHIPPING

No PO Box addresses please

International buyers are responsible for any taxes, duties, fees etc. I may be unable to ship to some counties because of size restrictions or other restrictions.

The back story as told by Unique Guitar Blog:

Harry DeArmond invented the first commercially available attachable guitar pickup sometime in the 1930’s. Originally the chief user of DeArmond pickups were guitar players looking to be heard above the sound of a big band. The other group of users were jazz guitarists seeking a clean sound and to be heard as well as a trumpet or drums. Older Gretsch guitars used DeArmond Dynasonic pickups. D’Angelico guitars featured DeArmond pickups. Guild electric guitars also featured DeArmond pickups.

Fender acquired Guild in 1995, DeArmond in 1997, and introduced the Guild designed line of DeArmond guitars in 1998. The DeArmond guitars were based on older Guild electric guitars and manufactured in Korea and Indonesia. Our research leads us to believe that the instruments were then shipped to the United States to install the electronics including new DeArmond pickups.

Fender test marketed the guitars, branded DeArmond in Europe and Asia and the line was very successful. The guitars were later marketed in the United States and Canada and continued until 2004 when Fender suddenly dropped the line. The Korean made DeArmonds are excellent guitars. The Korean instruments have set in necks, the fret markers are much nicer plastic versions. They are bound on the top with plastic trim and the logo is inlaid. The wood is superior using maple for the tops and walnut for the backs or solid mahogany for some of the models. The necks were made of maple or mahogany.

This guitar is quite well made and offers a great semi-hollow body sound in an instrument that is very affordable compared to others.