| Author | Message | ||
| slicknickhaas
New Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 8 Registered: 10-2009 |
I've been looking for unrestored star fire for about a year now, haven't had much luck finding a good one for an O.K. price, ether there beat half to death or patched/frankinstiend back together. the finish isn't a big deal as long as it sounds great. I had also seen some were on the site photos of what looked kinda like Phil's Alembic modid Star Fire but maybe made after? I don't know but if there out there I'd almost sell a kidney to get one! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 550 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have a '67 Starfire II that I am getting ready to sell. It's a sunburst (and hence, has a maple body instead of mahogany). One aspect of it is pretty beat up, the headstock had a nasty accident and someone repaired it in an ugly fashion. I've taken it to a couple of luthiers who said it is solid and stable and would cause more problems to take it apart and try to make it less ugly. It does sound very cool. It's a little crisper than the mahogany ones (which is what Phil's were). I'll get some photos up here so you can see what it looks like, but there's a picture of it at http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/4748.html?1210707724 | ||
| 12stringwilson
Member Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 64 Registered: 12-2008 |
There is one for sale at Rock n Roll Vintage in Chicago. http://rocknrollvintage.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1967%2DGuild%2DStarfire%2DBass%2DCherry%2DRed She is purty. They are great guys. I actually traded my Starfire for a Wal last year thru them. While I miss my Guild, I love my Wal! | ||
| slicknickhaas
New Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2009 |
edwin wrote "I have a '67 Starfire II that I am getting ready to sell. It's a sunburst (and hence, has a maple body instead of mahogany). One aspect of it is pretty beat up, the headstock had a nasty accident and someone repaired it in an ugly fashion.It does sound very cool" What are you looking to get for it? could you take a photo of the damage on the head stock? it looks pretty good in the photo. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 552 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'll take photos of that. It looks fine from a distance. I also need to get the pickup mounting ring for the neck pickup duplicated before I sell it. I borrowed the one on this bass for my other starfire when I put Dark Stars in it (it started life as a Starfire I). I have thought about getting a new headstock and tilting it further back, as Alembic did for Phil's Starfire, but for now I've just played it as a fun backup and so I could have one that had roundwounds and one that had flats. | ||
| slicknickhaas
New Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2009 |
variety is the spice of life! if i had two to play with I'd do just that, or just hot rod the pickups and a few nobs. I've got a few nice hollow body's even a couple star fire law suit basses witch suprisenly sound great at lower tones but the bolt on neck takes some of the appeal away. I have two of the same bass, Conrad HB2, made some were around the mid 70's I think. ones stock, the other is a monster in the making. one nice thing about the bolt on neck it will play great with a modulus graphite neck. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 555 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've always wondered how a Starfire would sound with a Modulus neck, but it would have to be a short scale neck for me. Well, one of the basses is quite hotrodded. I've posted pictures of it here a bunch, but once again:  It's not for sale! :-) | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2009 |
alembic bridge, bird tail piece, alembic electronics? preamp?beautiful bass! here a shot of the 2 of the Conrad basses.  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 806 Registered: 5-2009 |
Back in the mid 1970's I went through 2 Guild Starfire Modification projects. Here are links to one that I sold back in 1978. I still own one more that is Not for sale that I will soon post pics of , here are some links; http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/2792.html?1262960781 http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1926.html?1268749506 Check it out ______ All the work was done by for me by Alembic and Doug Irwin And George Mundy. Sonic Regards ! (Message edited by sonicus on March 31, 2010) | ||
| benson_murrensun
Advanced Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 248 Registered: 5-2007 |
Hey, Slicknickhaas, How do you like the Casady bass? I have had two, one I bought from Jack, which I still have. I like them alot; there have been issues with the pots on them, but there is an upgraded part available from Epiphone. Otherwise they have been great. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2009 |
I love it! that bass kept me alive till I could get my first alembic. the pots are a little scratchy but other than than it sounds great thru an F-2b and mesa 400+. Sonicus, WOW! all I can say is wow! YOU WERE THERE MAN! FAR-F**KIN OUT! thats the bass i saw that started this whole thing! any idea what it sold for? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 808 Registered: 5-2009 |
slicknickhaas . lol ____ yes, of course I know what I sold it for ! but I sold it 32 years ago . I did not buy it that way . I was responsible for directing much of the design process and listening to the recommendations of some of the Best craftsman and pioneers in their field at the time. I was only 22 when I sold it.I know the current owner but what he paid for it is a private matter. I will post pictures of the one that I did not sell as soon as I re-string her . I just cleaned her up . The one that I kept has a beautiful natural mahogany finish and custom work done by Alembic in 1974 , scalloped brass string nut , Brass bridge w/ sustain block and a very rare tail piece that looks similar to the one on ALEMBIC # 001 but with out fine tuners ! yes ! Experimental HI-A (passive) pick ups by Bill Bartolini. Additional wood work, Doug Irwin.(pickup rings). Pics very soon . You can buy an old Guild Starfire yourself and perhaps Alembic can do Custom work for you too! Alembic has my highest recommendations to do the job ( The Best) . The main thing to remember is that custom work is Art with a Capital " A " and you need to have patience for the craftsman to do their thing and also it is good to listen and let the experience of the craftsman and craftswomen who make recommendations to you to have a better outcome for your final product. Sonic Regards ! (Message edited by sonicus on April 01, 2010) (Message edited by sonicus on April 01, 2010) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 813 Registered: 5-2009 |
slicknickhass __ I am always happy to give you my opinion for custom projects as I have done a few my self and have overseen a few as well. As far as Active Bass Pick Ups & Electronics go I think that what Alembic has too offer is on top of the game_ none better. A big improvement on my mahogany Starfire was the replacement of the stock bridge to the Alembic bridge with sustain block and tail piece and brass string nut. I immediately liked the difference when it was done for me at the old 60 Brady St., location back in 1974. If you do not want to go with an Active Alembic pick up system right away you might try a set of Dark Star pick ups first since it would be a simple install. I would get the correct pick up ring set when you order. You can always get the Alembic pick ups and electronics later and use the Dark Stars else where or trade or sell them. Have fun in your pursuit and realisation of your custom Starfire , I know what it is like and can understand the excitement. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2009 |
When the time comes to mod my star fire I wouldn't let any body but the folks at alembic to do the work. for now, I'd love just to get my hands on one and maybe a set of the dark star pickups just to start off. but you see, you guys have been around these beautiful guitars for quite some time. to have one then was for the best of the best! Jerry, Phil, Jack, and a whole lot of others like you have helped make Alembic what they are today and what they are to me (a 21 year old music lover) the holy grail of guitars! just to get to play a bass like the Godfather would be like dieing and going to Bass heaven! but to own an original one! well any body need a kidney?! getting one built like that with a modern touch should be a bit cheaper. Listening for the secret, searching for the sound But I could only hear the preacher, and the baying of his hounds. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 815 Registered: 5-2009 |
Well slicknickhass__ Your Starfire with Dark Stars will sound super through that F-2B and the Mesa 400+ then later may be an Alembic SF-2 Superfilter. Be sure to have speakers that can hold up to that kind of 'Sonic impact"__lol Sonic Regards ! | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2453 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've moved several posts to a separate thread under Miscellaneous. There was one comment from Edwin on one of the posts that was relevant to this thread, so I'll repeat it here: "To get back to the original topic, I spoke to David King tonight and he's going to make me some pickup mounting rings, so my Starfire will be available after that. Also, I think Dark Stars are a great option and would be an interesting sound for the Conrad basses while you make your way to an Alembic." | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2009 |
that's a part of what I want to do to the Conrad bass, ether the by sonic pickups from a star fire or dark stars, preamp, Modulus neck, Alembic tail piece, bridge, nut, whats the story behind the pluto filters? I know there rare, I can't find them any were on line. is there a modern filter on the market like it? SF-2 is the next piece of gear on my list, just waiting for a good one to come up.then if I can find one close to me a Mcintosh 2300 power amp is some thing of interest to me, I'd love to check one out. Phil used 4 of them on the wall of sound. from what Ive read and heard there an amazing amp! 600 watts 300 per channel. but thats a ways off, i love the 400+ and for now its got all the power i need, but I'm thinking another David Edan 4-10 might be a good idea. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2009 |
send me an email with an asking price went you get the chance. also I am considering cutting down on my basses so heres some I'll offer up as trade bait if your interested, Gibson 1976 EB3 in mint I mean it looks like it just came out of the box! with the 4 way tone switch of course. Gibson late 60's (I think) Kalamazoo bass Peavey t-20 very nice looking and sounding Ibanez Ergodyne in charcole grey with active electronics there maybe more to and I have a very funky sounding and great looking Vox essex amp with stand if any body is interested. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 817 Registered: 5-2009 |
slicknickhass_ I would forget about the Pluto Filters because they were rare 30 years ago and have been out of production about just as long. When they were available very few ever were made in a pedal configuration.They show up on the used market less then once in a " Blue Moon ".Mr. George Mundy who worked on the electronics on the Alembic Osage Orange Bass for Mr.Phil Lesh had a filter set that was based on State Variable Filters that he called Pluto Filters, he also installed those filters in my old Guild Starfire that already had the Alembic hardware and Beautiful Clear Trapezoidal pick ups. (those pick ups were so cool ) My electronics were not the same as those in the Osage Orange Bass , but Pluto Filters none the less. Get an Alembic SF-2 Super Filter or two or a few ! A used Furman P-Q3 parametric EQ can also be fun. (Message edited by sonicus on April 02, 2010) | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2009 |
The hunt is still on! | ||
| pasewark
Junior Username: pasewark Post Number: 50 Registered: 4-2003 |
I own a '96 Guild Starfire reissue with Hammon darkstars installed. I just plugged that though a mesa boogie bass amp with an SF-2 patched through the effects loop. It sounds amazing. I thought about having alembic mod the Guild, but I think I'll just add an SF2 to my rig. If I find another reissue, I might have alembic modify that. | ||
| llobsterbass
Member Username: llobsterbass Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2004 |
I thought Alembic wouldn't do Starfire mods anymore? | ||
| 12stringwilson
Member Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 77 Registered: 12-2008 |
I don't believe they will. I recall asking them. Question...Would Alembic create/make a semi-hollow body bass? Possibly worth asking Mica. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 597 Registered: 5-2002 |
A lot of the Series basses (most, if I'm not wrong) are more or less semi-hollow. At least, my '78 Series I was. They just don't have the f-holes. I'm hoping my hopefully soon to be finished S I is semi-hollow. I think it adds greatly to the tone. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1171 Registered: 11-2004 |
There is a picture floating around somewhere on the forum of an Alembic bass with f-holes.. can't find it with a quick search, but if my memory serves me, it was a small standard body with essence electronics. | ||
| gregduboc
Senior Member Username: gregduboc Post Number: 416 Registered: 11-2008 |
Here you go:  Greg | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1044 Registered: 6-2002 |
Though not an Alembic, there's some pics of a way cool hollowbody neck through with Alembic stylings here ...the first pic shows some interesting construction. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 866 Registered: 5-2009 |
The book matching on this top is absolutely exquisite . | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1172 Registered: 11-2004 |
That's the one I had in mind. Thanks Greg. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2009 |
Well for now my search is going on hold, I got to try out a beautiful Alembic series 2 five string what a bass! that low b gives so much punch we had to put a microphone on the bass drum! i have been a die hard 4 string player but about 3/4 of them are hittin the road so I can get A good used alembic 5 string, any body have one there willing to part with? trade? | ||
| dwmark
Advanced Member Username: dwmark Post Number: 267 Registered: 1-2005 |
Nick It's not a Series, but I will be putting the January 2001 Featured Custom up for sale soon. You can look at her here: http://alembic.com/info/FC_spen.html I feel the need to offer a little detail here, because I want to calm down anyone thinking that I'm selling the Featured Custom that Alembic just built for me. She is not going anywhere. For personal reasons, I'm "thinning the herd," but I will be keeping the most meaningful of my basses. As usual, if the member from whom I bought the January 2001 FC wants to buy her back, he gets first refusal. dw | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2009 |
Beautiful bass, I like the boost switch, thats a great add on with the led boost indicator, its one of a kind like any other alembic but the flame top really sets it apart from any other, it has leds but I can't seem to see the switch. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 791 Registered: 3-2004 |
Is that real Greg? It looks like a photoshop creation to my eyes, but I've been wrong before. | ||
| sjhoffma
Intermediate Member Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 143 Registered: 5-2008 |
starfire on ebay in the seen on ebay/craigslist section. Looks great, at a low price | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 753 Registered: 1-2005 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160431547026&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT It's a beaut! | ||
| gregduboc
Senior Member Username: gregduboc Post Number: 420 Registered: 11-2008 |
Kevin, to be honest, it does look a bit like a photoshop work. This picture was posted on a thread that I started. Greg | ||
| smokinbear
Member Username: smokinbear Post Number: 90 Registered: 11-2008 |
I've got a few starfire's..... possibly one might need a new home. Only thing is they are all vintage so i wouldn't think they would be to good for a custom project since they are from the 60's. I would suggest looking at a 70's to modify or a basket case(Harley term) to build your chopper. I got a 1970 in the works with a ac east preamp 2 dark stars an alembic bridge and nut plus a nice refinish and some weird inlay work in de pipeline but she won't be finished till x-mas time hopefully. Good luck... Bear |
