New Retirement Bass - Guild Chris Hillman Starfire

[rubis]

Not exactly new, it's a 2014 bass and I've had it a month or so now, but with one thing or another I haven't got round to posting anything, so I'll explain. 

The current Mrs C and I retired together on 26th June, and during the countdown - whilst planning our new lease of life - had decided on a retirement present each. Hers would be another (third) dog......she's obsessed with Scottish Terriers 🙄......mine would be something I could pass on to our daughter at some point. 

I've had an itch for a semi hollow bass for some time and had been getting back into the Byrds and the Grateful Dead, then I saw this little beauty for sale, and it fitted the bill perfectly. 

The only problem was that we were about to go on holiday and I didn't want to miss out on it, so we went from Plymouth to Southampton, via Manchester (on the day Oasis were starting their home gigs🥴) and it came with us on a cruise round the Mediterranean, where it celebrated it's 14th birthday🍰. 

It's in mint condition, has all the case candy with it, stating it's number 25 of something like 75 I think, but I'm not sure that this makes it particularly collectable or valuable. 

If Ruby can prise it out of my hands when I'm a bit older and weaker, I think she'll like it, it feels quite compact and the string spacing is a bit narrow for my big hands, but it will suit her fine and she's working on a suitable looking customised painted suede strap for it already.

I don't know how close it is to an original vintage one, I should think it's more of an homage to Chris Hillman's '67 single pickup Starfire bass, but it's a lovely thing and I can't put it down at the moment. 

Its got roundwounds on it presently and I should think some flatwounds would be better suited, it's a bit bright and I'm hankering for some more whump!

I might even consider adding a neck pickup?

it's alright this retirement malarkey!

[Grahambythesea]

Love it! For the short time Chris Hillman was in the Byrds he was very influential. One of my favourite bands of all time. He was a mandolin player and not always a Guild Player. He also played a Precision and later in a come back a Stingray. But the Guild is as iconic as McGuinn’s Rickenbacker 12.

[Mickeyboro]

Don’t modify it, it is perfect as it is!

Edited Wednesday at 07:50 by Mickeyboro

[HeadlessBassist]

That's really nice. Definitely worthy of a road trip for collection.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

I've owned a couple of these, although they were the standard red version without the Byrds inlay. 

It's sacrilege I know but I always preferred the sound with rounds - that's a very growly pickup, particularly being quite near the bridge.

They're wonderful basses. Enjoy!