Here is a super rare guitar. Although it is listed in the original Guild literature as a Stratford Starfire SF-350 model, the inside label denotes this model as an X 350 model (probably an early transition model) and it does list "cherry" on the label as well. There are only 3 known examples to currently exist, including this one. Talk about rare! According to serial number and date codes on the potentiometers, this guitar was made in 1962. It was produced at the highly respected Guild factory in Hoboken New Jersey, U.S.A. The guitar is 100% original and in very nice condition with no breaks, no cracks, no repairs...it is set up and ready to go.
The body is a large and in charge hollow body monster. The finish is cherry over a mahogany laminate. It looks similar to Gibson Cherry finishes of the early 1960's in bright light. In lower light or at an angle it appears like Cherry with a touch of amber. Obviously a 3-pickup model coupled with this rare finish makes for a super-rare unit. The mahogany has a nice flame to it-see photos. The top sides and back are super solid and the binding is in excellent condition throughout. The neck joint is super solid and an excellent fitment. The neck angle is also excellent.
The neck itself is smooth and straight. The truss rod functions well. The neck measures 1.71" wide at the nut. The neck profile is a vintage soft-C shape and measures .848" deep at the 1st fret and 1.061" deep at the 12th fret. The beautiful tuners function smoothly and the guitar stays in tune well. The headstock and logo both display excellent. The rosewood fingerboard is nice and clean, and the position markers are in excellent condition. The frets are in very nice condition with clean profiles and excellent heights-see photos. The guitar plays great up and down the fingerboard with no dead spots anywhere. It action is set low and it plays fast and easy with a light touch. The string height is currently set at .010" at the 1st fret and .060" at the 12th fret.
The pickups are the original De Armond units and they all have an excellent signal. This guitar really screams through any quality tube amp. The volume potentiometer has a date code with 32nd week of 1962-see photos. The harness and switches are all very nice. The position switches all function nicely. The pickguard is nice and clean and very flat. The bridge is the earlier style wood saddle and in good condition. The original harp-style tailpiece is solid.
The guitar is big and also very light for its size: it only weighs 7.59 lbs. It is nice and comfortable and has a great resonance whether plugged in or unplugged.
The guitar comes with the original Red Guild hardcase. This is a great guitar for the studio-it has an amazing range of tones and sounds killer. It would make an excellent addition to anyone's collection.
