1961 Starfire III Restoration

[BackDoorMan]

Hey Guys,

Just got this one after a house I did a few weeks ago. Me and the owner got to talking about guitars and he comes out the basement with a moldy, leather case and this was inside. I took of the hardware which included: A Gibson ABR-1 bridge, a makeshift wood post for the bridge, a carpenter's nail holding a dollar-store tailpiece in place and some black, beyond beat-up Grover Sta-Tites...

She's had a HARD life...

[BackDoorMan]

Got some more pics here for y'all to wince at. When I got it home I was just shaking my head while taking it apart...

[BackDoorMan]

The frets are dead flat, it's been painted with Shellack, the bridge Dynasonic is dead, the headstock veneer is lifting, not to mention the bridge hole being cut so somebody could lower the action...

But hey, it was FREE!

[Lowbassnotes]

Looks like a fun and worthy project. Maybe you could post a photo of the musty old case for full effect? Price was right and it's always heartwarming when someone lays a cool guitar on you because they know you'll give it some love.

[dman]

Oh, my Lord! That was my first electric...a Starfire III! I found it used at Skokie Music (IL....long, LONG gone now) for a hundred bucks. My Dad matched my $50...I cut a lot of lawns to pay him back.

Nice gift from your client! Love those DeArmond single coils!

[BackDoorMan]

Originally Posted by Lowbassnotes

Looks like a fun and worthy project. Maybe you could post a photo of the musty old case for full effect? Price was right and it's always heartwarming when someone lays a cool guitar on you because they know you'll give it some love.

Sure thing:

[BackDoorMan]

It would have been nice to hear both of the DeArmond's, but I could only get the neck. Still great sound! I'll be taking 'em out and installing some Lollar P90 dog-ears though and will probably end up selling them.

[BackDoorMan]

So here's the gameplan:

- Re-fret and Planing (probably will do jumbos' and I can't wait to see that BRW after a gettin' planed)
- Lollar P90 Dog-Ears (great sound AND will cover up that hack-job)
- Bigsby B6 (the original is long gone)
- Grover Sta-Tites 18:1 ration
- Bigsby Aluminum Rocker bridge
- Re-Finish in Nitro
- Re-Glue headstock veneer
- NO idea what to do with headstock "repair"

[Lowbassnotes]

Case doesn't look half bad but I can smell the must from here. Better hit it with a light spray of Lysol and a healthy dose of Febreze. A pair of good P-90's in that thing ought to make it a real smokin' guitar. A Starfire's been on my GAS list for awhile.

[IPLAYLOUD]

Sent this link to my g/f. She restores guitars and eats this stuff up! Loves to see an old guitar live again.

[BackDoorMan]

Originally Posted by Lowbassnotes

Case doesn't look half bad but I can smell the must from here. Better hit it with a light spray of Lysol and a healthy dose of Febreze. A pair of good P-90's in that thing ought to make it a real smokin' guitar. A Starfire's been on my GAS list for awhile.

Yeah, I've been hittin' it with febreze and airing it out in the sun for the past week. I've got most of it out, but I still wanted to keep a little bit of it.

I narrowed it down between Fralin's and Lollar's and after playing a gibby and a heritage equipped with each, the choice was obvious.

[IPLAYLOUD]

Go to a running shop and ask for "Stink Free Spray". It's made for shoes, but it kills bacteria (MOLD) that causes odor. Use on all fabrocs, too.
Febreze covers the smell.

[Lowbassnotes]

My buddy I play with did a Tele build with 2 Lollar CC P-90's(neck and middle) and a Suhr single coil in the bridge position, 5 way switch. I've played it quite a bit and those CC's sound real good to my ears.

[Walter Broes]

Looks like it's had a hard life indeed, shame! I have a refinished '61 that's otherwise all there, and I dearly love it. I'd give those DeArmond pickups a chance if I were you, they're pretty awesome pickups, and rewinding one will cost you less than two new Lollar pickups.

This is mine in action :
click for youtube clip

[john kleeman]

Used to think of these as the poor mans 6120. Now see them as the thinking mans 6120. Well worth the effort. +1 on saving the DeArmonds.

[BackDoorMan]

Originally Posted by Walter Broes

Looks like it's had a hard life indeed, shame! I have a refinished '61 that's otherwise all there, and I dearly love it. I'd give those DeArmond pickups a chance if I were you, they're pretty awesome pickups, and rewinding one will cost you less than two new Lollar pickups.

This is mine in action :
click for youtube clip

Awesome sound indeed! One of the DeArmond's on mine were cut so I think even just a re-wire would do. I was looking at TV Jones as well but wanted something with some more bite to 'em. I would love to keep 'em even if it means they stay in the case, but was just offered $300.00 for 'em.

[BackDoorMan]

I've got it sanded down with 800-grit so far, and are moving up to 1200 soon. I'll be refinishing with Nitro, and will be posting pics as I go along.

So here's what has arrived in the mail so far:

- Grover Sta-Tites 18:1
- Bigsby B6
- Bigsby Rocker Bridge

I also found I'm gonna have to remove the headstock veneer as well for re-gluing. Any tips I can get along the way would be very much appreciated as well

[RubyRae]

can't wait to see restoration. beautiful guitar.

[BackDoorMan]

More Pics: Taking out wiring harness, LOTS more sanding needed!

[BackDoorMan]

After removing the harness, I still heard a rattling going on inside and after some "coaxing", this little guy fell out: