Guild Starfire I SC Antique Burst

When I ordered this I was considering a lot of different alternatives, just wanted a semi hollow or hollowbody similar to a 335 but within my price range. I went for the Guild mainly because of their rep. but also bearing in mind reviews of Gretsch Epiphone etc.
When it first arrived the outer box was damaged quite badly, completely open enough to get both hands in on one corner. The inner Guild box was fine, it had been opened at one end but resealed with tape I assume when Thomann did their checks. I found the delivery experience quite stressfull especially when I saw the damaged outer box but I needn't have worried because when I opened the inner box and went over the guitar with my HD camera looking very carefully for any defects there were none. I kid you not, I went over the whole beautiful guitar very carefully and the only criticism I could find was that the selector switch is a bit wobbly (not loose, just the switch toggle moves a bit).
I have to congratulate Guild on the quality of this guitar, it is in pristine condition. Not a blemish to be found anywhere on the finish, action maybe a bit high but I'm new to hollow body electrics, it's a little higher than my Tele and a little lower than my Taylor 314 so maybe that's where it should be. Intonation slightly out on 4 of the 6 but with the
tune O'matic bridge easily put right. One thing I'm not sure about is the saddles are facing one way for EAD and the other for GBE (is this because EAD are wound and GBE are not ?? I really don't know but will investigate and alter if needed)
Anyway, absolutely astounded by the quality control at Guild on this budget Guitar and would have expected to pay double for this level of quality.
Very happy.
Also Thomann should be congratulated on good service (I'm assuming the damaged box was caused en route).

I bought it because I had a performance coming that was mostly in a blues/rock n roll vein. I've always been curious about Guilds... The Lovin Spoonful's Zal Yanovsky played a Guild S-200 Thunderbird... would love to try one of those. So I guess I was primed to try one out.
It arrived, typical NGD...the excitement of opening the box and pulling the guitar case (which I'm glad I ordered) opened it and ... it wasn't as set up as I'd hoped. So I fiddled with it. The fretwork was ok enough. Not the best but not that bad either. I adjusted the bridge height, the truss rod and intonation but once I got it sorted and plugged it in.... it was lovely!
It has a wider neck than I'm used to but I quite like it. It feels almost like an acoustic or classic style guitar. Nice thick frets really add to the tone.
I like that if I want a sound like an amplified acoustic sound it does that brilliantly. Very deep resonant tones. And, when I want something a notch up jazzier it's got that as well. But it's also good for going into hard blues (sounding great through my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV) and... very much rocks hard. And...for other genres that I like (post punk , shoe gaze... ska, etc., etc.. ) I'm quite happy with it. Even surprised by it.
I do have to confess that I modded by switching the stop tailpiece with a trapeze style one to give it more of a vintage look; -which I'm happy to say adds to something to the tone (or so I perceive it to do.) I'll probably mod it further by replacing the plastic nut and maybe add a roller bridge to it. I busted a string on it mid set. But I have no complaints about the pickups though. Very satisfied with that.

The guitar is light, the neck is perfect, microphones have push pull for single coil and humbuckers, the finish is flawless, set up is the best I've had on a new / factory guitar. At this price range it is quite something.
Of course you have to fine tune it up a little ( input jack had to be tightened after a week and it did not move anymore afterward - i found a fret that buzzed on one the D string at 17th (G note ) but that was esaily fixed, I put some flat wounds on it) but at the end of the day it is a beautifull guitar that sings like a bird and brings you a smile when you play it and that is the most important. Yes, i would buy it again....