Guild Starfire Custom DC GVT GH Teal The Deal Semi-Acoustic Guitar

Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar with Vintage '60s DNA

The Guild Starfire Custom DC GVT GH Teal the Deal is a 6-string, right-handed semi-hollow body electric guitar built around the iconic double-cutaway Starfire DC shape. Part of the Newark St. Collection, this reissue honors the model's '60s-era legacy while adding contemporary touches that working guitarists can appreciate. A metallic Teal the Deal gloss polyurethane finish and upscale gold hardware give the instrument a striking stage presence. Inside the lightweight body, a poplar center block keeps feedback under control while preserving the woody, airy resonance that defines the semi-hollow voice. Players seeking authentic vintage Starfire character in a modern, performance-ready package will find this model a compelling match.

Standout Features

What sets this model apart from other semi-hollow reissues is the inclusion of genuine DeArmond Dynasonic single-coil pickups, originally developed by Harry DeArmond in the 1940s. These pickups deliver bright, punchy, and clear tones with a touch of twang, pairing perfectly with the semi-hollow body's acoustic voice. The Guild Custom trim package adds further distinction: ivory binding throughout, mother-of-pearl and abalone V-block inlays, a tortoise pickguard with gold Guild logo, and 5-ply black and ivory body purfling.

Body Construction and Tonewoods — Lightweight Resonance

Built with an arched maple top and back paired with maple sides, the body produces a light, resonant tonal foundation with the feedback suppression semi-hollow designs are known for. 5-ply black and ivory purfling and ivory binding frame the body elegantly, while the tortoise pickguard with gold Guild logo adds a vintage-correct visual accent.

• Body Type: Semi-hollow double-cutaway — feedback-resistant yet acoustically alive
• Top: Arched Maple — adds stiffness and projection to the semi-hollow voice
• Back and Sides built from Arched Maple and Maple for balanced resonance
• Body Depth: 44 mm at both bouts — slim, comfortable profile against the body
• Lower Bout Width: 416 mm — full semi-hollow presence without feeling oversized

Neck and Playability — Vintage Soft U Feel

A set mahogany neck is shaped to Guild's Vintage Soft U profile, offering an old-school feel that remains comfortable for extended sessions. The bound ebony fingerboard carries 22 narrow jumbo frets with V-block mother-of-pearl and abalone inlays, while the 305 mm radius and 629 mm scale length give confident command for rhythm and lead playing.

• Scale Length: 629 mm — Gibson-style tension for familiar bending feel
• Fingerboard Radius: 305 mm — modern flatter surface for low-action bending
• Nut Width of 43 mm suits most hand sizes comfortably
• Frets: 22 Narrow Jumbo — easy bending and accurate intonation

Electronics and Hardware — Gold-Finished Performance Setup

Two DeArmond Dynasonic single-coil pickups sit in the neck and bridge positions, wired through a 3-way toggle with per-pickup Volume and Tone controls plus a Master Volume for global level adjustments. Gold hardware includes a Guild Tune-O-Matic bridge with pinned ebony base, a Guild Vibrato tailpiece, a bone nut, and Grover G2 open-gear tuners.

• Pickups: DeArmond Dynasonic single-coil (neck and bridge) — bright, punchy, twangy mid-century character
• Control layout includes 2 Volume, 2 Tone, Master Volume, and a 3-way toggle — flexible tone sculpting with global level trim
• Bridge: Guild Tune-O-Matic with pinned ebony base — stable string anchoring and excellent sustain
• Tailpiece: Guild Vibrato Tailpiece (semi-hollow) — expressive pitch-dipping vibrato
• Tuners: Grover G2 open-gear — reliable tuning stability for live performance

Who Is It For

The Guild Starfire Custom DC GVT GH Teal the Deal is the right choice for guitarists who want vintage semi-hollow tone with modern reliability and stage-ready hardware. Players rooted in jazz, pop, country, blues, and classic rock will appreciate the bright, characterful Dynasonic pickups and the woody, airy resonance of the maple semi-hollow body. The Vintage Soft U neck profile and 305 mm fingerboard radius make it approachable for intermediate players while offering the depth that experienced tone-chasers expect. On stage, in the studio, or at home, this guitar rewards players who value expressive vibrato work, articulate single-coil clarity, and unmistakable vintage style.

Brand and Product Story

Belonging to Guild's Newark St. Collection of vintage-inspired guitars and basses, this reissue brings classic Guild designs into the modern era with contemporary appointments. DeArmond Dynasonic pickups were developed by Harry DeArmond in the 1940s and became a defining voice of early-'60s Starfire models. Today, Guild operates under Yamaha Guitar Group, continuing a tradition of building semi-hollow guitars the old-fashioned way — steaming and bending tonewoods by hand — to deliver the resonance and character that have defined the Starfire name for decades.