Sometime in 1963, the Starfire III was fitted with Guild’s new HB-1 humbucking pickups.  These are about 75 percent of the size of a Gibson humbucker and completely changed the sound of the guitar.  In the cosmetic department, the old Gibsonesque “moustache” headstock shape was dropped in favor of new, more unique, shape.  This “center peak” shape would be a defining feature of all future Guild guitars. Finally, the color of the control knobs was changed from clear amber to opaque black.  According to c. 1967 Guild literature, the Starfire III was only available in Cherry Red, though Guild was known to do a lot of things that weren’t listed in catalogs or on price lists.  As well, the neck changed from Honduran to Peruvian mahogany.
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Body:  Hollow; laminated 1-piece Sapele mahogany top and back, and laminated mahogany sides; single bound top and back

Finish:  Cherry Red,  nitrocellulose lacquer

Neck:  1-piece mahogany, set-in; black plastic headstock overlay with pearloid logo and Chesterfield inlay

Fingerboard:  Indian rosewood, single bound; pearloid dot markers

Number of Frets:  20

Pickguard:  Black backed Lucite

Bridge:  Tune-a-matic on rosewood base (non-original)  with Guild/Bigsby tailpiece

Nut:  Plastic

Tuners:  Japanese-made, open, chrome

Pickups:  Two, Guild HB-1 humbucking with adjustable pole pieces, chrome

Controls:  Tone and volume controls for each pickup, 3-way pickup selector

Scale Length:  24 3/4 inches

Neck Width at Nut:  1 5/8 inches

Body Width at Lower Bout:  16 3/8 inches

Body Depth:  1 7/8 inches

Weight:  6.5 lb.