Schecter Corsair vs. Guild Starfire I - It's a Semi-Hollow Hoedown! - LowEndLobster Tone Shootout

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Hey everyone! Today we're looking at two VERY different semi-hollow basses. They differ in almost every conceivable way outside of their semi hollow body construction and two piece bridges. The Schecter features a full 34" scale neck, active EMG electronics, and a two band preamp. The Guild is a 30.75" 'short' scale bass with a passive split coil pickup along with a series/parallel switch embedded in the volume control. How will these two stack up? Let's find out!
Schecter Corsair Review: • Schecter Corsair - The...
Guild Starfire I Review: • Guild Starfire I - The...
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at www.mjcironworks.com
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[@jeffjones1359]

I preferred the Guild. It has more definition, presence and high mid clarity. And I prefer the short scale too! I probably wouldn’t buy either since I really don’t like the style but it was an interesting comparison and of course I had to get my carapace tickled with my daily dose of Lobster!

[@bizibetiko9778]

Like others have said, I'm really digging the sound of that Guild. That finish is sexy as well. With the preamp, that Schecter is no doubt, more versatile, but the raw tone on that Guild just doesw it. The notes sound like they breathe more, if that makes any sense at all.

[@rickrolli7091]

The passive Guild was very surprising to hear how clear it is versus the Schecter. However if the electronics were used in the Schecter. That may have cleaned that tone right up, if that's what you were going after. So the Schecter may give you a wider tone availability.

[@michaelkeefer4293]

I really didn't like the sound of the Guild until you played it with a pick, that's where I think it really shined. The Schecter I thought sounded better with finger style and would probably be the one I'd choose if I were in the market for a semi-hollow.

[@AzixZander7x7]

In series if you dial the Guilds tone knob back a bit with a pick I bet it would sound stellar.

[@RobVespa]

Thanks for the commentary and playing. All the best.

[@PerpetuallyTiredMusician]

I have a real soft spot for the guild Starfire. I wanted one oh so badly all the way back in the mid 90s. Ended up with a Hagström viking which is pretty similar to the Starfire 2. I can recommend putting the Curtis Novak bisonics in those bad boys. Peace and have a great weekend everyone

[@brianreust2184]

I played these and personally thought the Schecter had way less "body tone" and most of it's tone came from the active EMG's, whereas the Starfire had much more hollowbody tone. I bought the Guild Starfire over the Schecter Corsair & Epi Jack Cassidy. But it is all personal taste in the end.

[@toddhammond8305]

Have you been happy with your purchase so far? I am looking at both.

[@thefool2007]

They’re both excellent looking and sounding basses. For me, I’d prefer the Guild. The clarity is just a bit better and I prefer the scale length. Maybe someday you can review a Hofner HCT 500/1 (my main bass these days).

[@russellzauner]

One of these days I'll probably cave in and buy one of the Hohner Bartell fretless that keep coming up on the verb; a hollow body popped up recently too which is double tempting

[@Alifesalife]

Hey dude would you recommend that bass for psych rock? Have you ever tried it with fuzz?

[@philipmcadam5339]

Hey Lobster, thanks for the most excellent comparo. I know that you have already done a full review of the Schecter but, I would have liked to hear all it can do and compare that to all the Guild can do. Have a great weekend.

[@christophermcguinness8200]

They both sound great, think the Guild slightly edges it. Just wish it had a long scale neck 😔

[@ziltar1]

Regardless of price I prefer the look and sound of the Guild, (and I own the 335 style Corsair Guitar with a Bigsby).

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Ziltar!

[@SiFi5478]

I had the Guild here. After the honeymoon period I got a little bored with it. The Corsair sounds much better to me here. Thank for the review LobSTAR!

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

Active, schmactive. Give me a couple of single-coil pickups with big ol' AlNiCo slugs in them and some quality flatwounds, and I will be just fine.

[@johnyrocksville]

Definitely need to add a semi hollow to my collection! Thanks for yet another great video!

[@theonemodifier]

Why don't you say how you switch between pickups on Schecter? this is my third video to watch of yours. Thx.

[@jazzman1954]

No mention of how they hang. Neck dive?? Working bass players usually play standing up with a strap for hours often. For me a bass with neck dive goes in the trash can.

[@HamptonGuitars]

Both of those would benefit from using flat wounds on them, that gives you the classic sound.

[@klaymeister]

When it comes to neck pickups I always go to a split coil. EMG has a split coil under a thunderbird housing though.

[@scke3717]

I have a Starfire on order based on your review(s). Seems the Corsair guitar can be found but the bass is impossible to source in 2023.

[@russellzauner]

They're not the same at all - the electronics make it impossible to evaluate the platforms anywhere near apples/apples. From this demo, I'd go ahead and buy up to the Schecter and grab an EQ pedal if I couldn't frob the knobs to pull up a good p bass sound. The guild thumps but again, think that's the pickup talking and fiddling could probably get a similar tone out the Schecter. It's probably worth the 300 buck upcharge...

[@russellzauner]

Okay, now I know why they sounded so very different even given their electronics...I got to the specs on their sites. The Schecter is MAPLE body while the Guild is MAHOGANY. No contest. Hollow body anything, if you get a choice between maple and anything else, you pick maple. At least I do.

[@Heivang]

A bit off-topic. Can we get Mr. Experience by Donny Benét for a Tabs and Transcription Tuesday?

[@LowEndLobster]

Absolutely :)

[@benking8665]

I second this!

[@stevekonbass]

Nice demo.

[@pickupghoul4196]

EMG do not match with semi hollow. The Guild still stealing it.

[@losely451]

Both the Guild Starfire and the Jack Cassidy bass sound like a hollow body Precision and the Schecter Corsair sounds like hollow body Jazz bass.

[@bmac1205]

No drum track? You're not that old to forget yet! :-) Like both of them so much I might just have to buy both of them! The Guild sounds brighter to my ears. No giggling? Waaaa? Nice playing buy the way. It's great to hear the same riff being played all the way through like that. Both a gorgeous eye candy too!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! This was filmed like 5 months ago hahaha, just never got around to editing it. It's funny how jarring the difference is compared to more recent videos haha.

[@spynae]

If the Corsair had active EMGs rather than the Hz, that would put it in the neighborhood of the first active basses by Rick Turner.

[@SICMetal74]

The last tone on the Shecter was nasty with the kids loved the growl

[@ejmusicofficial]

Love both…but the Guild stands out to me. BTW I managed to get the 1961 Roadworn Jazz Bass!

[@sunn_bass]

Nice comparison. I n really dig the Guild over the Schecter, plus I'd rather have passive and save around $400. At least neither of these have that 3 point Gibson bridge!

[@zackstewart4109]

This is such a good example of active vs passive tone. There's a definite place for active, but I like dynamics too much to play an active bass.

[@adamperry2985]

Wow. I really liked the Schecter and still do in many ways but GD that Guild sounds really nice at half the price.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Adam! I feel similarly. The Schecter is sweet, but the Guild is exceptional for the price

[@PushSueAside]

playing awesome new groove......”nope I’m not going to remember that.....” plays regular lobster groove..... My wife closes her eyes and shakes her head. I guess you had to be there... I watch a lot of your videos, apparently too loud!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

LOL! It's so funny because some of these videos are months old before I edit them, and then when I edit and see moments like that I laugh. Thank you as always Tommy!

[@martinheath5947]

Have you tried the Harley Benton HB-60 WB? There's something about a proper neck position pickup on a hollow (or semi hollow) body that's just... something else entirely 😊

[@LowEndLobster]

I have not yet, but will be doing a Thomann order at some point

[@paulvanwal4875]

A very good Review, thanks ...Schecter or Guild Beautiful bass guitars , and Sound very good but with Guild you could start a Fire . 🔥🔥🔥

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Paul! Yeah the Guild is spectacular sounding, very nice tone

[@edwinhurwitz6792]

Do they have the same kind of strings on them? Sounds like maybe the Schecter has flats of a particularly thumpy variety while the Guild has rounds, maybe of a smaller gauge.

[@LowEndLobster]

I believe so. Both LaBella flats (Deep talkin, full scale 45-105)

[@wren23_bass-synths]

I have a Jack Casady Epiphone. I had it mod to fretless and it has a rich deep tone.

[@jasonross752]

It IS possible to slap a semi hollow. Well done Lobster. I give you 5 claws.🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞

[@boppin_bennie]

Bought a Corsair as soon as I noticed them, 1 1/2 graph tech nut & 34 inch scale, being a Jazz bass fanatic it's right up my alley. Picked one up in black, put some D'Addario Chromes with a felt mute at bridge to get it thumpin' & I'm diggin' it

[@greyfoxzero]

Those EMG's don't sound like EMG's. Too muddy.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Fox! Yeah these are the passive TB-HZ. We're actually going to be featuring a similar set on an upcoming mod video, but in a different bass and in different positions. We'll see how they sound!

[@liammusik]

Wow what a great Sound. 😍😍😍😍 I must have. 😂👍🏻🎸 I Like both. 🤦🙈😀 The deep warm tone from schekter and the clear Sound of guilt. Possibile I need both.🤔😂👍🏻

[@juanfranmar]

Beautiful bass (basses??????, hahaha). You have a great collection. Could you adopt me? Hahaha. Thanks for your videos, my friend. I enjoy with all of them. Great job!!!!! Guild is beautiful but the schecter sound is really amazing. Those bass with flatwounds would be my dream.

[@fsolisiii]

I got used to Semi-Hollow ES-335-styled basses with the Almighty Mudbucker

[@Basslightning666]

I prefer the Guild out of the two on this comparison. I know they are discontinued, but the Gibson Midtown is a good semi hollow... The model at one of my local stores has been hanging there forever....lol. The used price is $1800.00, which is probably why it's still there... It plays and sounds warm and tubby...

[@ramshaar2597]

Okay mister chicago exchange ! The guild sounds better for me the sound was warmer a little bit

[@PhullyNo1]

You make these unappealing basses very interesting but I’m not a fan of how these sound. I think they sound good for what they are but when playing live it’s very difficult to make this sound fit the mix. Unless there’s a lot room for those low mids.

[@jacquesMFS]

I would prefer the Guild. For me there is more harmonic and band width on it. It obvious if you listé to thé noise of fingers and touch on the cords.

[@chriswenkle2635]

Wow! I can comment again. For some reason, KZbin's algorithm was out of rhythm and comments were shut off. Good to see LowEndLobster is still at it and demoing. I really like that Corsair. It reminds me of the Epiphone Jack Cassidy bass. As far as mic or cable noise goes, semi-hollow basses (or guitars) are difficult to do full shielding on for obvious reasons. Great video Lobster! Cheers.

[@jdmarino]

I was hoping your claw would grow back before you started slapping those basses. That said, they sound pretty slappy good.

[@blawhorn883]

The Corsair has a more woody, organic tone. I think I like it better. Both of them sound awesome though.

[@glenndjubilee]

I like them both but I would still pick the Schecter.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Glenn!

[@rl-ub9hx]

Man... I want the schecter with just that P pickup!

[@LowEndLobster]

That'd be seck

[@darvinclement3250]

I'm a suckered for a gold top and the Schecter looks so cool! I could sit on the couch all day with that plugged into a headphone amp, my wife would be so mad.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks Lobster 🦞 much appreciated nice bass guitars

[@kevmac1230]

They both have a lot of good points.Two different tones,the EMGs give more range.This is a tough one to call.

[@jackbuilt4886]

Please review a Hagstrom viking vs. Those 2!

[@egmccann]

Love Schecter, but I think I'd have to pick both up...

[@Duncanlinc]

No Hagstrom? I'm so curious about that viking bass

[@nym053]

The Guild has a much nicer topend and the other has a much deeper lowend

[@martinj.bombsquad6695]

Great Job,Lobster!👍as always! I like the Schecter.

[@fredparker3384]

Do u have the Tab for that riff?? I heard it on a few reviews…..funky

[@johnniedelong9322]

Great review, got to try one out. Passive and under $500, killer looks!

[@luishungar1037]

Guild 🚀

[@benking8665]

Both sound awesome. Sound great with flat wounds.

[@tracychappell2029]

I like the Guild better.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Tracy!

[@jackbuilt4886]

Slap them! SLAP THEM SILLY!

[@jeanfernandes7897]

That P had realy good gain

[@LowEndLobster]

Right?! I thought the Guild's pickup sounds absolutely heavenly

[@adityapurwanegara8292]

Schecter sounds awesome!

[@thebassbuilder]

StarFire in parallel mode for me

[@job1778]

I like the Guild”s tone better.

[@eranzilber1]

GUILD !!!!

[@gilbertotoni6552]

guild...no doubt

[@ddszem]

Excellent reviews

[@mccypr]

Thanks! 😎

[@shahramyousefi5379]

Guild blew Schecter out of the water all day long 🎶

[@joedecker3900]

Night too

[@NiskRanThawll]

the guild has it for me like. sound is more my thing and looks wise its soooooooooooooooo tasty :)

[@williamcarpenter4353]

Schecter all day

[@joedecker3900]

Night too