Sometime in 1963, the Starfire III was fitted with Guild’s new "anti-hum" pickups. These are about 75 percent of the size of a Gibson humbucker and have a unique construction. These small humbuckers completely changed the sound of the Starfire III models. 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 circa 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 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:  Rosewood, single bound; pearloid dot markers

 Number of Frets:  20

 Pickguard:  Acrylic

 Bridge:  Tune-a-matic on rosewood base (non-original)  with Guild/Bigsby B-2 tailpiece

 Nut:  Plastic

 Tuners:  Japanese-made, open, chrome

 Pickups:  Two, Guild "Anti-Hum" 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