Is the Fender Starcaster a good electric guitar?
Ask most people if they are familiar with a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster, and their response will typically be ‘YES’. Even if they don’t know the guitar by name, show them a photo and most people will be familiar with at least one of them.
Now ask the same people if they know about the Fender Starcaster, and I’m sure the most common response will be either ‘NO’, or they will confuse it with the Stratocaster.
The Star-what? No longer in production, but maybe you can find it on Reverb.com
So what’s the story?
Fender has a great write up on the full history of the guitar:
The Starcaster Story
Some highlights and lowlights to note about the original release:
Arrived in 1976 as the company’s first new electric model in three years
Failed to excite players at the time and was cut from the price list by the fall of 1980
CBS wanted to use up old Coronado stock and enlisted Fender designer Gene Fields to do so.
Not for everyone
Love it or hate it?
Since being discontinued in 1980, Fender has since released a reissued model that was produced from 2013-2018. I’ve managed to get my hands on a used mint condition model from 2018 and produced a full demo and review video.
Since being discontinued once again in 2018, Fender has re-released the Starcaster in a number of new variations under their Squier brand. They now have Affinity, Classic Vibe and Contemporary series models.
It’s a strange guitar to say the least. The headstock alone will turn many people away. I’ve always been one for the underdog and I really like the guitar, including it’s quirky styled headstock.
Squier Affinity Series
Fender recently released a Starcaster in their lower priced Affinity series. Here are all the specs are where you can buy them online:
BODY
Body Material Laminated Maple
Body Shape Starcaster®
Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
Body BindingBlack
NECK
Neck Material Maple
Neck Finish Satin Urethane
Neck Shape "C" Shape
Scale Length 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material Maple
Fingerboard Radius 9.5" (241 mm)
Number of Frets 22
Fret Size Narrow Tall
Nut Material PPS
Nut Width 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays Black Dot
Truss Rod Head Adjust
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup Standard Humbucking
Neck Pickup Standard Humbucking
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Configuration HH
HARDWARE
Bridge 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge
Hardware Finish Chrome
Tuning Machines Die-Cast
Control Knobs Skirted Amp Knobs
Switch Tip Black
Neck Plate 4-Bolt Squier®
SQUIER CLASSIC VIBE SERIES
Fender has also released a Starcaster in their Classic Vibe series. Here are all the specs:
BODY
Body Material Laminated Maple
Body Shape Starcaster®
Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
Body Binding Cream
NECK
Neck Material Maple
Neck Finish Tinted Gloss Urethane
Neck Shape "C" Shape
Scale Length 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material Maple
Fingerboard Radius 9.5" (241 mm)
Number of Frets 22
Fret Size Narrow Tall
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays Black Dot
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup Fender® Wide Range Humbucking
Neck Pickup Fender® Wide Range Humbucking
Controls Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Switching 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Configuration HH
HARDWARE
Bridge 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge
Hardware Finish Nickel
Tuning Machines Vintage-Style
Pickguard 3-Ply Black
Control Knobs Skirted Amp Knobs
Switch Tip Black
Neck Plate 4-Bolt Squier®
CONTEMPORARY ACTIVE
The third series that Fender has release is their Contemporary Starcaster models. These are unique in that they have removed the hollow body option and added active pickups. Here are the full specs and where you can buy it online:
BODY
Body Material Laminated Maple
Body Shape Starcaster®
Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
Body Binding Black
NECK
Neck Material Maple
Neck Finish Satin Urethane
Neck Shape "C" Shape
Scale Length 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material Maple
Fingerboard Radius 12" (305 mm)
Number of Frets 22
Fret Size Narrow Tall
Nut Material Synthetic Bone
Nut Width 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays Black Dot
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup Squier® SQR™ Active Ceramic Humbucker
Neck Pickup Squier® SQR™ Ceramic Humbucker
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Configuration HH
Special Electronics Active Electronics
HARDWARE
Bridge 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge
Hardware Finish Black Chrome
Tuning Machines Die-Cast Sealed
Control Knobs Skirted Amp Knobs
Switch Tip Black
Neck Plate 4-Bolt Squier®
How does it Sound?
Now looks are one thing, but how does this guitar sound? I’ve done a full sound demo video on my YouTube channel. Personally I think it sounds great. While it doesn’t use the original CUNIFE Wide Range Humbuckers from the original 1970’s models, I still find the Modern Wide range humbuckers can produce a great rock tone.
Check out my full demo here of the Fender Classic Series model:
Love it or Hate it
So whether you love the look or hate it, I definitely recommend trying one if you get the chance. I’m curious myself how the recent Squier models hold up against the original and the 2013 re-release. Hopefully I can try one out sometime soon. It’s truly one of Fender’s strangest creations.
