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.

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

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.