Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $173
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$500
$1201+
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Description
The Fender Starcaster is a true gem for guitar enthusiasts who appreciate a fusion of vintage allure and modern playability. Originally introduced in the late 1970s, this semi-hollowbody electric guitar defies convention with its distinctive offset body design and unique headstock. This model marks Fender's bold venture into the humbucker market, delivering a rich, resonant sound that appeals to both classic rockers and contemporary indie players alike.
With its double-cutaway design, the Starcaster offers seamless access to upper frets, making it an ideal choice for soloists who love to explore the full range of the fretboard. Its semi-hollow construction provides a warm, airy tone that's perfect for jazz, blues, and rock, while the humbucker pickups ensure a powerful output with reduced noise. This combination of features delivers a dynamic sound palette that can easily adapt to a variety of musical styles and genres.
The Starcaster's aesthetics are just as captivating as its sonic capabilities. The offset body not only enhances its visual appeal but also offers a comfortable playing experience. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Fender Starcaster is sure to inspire creativity and elevate your musical expression.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollowbody construction for rich, airy tones
- Distinctive offset body design
- Dual humbucker pickups for powerful sound
- Unique headstock design
- Comfortable double-cutaway for easy fret access
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Starcaster |
| Finish | Antigua, Black, Blonde, Natural, Tobacco Sunburst, Walnut (Mocha), White, Wine |
| Year | 1976 - 1979 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Semi-Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Black, Brown, Red, Tan, White, Yellow |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Maple |
| Model Family | Fender Starcaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender Vintage CBS Era |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Fender Starcaster's pickups?
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The Fender Starcaster features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, delivering warm, rich tones with a strong midrange and smooth highs. It's versatile enough for jazz, rock, and blues, offering a distinct voice compared to typical single-coil Fender guitars.
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Is the Fender Starcaster suitable for beginner guitarists?
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The Fender Starcaster is more suited to intermediate and advanced players due to its semi-hollow body design and unique tonal characteristics. Beginners might find its nuances more challenging compared to solid-body guitars.
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How does the semi-hollow body of the Fender Starcaster affect its sound?
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The semi-hollow body design of the Fender Starcaster provides a warm, resonant tone with enhanced sustain and a slight acoustic quality, making it ideal for genres like jazz and blues that benefit from a fuller sound.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Starcaster like?
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The Fender Starcaster features a maple neck with a bolt-on construction, providing a smooth, fast-playing surface that is comfortable for most hand sizes. Its 25.5" scale length offers a familiar feel for players used to Fender's standard necks.
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Does the Fender Starcaster handle feedback well?
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Thanks to its semi-hollow body design, the Fender Starcaster can be more prone to feedback at high volumes compared to solid-body guitars. However, it offers a unique tonal character that many players find worth managing with proper technique and amplification settings.
Videos
Sweetwater
Fender Modern Player Starcaster Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Reviews
PROS
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Unique sound from Seth Lover Wide Range pickups; articulate, complex, and punchy.
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Semi-hollow body adds airiness and depth to tone.
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Substantial 'C' shape neck is comfortable and fast for many players.
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Master volume knob offers excellent control over sound dynamics.
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Truss rod adjustment on headstock allows for easy setup.
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Balanced weight distribution enhances playing comfort.
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Distinctive offset body shape makes it stand out visually.
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Loud, lush cleans and impressive response to distortion.
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Vintage appeal with a modern sonic relevance.
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High-quality build resonates with boutique guitar enthusiasts.
CONS
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Original neck pocket fit may not meet modern standards.
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Demands a meticulous setup for optimal performance.
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Some players report issues with staying in tune, possibly due to tuners.
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Wide body size may not suit all players' comfort preferences.
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Not all reissues capture the full essence of original pickups.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Starcaster.
Comparisons
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It's noted that the Starcaster's floating bridge offers flexibility for blues and softer rock, contrasting the Epiphone's set bridge for rock and metal.
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The 2013 reissue of the '80s Starcaster is considered interesting and somewhat collectible, distinguishing it from modern versions.
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"Starcaster by Fender" models are comparable to low-end Squier guitars, reflecting similar build quality and manufacturing origin.
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The Tom Delonge Starcaster features a 70's Strat style headstock, which some find less appealing than the traditional Starcaster headstock.
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The Classic Vibe Starcaster has two tone and volume knobs along with two pickups, unlike the single pickup configuration of the Tom Delonge model.
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Features and functionality
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The Starcaster's single-coil pickups are highlighted for their versatility in rock and blues, providing a different tonal character than the humbuckers on the Les Paul Junior.
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The Tom Delonge Starcaster includes a treble bleed volume knob and locking tuners, which are not present on the Classic Vibe version.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the Starcaster's quality as a first guitar, especially when comparing it to other beginner models.
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Owners appreciate the Starcaster by Fender as a bargain, especially when setup properly, making it enjoyable to play despite its low cost.
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A user reported that the Tom Delonge Starcaster integrates well with a rig configured for low output single coil pickups, despite its medium output humbucker.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners report that components are fully interchangeable with Stratocasters, enabling easy customization, such as swapping in a Tusq nut for improved playability.
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There's potential difficulty in upgrading the Classic Vibe Starcaster due to the absence of a backplate, complicating electronic swaps.
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Value and pricing
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A case for the Starcaster by Fender can cost twice as much as the guitar itself, highlighting its budget-friendly entry point.
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Build quality
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The Tom Delonge Starcaster is noted for its roasted neck and rosewood fretboard, providing a different feel compared to the glossy neck of the Classic Vibe.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 41 Ratings
324
324
I put some Filltertrons in it and sounds amazing
2015 Modern Player Fender Starcaster in Cherry Sunburst
This guitar is so capable of acquiring sounds. It is a really seventies oriented guitar, and the new wide range pickups are so much better than i expected. Tom uses it live occasionally for Phased Out.
Pat uses my Starcaster here --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSoGtKo4Kk8
58
Definitely need a good photo of the burst.
96
Awesome guitar
This guitar has a great sound that comes from its semi-hollow body and great pickups. Also looks amazing in aged cherry burst. Comfortable neck and sits level on you with a neck strap. Very cool-looking and amazing-sounding guitar.
Artist usage
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Jonny Greenwood, guitarist of Radiohead, can frequently be seen playing a vintage 1975 Starcaster on stage.
In this post tom shows off his fender starcaster he was ent by fender. It has a single duncan humbucker in the bridge. Tom added some stickers to the body of some of his favorite bands. He dubbed it blink guitar 2.0
Jamie Cook's Fender Starcaster Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar is featured in the official video of Crying Lightning. A clear picture can be seen around the 0:45 mark in the video.
In the couple of photos, you can see Wes and his Fender Starcaster with Jazzmaster/Jaguar tremolo system.
According to the picture of his wikipedia page it obviously shows that he is using a Fender Starcaster in 2009.
"TAYLOR BOUGHT HIS DREAM GUITAR IN COPENHAGEN. ITS A FENDER STARCASTER" -via Paramore.net
In this source video, Taylor talks about his 1975 Starcaster at around 02:08.
Matthew Followill can be seen with his 1977 Fender Starcaster 2:29 into the video.
In the video, Joe Trohman says, "Fender just sent me this Starcaster, I mean come on man, the Starcaster is so gnarly looking." He goes on to say, "It sounds awesome. It plays great."
Album Usage
The Fender Starcaster has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Starcaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation2 alternative and related items for Fender Starcaster, curated by the Equipboard community.
$922.34
The Fender Starcaster "Modern Player" is a reissue of the original Starcaster. Unlike the original, the new guitar features a tune-o-matic bridge with a stop tailpiece and bound f-holes.
$399.00 - $529.99
Cheaper Indonesian made reissue. Rather than £3000 for a 1975 starcaster, the Squier classic vibe starcaster is just £389. While still getting you in the hall park of the sound.
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