Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $1,403

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unleash your inner groove master with the Fender Starcaster Bass, a true icon reborn for the modern player. Originally a rare gem of the 1970s, the Starcaster Bass is revered for its unique offset semi-hollow body design, now enhanced with a robust alder center block for improved sustain and feedback control. This bass doesn’t just look cool with its stylishly bound F-holes and distinctive Starcaster headstock; it boasts a sonic versatility that will satisfy both vintage tone enthusiasts and contemporary players alike.

Equipped with dual Wide Range humbuckers, the Starcaster Bass offers a spectrum of tone that ranges from punchy and clean to a growling, aggressive roar. Its 30" scale, combined with the vintage-tinted C-shaped neck, provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, making it ideal for bassists who love to explore every sonic possibility. The four-saddle Fender Hi-Mass bridge ensures rock-solid stability and sustain, while the amp-style skirted control knobs give you precise control over your tonal landscape.

Whether you're laying down a funky groove or a driving rock bassline, the Fender Starcaster Bass is your ticket to an unforgettable performance, blending traditional Fender craftsmanship with modern playability.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollow offset maple body with alder center block
  • Dual Wide Range humbucking pickups
  • 30" scale length for comfortable playability
  • Vintage-tinted C-shaped neck
  • Bound maple fingerboard with medium-jumbo frets
  • Distinctive Starcaster headstock and bound F-holes
  • Four-saddle Fender Hi-Mass bridge with amp-style skirted control knobs

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Modern Player Starcaster Bass
Finish Aged Cherry Burst, Black, Natural
Year 2014 - 2016
Made In China
Categories 4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Black, Red, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple
Model Family Fender Starcaster Bass
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 4-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Fender Modern Player

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Starcaster Bass?

The Fender Starcaster Bass features a "C"-shaped maple neck, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for both beginners and seasoned players.

What kind of pickups does the Fender Starcaster Bass have?

The Fender Starcaster Bass is equipped with dual Fender Wide Range humbucking pickups, offering a rich, full sound suitable for a variety of musical genres.

Is the Fender Starcaster Bass suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Fender Starcaster Bass, with its short 30" scale and comfortable neck profile, is well-suited for beginners looking for an easy-to-play bass guitar.

How does the semi-hollow body of the Fender Starcaster Bass affect its tone?

The semi-hollow body design of the Fender Starcaster Bass contributes to a warm, resonant tone with enhanced sustain, making it ideal for jazz, blues, and rock genres.

What are the main control options on the Fender Starcaster Bass?

The Fender Starcaster Bass features four skirted "amp"-style control knobs, allowing separate volume and tone adjustments for each of the two pickups, providing versatile sound shaping options.

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Fender Starcaster Bass Reissue | CME Gear Demo | Marc Najjar

Video thumbnail for Fender Starcaster Bass Reissue | CME Gear Demo | Marc Najjar by Chicago Music Exchange

Fender Starcaster Bass Reissue | CME Gear Demo | Marc Najjar

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for FENDER STARCASTER BASS SOUNDTEST by Marcin Pendowski

FENDER STARCASTER BASS SOUNDTEST

Marcin Pendowski

Marcin Pendowski

Video thumbnail for Fender - Modern Player Starcaster Bass Demo at GAK by GAK

Fender - Modern Player Starcaster Bass Demo at GAK

GAK

GAK

Video thumbnail for Fender Modern Player Starcaster Bass Guitar Review by Paul Annis

Fender Modern Player Starcaster Bass Guitar Review

Paul Annis

Paul Annis

Video thumbnail for FENDER Starcaster Bass MN BLK by session

FENDER Starcaster Bass MN BLK

session

session

Video thumbnail for FENDER Starcaster Bass - maxproud by maxproud

FENDER Starcaster Bass - maxproud

maxproud

maxproud

Video thumbnail for Fender Starcaster Bass by Rafi Kirder

Fender Starcaster Bass

Rafi Kirder

Rafi Kirder

Video thumbnail for Fender Starcaster Bass | Swing City Music by Swing CIty Music

Fender Starcaster Bass | Swing City Music

Swing CIty Music

Swing CIty Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Distinctive look with a semi-hollow body and short scale design

  • Loud and powerful output from dual humbuckers

  • Smooth and fast neck suitable for various playing styles

  • Excellent sustain even with heavier body

  • Versatile tone options with 3-way selector

  • Rich, full sound ideal for low-end heavy genres

  • High-quality Four-saddle Fender Hi-Mass bridge

  • Smooth action facilitates easy riffs and lead playing

  • Uniquely tailored for those seeking a different Fender experience

CONS

  • Heavy body may cause discomfort over long sessions

  • Limited adjustability for pickup height

  • Not ideal for slap, pop, or midrange-heavy playing styles

  • Some players find the neck too thick for their preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Starcaster Bass.

User experience

  • Owners report that the Starcaster bass sounded exceptional when strung with tapewound strings, enhancing its tonal depth.

    Source
  • A Starcaster bass owner found it replaced their American P-bass as their primary instrument, appreciating its unique sound for specific musical contexts.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some users had to address issues with the 3-way switch, which occasionally cut out, suggesting it may require cleaning or replacement.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Originally priced at $500, these basses were heavily discounted to $350 in 2015 due to lack of demand, but now resell for over $1,000.

    Source

Comparisons

  • For similar investment, some players prefer the Warwick Rockbass Starbass, especially if a 5-string configuration is desired.

    Source
  • The Starcaster is compared to the Gretsch G5123B, which is praised for its sound, suggesting potential buyers consider alternatives for better tonal quality.

    Source
  • Some users recommend considering a Cort Curbow or a MIM Jazz Bass for better sound quality at a similar price point.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Starcaster bass was considered ahead of its time, aligning more with current trends towards shortscale basses.

    Source
  • It excels in producing a big, round, thumpy sound ideal for old school blues and R&B, especially with flat-wound strings and a tube amp.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Starcaster bass is equipped with two humbuckers that some owners find produce a thinner sound than expected from a semi-hollow body.

    Source

Build quality

  • While some users report cardboard-like feel, others find the fit and finish comparable to American P-basses and G&L Jazz models.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 21 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
R

Thunderous big bass sound.

This bass is a powerhouse with 2 big humbuckers and a solid Four-saddle Fender Hi-Mass bridge. Fender quality at its best!

kyle_thunder_nelson

Looks BA

Looks cool. Choppy to play. I'm used to playing on thinner necks.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mike Kerr uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Mike Kerr

Singer, Bassist

Royal Blood

...
Verified via Photo

In this live performance image, Mike is seen playing a black Fender Starcaster Bass, he also owns a white Starcaster Bass, which he uses in the music video for Ten Tonne Skeleton. He started using Starcaster basses around 2013, during Royal Blood's time in the studio, according to 2020 Guitar World interview.

"I've recently started using a Fender Starcaster, a new bass that's come out. It's a hollow-body, short-scale bass with humbuckers that sound huge. I'm a big fan of that one, so I'm going to start using it a lot more. I'm sure the collection is going to increase and increase as time goes on." - via MusicRadar

See how Justin Meldal-Johnsen uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Bassist, Music Producer

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Photo

JMJ playing his Fender Starcaster Bass.

See how Philip Blake uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Philip Blake

Bassist

Nothing But Thieves

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see here he's using a Fender Starcaster Bass

See how Mick Quinn uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Mick Quinn

Singer, Guitarist

Supergrass

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture you can see Mick Playing a Fender Starcaster Bass you can tell by the awkwardly shaped headstock

See how Joseph Cross uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Joseph Cross

Bassist

...
Verified via Photoshelter

He can be seen playing his Fender Starcaster Bass

See how Marc Walloch uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Marc Walloch

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via zZounds Music Blog

In an interview with the zZounds Music Blog, Marc Walloch, bassist for AWOLNATION, mentions the Fender Starcaster Bass as his preferred instrument.

See how Sabo Romo uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Sabo Romo

Singer, Bassist

Caifanes

...
Verified via Photo

In a concert, Sabo Romo is visibly using the Fender Starcaster Bass, as evidenced by the image provided (by dondeir.com)

See how Marco Micheli uses Fender Starcaster Bass

Marco Micheli

Bassist

Area - International POPular Group

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this photo of Micheli.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Starcaster Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

More Fender Electric Basses

Fender Bass VI

$874.99 - $2,543.34

# 40

Rank

John Frusciante David Gilmour Wes Borland
102 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides