Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue

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$922.34 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (19)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

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Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

Pricing and availability

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5.0 (34)

$922.34 5 available Used

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Average Price: $922

Standard/Professional

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

In the Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars category, Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Introducing the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue, a beautiful revival of Fender's classic semi-hollow guitar. A firm favorite among many musicians, this model is a tribute to Fender's attempt to carve out a space in the semi-hollow guitar market back in the 1970s. The Starcaster was originally short-lived but managed to garner a devoted fan base, leading to its much-anticipated reissue in 2012. This modern version retains the same essential design elements that made the original Starcaster so adored, but with an accessible price point thanks to its manufacturing in China. A perfect blend of affordability and classic design, the Starcaster Modern Player reissue is a true testament to Fender's commitment to honoring their rich history while keeping in touch with the needs of today's musicians.

Key Features:

Affordable remake of the classic Fender Starcaster from the 1970s
Retains the essential design elements of the original model
Semi-hollow guitar with dual humbuckers
Manufactured in China to keep costs low
Loved by a wide range of musicians, from beginners to professionals
Reissued in 2012 after gaining a loyal fan base over decades
Known for its unique offset body shape and distinctive Fender tone
Suitable for a wide range of musical styles and genres

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	Modern Player Starcaster
Finish	Aged Cherry Burst, Black, Natural
Year	2014 - 2017
Made In	China
Categories	Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material	Maple
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Body Type	Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Red, Tan
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Maple
Fretboard Radius	9.5"
Frets	Medium Jumbo
Model Family	Fender Starcaster
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Nut Width	1.65"
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"
Series	Fender Modern Player
Top Material	Maple

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue best suited for?: The Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue is versatile and well-suited for genres like rock, jazz, and blues due to its semi-hollowbody design and dual humbucking pickups, which offer a warm, rich tone with good sustain.
What is the neck profile of the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue like?: The neck of the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue features a comfortable C-shaped profile, making it easy to play for both rhythm and lead guitarists, and suitable for a wide range of hand sizes.
How does the semi-hollowbody design of the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue affect its sound?: The semi-hollowbody design provides a resonant, warm tone with enhanced sustain and a natural reverb effect, making it ideal for players seeking a blend of acoustic warmth and electric power.
Are the pickups on the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue suitable for high-gain music styles?: The Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue features dual humbucking pickups, which can handle moderate gain levels well, producing a thick, full sound. However, for very high-gain styles like metal, additional effects or a different guitar might be preferred.
Is the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Fender Starcaster Modern Player reissue is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile tonal range, allowing new players to explore various music styles easily.

Videos

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Sweetwater

Fender Modern Player Starcaster Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Fender Modern Player Starcaster & Coronado reissue electric guitar review demo

Guitarist

A Super Star! - the Fender Modern Player Starcaster in Aged Cherry Burst

Landon Bailey

BASICS: What Does a Fender Starcaster Sound Like? (Fender Modern Player Starcaster Demo)

Aaron Sternke

A very, very careful guitar review | Fender Modern Player Starcaster

Rick Romanelli

Max Guitar - Fender Modern Player Starcaster

Max Guitar B.V.

Reviews

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PROS

Unique semi-hollowbody design improves on the original hollow body
Offers a distinct Fender sound with great tonal versatility
High-quality construction with solid neck and hardware
Comfortable offset body, familiar to Jazzmaster and Jaguar players
Excellent playability with smooth neck and fingerboard
Handles pedals and effects well, suitable for various music genres
Affordable price for the quality offered
Attractive design with eye-catching headstock
Ideal for fingerpicking and classic rock tones

CONS

Stock electronics, especially pots and pickups, could benefit from upgrades
Initial setup often needed due to high action or neck alignment issues
Finding a suitable case can be challenging due to its unique shape
Heavier than expected, which may affect comfort for some players

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

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Owners suggest installing Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 pickups for enhanced tone.
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Multiple users suggest using flatwound strings for jazz tones, with a recommendation to recut the nut for thicker gauges.
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Replacing stock pickups with Seymour Duncan '59s may require adapters due to size differences with the original Wide Range humbuckers.
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Value and pricing

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The Fender Modern Player Starcaster typically sells for $950 on Reverb, but one owner secured it for $800 with a case.
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Comparisons

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The Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster costs around $450 new, whereas the Fender version is generally priced higher due to its limited run.
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Starcaster body shape is noted as more comfortable than ES-335s, Ibanez Artcores, Gretsches, and Guilds due to its strap pin placement preventing neck dive.
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The Modern Player doesn't feature genuine Wide Range humbuckers; they are AlNiCo humbuckers in a similar cover, mirroring the Squier version's approach.
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The Squier version is noted for being lighter with thinner necks, while the Modern Player offers a more traditional feel and preferred color options.
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User experience

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After purchase, one owner noted the guitar's mint condition with no visible marks or damage.
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Owners enjoy the feedback from the Modern Player when cranked up, adding to its appeal for live performances.
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Features and functionality

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The Starcaster's semi-hollow design paired with a Fender neck offers a unique tonal quality appealing to players seeking variety.
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Modern Player Starcasters have a "Modern C" neck profile, while Squier Classic Vibe versions have a thinner, slightly flatter neck.
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The Modern Player Starcaster, despite its Asian manufacture, maintains allure due to its limited run and distinctive Fender branding.
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Build quality

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Modern Player Starcasters range from 8-9 lbs, making them 1-2 lbs heavier than Squier Classic Vibe versions, which range from 7-8 lbs.
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Use cases and applications

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The neck pickup on the Modern Player Starcaster is praised for producing "gorgeous" jazzy tones.
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Setup and maintenance

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Stock nuts are cut for light/slinky roundwound strings; recutting is advised for thicker flatwounds for optimal playability.
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Critic Reviews

Fender Modern Player Starcaster review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Fender's Modern Player Starcaster reissue is a cool, affordable option for indie guitarists, boasting a unique charm and versatility with effects. Its Wide Range humbuckers are perfect for intricate arpeggios and indie riffs. However, it lacks a case, which can be problematic given its unconventional shape. This guitar isn't ideal for metalheads or those seeking Texas blues tones, but it shines for those who love experimenting with sound. Overall, the Starcaster is a welcome return with a modern twist.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 19 Ratings

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walter

3485

about 11 years ago

Great Platform

Though these guitars are made in China, they're built like tanks and look great. They feel awesome. They only complaint I had was the electronics. Chinese minipots instead of full sized CTS style pots. And the Fender "Wide Range" reissues are horrible, so I swapped everything out and put in The Creamery Wide range hum buckers. Now the guitar is a go to!