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Average Price: $1,396

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Unleash your inner rock star with the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby, a guitar that seamlessly blends vintage charm with modern versatility. Crafted for musicians who crave both style and substance, the PRS Starla features a solid Mahogany body that delivers rich, resonant tones, while the set Mahogany neck ensures smooth playability. The dual Starla humbuckers are the heart of this powerhouse, offering a wide range of tonal possibilities from crunchy riffs to pristine cleans.

What truly sets this guitar apart is its Bigsby vibrato, which adds a touch of retro flair and expressive capability to your performance, perfect for those surf rock bends or soulful vibratos. The PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby isn't just an instrument; it’s a statement piece that exudes both elegance and attitude. Whether you're playing on stage or jamming in the studio, this guitar promises to elevate your sound and inspire endless creativity.

Key Features:

  • Solid Mahogany body for a warm, resonant tone
  • Set Mahogany neck for enhanced playability
  • Dual Starla humbuckers for versatile sound options
  • Bigsby vibrato for expressive playing
  • Retro-inspired design with modern features

Product specs

Brand PRS
Model Starla
Finish Antique White, Black, Catalina Dream, Charcoal, Frost Blue Metallic, Gold Metallic, Gold Sparkle, Grandma Hannon Pink, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst, Natural, Powder Blue, Red Sparkle, Scarlet Smokeburst, Seafoam Green, Silver Sparkle, Vintage Cherry, Vintage Mahogany, Vintage Orange
Year 2008 - 2013
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Grey, Natural, Orange, Pink, Red, Silver, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family PRS Starla
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series PRS Core

FAQs

What type of pickups does the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby have?

The PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby is equipped with a pair of PRS-designed humbucking pickups, which provide a versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres, from rock to blues.

How does the Bigsby tremolo on the PRS Starla 2008 affect playability?

The Bigsby tremolo on the PRS Starla 2008 allows for smooth vibrato effects, enhancing expressiveness in your playing while maintaining tuning stability, especially when used with the guitar's locking tuners.

Is the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby offers professional-grade features, its comfortable neck profile and straightforward controls make it accessible for beginners who are serious about improving their skills.

What is the neck profile of the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby like?

The PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby features a wide-fat neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for most players, balancing between vintage and modern feel.

Can the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby handle high-gain settings well?

Yes, the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby's humbucking pickups are designed to handle high-gain settings effectively, delivering clear and articulate sound suitable for heavier music styles.

What is the primary wood used in the body of the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby?

The body of the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby is crafted from mahogany, which contributes to its warm, resonant tone and sustain.

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

2008 PRS "Starla"

Video thumbnail for 2008 PRS "Starla" by GregsGuitars

2008 PRS "Starla"

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for 2008 PRS "Starla", Part2 by GregsGuitars

2008 PRS "Starla", Part2

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for PRS Starla bird inlay and bigsby Clean by tonemaster1

PRS Starla bird inlay and bigsby Clean

tonemaster1

tonemaster1

Video thumbnail for PRS Starla Bigsby (demo) by Danny Beardsley

PRS Starla Bigsby (demo)

Danny Beardsley

Danny Beardsley

Video thumbnail for PRS Paul Reed Smith Starla Made in USA w/ Bigsby by South Shore Music

PRS Paul Reed Smith Starla Made in USA w/ Bigsby

South Shore Music

South Shore Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique tone blends qualities of Gibson and Telecaster sounds

  • High-quality PRS build with excellent craftsmanship

  • Lightweight and streamlined design enhances playability

  • Bigsby B5 offers smooth vibrato with decent tuning stability

  • Comfortable neck profile akin to a 50s Les Paul

  • Clear and chimey middle position with great presence

  • Effective coil splitting for versatile sound options

  • Vintage-style pickups provide a distinct non-muddy sound

  • Hard case is sturdy and protective

CONS

  • Pickup balance issues with neck pickup louder than bridge

  • Tuning stability could be improved, especially with stock tuners

  • Direct-mounted pickups limit adjustment flexibility

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby.

Features and functionality

  • The Starla's humbuckers offer coil splitting for versatile sound, praised for producing "Gretchiest" tones among PRS models.

    Source
  • The Starla is distinct within the PRS lineup, lacking official recognition on the PRS site and requiring internet archives to find schematics.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Tuning stability is excellent, especially with locking tuners, even with temperature and humidity changes.

    Source
  • Restringing the Bigsby B5 takes about 45 minutes, significantly longer than a normal bridge, but using a capo can help maintain tension during string changes.

    Source

Comparisons

  • PRS Starla is considered more consistent and of better quality than Gretsch Electromatics, with superior electronics and fewer issues like fret buzz.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the clean single coil sound from the bridge pickup, especially when paired with a little gain.

    Source
  • Owners find the Starla's pickup coil-split exceptional, delivering a Telecaster-like single coil sound, considered the best by those who've used various models.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some users report minor issues like a slightly misaligned high e string, but it doesn't affect playability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Works well with a Fender Twin Reverb amp, allowing for a range of sounds with added vibrato, reverb, and overdrive.

    Source
  • The Starla's lightweight design (around 6-6.5 lbs) is ideal for players with neck or shoulder issues, offering comfort compared to heavier models like the 594 SC.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A proposed modification involves replacing the Starla's push/pull pot with 408 switching and drilling the pickguard for mini toggles, avoiding wood alterations.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
b_wolfen

Brilliant no-BS axe

I am into pure mahogany flat tops for a while with a Gibson Les Paul Special from 1999 and a PRS Mira from 2010. This one adds completely different tones to it as it "shimmers" due to the Bigsby B5 (staying very well in tune) and the Gretschy Filtertron type vintage pubs that make the guitar less bottomish in its sound.

jimmarchi1

I have been looking at the pre-S2-series Miras as a slightly different flavor backup to my favorite SG... good call? I am still not sure because of that 'heel of death'

b_wolfen

I have a Mira 25th Anniversary, 24.5" scale and with Bareknuckle P90s. It is a great light mahogany guitar, not so mellow warm as my Gibson Les Paul Special 'plank'. It is likely that it feels and plays different than your SG, even if the scale on this one is similar. Std. Miras will have even more attack, as they are 25". Very versatile, but different. The other thing for an SG player: Are you ready for the blade switch?

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mikael Akerfeldt uses PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby

Mikael Akerfeldt

Singer, Guitarist

Opeth

...
Verified via YouTube

Night of the Prog VIII, Loreley, 14.07.2013, Mikael Akerfeldt can be seen using PRS Starla with Bigsby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb5qVRFjPDk

Also making of Heritage album, which can be seen (26:30) in the Heritage Documentary; PRS Starla has been used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVoNJqvDBzg

See how Myles Kennedy uses PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby

Myles Kennedy

Singer, Guitarist

Alter Bridge

...
Verified via YouTube

Check out e.g. 38:40. On the actual Europe tour of Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Myles is using a mahogany-red PRS Starla 2008 with Bigsby when backing up Slash on his Guild Doubleneck.

Spotted at Rock am Ring 2015, Germany, Pinkpop 2015, The Netherlands, and witnessed at Geneve 2015, Switzerland

See how Joey Santiago uses PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby

Joey Santiago

Guitarist

Pixies

...
Verified via Prsguitarsale

Joey Santiago of The Pixies is associated with the PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby electric guitar, as seen in a PRS Guitar Sale advertisement.

See how Mark Lee uses PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby

Mark Lee

Guitarist

Third Day

...
Verified via Photo

Mark is playing a red PRS Starla with bigsby here

See how Shawn Milke uses PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby

Shawn Milke

Singer, Guitarist

Alesana

...
Verified via YouTube

Throughout this performance Shawn can be seen playing a white PRS Starla with a bigsby

Album Usage

The PRS Starla 2008 Bigsby has been featured on the following albums:

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Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    b_wolfen
    b_wolfen

    Gear IQ 133