Fender Starcaster

This is one good looking guitar. Reminds me of a Martin D-35.

I play blues and this guitar has a deep sound to it which is good for that style, but I kind of wish it would ring more.

The guitar came right from the factory, so I didn't really have to worry about the setup. It was really nice from the day I took it home.

This is my main guitar and it probably will be for many more years.

I've never dealt with the Fender company, but the pawn and jewelry shop I did buy the guitar from were very helpful in the purchase.

I had been looking for a guitar for a couple of months, and I went to the shop confident I would find a good guitar. I was kind of scared to try this one out because I had heard many bad things about this guitar and I had once played a brand name Fender that was absolutely terrible. When I played this guitar for the first time, I was suprisngly amazed. I played many other really good ones that day including an Epiphone acoustic for $200, but I kept going back to this one. This is an excellent guitar.

It was made in 2009, I guess. There is no serial number. It was marked 'used' on the back of the head. It feels like a good weight, a little heavier than strats I tried out in my local music store. S/S/S/ pickups. They are not staggered, and have a strange circle pattern on each pole piece. 5 pickup setting switch, 2 and 4 are hum cancelling (for the most part). This sounds like a Fender ! Bright, with some meat to them. Passive electronics, generic chrome tuning heads, gloss metallic black finish, with perloid pickguard, and black face with white lettering. Standard type of Fender Strat setup.

It suits any kind of music to play, everything from Stevie Ray Vaughn to metal is possible. I have an older Peavy Transtube amp and a Boss GT-6 pedal board. Good sounds !

I shouldn't have bought a guitar stamped used. I found out later it had a bad neck with a tension rod that was hard to adjust. The local repairman chastised me over the phone and said to return it! But instead I had him set it up for me so it didn't buzz. He put 12 gauge strings on it, and adjusted the neck as best he could. The nut needed some filing to take the thicker strings.

It's solid definately. Stays in tune as good as any Fender. Frets, rosewood fretboard, bridge with flat saddles are all good. I like how the input jack is deeper on an angle than regular strats. It's easier to put in and take out the cord.I would gig without a backup. Chrome hardware, nice!

I bought it stamped used on Ebay, from a music shop in the states called Market Music. It was in good shape and packed well when it came here. Good communication with the merchant. He had other similar products for sale too. It was discounted in price.

I love the finish on this guitar. I've always wanted a Fender finished this was but they didn't make them until now, or were so rare to come by. When I first saw it, I wanted it. I was prepared to change the p'ups to noiseless ones, but the local repairman questioned it might not be worth sinking money into it. So I had him set it up instead, and left the stock p'ups. I'm glad I did now. After the set up and heavier strings, it sounds good!

I have a "Starcaster by Fender", the one with the arrow head. and of course it is as much a genuine stratocaster as any of the other Fender strat models. Its only of a lower grade (but still much better than for example the Fender duo sonic that also was sold as student guitar), due to cheaper components and lower labour costs in asia. The quality of asian made guiars is way better these days than they used to be.

Anyway, Its a 21 fretter (Rosewood) with skunk stripe, beautiful finish on the neck. SSH configuration on a single ply scratch plate (dont like single ply). The body is solid wood (of some kind) with a pretty nice black metallic finish. The tuners seem to be standard for the price range. The bridge saddles looks a little cheap but it works fine.
Bought it used without any accesories.

It has a very clear sound which I like. The humbucker maybe a little to bright and screamy when you switch on the overdrive, but not really bad sounding. The coils sound really dynamic and it has that twangy strat sound. I just played it for a while and then switched to my Highway1 (also SSH config.) and it sounded all dull and allmost dead in comparison. I have to check if there is something wrong with it, it would be strange to have my precious USA Fender outplayed by my cheap asian Fender. :o)
When I first got the guitar it sounded like crap, so I changed strings and let my local guitar dealer do his magic stuff with trussrod and so on, and then it really came to life.

After the adjustments the action is set nice and low. I also had some sharp fret edges but carefully used a small file to even them out.
Otherwise Its really well assembled, like a Fender should be.
The finish as I said is good. Especially the neck is really nice.

The only thing that probably may need attention in the future is the switch (feels a little "jingly") and maybe the pots will give up sooner than on a more expensive guitars.

Been playing on and off for 25 years and had a number of guitars.
For the money (I mean 89 bucks!) this one cant lose. Im allready thinking about getting another of these arrow heads.

:o)

for this guitar i gave it a seven for features because it has a five way selector switch and two tone knobs along with three (if not the highest quality) pickups it does also come with a suprisingly good bag, an ok amp, a somewhat cheap cable, some nice picks a dvd and allen wrenches.

this guitar earned a four for me after about two months of use because two out of the three pickups sound quiet nice if you can get the neck to stop buzzing and you dont have any overdrive on but the bridge pickup is down right terrible, it buzzes even on clean with a low volume and distorts when you strum more than three notes at a time. the other two pickups are better as long as the tone is kept all the way down otherwise the buzz like crazy too. and i know this is not just mine becuase ive played several of this very same guitar with no signs of a simple dudd its the whole batch

this is where it gets very bad, first and for most the frets are sharp. like pointy sharp so bad that if you play for more than an hour and a half your hand may start to bleed (trust me i know). following in at a close second is the input. which just a couple of weeks ago fell into the body of the guitar. i had to take the plate of and screw the imput back into place not to mention that the pickguard is scratched and bumpy and once again its not just mine ive played five or six with no changes. thier is simpy no hope for this guitar.

the body on this guitar is fairly solid. the finish is decent if not a little messy the strap buttons are good with a new strap instead of the one they give you. the guitar is not good enough for a live show it may cut out from time to time and if you are playing a gig with it bring two or three just incase of a malfunction like your imput falling out.

haha funny fender has by far the worst costumer service ever they wont even talk to you unless your buying something i know ive tried to ask about my guitar i got put on hold twice for over an hour both times just to have them say to go buy another one.

if your looking for a begining guitar and dont plan on playing to much then this is a great deal. but if you plan on playing alot then get something else i would recomend an ibanez or and esp starter pack if you have the money just go get all of the things you will need separatly a $100 amp and a $200 guitar will be a thousand times better than any starter pack and you get to pick and choose whatever make and model you want. i took a chance on this and i regret it

This is a Fender Starcaster strat pack just bought at Target. It has "crafted in china" on the back of the headstock with a serial #. 21 frets, solid body finished in a very slick finish. 1 volume and 2 tone controls, S/S/S pickup configuration with a five position selector switch. Not sure about the body wood, but it is quite heavy. The neck is maple with rosewood fret board. This looks to be an accurate strat body, neck and hardware configuration. The bridge is looks like a vintage synchronous temelo bridge with the 6 screws holding the bass plate in position. back tremelo bridge cavity has the standard spring setup as a strat. The pack comes with a decent soft case with fender logo, a cheap strap, cable, 10w amp, two allen wrenches(1 for neck truss adjustment and the other for bridge saddle string height adjustment, fender chromatic tuner, dvd, no manual). Everything you need except for a manual. would give it a 9 if there was a manual.

After getting the strings broke in, and doing nothing else other than tune, the starcaster sounded good. Very good playability. I was really surprised how well the guitar played, with seemed to indicate that it was fairly well set up. The guitar did not come with a manual, so I downloaded a american strat manual off the Fender website, then proceeded to make the adjustments. Play is very good especially after string height and pickup adjustment. Sound is very good considering the small 10w practice amp. For a home practice amp, with the distortion button in the clean position, absolutely no complaints. I'll probably never use the distortion position as it sounds pretty crappy.

The guitar did not come with a manual, so I downloaded a american strat manual off the Fender website, then proceeded to make the adjustments. The neck was a little bit flat, so the truss was adjusted. String height was too high across the board (>1mm on the treble side). The pickups were way off. All of this is easy to correct. Out of the box, intonation was not bad indicating the factory must make an attempt to set the guitar up before packaging, but had to re-adjust due to all of my prior adjustments. I bottomed out the E string bridge saddle while setting intonation leaving it a bit off. That will be fixed with the next stringing. Considering this guitar was made in china and was shipped in a box to multiple warehouses and climate conditions, the guitar was surprisingly close to playable out of the box.
The fit and finish of this guitar is very good. There are no visible flaws other than a small burl in the rosewood fretboard at the 11 fret. No affect on tone or playability. I kindof like it as it gives some character to an otherwise very clean and flaw-free guitar. The hardware all looks good. The bridge is heavily chromed and there are no signs that this is a $150 guitar. The Strat manual says the bridge saddles for the vintage bridge are stamped steel. The starcaster saddles are machined from a solid block and chromed(very nice). My main complaint is with the tuning gears. I'd say 2 out of the 6 feel pretty decent. The others are either too loose or too stiff. One has excessive gear lash. You can tune the guitar with these, but it is annoying. My 1st upgrade will be locking tuning gears. Another minor flay is with the pickup mounts. The pickups are slightly cocked (front to rear) so the heads are not parralel to the strings. I'll fix that once I take it apart and have a look. But I don't think it would affect the sound that much. But over all, very well constructed guitar.

Definitely get a good strap as the ends probably won't last long. Not much confidence in the tuner nuts. Otherwise, a solid guitar that should last a long time.

I've only recently gotten back into playing guitar after about a 20 year haitus. Prior to that, I played mostly acoustics over a period of about 15-20 years. My playing style has mostly been heavy rythmn classic and country rock. I bought the starcaster pack to mostly see if I wanted to get seriously back into guitar without spending a lot of money. So far, I've been so happy with it, that I'm already planning to upgrade the tuners and pickups. For me, at the age of 52, this is a project guitar. In about a year, you probably won't recognise it. So if stolen, I'd probably get another or go to a MIM strat. For beginning guitar players, this is an outstanding value. Just recommend getting someone knowledgable about electric guitars to show you how to make all of the adjustments and get it properly set up(this is critical). If you like to tinker with stuff, get the fender stratocaster manual and everything you need to make the Starcaster adjustments is there. The electronic tuner works great. Not sure how I survived without one before. For $200, this is a great buy.

starcaster starting kit comes with amp, gig bag, extra strings, strap, whammy bar, picks,fender tuner, and some other suff
it has 21 frets (kinda big)
fat neck
3 pickups

nice rich sound
i have to tune after every five times i pick it up

not a guitar you are gonna go on tour with
but good to practice on

pretty good first guitar

07 Fender Starcaser Strat 70s style head with rosewood fret board. I picked it up on ebay very cheap $49.95 U.S. plus shipping, at the time I was looking for some parts for a guitar project. The guitar was like new when I got it and it never looked played. I did a set up on it by filing the fret ends and seating the trem bridge. I also lowered the action by ajusting bridge parts were the strings go though. Once a set up was done it plays just as well as my $1700 Fender Statocaster I bought two years ago. "All new guitars are and should be set up by a pro." It sounds almost the same as the American made Strat but the American Strat is hotter sounding because of better pick ups. I also have a few squires and offshore made strat copies and I think that the Starcaster was the best deal yet.

I have played strats for over 20yrs so the style of the guitar I know very well. I play Blues, Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Country, Classical, Punk, Goth "what ever". The Strat can do it all and the Starcaster Strat can do a great job at it too. If someone has one and loves the body and design they could always up grade the pick ups if they thinks it would sound better compaired to another guitar. I have a large amp with pedals ect, so its just not that much of a problem. For a guitar that did'nt cost very much it sounds way better then most. My starcaster has no noisy problems and sound clear and bright. Remember there is a lot of up grade parts for these type of guitars at guitar shops and ebay.

I think that if you just got you Starcaster out of a box that you should get it set up by a pro. I filed the fretwire ends with a "small file" that you can buy for $1.00 at a Dollar store. Seated the brige by ajusting more to the body the trem springs (you would need a star screw driver) and don't over tighten cover screws or you will snap cover corners. I also ajusted the saddles to lower the action to make it easyer to play (with a small allen key). This is the sort of things that most guitars need done when there new. The guitar store may have there tech do this job before they sell it and add the techs time to the guitar cost. (Hope this helps some one.) The Starcaster is still a very good guitar very good fit a finish, nice neck and hardware better then most budget strats.

I have played this guitar at a number of gigs without any problems. Its just as good as to depend on as any Fender. I always bring more then one guitar to a show as if you break a string you can switch guitars. Then you can change the string later. I would go to a gig and play a Starcaster and have another one on a stand. "No Problems." Its just in case I break a string, it's not easy restring when playing at the same time. lol Most of the parts on it are much like a Fender Strat so they should last just as long and if something breaks it will be easy to replace part.

Never needed any help and the guitar was a ebay buy so there was no warranty with it.

I've played for over 20yrs. I play Acoustic, Strats and Les pauls. 37 guitars at this time and 18 of them are Strats. I've have owned many more but I've out grown there style or they were junk. If I were to have the Starcaster stolen I would buy another. I may buy another anyways you know a different color or to hot rod. I compare it to Frender Stratocaster and also to the Fender Squire Stratocaster. I like the Starcaster over the Squre bullet Strat as it has a better neck. Every guitar has it's own sound, so it's nice to have many you like. At the time I was just going to use it for a custom project but after a set up I just kept it the wat it is as it has a nice sound and feel to it.

Not so much a review as a clarification for people who are confused by these conflicting reviews.

The original semi-acoustic 70's Starcasters were good but now have ridiculous resale values.
Fender recycled the name for cheap solid bodied sub-Squier guitars recently. They are, well, less than good.

This is a Fender Starcaster. it is a strat copy. the pickup configuration is SSS, it has i volume knob and two tone knobs. it also has a five way selector. i wanna say it is made out of basswood but not completely sure. it has a tremolo bar, but i dont use it. it came with a 10w amp, cable, tuner, extra strings, gig bag, strap, dvd, and guitar stand.

This is my second guitar so i am not really qualified to compare this to any other guitar but i think it sounds good. the big problem with sound is not the guitar it is the amp. but it is just a 10 watt so no complaints.

the frets werent put in that good. i had to file the sides of the frets because they kept cutting my hands, but five minutes later problem was solved.

i think this would survive a gig but if you are playing in a band, dont use a 100 dollar guitar.

N/A

I have been playing for about 3 months now and this is my second guitar as stated earlier. i got this for 90 dollars brand new because the box was beat up. nothing was wrong with any thing else. if it were stolen i would probably save up and buy an ibanez or a true fender strat, but i like this guitar a lot.

This is a very basic guitar. Nothing fancy or special. Chrome tuners, Pearl Dot inlays, etc.. The guitar feels very solid and will hold up to a lot of abuse, but it is made of mostly cheap laminate. It has 21 very cheaply made frets that have rough edges and cause the "e" string to hang up when strummed. The action is extremely high which makes playing very difficult and frustrating.

The sound is not bad, but doesn't compare the the other $99 guitar that I bought (a Jasmine, Takamine, S34c). It is difficult to get a nice quiet sound out of this guitar. When you play it loudly with authority, it isn't bad. Due to the cheap construction of the frets and the high action, it is nearly impossible to play without some buzzing.

Way too high! I took the bridge off and ground it down about an eighth of on inch...that helped some. The finish looks great, which is very misleading about the quality of this guitar. The tuners stay in tune fairly well, but they are very difficult to get set.

No one in their right mind would play this guitar in public. This guitar is clearly a beater guitar. The finish will likely outlast everything else on this guitar.

Never tried it, its not worth my time.

OK, I realize this is a $100 guitar and I shouldn't expect much. The problem is this is what beginners buy to make sure they want to play before they make a big investment. This guitar is so difficult to play that it will actually discourage you from wanting to play. Once you actually play a decent guitar, you will realize how much of a piece of trash this is.
You can get a decent guitar for $100, just not this one. If you want to try an inexpensive guitar buy the Jasmine, Takamine, S34c and you will get a good guitar for a low price. Don't buy this!

made in china
gig bag strap cable amp and tuner included
19 frets
not super quality anything

Strat Standard S/S/S vintage trem, large Fender headstock, fat, hefty neck. 3 ply white black white pickguard, rosewood fretboard, full size and thickness Agathis sunburst gloss body. Ceramic PUPS 6 ohms each.
Wt. 7 lbs 15 oz.

It has a bright growling twang, the sound is not as full (translated; thinner and lower volume)as let's say Texas Specials, but I get a real gnarly dirty bite that when played through my Super Champ XD hit a SRV LIKE sound easier than my all American Strat with Texas Specials. I have to use a couple of pedals with the Texas Specials to get to SRV heaven. (I won't tell you which cuz I spent a fortune on pedals and effects to find out). However this guitar has a nice dirty gritty sound that I really like, it's as though the pickups put out more than they read. I am planning to put some Fender Noiselesss in this guitar that's why I bought it. But the pickups it came with sound very good even though there is more hum than the big guy strat. I haven't pulled the pickguard to look for shielding.

Solid Strat all the way, even has the sharp edge frets like my USA Strat!
The frets are smooth on top and very level, strings are small gauge and set low and no buzz anywhere. The finish is polished and shiny. Except for the sharp edge on the frets, which I can fix in a few minutes, the guitar is set up well. Intonation is spot on.

As solid as any big Fender Strat.

This is a real Fender Stratocaster guitar, as real as any other. It doesn't say Squire anywhere. It's a full size, full body fat neck Strat
and should be recognized as such. It has a sound of it's own due to the wood/PU combination and is very usable for a real player. This model came
with a 10 watt 6" spkr amp, Fender gig bag, Fender tuner, extra strings,
strap, cord, picks, and training disc. This is the best deal for a Strat
I have seen in years. All told the guitar cost me 50 bucks! This package is not sold everywhere and so is sort of a secret Fender special. The price of this guitar just doesn't tell the whole story. Get one.

I love my "I don't know how old" Starcaster. bought in a pawn shop 12 years ago...500$ Canadian. I own a 60's goldtop Les paul since 1971...I now pick this thing up more than the Gibson.It has been played alot..maple neck is very used. I don't know who owned before, but by the wear, he was a blues player...and I am also a blues player..this thing just went into my hands and it was like a dream, I couldn't believe how sloppy you could be and still sound good. The longer neck has become a whole new style for me after the shorter Gibson. Probably not worth as much as the Gibson, but I would probably save this from a fire before the Les Paul.

The guitar has a Tobacco sunburst finish and is in excellent shape for an almost 30 year old guitar. I have the store tags that were hanging on it when my father bought it along with the facory inspection sticker. Serial #S708832

Excellent sound, especially when played through a Feder Twin Reverb Amp, with the fender humbucker style pickups you can get quite a wide range of sound with it. My father bought it new in 1976.

Very good, this guitar has been in its case for the last 2 years and not played since my father passed on. When I pulled it out and played it I could not believe it, just like new. All the pots are noiseless when adjusting them.

My Father played it as much as he could some times daily practicing and played alot of weekend gigs plus did some recording with it.

Never been to the shop as far as I know.

Curently it is for sale, I hate to part with it but i am just not a player like my father was. If your looking for a semi hollow body guitar with great sound then this is it plus it has the clasic Fender head stock look to it like no other semi hollow body guitar.

finish cheap black paint
body style strat
bridge, string thru
neck: thin, jumbo frets
tuners lock
accessories anything else with a crappy set... a crap amp a strap and a bag
what year... stone age... where? this hunk of junk screams sweatshop
24 frets
solid top
vol, tone, 5 way selector
pickups? i dunno singlecoils(the only good feature on here)
passive elecs
wood... i dunno plywood i guess

well, lets start. my girlfriend got one for christmas. it has sort of a dry, sound but alright. im not much of a fan of singles, but this isnt really a bad one. it can(could) get through crazy train alright.

dont know its been awhile since i first saw it. still smells factory fresh--- GLUE!!!

ok, now we can get a little bit nitty-gritty. or a lot. the bridge broke off and before that the springs in the back would constantly fall out. the nut has a chip in it, and it gets out of tune easily. lets not forget to mention the lovely "reverse" trem caused by weak springs. lovely sound and the neck is so bowed that robinhood would be proud to have it. im tempted to say no opinion considering that i dont think its even worthy of a hobo. i wanted to give it to the garbage man but i doubt the rotten cauliflower onboard should have to get rid of its spot for this garbage. by my rating i mean .00000000000000000001

dunno about it usually you dont call customer support for someone elses guitar, even your girlfriend.

ive been playing 2 years, i have a peavy amp and a les paul, aswell as a l-6s.(both gibson). this is the biggest piece of crap ive ever seen. well generally with a guitar that is seperated from its bridge you hate the bridge broken. (dont think im wierd just reading the questions above) and i hate the lovely black paint. i wish it had... no. i wish my girlfriend had a better guitar.

Mine is a 1977 with gorgeous flamey sunburst...USA-made.
these guitars are WAY underrated.
they're set up with two of Fender's split humbuckers, with a volume and tone for each and a master volume (which is actually pretty useful when it comes to recording), and a maple neck and fretboard.
mine actually I think was re-fretted at some point with jumbo frets which are fine but not as fast as the original fender ones...
it does have the infamous 3-bolt neck, but i've never had any problems with it...

God, I cannot say enough about this guitar's sound.
You know, I have read so many books and articles that mention the starcaster with distain, poke fun at its design and quirks, but obviously these guys spend too much time writing and not enough time playing the guitars they write about...
I have 19 guitars at the moment, mostly vintage fenders (jag, tele custom, coronados, etc) and gibsons (les paul, SG, LP recording, etc), and a few reverends which I love, but when I'm recording and can't quite get the sound I want, I always pull out the starcaster and it ALWAYS sounds perfect. It's crystal clear, bright and rich when clean, and has a great crisp growl when distorted...much like a tele custom..and without that howling feedback that plagues so many other semi hollowbodies.
the action is awesome and the neck is smooth
and it is one of the most noise-free guitars that I own. not bad for a nearly 30 year-old instrument..
goddam this is a truly great guitar.

perfect.
one of Fender's most under-rated guitar designs ever.

this is a tough guitar.
it takes a beating, and keeps on playing perfectly. it is solid, it stays in tune, and the three-bolt neck treats me just fine.
it looks as good today as it did new.
Like I said before I can count on this guitar for the perfect tone and sound in any situation and in any song.
the only thing it lacks is a vibrato, but who cares really...

i haven't needed them.
most of them probably don't even remember what the original starcaster was...

I first came across a starcaster about 12 years ago at a vintage guitar shop in St. Louis. I had no idea what it was, but I loved how it sounded. When I came back to buy it, it was gone. I spent the next 8 years searching for another in nashville, new orleans, new york, chicago...but the prices had shot so high I couldn't afford one. Finally I found one in wisconsin, and it was worth every penny I paid. I really can't say enough about this guitar's crisp rich sound.
If you're thinking about picking one up, I would highly recommend it over most other reasonably-priced vintage guitars. it is so choice...

A Starcaster, serial nr. 712078, so probably 76 USA, features original as known, this one is of natural color (sort of darkening yellow).

I had a Fender Dual Showman with a cabinet of two 10 inch speakers and then added this guitar. Best of the sound is to slowly remove volume from the neck pick-up, which makes the sound of the bridge one just shine. If you have an assistant, it's a rather unique phasing effect. To me it fits any style I want, maybe I take it from there. When a greek giutar crack played it once though, it sounded like a bouzuki

As I bought it 2nd hand, I can' tell much, but after 12 years everything was in shape. The small parts of the bridge I had entirerely renewed two years ago, a number of winters in a gas-heated rehearsel-room had made them corode heavily, but those are standard parts and it was no problem for the workshop.

I don't use it to often today , but I never felt I should have a backup when performing. The finish may fade a little, the yellow darkening, some samall parts renewed as mentioned above but you also renew parts of vintage cars. Smoothe tuning.

A local workshop.

It's been 17 years now and I never thought of buying another electric guitar because this one covers the range for me. So I only keep a 12-string acoustic guitar for exercise. If it was stolen, I would have to start up new. Both appearance and performance are remarkable, maybe costumers didn't trust the looks. To me it looks like the first computer aided design on guitars, a Gibson body stretched to an ankle.

I just love Fender Starcasters. From what I am told I have a pretty rare collection of them. The first one, a 1976 which had a natural finish, I bought 20 years ago and it was stolen. It always really broke my heart. About ten years ago I found another after looking for years without any luck. I thank the internet for that. It was a black Starcaster with white (aged yellow) binding. Serial # on neck mounting plate 710990 indicating 1976. The second one I bought was a blonde Starcaster unique for its factory pearlized tuning pegs that really go well with the guitar. A very nice touch. Serial # on neck mounting plate 275786. This erial number is just odd because it should indicate 1969? The third Starcaster I bought was a sunburst Starcaster (like Radiohead). Serial # on neck mounting plate 577579 indicating 1974. My fourth Starcaster was a tabacco or carmel color. Serial # on headstock S708737 indicates year 1977. My 5th starcaster was at last a natural one like I had stolen, but more flamey. It is my favorite. Serial # on neck mounting plate 715965 indicating it was a 1976. As if that wasn't enough, I bought a sixth starcaster to complete my collection. I had been refinished as far as I could tell in brown burst (yellow to brown) with an exagerated binding. The last one was not in the greatest shape and I am currently refinishing it in magenta gold finish. What makes it most unique is that it has a rosewood neck. That's right, a Starcaster rosewood neck! The neck is stamped 22FEB73R. I can only asume it was made for a Fender employee as none have ever been recorded by Fender. So I have 6 Starcasters. That's right. I have over 15 guitars including PRS and I will never give up my starcasters as long as I live. My best research indicates years of manufacture from 1973 to 1982.

The most versatile guitars I have ever played.

Each of the starcasters I have is set up a little different bu achieve the same overall playability I desire. This is possible because of the tilt-o-matic neck joint. I see some people have problems with this but my experience has been very positive. Properly setting the neck will ensure a tight fit.

Very durable and flexible guitar. Parts are over 30 years old and still work flawlessly.

Not really applicable though I would love to talk to someone at Fender about these guitars.

I have been playing for 20 years. These guitars speak for themselves.

I have been playing for a few years now. I own an acoustic along with my starcaster. This guitar satisfied me, but i am not in any bands, or playing for anyone. This is a good guitar for personal use. I would buy it again if it were stolen. My favorite feature is the fact that it stays in tune really well. I once left it for a week, playing it once or twice and when i went to tune it, it was only barely off on a few strings. I had compared this to a stratocaster and i wouldv'e bought a stratocaster but it is too much for my price range. I would highly recommend this for anyone who's looking for personal use and has a small price range.

My Starcaster is a 1975 model, serial number 661321, and is in a suburst finish.

Beautiful guitars and very rare, the Starcasters were made from as early as 1974 to about 1977, the last year I have seen them sold. A nice compliment with the humbuckers to a tele or a thinline tele as in my case. There are five knobs: 2 volume and 2 tone for each humbucker and a master volume. Guitar plays like a dream.

The Starcaster has a wide range of sounds, especially with the versatility the humbucker brings. It has a rich, full, dynamic sound that can only be compared to an ES-335, but better. It is great for playing all styles of music because the possible settings you can have are numerous. Great sounding guitar.

The guitar I'm guessing was set up well but since I am the fourth owner I can only assume. The neck has been aged and the guitar shows wear, but who cares its a 30 year old guitar. It should show some wear and tear. The guitar has some minor checking, but the total beauty and sound outweigh the small conceptual flaws.

The guitar is 30 years old and appears to have withstood constant playing for that long. Since I have only had the guitar a few weeks, I am not positive how it was used all those years. It seems like a dependable guitar and the finish and neck are durbale. One minor flaw was the plug for the wire to the amp was corroded, but still plays.

Bought from a private seller on Ebay.

I have been playing for very long and love the guitar. Visually, there is not a better and cooler looking guitar. But it also is an exceptional player and has a wide range of sounds. I can only compare it to the ES-335, but its sort of unfare since they are two totally different guitars. Amazing guitar and a real diamond in the rough.

This isn't a review so much as a point of clarity I noticed in some earlier posts. The Starcaster is not rare in the sense that there were so few made (like original V's, the mythical original Moderne etc..) However, they are rare in the sense that they were only produced for 4 years (1976 to 1980) I don't have the production numbers sitting right here in front of me, but it seems like a pretty fair number of them were made in that time span. The reason that you don't see them very often is simply that they are really good guitars. It really just boils down to the fact that not that many people want to part with them. Interestingly, I have read in a couple of different books that many people thought the Starcaster was ugly. I certainly don't see that. I think the headstock is kind of wack, but otherwise, its probably second only to the Strat as far as pure looks go for me....

I sold my 1976 Starcaster in natural finish last week To Hillguitar and $$teana$$ through Ebay.com. They bid it for $1525. Today 7/26/2004 they are reselling it and the bid is up to $1858 so far last time I looked. I'll miss this Starcaster but the outsourcing of jobs and age discrimination have made it very difficult to find work.

I saw a black Fender Starcaster on the internet at some vintage guitar site but they did not post the price so I assume it must be very expensive. This guitar was really nice looking.I would buy it if the job market had improved for me.

Yeh the sounds that I will not here anymore after giving it up!

This guitar was a used vintage with some lacquer problems other wise it was preetyy great.

This guitar is ready to rock and who ever winds up with the winning bib on Ebay will think it is Christmas morning.

I hadn't had to deal with 5them so far so I don't know.

I already posted my collection now minus one Starcaster and who knows what else.

I will say that my 1986 Fender Stratocaster 62 Vintage Reissue is rarer then I first thought as it was built for the 1987 Namm show at the Fender Custom Shop before 1987 when they made the shop official!I bought a three tone Sunburst also a few months after I had bought the fiesta red. I had ordered the first Stratocaster in Fiesta Red in June of 1986 but for 7 months there was no delivery. So I went to complian as it was a Christmas present for 1986 to myself! Finally after the saleman argued with Fender over the phone they offered the spare Feista Red 62 Vintage Reissue from the NAMM Show in January 1987. They told the salemen it had some paint flaws and that it was not going to get the low numbers for the first custom models as they were reserved for some other people like Bill Shultz who got the more perfect Feista Red Stratocaster 62 Vintage Reissue and the serial# V000001. They gave me V022789. Probably mine was the first made but it had paint flaws so they gave MR Shultz the first # and the distinction of having the first made. All I know is mine was made for the NAMM Show and it was not supposed to be sold to the general public but Fender had no more paint mixed in Fiesta Red. Beside this paint looks more orange tham red if you ask me more like Tangerine Red ect. I am pretty sure the neck was stamped 1985 so I ll' have to go look for signatures or initials under the pick guard. I bet this Stratocaster still new as the both of these I own from the Custom Shop in Corona are some of the first ever made after Fender executives bought the company back from CBS in March 1985. If anybody can estimate this still new rare Stratocasters worth please email me at Iselin007@aol.com Who knows I sell a few more Guitars I might be able to get another Starcaster!

My Starcaster is from 1976, serial 563562, and is finished in Vintage White (cream). The neck is stamped with "Herb G" which apparently means it was crafted by Herb Gastelum - with Fender since 1961.

Produced from 1976 to 1980 (1982 according to some), the Starcaster has a mythical quality to some players. I have never seen any production numbers, but apparently they are rare. Certainly there are few for sale at any given time. It took me ages to find mine for a decent price. Features are well documented; this is an all maple semi-hollow guitar with a center block. It has 22 frets on a neck with 1 5/8" nut and relatively chunky for a Fender, but less so than a Gibson. Unique headstock with a bar string retainer for the first 4 strings. Pickups are Seth Lover designed split pole humbuckers, same as found on the Telecaster Custom and the newer '72 RI Tele with ash body and two HB's. Finish appears to be polyurethane and is quite tough. Bridge is unique for Fender but nonetheless fairly traditional, with individually adjustable saddles and string-through design. Controls are standard 2x Volume, 2x Tone, with an extra knob for master volume.

This is a great instrument, with a flexible tonal palette. Yet it is very traditional while still retaining a unique voice. It is a jazzy Fender that can have a Tele bite or a funky spank. It is absolutely capable of jazz tones yet it can scream with overdrive applied or do the Motown soul thing in spades. The master volume is great; I love Gibsons but dislike the control arrangement for adjusting volume in a performance setting. The Starcaster fixes that. The treble gets a bit attenuated in standard Fender fashion, but this is a good thing and can be used to your advantage as an add'l toneshaping tool.

The Starcaster is like a '335 with the midrange band tuned slightly higher, and a top end that is sharper yet still rounded off. It sounds like Fender's version of a semi-hollowbody. Duh, that's exactly what it is! Imagine that.

I purchased the guitar used via Ebay, and the setup was dreadful. I actually used the micro-tilt adjuster to get the neck angle correct, and tweaked everything else. Now the guitar plays very nicely. The finish from the factory is great, and has held up since 1976. The guitar is deluxe, but still somewhat plain - it has no Gibsonian inlays or gold hardware. Still it exudes a very unique and groovy vibe, and you will be noticed for this guitar by all people who notice such things.

Finish is very durable. The 3 bolt neck is not so great, and to my hands the slightly reduced stability is perceptible in the degree of play it has when gently moved for vibrato effects (I do this a lot). I think one of the screws may be closed to stripped, as I can't seem to tighten it perfectly. Also, the screw adjustments on the saddles were a tad corroded, but I mostly cleaned them out. The rest of the hardware, including the chrome on the bridge, is perfect with no blemishes. Using without a backup is not really a question, since you will have a tough time finding and sucking up the cash for more than one of these babies!

Not relevant. However I would love to see Fender's production numbers for the Starcaster...

Terrific guitar that could be the only guitar I owned if I ever considered owning just one, which isn't likely to happen. However the versatility and unique vibe of the Starcaster make it a candidate for this if the need ever arose. I own 16 guitars at this writing, so I enjoy my variety. The Starcaster gets pulled off the wall very often!

A '76, first year Starcaster. Has the old solid state Fender amp knobs with the chrome - later ones had typical strat knobs. Natrual finish with some flame in there! Love the string through. All original. I like the master vol - don't like the look of the extra knob, but I like the idea.

Kills. After having a Telecaster Deluxe with the 2 similar humbuckers I was skeptical about the sound of this. Just wonderful. The bridge p/u on the Tele Deluxe was all but useless (very, very bright), relegating the Tele to a both-on, or neck only p/u selection. The Starcaster, however, is a jewel in all. Those still finding the bridge p/u too bright, try rolling off the vol or tone, or adjusting the p/u height down a pinch. Warm and round is this guitar. Not a Les Paul or 335 per se in sound, I would say it's has it's own thing going. Almost Jazzmaster plunkiness, but rounder and warmer - with gobs more sustain.

Neck pocket is good for the era. Love the neck, which I can't say too often about 70's Fenders. Love the flame in the maple body.

My frets are wearing down, lots of wear which is good for originals, the switch finally gave up the ghost, pots are getting scritchy a bit. - I give all that over to natural 28 year wear and tear. The tuners are hanging in there as is everything else. The case handle was just replaced.

Love this guitar and I gig it often. Nice to have a quality Fender that differentiates itself from the herd of Teles and Strats out there. (Which is probably why I have a '66 Jazzmaster and '65 Jaguar now that I think about it.) This amp loves 10" speakers for some reason, a good Bassman RI or Vibrolux Reverb is magic with this guitar. Not to say that 12's are problematic at all - just smoother and tighter w/ 10's (could just be me). Feedback has never been a problem either which many would suspect with an f-hole guitar. What else? Great sustain. I like the shape, and I even like the headstock which some complain about. ha. A bandmate of mine fell in love with this guitar and borrowed it for about 2 years forsaking all others and playing it exlusively. He looked in vain for his own. Surprisingly comfortable being a bigger guitar, and not neck heavy which is the case of many f-hole guitars.

hallo ik kocht mijn gitaar in 1976 bij Musicstore Servaas in den Haag
aan de riviervismarkt.
hij is gemaakt bij musical instruments 1300 E Valencia Fullerton
California 92631 USA serial number 768879 manual no 012218(J/GE
ik heb betaald hfl.2550 color is sunburst en zit nog steeds in het originele Fender koffer met rood pluche bekleed. ik maak al sinds
1962 muziek en mijn Starcaster gaat nog elke week mee.

de sound is afhankelijk van de versterker op een vox ac 30 vind ik de sound niet goed maar op een fender versterker is hij met geen ander
te vergelijken, momenteel speel ik op een line 6, fantastische sounds

alle dingen aan deze gitaar zijn klasse

no comment

ik heb vorig mijn Starcaster een beetje laten tunen
alleen de fretten latten vlakken dat is perfect gebeurt
door ene Peter jan Eleveld te Tegelen Limburg

I have a 1976 Fender Starcaster in natural finish. It is in decent shape. I bought it used back in the eighties. I bought it because Fender had stopped making Guitars in the US at one point. This Guitar was bought in Red bank NJ at Guitar Trader. I played it a few times only to keep from putting wear on it. I give it a 10 for sound. My idea was to buy any Made in US Fenders I could find before they were all gone. Seeing this Guitar in the store caused me to purchase it on the spot as I had known of the Starcasters rarity. The only wear is a little varnish off on the neck.

This guitar gives the telecaster sound and a very bright sound in hollow body form because of the two humbugging pickups.

A little vanish is off by the machine head on the neck but its in good condition otherwise.

This guitar's condition is good. A repair of the missing varnish by a proffessional would put it back into mint condition.

I did not get a warranty from the vintage guitar store so any costs would be out of pocket.

I have several Fenders because of the fear of its demise back in the Eighties. I use to play a little rhythm guitar but found i just had to have every Fender insight!

Heres my inventory:

76 Starcaster maple neck natural finish body paid $750 used
85 new (62)reissue Stratocasters 1 Fiesta Red and 1 three tone sunburst
80 The Strat blue paid $1,000 worth more.
83 Red Gumball American Standard Stratocaster/ maple neck.This is one of the 108 produced in red! Gumballs in worst condition have been sold for $2300 and up! I paid $650 off the rack in 1985. The guitar had sat in the shop 2 years! Yes this guitar is like new!
83 Telecaster Elite Black/ Rosewood fret board/white knobs
72 Telecaster Deluxe two humbuggers/ maple neck/ black restored bought new in 1974 for $465.Called the Keith Richards special!
1983 (62) reissue natural Telecaster/maple neck "Bruce Springteen type"
1983 bought new (62) reissue Telacaster with binding 1 Red and 1 Sunburst both are from Japan
1983 (62) reissue Paisley Telecaster used Japan assembled out of American parts excellant finish rosewood fret board paid $650 but it must be worth more! I saw an original US made with a checked surface that was being restored they said it was worth$1500
1984 black telecaster maple neck Japan. It was not expensive

Okay, this is a Might-have-been/oboy-was-I-stupid mea culpa. I bought a NOS 1975 Starcaster in 1981---the thing had sat on the racks for 6 years because nobody trusted a Fender hollowbody guitar. Here's the oucher: I paid $250 for it! Let me tell you, I could NOT believe this axe. A lovely cherry sunburst, immaculate fretwork and a not-quite-Fender feel to the neck that had me bending like a 24 and 3/4 scale even with small frets. I was never quite happy with the 3/3 staggered HB pickups when they first put 'em on Tele Thinlines, but on THIS guitar they were a revelation. Being a bit brighter than Gibson HBs, they sang, screamed, quacked and belled on this axe like single-coils from Hell with a big bottom and amazing attitude--very quiet yet bigger than all outdoors. I could do a creditable Tele imitation with a little added hi-end on clean tones, play "Misty" like an L-5 backing off the tone pot about 2/3, crank on overdrive and crunch or woman-tone with huge success--and without that goinky tone that 335s sometimes give you on the lower strings.
And the neck? OMG---as fast and slinky as I've ever felt. I've been indifferent to maple fingerboards as a rule, but on this neck I had complete control, and it seemed warmer than I would have expected. The Master Voulume? Useless. Did I care? Not a bit. The sustain of the string-thru-body bridge was WAY better than I could have dreamed, and the guitar was light and marvelously balanced. My students were in awe of the tone and nimbleness of this guitar, and people were constantly approaching me at gigs in disbelief--they'd never heard of the Starcaster, much less heard what it could accomplish.
Now let's bring the pain: I had a major bug up the wazoo about getting a double-neck (the old prog-rock fetish), and one of my students offered a direct trade on a custom-made 6/12-str. he had spent beaucoups bux on. Since I had several other fine guitars---well, for my sins....and ever since, I've regretted it.
Anyone know where I might find a decent sunburst Starcaster?

see above---nuff said?

I kept looking for flaws---I've seen hi-end Gibsons that were less perfect.

How can I know? It never gave me a moment's grief while I had it for 4 years

Never had to.

I've been playing for 38 years---and I've always regretted one of the BEST--that got away. My dumb ass....

I have the pleasure to own a white 1976 starcaster, in what I would call about as close to mint condition as you could get. I got it from somebody who had bought it in '76 put it in a closet and never I mean never touched it. When I got it, it might as well been brand new. the case didnt have a scratch, it had all the hanging tags add booklet for fender amps and effects, polishing cloth still unopened, fender strap, and gey patch cord. This was such a find. It has all the original features as any other of the reviewed starcaster, but literaly look brand new.

I found that this guitar has a great sound. the neck pickup is warm and thick, while the bridge pickup is thin and biting, togeather they offer a great range in possible tones. The only source I know of to hear the starcaster tone, is the band the "Meters" and they make it funky.

I have to say my starcaster is pristine. not a scratch. perfect action, I LOVE the size of the neck, nice and round easy to hold onto yet not to big that you must struggle to play it.

I cant say b/c mine might as well be new and I avoid finding out the hard way if it'll stand up to the abuse, but its built like a brick somthing or other and from other reviews it sounds like they're built to last

I dont really know.

I own a bunch of nice guitars, all of them sound different as they should but, none get the attention when they come out of their case like the starcaster, its a amazing guitar made even better by the fact that its so rare.

My Starcaster was made in 76'. Two humbuckers each with thier own tone and volume control, plus a master volume knob. All maple, bolt-on neck. Mine is sunburst. This guitar is really strange looking. Like a 335 that got warped, the body is offset which looks really cool. Rather thick nect for a fender, but It's my favorite neck I've played. I bought the guitar used but it's in really good shape. Very few dings, no wearing in the finish, and the frets are fine. Came with a OHSC. This thing looks alot like trey's guitar from Phish

This Guitar definitly sounds unique. Like one reviewer said before, It's like a cross between a thinline tele with humbuckers and a 335. The neck pickup setting in nice and warm with a nice sharp bite on the top strings. The middle position sounds like a 335 but a bit brighter. The neck pickup is just too bright for me. A use a pre CBS Twin Reverb so those really sharp notes can hurt. I play everything from Jazz to blues to rock fusion to free improve stuff. This thing can't do the true jazz sound, but only a true big box can. For everything else it sounds good. The pickups overdrive nicely and pinch harmonics just fly out of this thing with compression and two tube screamers. That's a sound I really like. I do think the pickups are a little bland sounding and I'm considering swithing them with fralins or something. But I'm used to playing strats that sound great so maybe that's it. I just don't know much about humbuckers. But overall it sounds really good.

Once I got it set up it was perfect. The neck is fantastic with nice big frets. My only beef was the sloppy neck joint but it's rock solid. oh, and the bridge was a bit crooked but that was fixed. The control knobs are a bit flimsy (and kinda ugly) but they work fine for now. The head stock is crazy looking and really big so the guitar is slightly top heavy but it's really not a problem.

As far as I can tell this thing a tough. I always use a backup but I switch guitars alot on stage anyways. The finish kinda chipped off when I removed the pick guard but thats kinda my fault. Seems quite reliable

I've been playing for about ten years, seriously for the last five. I own this guitar and my beautiful strat, both played through my old twin. I really do like this guitar. I kinda begs you to play it cause the neck is so nice. It's a really unique looking and sound instrument that will definitly turn heads. Like I said I'm gonna experiment with different pickups but for now they're fine. nice guitar

I traded a Tele for my '76 Bi-Centennial series Starcaster. Those who stated that it was made from '77-'80 are mistaken. It was made for 6 years. Mine is tobacco brown finish and the only one in that finish I've ever seen. Of all the guitars I've had since I started playing in '65, this is my favorite. Great action, great sound. I replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio about 20 years ago but will put it back to original this year. It's the only guitar I've owned that I'll never get rid of.

I've played everything from jazz to country and my '76 has what I want for all of them. Full, rich tones that meet every need. Not too bright, just what I need.

The action is as good as anything I've ever owned and better than most. Most serious players who try it want to buy it. Pickups are well adjusted and the workmanship is very good.

This has been my main gig guitar for over 20 years and has never let me down. All hardware is original and has required no service. Tough finish that has held up through countless live and studio gigs.

The only contact I've had with Fender was an attempt to get more information on the guitar. They never responded. No repair or other customer support ever needed.

I've been playing since '65 and have owned everything from Mosrite (2) to Ovation (4), Fender (4), Ibenaz (1) among others. I wouldn't trade this instrument for all the others combined. If it were stolen, I'd be seriously bummed...would look for another one just like it.

Without repeating the specs in other reviews in too much detail, my example is as follows. Built between '77 and '80, twin humbuckers, each with their own vol and tone control, all with a master vol. 3-way toggle switch on the lower horn. Solid bridge with strings through body to anchor from behind. Maple block through the body, with semi-hollow sides, each with unbound f-hole. Mine is black, with cream (yellowing with age) binding, and solid maple neck. Unique offset shape, reminds me of the jazzmaster, but in an ES-335 form.

I like my jazz, funk and dub among other things, so I was looking for something which had a versatile clean sound. Admittedly I have grown to love the sound, but from the word go I found it to be just what I was after. On the neck humbucker, it has a warm, clear, full tone, which is unique, but still trademark Fender. The two humbuckers combined can achieve a Stratocastor(ish) sound, whereas the bridge pickup is a little thin for my tastes. The range of sounds achievable are quite broad due to the number of controls available. Doesn't sustain like a Gibson, but can chime like a Fender. I have achieved my sounds almost straight into Fender twins, and Roland JC-120's. Great wah with a VOX . I should add that I have replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio, which I am happier with than the original, but I mainly use this pickup only to achieve distorted sounds (which isn't often). Yes I have kept the original humbucker!

Purchased used, and was in good, sound condition. The black finish on the body in particular is still great, bar a few chips. Chromed hardware is all still in good condition, however the lacquer on the maple neck is just falling off presently, hence some restoration here is becoming a necessity. Action is good without being ultra-low, but lovley to play. Of note is that I have replaced the bridge saddles with teflon numbers, since the originals were not in a good way, and their deteriorating surface was causing strings to break far too often for my liking (ie at gigs). These new saddles have completeley solved the problem. Other than the rough-fitting but solid-as-a-rock neck joint, I still find the finish to be of good quality. Possibly the control knobs are a little light and flimsy, but mine have shown no sign of deteriorating.

This guitar is extremeley solid, and durable, and has withstood a fair amount of live use without any problems, bar the bridge saddles (which no longer cause trouble). It is getting rather old however, and I am going to have to have the neck refinished (frets have seen some work too!) if I am to continue to use it as my only electric. The body finish has endured well, and during my ownership of about 6 years, it has continued to stand up very well. I have replaced the jack-input, the toggle switch, and one volume pot, so the electronics have not stood the test of time that well, but age is a big factor. All other fittings are still solid, and with the minor mods I have carried out, I have complete faith in it as a reliable live instrument. I have no intention of selling the original components which I have replaced.

I have only seen a handful of ads on the web which suggest any availability of parts at all. Repair and mods have been done by a Fender repairer in Brisbane Australia, and have all been A1, however could not replace the vol pot or jack input with originals without ridiculous expense, if at all (did find leads in the US, but I am in Australia so would have to ship.....). As for factory warranty, I do have the original purchase receipt and shop tag!

I have been playing for about 9 years, and I am always open to change, however I have found it difficult to find another guitar which achieves the clean sounds I look for, whilst still providing a broad sonic choice. It would be difficult for me to better it sonically without relying on effects or spending 6 times the amount of money I paid for this guitar (if at all), and it has a nice sound for jazz/funk. Oh, and it looks the business in its own unique way, so if it was stolen, I will try my damdest to find it. When I first purchased it, I investigated its value and was told it would not appreciate due to the era in which it was made, however over the past 6 years, these guitars do seem to be gaining in value, but slowly. I've found I,ve kept it because I haven't found anything better as yet sonically, so its not just a collectors piece by any means, its got the sound.

Serial number: 717454
Semi-hollowbody with two Fender HB pickups. Toggle switch to select pickupconfiguration, three vol.pots (one master), two tone pots. Three bolt neck join (a bit loose). Nicely curved top (laminated). Two f-holes, black scratchplate, fixed solid bridge with six individual bridge safddles. Two cutaways, somewhat in an offset-alignment. The guitar has a beautiful blonde natural finish, with a little playing wear in some places, binding is OK. The neck is a dream. The guitar provides an enormous sustain. I bought the guitar in the original (mint condition) case with red plush lining.

I use the guitar mainly in my rock/coverband. It's ok in any live situation with no feedback problems.
I use a fender 70's twin or Fender Deville in combination with a little Marshall JTM30 to get some different tones using an A/B box.
I like the sound, using the bridge pickup most of the time. Nice round sounds, though there's some bite to achieve with the tone pots almost open.

Action is perfect! Never had such a smooth player. The top is nicely bookmatched and has beautiful stripes.

The neck joint is rather sloppy. The three bolts combined with the micro-tilt adjuster doesn' seems to effect the sustain though.

Never had any contact with the company on this guitar.

I'm a veteran (over 50) weekendplayer mostly in the rock/cover area. I've been playing for over thirthy years and I consider the starcaster as one of my favourites (amongst others). Wish I could find another one!

1977 Fender Starcaster - Sunburst finish, semi-hollow w/ f-holes, 22 frets, 2 pickups w/ 3-way toggle selector located on the lower horn (a bit unhandy), 2 volumes, two tones & master volume. Top, back, neck and center block are all made of maple. Strings are anchored through the body - same as a tele - very nice!

This guitar is all about tone! It's full and warm like a semi hollow body but is also clear, bright and powerfull. Not muddy like Gibson semi's I've owned in the past. I think this is mainly due to the all maple contsuction.
I'm a veteran weekend hacker - play mostly rock/cover stuff in the local joints. This is the only hollow-body I've ever owned that I've been able to use in a live rock band situation. In fact I really prefer it over my Strat, Tele and LP!

OK, here's where it get's interesting. Action, feel and playability are excellent - as good as anything I've ever owned. The finish and workmanship on the body are top rate. The neck is - well - just a good ole',plain-jane Fender neck bolted on to that nicely crafted, slightly quilted, bound body - kinda' wierd & very cool at the same time.
The only major flaw is the well documented CBS era sloppy neck joint. Mine is as solid as a rock and has great sustain, but it's a poor fit.

Rock solid and dependable. Only reason I keep another guitar on stage is for ocasional tonal variation but mainly in case of a broken string mid set.

Forget it.`

Been playing for 30+ years. Won't bore you with my current brag list but I own/have owned lotsa stuff - most of it pretty good - but this old girl's one of my all-time favorites.

2 humbuckers F hole semi.
dark brown body with maple neck. Strings thru body really work well on a semi.

This sounds wonderful. It has a full sound, very warm, but with a bite that is lacking on most semi's. A large variety of tones are in there, from full jazz to bright twangy lead. Sounds great thru my ampeg Vt40. overdrives the amp nicely and is my favorite guitar thru that amp.

For a 70's fender, excellent. The 3 bolt neck is the only bummer. Not the most solid of fixings, but way better than most 70's fenders. Overall a much better built guitar than other 70's fenders. Ation was a bit duff when I got it, but set it up and it's beatiful to play. Heavy though.

It's lasted so far, but has taken some knocks! Still looks great.

One of my favorite guitars. So unique and such a great tone. This guitar will never leave me.
Nothing extra needed on the guitar. Just wish I had 2

This one is definitely American made. I bought it new back in 1977 and still have it and still actively play it. It is still, completely, all original including the hardshell case. The finish is a solid brown and the gloss finish has a small amount of dulling around the area where my right arm crosses the body. Other than a couple of minor scratches that you cannot readily see, the instrument is in perfect working order. It has two Fender style chrome humbuckers that are selected by a three way switch and each pickup has individual volume and tone controls and also has a master volume control. It also has the traditional Fender maple neck and, in my opinion, is the best one on the market. It has excellent action all the way up to the last fret. The headstock says Fender Starcaster, however, it looks like a modified strat headstock that has some extra extension on it.

Of all the guitars that I have heard (I am over 50 and have been playing since I was 12), this one is unique. Using a Fender amp on clean, the pickups are really bright and the bridge pickup can get a little too twangy for my preference so I have to tone it down a bit. The neck pickup is just about perfect for any clean sound though. From rock, funk, blues, to c/w this guitar does it all. The sustain is fair to good. Using an effects pedal really brings out the best sounds. The humbuckers really produce a mellow type distortion that I like in most blues stuff.

The only real problem with this guitar is that the pickups do not properly align with the strings. I have seen a lot of these guitars in the past and all of them have the same problem. It is one of those factory design problems and you can remedy it by changing the pickups, however, I did not want to go that route. I took the pickup covers off and re-adjusted all of the coils to where I thought they should be and got a fairly better sound than from the factory. You can tell the difference in the sound between the B and E strings even after all of the adjustments.

I have played this instrument since I bought it new in 1977 and it has not failed once. I never have taken a backup guitar to any gig.

I had never had to deal with customer support for this item. I believe that now it would be a really expensive venture to send this one in for any kind of repair since it is a ancient artifact!

I have been playing since I was 12 (I am over 50 now). I saw this hanging in the local music store and thought it was unique back then (1977). I did not actually play it before I bought it, I paid them cash and walked out the door with it. If this was lost or stolen, it would be like loosing a family member. I would never get over it. I will keep this instrument as long as I possibly can. I always get comments on this guitar whenever I take it out of the case.

After a good year of searching, I finally got ahold of my dream guitar!!!!! A Black 1977 Starcaster. Did I mention it was black? I have never seen anything but versions of sunbursts before. This is an odd(in a very cool way) looking guitar. Hollowbody with a weird headstock (looks as if someone tried to cut out a normal Fender headstock and turned the wrong way). Lets see: 2 Fender Humbuckers, master volume as well as 2 volume and 2 tone controls. Not set up like aGison though. Opposite. Don't know what kind of wood it is. It looks similar in body shape to my Fender Jaguar with the top horn being offset and the lower part stretching out. It's big but not boring looking like an ES-335. The bridge is almost like a Tele with the strings going through the body to the back. It has a longer scale length than my Jag and really low frets. Someone tried to lower everything on it (even the nut which looks like a 5 year old tried to cut a new one. Rather messy job...).

I don't like music styles too much. No jazz, or blues or shredd-king. Maybe space/experimental/angst. Hahahaha! I like how it sounds when I play my songs so it must suit my style.
I play it through a Johnson Millenium combo and it rips like a freakin' chainsaw compared to the single coils on my Jag (sorry that is the only thing I have to compare it to but I'll try to stop talking about it since this isn't it's review!). Very meaty sound, 3 different sounds , neck, bridge, or both. I find it has a very unique feedback, which is hard to get. No tremelo bar though, so lots of bends and pre-bending to get that sound.

Had it shipped from the states sight unseen (the shop had a 2 day return policy). Got it used. Second hand, third hand?? Who knows. Everything seemed to be setup nicely. Fantastic condition considering it is 23 years old. A bit disappointed that the guitar shop that I bought it from wouldn't spend 5 bucks and put new strings on it. Cheap lazy goofs. As I said above, poorly re-cut nut, noisy pots. This thing must have seen some crazy times. It definitely needed (and still needs) some work. But then again it is almost as old as me.

It seems to be pretty solid for its age. Everything seems fairly sturdy and well attached. I put some strap locks on it because I'm afraid of normal straps. Not that I jump all over the palce but it is piece of mind. As for getting a backup good luck. It was hard enough to find it the first time.

They haven't made them for 20 odd years so if it breaks I'm fixing it.

I've only been playing 7 years and I've had more than one electric guitar in my setup before. This one has a different sound than my Jag so it fills in a lot of holes sonically and allows me options. If this were stolen or lost I would be seriously bummed as it took me so long to find this one. I'm actually going out to get it insured for Replacement Value. Lets see the insurance guys try to find one! Oh, in black please if you don't mind. Wish it had a tremelo bar for the odd time that I use it. I love the shape and sound of it. I hate that I paid so much for it, but I would do it all over again. Got nickled and dimed to death with the US/Canada exchange rate. The shop I got it from shipped it to a non-existent address so it took a week longer to see it. I bought it sight unseen with a 2 day return policy. When I opened the box the case was all dinged up from the previous owner (not the shipping company). Nobody at my local guitar shop had ever heard of one. People hear Starcaster and think I bought a strat. Surprise!! If you get a chance to pick one up, do it. These are rare and beautiful guitars. Just be quick though as the price seems to be going up (look at what other people paid for theirs).

Fender made these from '77 to '80. It is a semi-hollow body with two fender chrome-faced humbuckers. Each pickup has its own tone and volume knobs and there is a master volume knob and a three way pick-up selector switch. The headstock is quite unique and very un-Fender, sort of like a Thunderbird but curvier. Strings through the body, bridge is a pretty hefty piece of metal. Mine came with a beautiful hardcase with a red/orange lining that snugly fits around the assymmetrical body.

I play jazz, funk, ska, experimental noise et. al. so I'm not generally constrained by received rock notions of 'great tone' or whatever. That said, I go for a warm, clean tone that breaks up a little when I play harder. I play through a Fender Bassman Ten (4x10 combo) with a crybaby wah, Rat reissue distortion, and either a digital delay or a Roland Space Echo. The Starcaster's tone is fabulous, really deep and throaty, very warm, and the humbuckers are pretty loud - not noisy - loud. I mostly play through the neck pick-up though, the bridge pick-up can get really twangy if you like. I can't imagine wanting another guitar in terms of tone, unless I wanted something really raunchy.

I bought it used and it was in very good condition. The action is pretty high, even for a semi-hollow body, but that's my suits my taste and style. The finish is fine, the fit between neck and body is a little loose, not uncommon for 70's Fenders.

After two years of 3 practices a week and 2 to 3 gigs a month plus about five weeks of touring, the pick up selector switch broke. Oh well, a trip to Rockin' Robin and ten dollars later it's back in business. Very solid, I should treat it better than I do but it has always been reliable.

I searched for one of these for a year after playing one in a Guitar Center (they wanted $1200). If this ever got stolen I would be heartbroken. I would probably stop playing guitar. It's unique, it sounds great, it looks like some kind of googy 50's/70's love child of a guitar.

1978, hollowbody electric (ES335 style); doublecutaway with f-holes, offset waist like a Jaguar or Jazzmaster; bookmatched flame maple top and back, walnut stain (comes also in natural, black, white, blonde, and sunburst). Has two Fender humbucking pickups (70's style, like on a Telecaster thinline) with master volume, two volume, two tone; strings-through-bridge-through body; pickup selector on lower cutaway; 3-bolt maple neck (22 frets) and maple fretboard with black dot inlay, with unique Fender headstock design. Has F-tuners and 6-across string tree. Body is bound front and back. The neck on this guitar is as close to a "boatneck" or "oar" as I have ever seen on a Fender guitar.

This is hard to describe; it sounds like a cross between a humbucker telecaster and a ES335. The Fender humbuckers used on this guitar are the same as those used on '70's tele's like Keith Richard used. They overdrive a tube amp pretty well. It can sound bright, mellow or raunchy, depending on what amp you use with it. The master volume is sort of like the Gretsch or Gibson Chet Atkins pot, only it is located right next to the other vol/tone pots. You can use it like a volume pedal and "swell" or "fade" the output (even do some pedal steel effects like George Harrison did on his Contry Gent).
The overall sound is definitely NOT Gibson or Gretsch. With the maple neck, bolt on mounting, strings-through-body, it's a Fender. This means that the sustain isn't comparable to the glue-in necks of either Gretsch or Gibson.

This was one of CBS' better attempts at guitar manufacture. Yes, the three-bold neck is present, and yes, you can fit a matchbook into the space between the neck and body, but it is rock-solid. The 3-bolt is actually a great idea in terms of have the tilt-adjust built in. With a four-bold, you may get a more solid attachment and sustain better, but try adjusting the neck tilt on that! (you gotta use shims).
The finish is polyester; doesn't yellow at all (the neck is clearcoated and looks nearly brand new). The bindings are first-class and are not at all deteriorating.
The action, particularly the neck width, throws me off completely. It takes some getting used to particularly if you are going from one guitar in your arsenal to THIS one. It's like fretting a baseball bat.
The guitar seems a bit heavier than the ES335; the body wood is maple, but it is thicker than the laminates used on the Gibson hollowbodies. This is probably due to the need to mount the very wide bridge/tailpiece on the body itself, and, run the strings through the back.
Another confusing thing on this guitar is the volume/tone layout. If you are used to Gibson's layout, the Fender one will fool you unless you read the knob descriptions. Again, moving from one guitar to this one takes some getting used to.

Durable? Oh, hell yes! This guitar will withstand a meteor shower. The neck is made from a single piece of maple -- true Fender -- and the body is supersolid. The electronics are fine and will last a lifetime.

Don't ask -- Fender wants to forget its CBS past.

If you are looking for guitar that is a true departure from the Gibson or Gretsch hollowbody mold, look no further. Particularly if you love Fender necks. The sound is unique, but not spectacular.

That's STARcaster not Stratocaster...
Anyhow, I belive these fellows were made between '76 to '80 (+/- a year). The desinger being Gene Fields who worked at Fender R&D for 23 years working with Leo on designs for the Mustang Bass, Musicmaster Bass, the Bronco guitar and others.
To oversimplify a description, it was another attempt to make a Gibson 335 style guitar - semi-hollow, double cutaway, 2 humbucker. That being said, it remains a definite Fender. Basically if you take a 70's Telecaster Deluxe, and have 2 hollowbody wings on the body with f-holes, that's the guitar. Which is pretty nifty. One thing to note is the body is an unusual shape in that it is asymetrical. The body is a bit longer to the bottom right (knob 'corner). Strange. A cool strange.
Tuners are 6 on a side with a unique headstock and string-through string tree. Two of the big chrome Fender humbuckers (found on Tele Customs, and Deluxes), and a Les Paul configuration 2 volume 2 tone with, get this, a master volume. Yes, that's 5 pots. Not to mention the knobs atop them which are unique. They look as if they were taken from a stereo manufacturer. Funny but cool. The pickup selector is where you would find one on a Jazzmaster - bottom horn.
It has a small pickguard like a Les Paul, and an unusual fixed bridge. Strings are fed through the body like a Tele.
The neck is very Fender 70's. Which may be a good or bad thing depending on your personal tastes (3 screw bolt on). To me it feels just like a Tele Deluxe, and the fretboard only came in maple. Mine is a natural finish, and I belive you can find them in Mahogony (finish?) as well. I have seen so few, I don't know if they were ever offered painted. My natural finish one has some PRS-esque flamy-quilty qualities to it I don't believe they were intended. (The case is unusual to make up for the unusual shape!)
I'm giving it a 10 for the fact they took some chances with the master volume, bridge, string trees, etc.

It sounds really nice. It can be jazzy and warm on the neck pickup and bright and crisp on the bridge. It doesn't seem to feedback like I expected. I like the multi-knob set up with the master volume you can set the volumes of the individual pickups and leave them alone, relying on the master volume. The Fender chrome humbuckers are unique in and of themselves. If you are familiar with them, imagine a semi-hollowbody implementation and you'll get the idea. It actually sounds good unamplified. It 'rings!'

It is a really, really nice design, nice finish, nice appointments, etc. However, it contains the well-documented, odd neck cavity found on the 3-screw neckplate 70's Fenders. It is my only complaint about the guitar.
It has a really neat binding around the body of the guitar (which is fading to a nice yellowish color) and a black recessed swoosh under the name 'Fender Starcaster' on the headstock. (No binding around the f-holes though.)

Well, mine is 22 years old now and a great player. It has held up nicely. (The neck joint continues to worry me but that's typical 70's Fender worries, no escaping that.) From what I hear, the chrome Fender humbuckers sometimes become microphonic and may need to be rewound. This has not happend to any of my other Fenders with the same pickups, but it is something to note when shopping around for one. (They have been producing reissue, chrome, real Fender humbuckers which are available as well...)

Never dealt with them. Heaven help you if you need a replacement part for this guitar! It's hard enough to find the guitar...

I am a Fender Junkie and have been searching for a Starcaster for years. (I have Tele's, Strat's, Musicmaster's, Bronco's, etc. it reminds me most of my Tele Deluxe which is a nat finish as well.) I had posted a few WTB ads on the internet, and a fine fellow made me hip to an ad in the Fresno Bee of all places. I was on the road in a matter of hours. This one is a beautiful example and a welcome addition to my collection. (For you Phish fans, it's as close as you're going to get to Trey's guitar by the way!)
If it were stolen, I know I would have an extreme chore to find another one this nice. Be unique - if you find one grab it! It's a conversation starter if you bring it out live, and a good sounding unique guitar. However, the going price at shows and the vintage shops is now ranging from $1100 to $1500 which is a bummer.
(I had never seen anyone use one live until I caught a late night performance of Radiohead on some TV show - bingo! He only used it for one song, but by golly there it was...good for him.)