Fender Starcaster Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar Black Maple Fingerboard

Great looking guitar but overall poor build, pickups were meh. The worst was the neck already kind of awkward, but the string level was maddening, either the action was too high or when you lowered it the neck would instantly bow. Now I do play with heavy gauge strings but still did not expect that kind of response. Unboxed it restrung it intonated it plugged in about ten minutes later it was back in the box.

I've been looking for a semi-hollow for months to add to my telecaster and Jazzmaster. I picked up every semi-hollow in several stores comparing feel and tone. The decision came down to an Epiphone Riviera, Sheratio II Pro, and an Ibanez AM-93. Then I stumbled upon a used Starcaster on GC's Used website. I ordered unseen expecting to trade for one of the above mentioned guitars if/when it wasn't all I expected. Well I still have the Starcaster. The neck is all fender and the glossy maple fretboard makes it special over the other semi's. If you like bending notes, the sustain and glass smooth fretboard will make this a pure joy to play. I always like Fender guitars for their comfort and playability, this large guitar feels just as natural as my telecaster. I bought this monster for playing the blues, but it'll be a while before my blues return. I might switch out the tuning machines, but the rest is remaining stock. And the birds eye maple top is stunning with a superb shine. I have the natural finish. It's a beauty through and through.

After trying to find a 70's model that wasn't over priced & falling apart, we were excited to get a reissue. I'm very familiar w/ these guitars & honestly didn't expect much beyond the stylish looks. Its WRHB pickups are the G&B imports and factory electronics are generally bare minimum. WOW - I was wrong. This guitar is incredible for the money! The pickups are really impressive. They def sound better than other Fender models using them - I have no idea why(?). They just do. The controls are smooth & silent. The factory capacitors are ok too. The finish on ours (Black) is pretty nice as well. There are no flaws anywhere and the bound f-holes look great. I prefer this bridge style on archtops too, so that's cool. *Of note: There is a little fret buzzing here & there but nothing a nice dressing / set-up wont fix. This is a BIG guitar, so Fender players (used to tiny, smallish guitars) may be overwhelmed by 17" body + 25.5" scale neck. This guitar was such a pleasant surprise. I had planned to do a complete overhaul but ended up just doing a few things - and only because of personal preferences. Not because the instrument needed it. I really enjoy playing this one - its mad-fun & looks sweet! With a collection of 55 guitars (mostly archtops), this Starcaster is an awesome addition!

Beautiful workmanship. Very nice guitar. I did expect more of a 335 Gibson sound out of it though from the reviews I've read about the Fender Starcaster. Can still get very nice sounds out of it if tone controls on the amps and the guitar are adjusted properly and mainly use the neck pickup. It stays in tune very well. Probably because of the solid wood center block. I never have seen a Fender Starcaster until I ordered and received this one. I did expect it to arrive with nice low action and .009"-.042" strings on it. It had .010"-.046" strings on it and set up with a very high action. Too hard for my old beat-up mechanics hands to play well. I lowered the action first thing. Lowered the bridge and adjusted the neck. Before I ever got it low enough the fret buzz problems started on the upper frets. I have never had to level frets an any of the Fender guitars I have owned and most of them were built overseas. After leveling Frets 1 through 5 and reshaping them I was able to get the lower action I wanted. Then I installed a new set of .009"-.042" strings on it. Now the action is much better. I noticed that the strings #2-5 were lower than #1 and #6. Then I got out the radius guages and checked the radius on the neck and the radius at the bridge. Why would fender put a neck with a 9.5" radius on the guitar and then put on a bridge with a 15" radius on it ? I adjusted the intonation which was off some from the start. I removed the pick guard and shortened the screw in the center before it dug into the nice finished wood because it was too long. Now I have a very nice looking, playing and sounding guitar. I had hoped for the usual almost perfectly set up Fender guitar but since it's built in China I guess you get what you get. I'm very happy with it now that I have it all set up properly and at a price I could afford. Love that fender neck and feel while playing. I highly recommend the Starcaster but you may have to do some set up work.

Terrible factory Setup. Once I set the guitar up it is fun to play.The Pickups sound great clean or in overdrive. Feels good in my hands. Very nice finish, nice straight neck, solid electronics.

Awesome bluesy sounds and huge bass response. Love the sustain. Works well with pedals, OD, Distortion. NIce acoustic sounds as well.