Fender Starcaster 1975 Sunburst

Mark Wein

Mark Wein

Grand Poobah
Staff member
https://reverb.com/item/114297-fender-starcaster-1975-sunburst


tpvvax25iw4hd06un8fs.jpg




Fender may have recently reissued the Starcaster, but they can't hold a candle to the originals. By the time of it's introduction, Fender had already tried the hollowbody market with the Coronado, but with their next attempt they went a bit further. The Starcaster is loaded up with a set of their new Seth-Lover designed “Wide Range” pickups for a punchier sound. It also received the off-set treatment and the coolest headstock they ever devised. While not an instant-classic, it has since been embraced by players of every genre and clean examples like this have become quite sought after. All original and quite clean. There are some weather checking lines and other small marks but no breaks, repairs or mods. Frets are in good shape and not beat flush like most other Fenders of the era. This one is a stunner and the pickups sound great through every amp in the shop.

Product Specs
 
Could have bought one of those for about $600 20 years ago (several actually). I passed. I wish I hadn't. Despite the write-up, I've heard good things about the new ones. But the vintage market will be biased about the old stuff and the owners of the new ones will be biased about their latest investment.
 
Meh. I was never a fan of the coronado, and this looks pretty similar to that model. A coronado I played once was the worst guitar I have ever seen, so perhaps that clouds my judgement. I can't really say if they were all as bad as the one I tried, but that experience was enough to steer me clear of fender semi hollows.
 
not crazy about the burst (though I could live with it)
I'd toss the guard and replace the knobs though, for sure.
but otherwise, I like it.
 
Tiltsta said:
Meh. I was never a fan of the coronado, and this looks pretty similar to that model. A coronado I played once was the worst guitar I have ever seen, so perhaps that clouds my judgement. I can't really say if they were all as bad as the one I tried, but that experience was enough to steer me clear of fender semi hollows.
Click to expand...

Besides being bolt-on ES-style, the Coronado and the Starcaster are world's apart. One was unintentionally on par with the inexpensive and mediocre quality ES-style instruments on the level of many imports of the day (early Yamahas, Ibanezes, and the like). The other was a more expertly executed top of the line offering. The Starcaster was well designed and well crafted dealio...that said, both failed miserably. I totally understand your projecting though. It really only takes one bad experience to sour one on a design or even a entire company.
 
"Starcaster is loaded up with a set of their new Seth-Lover designed “Wide Range” pickups for a punchier sound."
Lack of CuNiFe pickups: 15 yard penalty, repeat 4th down.
 
I know these are really getting hyped, and I even contemplating getting one of these several times back in the early 90s, when they were just old guitars going for 6 or $700 a piece, but I tried them out, and they turned me off bigtime. The neck was OK, but the pickups were godawful microphonic when played through an amp with the gain cranked, which made them total non-starters for the heavy rock band I was playing in at the time. Sorry, I'll pass.
 
Last edited:
Tiltsta said:
Meh. I was never a fan of the coronado, and this looks pretty similar to that model. A coronado I played once was the worst guitar I have ever seen, so perhaps that clouds my judgement. I can't really say if they were all as bad as the one I tried, but that experience was enough to steer me clear of fender semi hollows.
Click to expand...

My one experience with a Coronado was the same. That being said, I do like the looks of the Starcaster better, and would certainly try one out, given the chance. Plus, I'm a pretty big Jonny Greenwood fan. You're right Peeker, it looks way better sans pickguard.

upload_2014-5-5_10-53-50.jpeg
 
Tiltsta said:
Meh. I was never a fan of the coronado, and this looks pretty similar to that model. A coronado I played once was the worst guitar I have ever seen, so perhaps that clouds my judgement. I can't really say if they were all as bad as the one I tried, but that experience was enough to steer me clear of fender semi hollows.
Click to expand...

I can tell you they all weren't that bad. I had one and loved it. It was my goto guitar for a while until the band I was in broke up. Light, played like a dream and sounded awesome for the hardcore music I was playing at the time.
 
I almost bought a Starcaster back in the mid 90s. I really wish I could have pulled it off, it played great and was a steal.
 
for what it's worth, I love fender's bursts in the 70's. I have a 74 Strat that is my favorite burst I've ever seen on a strat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top