Starcasting

I saw these recently listed at Swee Lee's web store. I like the idea that the Start-ish big '70s headstock was retained for this Squier Affinity iteration. Obviously, it's aimed at Tom Delonge fans but the signature version omitted the neck pickup, this one offers both. Might have given this a good consideration considering I have a steep interest in single humbucking guitars.

Pics: Squier

Black Friday @ Swee Lee: Fender Tom Delonge

A little late but saw these guitars on sale at Swee Lee (Black Friday deals). These are the Fender Tom Delonge signature models, both the Starcaster & Strat versions are discounted but for the Strat, it only applies to the yellow version. I have no idea why this is the case. Guitar prices these days are unfriendly. After a good 20% off, the respective guitars are now sporting the discounted prices. These new figures, whether they are friendlier post-discount is really your call. These days, people are more willing to spend this much money on year-end holidays rather than buying a new musical instrument, unlike COVID times. Guitars sporting a single pickup is a niche appeal but now that these are on discounts, it might just be a good time to buy.

Pics: Fender

Tom D: Price

If you've been GASing for one, the Tom Delonge Starcaster is now available at Swee Lee: $1,899. I see this as rather steep for a non-American Fender made in the Squier facility. That's the price to pay for that signature.

Pic: SM Store

 

Delonge Star

This had been gear news fodder for a while & it's finally unleashed to guitar-dom. The Tom Delonge Starcaster maintains the single pickup feature but did away with the original Fender Starcaster headstock. In its place, we have the big Strat-type, 70s design which in my opinion is a cool replacement. Colours are kept in the pastel family as opposed to the loud, solid options of the solid body counterparts.

Interestingly, it's made in Indonesia. Does Fender have an Indonesian factory? So this is hinting at the instrument's pedigree. 

Pics: MR / Fender

Delonge Starcaster

A little late to the scene but hats off to Tom Delonge for boldly changing the Starcaster headstock to something a whole lot more palatable in design. I have always disliked the Starcaster for its atrocious outline & then this happened. OK so it's gonna be a signature model which is most probably something I do not fancy. But it's a single pickup design which is absolutely my thing. Yes, it's been a single pickup affair for TD for a while already.

Pic: GW

Ugly ducklings

Quite a buzz in the Fender camp this Summer NAMM but here's something from its subsidiary Squier sector; the Starcaster. That's right folks, this model had been revived in the Squier range after leaving Fender's Modern Player series as once mentioned here: CLICK This is the most affordable take coming from the Affinity range.

Next in  line, in terms of price-to-feature considerations, the Classic Vibe version. 

Last but not least, the Contemporary Active version, still a semi but without the F-holes. With reference to the active pickups on board, this might be a swing at the high gainers among us but with that outline & a very psychedelic overall vibe, it's unclear which segment of the metal heads would embrace this.

I still can't get along with the Starcaster headstock outline, maybe it's just me. It took me a long time to come to terms with Fender's fat, 70s-style headstock & that was after telling myself it looks awesome when the instrument is in playing position. Tilt it upright & it screams spastic. We shouldn't dismiss these instruments for the looks, playability & tone count more than anything else when it comes to delivery. 

Fender: Modern Player Starcaster

The Modern Player Fender Starcaster is now available at Swee Lee. No twang on board so Strat/Tele fans can move on. It's not quite a semi, tone-wise, because the guitar is a bolt-on make. So what you have is Fender's take on a non-solid body instrument made more affordable by virtue of its construction (not to mention country of manufacture). If you A-B one with Epiphone's Dot model, you'd hear more clarity coming from the Starcaster (especially from the neck pickup) due to the pickups (Fender's Wide Range humbucker has some reputation in this department) & maple fretboard. The body is a little wider here so those of us accustomed to the Strat/Tele need a wee bit of getting used to. That headstock is acquired taste, personally, I think it's downright ugly. The Starcaster is not new to the Fender fold, it's a come back of sorts with a little tweak in design. I'm largely a solid-body guitar fan but this one has it in terms of tone, especially in terms of drive.

Rating: 70%

Fender: Starcaster (Modern Player series)

Availability: Swee Lee Co.

Price: $949

Other price references: USD699/ Euro689/ BP556/ Aus999

Maybe... just maybe

Relax. Sip coffee. Think about it.

Fender: Starcaster & Coronado

Making a return this fall- Fender's Coronado & Starcaster. Not the most celebrated of Fenders but collectibles, no doubt.