Here’s something unusual – a 1976 Fender Starcaster Sunburst. The Starcaster, designed by Gene Fields, was introduced around 1974-1975 and was produced until 1980 or 1982. While it’s a good design, and well built, it was never commercially successful; there’s apparently a perception that Fender makes solidbody guitars, and semi-hollows come from other makers like Gibson.
This 1976 example features the tobacco sunburst finish with a matching accent on the contoured headstock. It’s in overall good condition, has recently been set up in our shop and plays quite well.
The offset-waist body design is well balanced and at 7.8 pounds, the guitar is not very heavy, easily comparable to other thinline electrics.
Body: A uniquely Fender offset, bolt together, semi-hollow body with F-holes. The Starcaster features a maple block down the center of the guitar, in quite the same way as Gibson’s ES-335 does.
Neck: A classic Fender maple neck with large, Starcaster specific headstock. 20 frets, 25.5 inch scale length.
Finish: Original gloss tobacco sunburst finish in good condition. There are a few dings on the top and back treble cutaway, by the selector switch. The neck is natural (clear) poly finish with a brown accent, to match the body finish, on the head’s contour. The top coat is missing from part of the accent area. The neck finish has some honest play wear in the usual areas, along the edge of the fingerboard.
Hardware / Electronics: Original parts except for the tuners, changed to smoother sealed units, and added string trees. The original trees are in the case. Two Fender humbucking pickups, pickup selector, master volume, individual volume and tone controls. Original pickguard. The 6-position bridge is on a chrome riser. The string ferrules on the back are original.
The original case is included.
Serial Number: 714949, dates to 1976 and built at the Fender plant in Fullerton, California.
Pricing: $3,200.00 Canadian with original case.
Status: SOLD
