With an almost anecdotal production from 1976 to 1980, the Fender Starcaster model is quite rare and the history of this guitar is interesting. Gene Fields was one of the principal designers of the Starcaster model of the 1970s. The veteran musician was a Pedal Steel enthusiast and builder before being hired by Leo Fender himself to work in Fender’s R&D department in 1961. He spent 17 of his 23 years at Fender in this department while working on many classic Fender models as well as legendary guitars with designer Roger Rossmeisl. A prototype was released in 1975 and Starcaster production really began in 1976.

The Starcaster is a Hollow Body constructed with a laminated maple top and back. The body is also made of maple and the top has two F-shaped sound holes… Does this remind you of something?? In short, with its two Fender Wide Range humbucking pickups and its 3-position switch and five control buttons, the beauty wanted to be versatile: neck pickup volume, neck pickup tone, bridge pickup volume, bridge pickup tone and master volume. Available mainly in Sunburst, Black and Natural finish, some Starcasters had woods to die for, this is the case of our guitar, which has a superb figured maple, both for the top and the back.

This 1976 Starcaster was refretted a long time ago, and the luthier who did that oversprayed the neck. Apart from that, the beauty is completely original, both in terms of hardware and electronics.This guitar has its original pickups and electronics, the neck pickup is slightly offset from the strings but it doesn’t affect the balance or tone of the high E string. Included with this instrument is a repro new Wide Range pickup that we hadn’t installed. Also, the bridge tone pot has no effect.

It is missing its pickguard and the actual vintage Victoria Luggage hardcase, a manufacturer that delivered cases for Gibson, Martin and Fender, probably comes from a mid 60’s Guild Starfire Bass.