NGD: 1976 Starcaster

[simonhpieman]

Today arriveth the Starcaster. Very much a players guitar. Which is good, as I intend to play it!

It's definitely had a refret (see pics) and MAY have had the front of the neck refinned, I can't quite decide. The colour matches the front of the headstock so perhaps not.

There's also a bit of weirdness going on on the body where a lot of the original finish has worn away or has BEEN worn away, perhaps? Some of it is in quite unusual places so who knows.

The neck itself feels great, chunky and smooth. As I think someone else on here once said, I've never felt a poly neck that has aged like this. Much thinner and less "sticky" finish than on my old 73 JM.

As for the sound, I'm still dialling it in. Slightly muddy bottom end at the moment. Hoping to brighten that up a bit. Love the middle position, though. Really funky! Pickps ALMOST have some chrome left on them...!

So, funny old thing it is, not sure about stripping the front to make it uniform or leave as is. It's most certainly had a life, that's for sure!

[Kent]

Is this from Austria?

[simonhpieman]

Yes it is, how did you know...?

[amv]

Something I've always been curious about with Starcasters; were these the first Fender guitars to use tuners without the split shafts? I always thought they first appeared after the reformation of FMIC in the 80's, so it's odd to see them in use on 70's guitars.

Does anyone have any insight into the timeline on these tuners?

[windmill]

Nice looking guitar

I wouldn't be worrying about the finish I would be too busy playing it.

[aliendawg]

Dude!!! I wouldn't worry about any of the things you pointed! What a wonderful guitar. It screams Jonny Greenwood

[tinybobseger]

I wouldn't touch it. Beautiful

[Mechanical Birds]

Something I've always been curious about with Starcasters; were these the first Fender guitars to use tuners without the split shafts? I always thought they first appeared after the reformation of FMIC in the 80's, so it's odd to see them in use on 70's guitars.

Does anyone have any insight into the timeline on these tuners?

No - Coronado used those dope Grover Rotomatics in the 60s. Definitely other examples but that’s the one that shoots out front. They used them on Jazzmasters sometimes in the late 60s as well.

[garyfanclub]

Looks amazing, with the perfect amount of wear. Wouldn’t touch that finish at all, it’s got a bunch of character the way it is.

I know what you mean about the WRHBs - just got a 75 Tele custom in July and had the same initial impression of the neck pickup, super bassy and a bit muddy. I found that dialing in the pickup height is crucial.

Also makes sense why Fender installed these with 1 Meg pots, they actually make sense with these pickups - not so much with the Tele bridge pickup (ouch).

Enjoy it!

[Marc]

Beautiful. Don’t go touching that finish!
Lowering the pickup should improve the treble and lower the bass. I always thought it might do the opposite but it does work.

[HH1978]

I really love the finish as is. Wonderful guitar and great pictures!