How Bad Is The Starcaster by Fender?

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  • čas přidán 30. 07. 2020
  • I am super modding this Starcaster Stratocaster by Fender. This is about the cheapest guitar you can find. Before I mod it with about $225 worth of mods, I thought I would demo the guitar and document the tones to get a before and after. I'm playing into my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and will keep the knobs the same so it is an apples to apples comparison after the work is done. What do you think about this $100 guitar. How bad or good do you think it is?
    Support me on Patreon to be an amazing person and it also enters you into a monthy drawing for music gear of your choice.
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Komentáře • 277

  • @tylerdixon3290
    @tylerdixon3290 Před 3 lety +154

    My mom bought one of these used as a birthday gift back when I turned 16. It came with a strcaster soft case and a Starcaster 15G amp. Its a very decent starter guitar. I actually used the guitar and amp in my high school talent show where I played and sang Folsom Prison Blues. One of my greatest moments was all because of this guitar.

    • @dextermorgan1757
      @dextermorgan1757 Před 2 lety +2

      I can actually sing just like Johnny Cash

    • @witwot61
      @witwot61 Před 2 lety +14

      @@dextermorgan1757 nobody cares man

    • @scott9200
      @scott9200 Před 2 lety +1

      Nice. I love Johnny cash!

    • @Crynamed
      @Crynamed Před 2 lety +1

      @@dextermorgan1757 cool Bro

    • @Thrash..maniac69
      @Thrash..maniac69 Před 2 lety +2

      I also wanna buy a guitar but I never touched an guitar before like idk much about guitars so is it worth buying for e beginner?

  • @coltondoescars
    @coltondoescars Před 3 lety +77

    I got one of these from a pawn shop for $20 about 10 years ago. I've since replaced literally every single component, including every single little screw on it. The only original thing left is the body itself, and it's been refinished. It now has a flame maple neck with abalone inlays, hipshot open gear locking tuners, a GFS trem with a huge solid brass block, and is soon to have EMG 57/66 pickups. Has it been a huge waste of money and time? Absolutely. Has it been a super fun project that's taught be a ton about fixing up and modding guitars? You bet. It's my favorite guitar I own purely because it's mine, and it's been an integral part of me growing as a musician.

    • @soundsystem0001
      @soundsystem0001 Před rokem

      at that point just buy a fender strat

    • @indiedavecomix3882
      @indiedavecomix3882 Před rokem +3

      If you're someone really into guitars, it wasn't a waste of money. The whole process is a learning experience. I have a $120 pawn shop Ibanez Gio that I'm going to mod up. New tuners, pick ups, pots, knobs and maybe even a cool paint job. I'll never be able to sell it for what i paid, so might as well make it the best guitar I can, right?

    • @prowl9037
      @prowl9037 Před rokem +1

      Triggers broom

    • @NathanaelPittman
      @NathanaelPittman Před 9 měsíci

      I wouldn’t call it a waste if it’s brought you enjoyment and pride.

    • @holesintheplot
      @holesintheplot Před 8 měsíci

      The Guitar of Theseus

  • @bazkeen
    @bazkeen Před 4 lety +109

    For $100 and it gets someone starting to play, that's just great. I'm all for it. Didn't sound too bad

    • @markcheetah4960
      @markcheetah4960 Před 4 lety +6

      I'd rather spend $200 on a Squier. Matter of fact, I'm currently using a $119 Squier Bullet Strat with a Fender neck on it. It rocks!! 😄

    • @williamharrison6154
      @williamharrison6154 Před 4 lety +5

      I got a starcaster from eBay, 75 bucks. Upgraded pickups and neck and it's a badass guitar..

    • @markcheetah4960
      @markcheetah4960 Před 4 lety

      @@williamharrison6154 Cool! Did you replace the neck? Or just the nut or tuners?

    • @tastefulsubstance
      @tastefulsubstance Před 3 lety +4

      Dude, I fucked up. I have a Squire strat, and I saw what I thought was a Fender strat online, so I bought it because it was only 60 dollars. But then I realised that is was a Starcaster

    • @camilo1455
      @camilo1455 Před 3 lety +1

      @@tastefulsubstance get the action and intonation right and you'll get your money back

  • @projectzomboidfan517
    @projectzomboidfan517 Před 3 lety +37

    I'm 15, I bought mine used for my first Guitar, I really love it

  • @dudewithaniphone
    @dudewithaniphone Před 3 lety +18

    I got my Starcaster on craigslist for a hundred bucks, and they threw in an amp at that price. People say it's cheap but I'm happy with it.

  • @franciscosmukalla6205
    @franciscosmukalla6205 Před 3 lety +24

    Haven’t played mine in years, once i adjusted the intonation, action, and truss it played pretty well. Fun on a budget! The tuners slip every now and then

    • @saucewalker1724
      @saucewalker1724 Před 3 lety +3

      A set of $15 locking tuners off Amazon fixes the problem! Doesn’t even go out of tune after whammying!!!

  • @JaimeGarcia-qw2jq
    @JaimeGarcia-qw2jq Před 4 lety +3

    I loved the blues/funk feel. I would like to see more videos of you playing, you're so good!

  • @mikeellis9720
    @mikeellis9720 Před 4 lety

    I like your program. It's fun, informative and you aren't afraid to tell it like it is! Bravo!

  • @wiseguy9202
    @wiseguy9202 Před 4 lety +36

    I've always assumed the Starcaster was even a lower version of Squier.

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +10

      I always thought that too. I think it is.

    • @chrisfit
      @chrisfit Před 4 lety +2

      It’s not. They’re just differently named. Made in the same factory as low end and SE squiers.

    • @chrisfit
      @chrisfit Před 4 lety +8

      I’ve had 3-4 now as well as a ton of different squier bullets and SE’s. Usually the Starcasters have full size bodies and very decent necks.

    • @wiseguy9202
      @wiseguy9202 Před 4 lety

      @@chrisfit Interesting. I've never played one nor have had the urge to be honest.

    • @markcheetah4960
      @markcheetah4960 Před 3 lety +1

      @@chrisfit What does SE mean? I've heard of Classic Vibe, Vintage Modified, and Affinity series Squiers. And Bullets.
      BTW, a Squier body is a little thinner (and lighter) than a Fender. Same dimensions, though. I've never seen a Starcaster up close.

  • @ryangiesbers
    @ryangiesbers Před 3 lety +21

    I’ve got one of these that a friend gave me and replaced every part on it, painted it, leveled and crowned the frets, set the truss rod and it’s not a bad guitar after all that. It was a great guitar to learn some building skills for sure. I had a lot of fun building it.

    • @saucewalker1724
      @saucewalker1724 Před 3 lety +1

      I purchased mine new back in 2008 as my first guitar, still have it to this day and I heavily modified it just like you. It’s an awesome guitar!!!

    • @ryangiesbers
      @ryangiesbers Před 3 lety +1

      s a u c e w a l k e r nice dude. I am planning on getting another budget build going soon, gonna spend a little more on the electronics this time around. Totally unrelated but I just got an Epiphone Sheraton II a couple days ago and I am stunned by the range on this guitar. It’s absolutely a great guitar. Absolutely loving it.

    • @aspaceproductions
      @aspaceproductions Před 3 lety +2

      @@saucewalker1724 It's not an awesome guitar. You made it an awesome guitar lol.

    • @TheSupart91
      @TheSupart91 Před 3 lety +1

      @@saucewalker1724 does fender pickguards fit it easy? Im looking at one to project mod

    • @saucewalker1724
      @saucewalker1724 Před 3 lety +1

      @@TheSupart91 Amazon has a lot of parts for a relatively inexpensive price. Depending on your pickups (SSS, HSS, etc.) you can find the right shape pickguard to buy

  • @saucewalker1724
    @saucewalker1724 Před 3 lety +2

    Bought mine brand new from Best Buy back in 2008. I since then have swapped out the bridge with a left hand MIM Strat bridge, MIM pickups and pots, locking tuners. and a fender squier neck that was swapped in. It ended up being one of the funnest guitars to play and it holds sentimental value to me. Wouldn’t sell it for the world.

  • @petergunderson7153
    @petergunderson7153 Před 2 lety +2

    I got one from a friend who cleaned out a storage unit. I blocked the tremolo and adjusted the truss rod and it sounds really good. Hot treble and great sustain. Nothing at all like his guitar. Pick of the litter, I guess.

  • @mangoberry2534
    @mangoberry2534 Před 3 lety +6

    Im looking for a part 2 of this if you are going to still do it!
    was looking to use it as a build guide for my starcaster :)

    • @PinetopJackson
      @PinetopJackson Před 3 lety +2

      Mango you should set up a tripod & record what you do, it'd make a cool video!

  • @user-cp8gq6pd8i
    @user-cp8gq6pd8i Před rokem +2

    A Starcaster was my first guitar over 12 years ago. I started there and years later I was in a band as the lead guitarist

  • @oldsledpurgatory3595
    @oldsledpurgatory3595 Před 3 lety +2

    I really dig mine. It needed a little fret work but it was pretty easy to fix. The pickups are noisy and low output, however it is possible to get a decent tone from them; a little tube overdrive helps a lot. I have a video of it on my channel.

  • @kosycat1
    @kosycat1 Před 4 lety +38

    The only thing that is probably complete garbage is the tuners , other wise you got yourself not a bad guitar at all

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +8

      It’s actually not bad at all.

    • @calebproductions5970
      @calebproductions5970 Před 3 lety +4

      My tuners on my starcaster are remarkably good. The instrument stays in tune very well.

    • @kosycat1
      @kosycat1 Před 3 lety +4

      @@calebproductions5970 that's strange the ones on my $300 squire strat were terrible like having 6 little whammy bars for tuners

    • @camilo1455
      @camilo1455 Před 3 lety +7

      @@kosycat1 hit and miss at these prices but $30-60 will get good replacements; I always go with Grovers

    • @kosycat1
      @kosycat1 Před 3 lety

      @@camilo1455 yeah I guess they go through several different designs. I ended up getting the fender ones they are a lot better. I had to route my neck for the indexing pins though. I think I would like an American strat better in general anyway just for the string spacing

  • @howardcunniffe8738
    @howardcunniffe8738 Před 4 lety +23

    For a guitar that only cost $100.00 , you got yourself a good deal . Most cheap guitars from First Act or Glarry are guitars I'd stay away from.

    • @ArchieXIV
      @ArchieXIV Před 2 lety +1

      I got a glarry bass. Its amazing tbh

    • @JordanHunt-yx8pf
      @JordanHunt-yx8pf Před 10 měsíci

      Yea I have first act strat that is actually awesome

  • @bobbyruggs808
    @bobbyruggs808 Před 2 lety +1

    These have nice maple necks and the bodies are the same width as the MIM & USA models. Plus they are made with real wood. These are a very decent mod platform. One guy built a EVH 78 replica using this same guitar and it looked and sounded awesome.

  • @Andres_VB
    @Andres_VB Před 3 lety +2

    I've been wondering about those guitars for a long time. Never seen one in real life. They don't look bad at all, at least in photos an videos. Are they full size body and neck like the affinity Squiers or are they thin body and neck like the Squier bullet series?

  • @RebeccaHindle
    @RebeccaHindle Před 3 lety +2

    I love mine just thinking of a pick up upgrade rather than buying a new guitar to upgrade I haven't had a problem with the tuners but I would think about getting better ones

  • @afaella3
    @afaella3 Před 3 lety +2

    I grew up playing a 90's Affinity Squire Strat, That was a challenge to learn on - I went on to own some far better made guitars since but when the Starcaster Strats came out I had just gotten into Modding, & that guitar right out of the box was Leaps and Bounds better than any Squire of it's era.
    Amazing platform for modding, looks beautiful, routed well, and sure it won't hold up to an American Strat, or even a Mexican Strat right out of the box, these are still amazing guitars for beginners (especially compared to what I had as a kid)

    • @Mike28625
      @Mike28625 Před rokem +2

      Genuinely curious. How was the squire more challenging for you than others? My 97 affinity strat was my first guitar. Now i have many and feel foolish because i still go back to that squire. I updated the pickups but it's the neck that i like most.

    • @afaella3
      @afaella3 Před rokem +1

      @@Mike28625 no shame in loving your first guitar my man, I still have my Squire aswell and she gets picked up from time to time, but I own Two Starcaster Strats & they're my personal gold standard on budget guitars (mind you I haven't purchased a new one recently so there's a good chance modern squires are likely even better from what I hear).
      The fit and finish of my Squire always left alot to be desired, not the aesthetics, but the "under the hood" stuff - it has a huge Pool Route under the pickguard that's neat for being able to put anything in, but the HSH cutout on my Starcasters give more wood under the hood and I prefer that.
      The neck tho, without a doubt is something I'll always love - my squire has a smaller neck profile and a finish so sticky you'll feel like your palm is stuck on fly paper - not good if you're trying to take advantage of a large range of the neck -- idk if my Starcaster Strats have a properly Oiled neck, or if it's an entirely different finish with the same effect, but it's dry and smooth whenever my hand meets the wood of the neck & it's like I'm ice skating when I'm going up and down the fretboard. It's a little chunkier too on my starcasters, again no clue what profile the cuts were made to, but I feel my hands wrapping around it let my fingertips hit the fretboard firmly with the thicker neck -- but again the finish on that neck was worth the price of the guitars right there.
      Lastly, the Starcaster Strats just feel like they weren't as rushed. My squire is ok, but the fret finishing is superior on my Starcasters, I love all the options with headstock shapes, body paint, and hardware that come on board. The Starcasters came with tuners that have the one screw at an angle off the side - I have Gotohs right now, I've had Grover Tuners on there, they're compatible with the big brands if you want to class it up on the Starcasters, even tho that was purely for my own pleasure -- my Squire had several tuners fail & - not wanting to drill more holes in the neck - I found it hard to get nice parallelogram style tuners - I eventually got a set and just decided to take the metal covers off leaving the gears exposed. My original tuners in the Squire wern't sealed & neither are the new ones, so might aswell have them exposed to show off the brass, lube if needed, and prevent junk from slipping under the cover, getting wedged into the gears and breaking them.
      Yeah, taking good, functioning tuners and swapping them for upgrades is fun, taking broken ones and only being able to replace them with crummy ones isn't fun.
      Sorry if this is rambly but yeah, I love both of my Starcasters - my 90's Affinity Squire will always hold a special place in my heart and on my couch, but I wouldn't buy another one if given the chance - even at a good price.
      Thanks for letting me share, those Starcasters are gems and I love sharing my thoughts on them with anyone interested in listening

  • @jackdifferent
    @jackdifferent Před 4 lety +3

    He is master in building mod guitars. Very useful videos .. 👍👍👍👍

  • @Clanps
    @Clanps Před 3 lety +53

    My dad found this guitar in the dumpster so I decided to keep it and try to learn guitar.

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 3 lety +2

      Awesome.

    • @KingpinRoyaltyMusic
      @KingpinRoyaltyMusic Před 3 lety +12

      Funny I was just doing research on it because I just found one in the dumpster a few minutes ago 😂

    • @Clanps
      @Clanps Před 3 lety

      @@KingpinRoyaltyMusic yeah it's an alright guitar.

    • @EricDenny
      @EricDenny Před 3 lety +8

      Oh yeah! Dumpster guitar is the absolute best! Kinda like a stray dog abandoned by some idiot who blamed it for their own shortcomings

    • @impactmusic6009
      @impactmusic6009 Před 3 lety

      Hahaha I bet someone thought it sucked and got mad

  • @redmuun519
    @redmuun519 Před 2 lety

    I recently picked up a black HSS models from a yard sale, and I honestly can’t complain with the money I spent on it. No sharp frets, actions not terrible, it functions and all electronics work. These are great for people to work on and donate

  • @gonootropics2.065
    @gonootropics2.065 Před 9 měsíci +1

    That middle pickup position definitely gives it the best tone

  • @nealadams7946
    @nealadams7946 Před 3 lety +9

    What the hell? Starcaster is actually a really, a really good guitar. Its' foundation and base is same as Stratocaster. Just like Guns, Cars, Computers, you can build starcaster into one'ova'hella' guitar (just like the strat). You just have to know what looking into it and what you want. That's a hard part. Eddie Van Halen did with his (he did not go to engineering school or anything like that. He was music Genius.)
    cheap acoustic can become nightmare. So spend money and get a real stuff. Starcaster's tuners can be fixed and and easily can be build up. Its foundation and base is same as Stratocaster (i am repeating). Not a bad guitar. May be thats'why Fender discontinued them...Fenders wants consumer to get Strat (which is expensive, not its derivative (Star) , and little work, its same as Strat)

  • @samanthabotas6588
    @samanthabotas6588 Před 2 lety

    Was there ever a follow up video to this? Or the second vid mentioned about is it worth it to get a cheap guitar for beginner/kids?

  • @ATthemusician
    @ATthemusician Před 3 lety +3

    this was my first guitar! kind of shitty I played it until I got my first left handed guitar, which was a shitty Washburn super Strat but I loved it. this model has always confused me, because fender has a line called the starcaster which are hollow bodied and have a unique headstock.

  • @st1lllif331
    @st1lllif331 Před 3 lety +1

    i have a starcaster but it looks different the logo has a star on it and it came with amp I don't know where I got it because my cousin got it and gave it to me

  • @kennethcrickmore7858
    @kennethcrickmore7858 Před rokem

    I purchased a Starcaster Strat in ordr to mod it to the max new hardware, electronics and very special job. I also resized the head stock to the smaller original design specs. renamed it also fo the paint and mods.

  • @benunwin6836
    @benunwin6836 Před 3 lety +4

    It's a perfect first guitar for a beginner. Good bang for your buck. The cool thing about strats is the easiness to "soop" it up. Swap those pickups out for some Fender 60's and you got a whole new much more bitchin sounding axe.

  • @mrtabob2716
    @mrtabob2716 Před 2 lety

    Ngl this is my first guitar and I like it and I’m only starting my journey so far and I really hope to know more about guitars in the future because I love to play

  • @Rikki_Tikki_Tavvi
    @Rikki_Tikki_Tavvi Před 2 lety +1

    Just scooped one of these for 30 bucks, little muddy, but overall plays and sounds nice. Gonna refinish it and replace a little hardware. Planning for 100 bones all in, and I think it will play like a guitar 3-4x its worth.

  • @pressonc
    @pressonc Před 4 lety +12

    I’ve noticed that the different Starcaster models with different headstocks have different specs. The ones with 70’s style headstocks have bigger necks; the ones with 60’s style headstocks have more average strat neck profiles, and the ones with the weird wedge shaped headstock frequently need new necks.

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +2

      Lol. You are right.

    • @mickavoidant4780
      @mickavoidant4780 Před 2 lety

      Some Starcasters were hollow-bodied with wide range humbuckers. Some of those had a whammy.

    • @fargeeks
      @fargeeks Před rokem

      Why new necks? Is it the buzzing?

  • @peteskyrunner4845
    @peteskyrunner4845 Před 2 lety +2

    Well done for just playing some basic chords to demonstrate the tone rather than showing off how many notes you can play in a second up and down the neck like some people do.

  • @doctoribanez
    @doctoribanez Před 4 lety +16

    Seems pretty alright for the price really. I would buy it for a kid or something. I'm old now and into more expensive guitars lol.

  • @garysevin8126
    @garysevin8126 Před 2 lety

    I can't find your follow up video for this. The one you said you were going to make after you did the mods. Where is it? Post the link

  • @warcake2506
    @warcake2506 Před rokem

    I bought the same guitar as you and the
    fender amp amp 40 w . The sound is perfect and clear compared to other guitars.

  • @AwkwardHypernerd413
    @AwkwardHypernerd413 Před 9 měsíci

    The first time I tried a starcaster strat was last year back in 2022. This would also be the very first time I tried an electric guitar.
    My uncle had one in HSS configuration. It was the one with the black headstock, and to my ears it sounded AWESOME, but I never used an electric guitar before then so this could very well be confirmation biased (although I have footage of me playing that guitar on my channel)
    Fast forward to October 14th, 2022, and I got my first ever electric guitar: a squier strat in SSS configuration with the MOP pickguard. I felt like Harry Potter receiving his first wand.
    Unfortunately that guitar had dented frets in the neck and when I tried asking if I can get it fixed the people I bought it from said “it would cost more to fix it than the guitar is worth”. Whilst this may be true, I already bonded with the instrument and didn’t want to get rid of it.
    Fast forward again to yesterday. I saw a strat in a yard sale, and low and behold it was a starcaster strat, this time in SSS configuration and the headstock being a standard wood color instead of the black headstock.
    I bought this guitar for 100 bucks, then I took the neck off and replaced the squier’s neck. A quick setup later and my first guitar is now entirely functional and plays amazingly.
    I’ve come full circle, I started playing on a starcaster strat and now I’ve gotten a starcaster strat for myself (or rather I guess it’s a partscaster now).
    I still have the body of the guitar I gutted, and im thinking of using the pickups and putting them in my Yamaha EG 112C, which has some issues with the neck being too weak, and the middle could also use some replacing as well. It would be a good introduction to wiring too.

  • @dakaron02
    @dakaron02 Před 3 lety

    I have one made in Indonesia dark blue with a mirrored pick guard it sounds alright but the only problem is the neck is small

  • @vincelee6247
    @vincelee6247 Před rokem

    Which is better,, the Stratocaster or the gold label affinity?? Thanks for sharing..

  • @JordanBlue1
    @JordanBlue1 Před 2 lety

    I have a Starcaster bass that looks just like their regular P Bass and says Starcaster on the headstock just like this guitar but it has a star with the logo. I literally can’t find anything about it online.

  • @rangerc310
    @rangerc310 Před 2 lety

    Do you know of any replacement necks for the Starcaster guitars?
    I have a 2006 Silverburst.

  • @Michael-xq1zr
    @Michael-xq1zr Před rokem

    Dude, I have one of these I grabbed for 100 bucks at the pawn shop last night. Its all black black headstock white logos. Brought it home on looks alone. Will now set it up & get back to u on how it plays.

  • @Scifiotica
    @Scifiotica Před 3 lety

    I have one of these that I picked up for $80. I'm more of a bass player but I bought to have around. I wasn't sure if was or is legit. It has a serial number. Any suggestions on how to check it out?

  • @DaddyWarbucksunlimited

    Some of these sound great as they are man.

  • @SalvvOrtiz
    @SalvvOrtiz Před rokem

    What do you think of Acoustic Starcasters? I bought one for $10 at a swap meet, it had 3 cracks on the top, I was going to destroy it and use the parts to build a guitar Godine style, but decide to fix the cracks. I had to level the frets, because it had a lot of buzzing, there is no buzzing anymore but I didn't do a good job in the crowning. I sound good and Im going to crown the frets when I have to change the strings again.

  • @roberthevlin2796
    @roberthevlin2796 Před rokem

    Would have liked to hear before and afte after modding.

  • @PastelComGini
    @PastelComGini Před 4 lety +1

    How was the original setup? Did you had to adjust the nut? Or in this video it's the original setup?

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +4

      Original setup was a 5 out of 10. I set it up a year ago and it’s a 8 out of 10. With the new nut and saddles and a recrown. It will be a 10

  • @BECCALETULLE
    @BECCALETULLE Před měsícem

    Asking what size tremolo!! I’m trying to replay my bridge

  • @nikkoberserker
    @nikkoberserker Před 4 lety

    hello Kennis ,the sound is good on clean channel ,but "noisy-fuzzy" with overdrive ,but not bad for cheap guitar , i'm sure with little upgrade ,like a pickup set like oripure (chinese hand made pickup ,low price but great quality and very nice sound !!! i love this brand ! try it ! ) , wilkinson tuner ez lock and a new nut ,it's not too expensive to make this guitar great for low price ! thanks for the video ,take care ! hello from france ! be safe .

  • @indytheshredder
    @indytheshredder Před 3 lety +3

    this was my first guitar lol, i played it for years before i upgraded to an ibanez rg 350dx. learned all about floyd’s with that shitty edge iii

  • @denboe2894
    @denboe2894 Před 2 lety

    Is it made Indonesia? SOunds OK/good even if it has glued on magnets. Does it have glued on magnets and those horrble stamped metal cover tuner pegs? Heck, if you get a wood body and a maple-ish neck you are doing good/great, then upgrade a few things.

  • @timothymullins3100
    @timothymullins3100 Před 2 lety

    What was that jazzy/ blues song? That’s amazing man🔥

  • @briansimpson8116
    @briansimpson8116 Před 4 lety +16

    Great videos always. But I don't accept or understand why the guitar community doesn't consider an improved guitar, an improved guitar. If you add more expensive things to a guitar than it had, maybe every penny you spent shouldn't count, but it should be somewhat more valuable. It makes no sense otherwise.

    • @billkoetting5197
      @billkoetting5197 Před 3 lety +3

      @@ShaneSemler I agree, It should go up in price. But it's like you take a 1980 Impala and chrome it up, mag wheels, etc. Kelly Blue book says it's still a 1980 Impala.
      A potential buy has to see the value.

  • @petepalmer6929
    @petepalmer6929 Před rokem

    I got mine for free so I’m already ahead of the game. I plugged it into a 6 watt 1978 Fender Champ tube amp that I just scored for an affordable price of $325, and I have to say they both sound great.

  • @brandonrobinson1785
    @brandonrobinson1785 Před 2 lety +1

    The clean on it honestly isn't bad. The distortion hurt to hear though. XD Love you all.

  • @jmangi6221
    @jmangi6221 Před 4 lety +2

    I am curious, where are the starcasters made? China,Indonesia? Was just wondering. I have a couple cheapy strats that i modified with expensive parts and they sound as good as any squire or cheap fender.😉

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +1

      I will have to look. I cant remember.

    • @cellardwellerproductions5125
      @cellardwellerproductions5125 Před 4 lety

      A couple different places.
      Mostly China and Indonesia.
      Some will say ‘Assembled in’ which throws a wrench into it.
      Mostly a fast identifier is the Skunk Stripe. Most of those I’ve seen are Indonesian make. Doesn’t matter the Headstock design.
      edit:
      Whoa, gentlemen I stand corrected here. I just watched the video and at 10:29 says
      Made in China w/Skunk Stripe.
      If I'm buying them off of evilbay I'll look at the headstock shape, look for a stripe, and then see if or ask for the location of manufacture.
      I have one Chinese made that has pocket crack on both sides, and an Indonesian that is good. I had read after my first purchase of 'green wood' being used from the continent that caused the pockets to split in wide ranging humidity.
      Don't know for sure but makes some sense I suppose.

  • @aubrywilliams6158
    @aubrywilliams6158 Před 3 lety

    I actually like the thicker fatter headstock the starcaster is legendary to me I want a new one mine was stolen out of my car years ago keep rocking!!!!

  • @brunsomarrr
    @brunsomarrr Před 3 lety +2

    Where is part two?

  • @petrosavraam
    @petrosavraam Před 4 lety +6

    Do they still sell these? I think nowadays it's called Bullet by Squier.
    Anyway, the original Starcaster is a 70s semi-hollow.

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety

      I think you are right. Squier bullets now.

    • @davidmahoney1248
      @davidmahoney1248 Před 4 lety

      There's no equivalent presently being sold by Squier. At the time these were sold they were the same as an SE; above both Bullets, and Affinities, below Squier Standards. That said, it seems that since these and the SE's were phased out Squier has improved the specs and quality control of both Bullets and Affinities.

  • @Wildman9
    @Wildman9 Před 4 lety +5

    The only guitar I ever heard that sounded the same on all positions of the pickups with distortion. Real muddy on the neck. Bad electrics, more than likely. But things will be changed , so no biggie. Have fun.🎸

  • @holesintheplot
    @holesintheplot Před 3 lety +4

    I bought a Starcaster off Craigslist for $10 in 2011. Still have it and use it.

  • @NoUploadJustComment
    @NoUploadJustComment Před 4 lety +14

    Other than the tuners and pickups, the guitar is excellent. Replace all of the weak parts and you have a great instrument.
    That neck especially, is excellent.

  • @thejakefromstatefarm6768

    is the next good on it? i have everything to mod a strat but i want something with a good neck to start with.

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +2

      Neck is great. Bigger than I like, but good.

    • @thejakefromstatefarm6768
      @thejakefromstatefarm6768 Před 4 lety +2

      Kennis Russell thank you man for replying. alot of people don’t and i understand yall get alot of comments so when you responded i thought damn there’s a guy that’s trying to be helpful and a guy that cares about his viewers. that helps alot knowing its a good neck. i’m going to purchase one then.

  • @airworthy777
    @airworthy777 Před 3 lety +2

    At this price, this is a good bargain, then you can upgrade all the electronics and smooth the frets, and it's done, you don't have to buy another guitar that are expensive in your budget (that's depend on the person).

  • @emfromthechi
    @emfromthechi Před 2 lety

    Did you end up modding this? I don't see any follow up videos

  • @890Motorsports
    @890Motorsports Před 4 lety +5

    I love modding cheap guitars! New series of videos maybe?

    • @kennisrussell
      @kennisrussell  Před 4 lety +1

      Yes. I am making a series where I go through the mods of this guitar.

    • @890Motorsports
      @890Motorsports Před 4 lety +1

      @@kennisrussell lol I knew that already but I was saying making videos modding other cheap guitars would be cool

    • @billkoetting5197
      @billkoetting5197 Před 3 lety

      @@kennisrussell Advice? I am rebuilding a Starcaster from the neck and body up. Fender Super 250 strings[10s], Fender locking tuners, Highway 1 bridge, Seymore Duncan California 50s SSL pickups. The middle pickup is reverse wound so the 2nd and 4th switch positions give it neck and bridge humbuckers. The pots and switch seem fine now so I don't intend to change them out unless something is wrong later. I'll do that at the next string change. Do you see any things wrong with this plan? I would really appreciate any suggestion/comment.

  • @hypersaiyan7102
    @hypersaiyan7102 Před 2 lety

    I had a starcaster as a Christmas present when I was 13, and now I’m 22. One day, I would get a Fender Stratocaster in the future, and sell the starcaster.

  • @elolife1375
    @elolife1375 Před rokem

    I got one at Costco in 2012-2013 for like $100! First guitar ever had and still have it at 25yo

  • @jimbucket2996
    @jimbucket2996 Před 4 lety +2

    Not the strat sound I've come to expect from a single coil neck pick up. Overall it has a thin glassy tone to it. I hope it will sound better when you're done.

  • @Djent_Djenerator
    @Djent_Djenerator Před 3 lety +2

    my friend is offering to sell his old "bum as guitar that he never plays" as he says, hes offering it for $80. it doesnt seem too bad. i already have like 7 guitars, ranging from $624-$2000, this thing would make a fun experimental guitar. ill buy a custom pick guard with pickups installed in it, and new tuner heads and just start with that.

  • @psycodelek
    @psycodelek Před 2 lety

    It`s very nice that beginner guitars are so good now for the most part. Those old stella and heit monstrosities not only weren`t good beginner guitars they would discourage kids and adults from playing

  • @RobertKraig
    @RobertKraig Před rokem +2

    Given how talented you are, I can't tell if it's bad or not.

  • @lancefielden
    @lancefielden Před 2 lety

    Ok video but maybe you mentioned "support me on patreon, if you want to" a few too many TimeS. Good take on the Guitar. I'm glad you didn't feed the ignorance of the Rumor Mill just because. Many folks give the Starcaster a bad wrap without ever having held one or spent time with them, they're basically rebranded Squiers.

  • @stevekelley1536
    @stevekelley1536 Před 4 lety +10

    You buy one of these guitars when you start to upgrade your mim fender. Just stop and think your welcome ☺️

  • @babatobi
    @babatobi Před rokem

    Sounds fye without mods too

  • @SeanFication
    @SeanFication Před 3 lety +8

    Underrated guitars. They're comparable to the Squier Affinity series Strats. I have one (a Starcaster Strat) and it's decent for the money. The hardware is low-end Squier level quality. The wood on mine is much better than low-end Squire quality - I'd say its Mexican Strat quality. So I upgraded all the hardware on mine. One thing to note is that It has a flat (12 inch radius) fretboard. I'd guess the one in the video has that also. That's an unusual feature on Fender/Squier instruments where the norm is 9.5 inches.
    If you want a Squier-ish level instrument with a Fender headstock and the 'Strat' trademarked name on the headstock but prefer a flatter fretboard, you should definitely give these a look.
    I think its hit or miss on the used market. Starcaster Strats don't have different price/quality levels as Squiers do - no 'Bullets and Affinitys and Standards and Classic Vibes, etc. So they vary in quality but you can't tell by looking at the name.
    Just to make things confusing, Fender (and Squier) sell actual Starcaster model semi-hollowbody guitars, which are something totally different from the Starcaster label guitars.

    • @markknight6445
      @markknight6445 Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks. Nobody seems to mention or maybe even NOTICE fretboard radius, even on more expensive guitar reviews.

    • @icemannbmw
      @icemannbmw Před 2 lety

      Do these have the same size holes for tuning pegs as an American strat?

  • @gideonbarragan2531
    @gideonbarragan2531 Před 2 lety

    Song at 5 min mark?

  • @thesongwritingchronicle3644

    Were you playing gabrielle?

  • @cdavidlake2
    @cdavidlake2 Před rokem

    5:00: I love how even a Costco Strat sounds like...a Strat.

  • @bobsoldrecords1503
    @bobsoldrecords1503 Před 4 lety +1

    Sounds good stock

  • @myworms
    @myworms Před 3 lety

    Tried one out at Sam’s Club years ago, but the neck was so gritty and unpleasant

  • @KyLesCaster
    @KyLesCaster Před 4 lety +2

    Doesn't sound like a bad guitar at all. A little fret/neck edge filing, some new tuners. Maybe swap the bridge too. And theres no reason why itll be a bad instrument.

  • @croftperkins
    @croftperkins Před 4 lety +3

    Bought one for 65 bucks locally and did the same thing. Spent about 80 bucks on the hardware and electronics. And I learned how to set it up. Sounds like an expensive guitar.

    • @kostapoleksic643
      @kostapoleksic643 Před 3 lety

      I bought the guitar and the electronics for like 160€.Can you help me and tell me ur settings???

    • @icemannbmw
      @icemannbmw Před 2 lety

      Do these have the same size holes for tuning pegs as an American strat?

  • @skgate
    @skgate Před 2 lety +3

    i have one from 08 and i just compared it to a new player strat.. i almost started crying when i realized how bad it sounded lmao

  • @screamingleos2996
    @screamingleos2996 Před 4 lety +1

    i have one of these with mexican strat loaded pickguard and set it up and theyre beyond playable. Better than my Epiphone Casino i owned.
    tuners kinda suck as much as standard grovers so not horrible

  • @user-po9mb7vg5q
    @user-po9mb7vg5q Před 2 měsíci

    Maybe it's because I don't know a whole lot but it sounds pretty great for the price

  • @DougHinVA
    @DougHinVA Před 2 lety

    My Starcaster with the 'pointy' headstock has a slightly wider nut and is in excellent shape. To me, wider is better from playing real classical guitars in the past and I will switch pickups to good offshore alnico ones. 'How Bad is...' is a loaded title assuming that a Starcaster is BAD... Fender made it and a Fender meets certain criteria before it is sold.

  • @RebeccaHindle
    @RebeccaHindle Před 3 lety +1

    I have it I love it

  • @abnerbjorn1106
    @abnerbjorn1106 Před 3 lety

    Are you that guy in Grounded for Life?

  • @jazzmusic5408
    @jazzmusic5408 Před rokem

    How much money is it

  • @rutiger6901
    @rutiger6901 Před 2 lety

    This starcaster doesn't need any mods unless the tuners are weak. Changing pickups is a ridiculous waste of money. I've done it 3 times on my Starcaster equivalents. Expensive pups sound different but not better. I do not recommend upgrading pickups. It's not hard at all to get "Starcasters" set up to be Exactly same playability as Fender. Deadly low action, buttery smooth frets, without spending a cent. Not one penny. Waaaay better value for dollar spent than Fender products can offer. But I do not mean to discourage anyone from modding!! That is a wonderful fun thing to do and the guitar industry needs all the money we can give them. Have atter!

  • @user-be9ey4jb3c
    @user-be9ey4jb3c Před 4 lety +1

    Sounds like a fender custom shop.

  • @peskypesky
    @peskypesky Před rokem

    The clean tone is great! Sparkling and clear. I don't see a reason to change the pickups. That overdrive pedal is HORRIBLE though. Harsh and fizzy sounding.

  • @donhancock1721
    @donhancock1721 Před 4 lety +1

    Sounds like a Jack White special to me.

  • @SanplerVarondaro
    @SanplerVarondaro Před 3 lety

    buen video saludos

  • @TheWarmotor
    @TheWarmotor Před rokem

    I got one of these recently, I'm a Gibson guy but wanted a Fender for my band room in the event that a guest wanted a Strat-ish guitar to play. I was pretty impressed, it plays way better than the Squires I used to play in high school. I did get it used and whomever had it before me did a pretty good job on the action and intonation...

  • @impactmusic6009
    @impactmusic6009 Před 3 lety

    I think that overdrive blew my phone speakers 🧐

  • @KevinxDoll
    @KevinxDoll Před rokem

    so we never got so see it modded?