I’m probably one of the people looking forward to a TD Starcaster. I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard Blink fan. But I have some things I like with his signature Starcaster that check boxes for me. - I never use neck pickups - I like the simplicity of one volume - I do not personally like the Starcaster headstock I did try to look at having a company like Warmoth build a body and neck. If they build it the way that I want it, and paint it, it’s going to be just as much as the Fender offering. I did look at getting an Affinity Starcaster and modifying it. It’s definitely cheaper. But I don’t have the energy to do the mods myself
That all checks out and totally makes sense mate 😃👍 I remember considering a Warmoth build before too - many years ago, i think they called it the "mooncaster" or something 🤷♂️. Unfortunately Warmoth isn't that attractive of a deal in the UK after shipping, taxes and customs :( But if you don't have to pay that then I definitely see the appeal - Sounds Grrrrreeeat! 🐯👍
Can't argue with that logic mate 😎👍 TD has to get a slice too tho. I wonder how much it is 🤔 I'm actually surprised Fender didn't follow the current Epiphone sig series business model, and just chuck "Squier" on the headstock and charge the same price anyway 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar this is the point where we sit and imagine how the conversations go in the boardrooms. I can imagine the Gibson board room to be like the shady government alien collaborators from the X Files
@@stevecassidyguitar Steve, always happy to help!🤣 I'm mainly a Tele guy and I have five T style guitars (Partscaster, Squiers, IYV thinlines) and I have have five Strat shaped guitars (Partscaster, Xaviere, Samick Malibu*, Cheapos) and I am not a huge Strat guy (it's nice how much choice there is). I have three hollow bodies (Ibanez Artcore AFS75T & modified Artcore AK86T (on my pic, it has Gretschbucker pickups and the Ibanez Vintage Vibrato and Roller Bridge (not standard on that model) and.a Gretsch Electromatic with TV Jones. When you find a style of guitar you like you stick with it. I'm such a fan of Telecasters I have a line of guitars that have the Tele formula (two pickups, master volume, master tone, three way switch) and I have three of those (Charvel Desolation DC-2, Ltd Viper 400 modified, Schecter S-1 Elite (it does have separate volume for each pickup but it has more Telecaster vibes than an SG or a PRS). *The Samick Malibu is in-between a Strat sized and a Duo Sonic, the jack is on the side of the body and the headstock is a 3x3 design. That said I modded mine SOOOO MUCH that it is it's own deal (look up Llamawreckingkrew on Reddit (I'm band from it but my guitars are still on there). It's a fun guitar.
@@stevecassidyguitar Banned from the site. I said something along the lines of the Boomers made sure Xellinials (I'm one) are not going to have a retirement system (Pensions, 401ks, investments, etc...) for us the way the Greatest Generation and the older Boomers have it. I said it in much simpler and blunt terms. The issues I had on Reddit is that Moderators are doing a half-assed job and don't understand nuance. They are probably overwhelmed by volume but when they jab you it's harsh. That said Reddit became a counterproductive time suck and it ended up feeling the worse parts of the Internet where when I was in MySpace back in 2006 was the better part of the Internet (I have a bias, I can admit that) . It was ok on Reddit but there is definitely a tipping point where it goes from "cool" to "uh oh" but you have all this time and effort invested in it that you can't stop even though you jumped the shark. 🦈 On certain things (for me it was pedal boards) comparison can definitely be a killer of happiness or contentment and I have three pretty cool (my OG board from the early 2000s, a cool budget board on a skateboard deck and a very well thought out premium board that has everything from Standard pedals to Boutique with lots in-between, with it costing about $2500ish). I saw boards that cost more than the guitar and amp combined (I sent a pic of one to my Luthier buddy and he told me that it was a processor and not really a pedal board anymore) and while I still love my boards (if you get a buch if new pedals or change the main way you sound I advocate for a new board as you can shoot it out against your own sound and you can see if you are spending too much to essentially get something that your old board can do, foe me I discovered that my Main Board can do Shoegaze, Dream Pop (added Walrus Audio Slo), and Doom Metal (added a Ibanez mini Tubescreamer ahead of my modded Rat and Big Muff) if I just added two more pedals (11 to 13) and rearranged what I already had (the Slo and switch placement of my Danelectro pedals gave me more Shoegaze and Dream Pop options). I saved easy $2500 trying to put together a purpose built Shoegaze and Dream Pop board as well as a Doom Metal/Doomgaze board as well (yeah, they were going to be lots of Boutique pedals). So I ended up happier with Main board (It still does all my Punk, Psychobilly, Ska, Alt Country, Oi, Surf, and Indie Rock but with the new subgenres added) but comparison to other people's boards can make you feel... lacking or less than you did. Also a great setup amp, pedals, and guitar wise doesn't mean your playing is all that great. You wanted a story, so there you go.😋
Has anyone tried carving out a hole and putting a neck pickup in this one? Other than the goofy one pickup, this should be among the best Starcasters ever made, given the price and look.
I'm sure someone will try that mod soon if it's not already been done. You might like the new Squier affinity Starcasters. There's a white one and a cherry sunburst one. Has 2 humbuckers and a very similar neck to the Tom Delonge -laurel fretboard and the same headstock shape
I wouldn't buy one. I'm more of a Epiphone Casino, Ibanez Artcore, ES-175 (I don't care who makes them), and Gretsch 6120 guitars for hollow bodies. Epiphone Sheratons for semi hollow bodies.
Made in the same factory as the Squier, but with one pickup less and a 'simplified' headstock... £1000+ ?!?!..... Fender really are brazen with their profiteering. Should have been 750 tops.
well yeha, thats how capitalism works, companies try and make as much profit as they can, as they have no regulation, and people are willing to pay that much (the market price)
It's because it has the name of a popular artist attached to it. All artist signature models are way more expensive than they should be, it's not exclusively a Fender thing. (Gibson is even worse than Fender is, because their guitars are already priced way too high for what you're getting)
@@Hey-Its-Dingo In Gibson's defense, they need to pay their workers US wages. Then again, some of their employees aren't even making a living wage for the place they work and live in. But they should absolutely at least have much better QC for the money. I'm not a fan of Gibson, but mostly because their guitars aren't for me. They're not the sound of the feel I'm looking for.
I agree 100%! Personally, I love the Modern Starcaster. I’m a huge Blink fan, but the asking price is steep for what this guitar offers. The modern Squire offers more value. Overall, Starcasters are cool. I’d love to hear some comparisons vs. hollow bodies from a certain other major brand.
Woohoo! Glad to hear that Marsha - Me too, I love the Modern Player Starcaster too 😎👌 I think I'd find it difficult to compare to anything else as it's so unique (imo 😁)
What turns me on more than anything about the squier classic vibe starcasters is the headstock. Due to the fact that many people hate it is exactly why I loved it. It is an attention grabber for sure. The headstock is what makes a Starcaster a Starcaster. I look at the tom delonge and wonder "why didn't he just keep the head stock?" Sorry but to me looks wise, this is not a Starcaster despite what anyone may say.
Agreed! 😎👌I love the headstock too, but not because other people hate it 😂 It's just so different and quirky 😀👌 Also agree Re the Delonge, for me, they removed a lot of the most appealing features of the Starcaster. But they seem to be selling very well, so... what do I know 🤷♂️
Love my squier CV starcaster (I too thought the walnut was tasty looking, but was out of stock by the time i could afford it) and if I’m honest, I’d be more inclined to treat myself to the contemporary over the Tom delonge. I just hope that despite my preference for the squier - that this model sells well enough that they bring it back, I’d love a high end version - but these tom delonge one’s just don’t quite fit the bill for me
There's very little difference between the CV and the Fender modern player. Almost identical 😃👍 I have a feeling Fender might try to do a Gibson and offer a Squier Delonge Sig in future 🤔 I'd guess at around £500-£600
What makes the star caster great is that it’s a semi hollow with a fender neck which means straight string pull! It’s a semi hollow that’ll actually stay in tune! Amongst many other cool features too. Also I agree the headstock is awesome
Bought a gold one from Andertons on Friday last week (they're on offer at 299.00 English pounds with a free distortion pedal too). The build quality is very good but the one thing that's bugging me a little is that the acoustic response is VERY trebly - when you apply some vibrato you can hear the frets "grinding" (they're not rough it's just handling noise) - do you think it's the roasted maple neck (I've got a Reverend Baritone with a roasted maple neck and it doesn't do it: but it was over a thousand pounds). I'm going to use it for Drop B tuning on my website/RUclips channel so I'm hoping it will dampen the treble response down a bit with the lower tuning - any insights?
Is it the contemporary active Squier you got? Not sure what your issue could be and it's a bit tricky to compare it to mine as I've modded it quite heavily. Frets polished, Duesenberg Trem, Roller bridge, Pickups etc... Even though I don't subscribe to the tonewood concept too much. I do "think" Roasted maple can sound brighter, but I have nothing to back that up. It's also an all laminated maple bodt too, so that could add to the acoustic brightness too. Soz I couldn't be more help 😬🤷♂️
I am a huge SC fan, correct me if I am wrong, but is the neck angle compared to the body pretty huge? This puts my hands in a very natural position and I just plsy do effortlessly.
Me too mate! LOVE Starcasters! 😍👌 As for the neck angle, to be honest, I've never paid too much attention to it - Although maybe I should 😬🤷♂️ I'm just about to order a Squier Affinity Starcaster today too 😂🙈👍
@@stevecassidyguitar I think that the neck angle is a huge feature that's missed out, this is such a cool guitar design. The TOM bridge on the Affinity is also something I absolutely adore, I can mute strings very intricately, the neck is incredible, balance is perfect. As a Starcaster expert, would you have any thoughts/comments/info on the neck pickup placement? It's very strange to see a "24 fret" neck pickup position on a guitar that has 22 frets. However, sounds really nice, unusually... I am thinking to buy another one for backup, got a black one, wanna get a white one too. Looking forward to new vids on your channel man, I've become a Starcaster superfan. Cheers!
@@DragisaBoca Mate! It sounds like it's you who is the Starcaster expert! I never even noticed the neck pickup placement until now 😂🙈 That's probably because I generally don't play Humbucker Guitars (other than Starcasters... and HSS Strats 😜). The only possible consideration could be the Original Starcasters and the Fender re-issue have WRHB, which are larger and do position the top pole pieces "a bit" closer to the neck. With the affinities, they've probably used the same pickup spacing/layout template, but as standard humbuckers are smaller than WRHB's it takes the pole pieces further from the neck. Just a guess - could be wrong 🤷♂ But it would also make the neck pickup a bit brighter than normal - maybe that's why I prefer it 🤔 Thanks for watching mate 🙏
@@stevecassidyguitar haha, expert no but I'm a huge nerd as you can see... :D Either way I am in the same cult now, out of my 20+ electrics it's my fav by far, I wanna get a backup even.... Looking forward to more content, have a wonderful day!
Not into the millions of "signature" guitars these days. Just make a good one and I may buy it. Frankly, I've never been into the "guitar hero" stuff. The instrument, to me, remains the star. Squier and Epiphone have found that sucker born every minute with their rash of recent offerings. Fun video, Steve. The headstock literally kills the look - imo. Gimme 3 on a side for semi-hollows or the traditional fendery headstock.
Ha! Thank ya mate 🤓👍 I think I got em off either Ali Express or Temu (Can't remember which 😬). I've got a few pairs in a few different colours, but none of them have any lenses in them (It's a long story 😂🙈)
us starcaster fans must stick together, i think there's like ten of us... i have a classic vibe starcaster that i absolutely adore. i dreamed of it for about a year until one was finally mine. authentic WRHB from a boutique maker in the bridge and a phat cat P90 in the neck, both wired to 1meg pots, it makes for a pretty interesting combo that i can't get enough of. and yes the headstock is gorgeous you can't change my mind i admire blink and tom, and it's a cool guitar. plus the starcaster being released under the fender name again is pretty neat, but given it's made in the same factory as the squiers and it's about triple the price of the CV, it just doesn't feel right. not that i'd be able to afford one anyway lol but it's just something about it. i'm perfectly content with my own wacky starcaster :)
Awesome mate! 😎👌 Yours sounds very close to 2 of mine... I've got "Creamery" WRHB's in my Fender Starcaster. Hands down my favourite humbuckers ever (Coil splits too). and my Squier affinity Starcaster is off to the tech this morning to have an HB sized P90 in the neck (just a cheap one though). I've been trying to turn my Squier Starcaster into a Gretsch... check it oot! 😃 ruclips.net/video/jcB8vCr-vu0/видео.html For the Starcaster lovers... 😜
I picked mine up in white today! To me, it honestly sounds so much better than the ES 333 Gibson/Epiphone. Lighter, smaller, locking tuners, the pick up is amazing, and the QC from Fender is like 100%! I don't follow this guys channel, but even if @steevecassidyguitar is skeptic towards spending the money, I would say he should def try one out!
@@rizzofohshizzle380 Nice one mate - HNGD! 🥳 I'm glad to hear the QC is great 😃👍 If I get the chance to try one I will, but I'm not likely to buy one as I'm not a big fan of rosewood fretboards or single pickup guitars 😬 But I'm glad you're loving yours mate 😃👍
I'd have a starcaster but the headstock bothers me. I like the shape just not the size. If it was like 5% smaller but same proportions I'd love it. It's not much but just that tad bit to big and its all i can look at when i see one.😅
I have been thinking about the starcaster for a long long time. The white affinity starcaster does have black binding, as does the candy apple red one. I really dislike pale maple necks though. So I need to either spray paint the neck with amber nitro or find a different neck for it. Which costs a lotta money and makes me think about buying the cv version. So I'm always back and forthing 😂. This delonge version is way too expensive for me but I dig the neck. Rosewood isn't 'as designed' for starcasters but it looks better in my opinion 😊.
Probably the best thing to do is just grab whatever one you see first on a good deal 😜 I don't like the pale necks either 😏 The affinities do have binding but I don't think any of them have binding around the f holes 🤔 If it helps... The CV is pretty much the Fender with Squier on the headstock. Very little differences
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah thanks for that tip 🙂. I know they are more or less the same. The modern player series we're made in the grand reward factory just like the first series of classic vibes 🤓. I have a partscaster strat with a modern player neck. It's looks and feels exactly like the classic vibe I used to own. Anyway, thanks for this vid! Ive yet to make up my mind. I'm leaning towards the white affinity but that's sold out here in the Netherlands. The natural classic vibe is so freakin beautiful though 😅. See here I go again
I’m a blink fan and wouldn’t mind picking up the new Fender TD Starcaster. However I have the Squier Contemporary Active in the gold finish which I absolutely ADORE. So I’m kinda on the fence, I think the Squier Contemporary would still be my most played guitar, but I think I want the Fender one more for collectibility. Great vid btw!
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 I got to admit, the gold on the SQ Cont Actv looks waaaay better than the gold on the new TD 😎👌 I was torn between that one and the gun metal. I'm curious though - what do you think of the pricing? Most people complaining about the price are not blink fans, so i get it that the price seems rediculous to them. How do you see it being a blink fan? Does £1k sound about right? I mean it is a Fender signature 🤷♂️
@@stevecassidyguitar Oh definitely! I'll be honest, I've not seen the TD starcaster in person, but the gold finish doesn't look the same as the one on Squier Contemporary. I might be wrong, but the gold, gun metal and metallic blue all have a bit of sparkle to them which makes it stand out, and was why I ultimately went contemporary over the affinity and classic vibe options. Pricing - it's a weird one. I guess you're paying for the Fender name and that it's a signature model more than anything. But it sounds like since the pandemic, the QC at Fender can be a bit hit and miss - sounded like that effected the TD starcaster rerelease. I like the treble bleed circuit and I'm glad it comes with locking tuners, and I think if it was around the £700 mark I'd go for it. I think at the price it's going for I'd probably save myself a few hundred £ on a Fender FSR range with the custom shop pick ups, or wait for one of the TD starcasters to hit the used market.
@@stevecassidyguitar I think another thing to consider is that your average Blink 182 fan is probably 30-40 years old and probably in a better position to pay the retail on one. His previous signatures had a squier and epiphone version, but the strat reissue and the starcaster don't have that available. Which I think is pretty interesting.
@@robbdavis9889 Nice one mate - thank ya for your insight 😎👍 Good point Re the Pandemic. My Squier Starcaster came out of the same factory at the height of the pandemic - It was 3rd time lucky, I had to return the first 2 😬
The first time I saw a Starcaster was at our yearly Stock Show when I was about 12 or 13 I tried to win it for the next 5 years. I just thought it was cool. I never did get one. I remember that one and I do like that head stock it's very unique. I think Ibanez copied that headstock at one point.
Yes indeed mate - well spotted 😃👍 I think it was either the Ibanez Blazer or Roadstar (maybe both) almost identical shape but a little bit smaller iirc
Ha! Great point 🙈👍 I think that's pretty much the reason the Starcaster exists. Was Fenders failed attempt to rival the 335 in... 76 I think 🤔 maybe 78
Not anymore. There was a time straight after Brexit for a few months where we had to pay duties/taxes etc, but then Thomann, worked out some sort of deal and everything is back to normal now 😀👍
Ah yeah good shout! - They seem to be highly praised across the board 😀👍 Always wanted to try one, but the lack of maple board always put me off pulling the trigger
Just want one more pickup. I like the roasted maple neck and the satin finish, but the pricing and like of a neck pickup just doesn't do it for me. I also don't like how they changed the headstock too. Nice video sir!
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 I could never make do with a single pickup... I need as many tricks as possible to mask my lack of ability 😂 But yeah this one at this price in every other parallel universe is outrageous. But in this Universe this is pretty much the new normal for Fender pricing 😬
Starcasters in general yes please, the TD signature I'll leave. If the quality is on point it seems more or less fine for the price factoring in the artist price tag. If I was spending more than Squier prices I would want closer to vintage spec -CuNiFe pickups and/or the original hard tail bridge
Can't argue with that 😎👍 I remeber when I got my Fender Starcaster in Oct 2013 - (I'm told it was one of the first in the UK 🤷♂️ long story) it was £611 brand new. Although I do love the look of the original 70's Starcaster bridge, I think the TOM is a simpler design and a bit of an improvement 😬
@stevecassidyguitar I might have to settle with the sunburst. I don't mind it. It's just that my jazzmaster is sunburst. I sanded the gloss off though. Like it better.
Hi Steve, keep up the entertaining reviews, very informative! If it's possible any chance you can get hold of the new Cort g250 se for a demo. The quality of these are ridiculously good for not alot of money! I've been buying guitars for over 40years, strats, Gibsons, prs etc and this model is definitely in the same league! Check out the specs, , alnico V singles, alnico 2 humbucker, roasted neck, great fret finish coil tap etc for about £250. I'm pretty fussy and these tick all the boxes for me! If you get one you'll want to keep it! Cheers, Stephen, Stirling
I don't have any interest in the Delonge Starcaster, other than it's a Starcaster 😜 But rosewood fretboard is a dealbreaker for me. Maple board on a Semi is the whole point of the startcaster in my eyes 😁👌 The Strat Starcaster was like "the catalogue Squier strat" innit? 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar lol so true, the rosewood would un do it for me too. The Fender stratocaster starcaster is a really strange beast. They had 12 in radius, some really high grade necks in 05 and 06., full thickness body and some had 22 frets. I found the arrowhead to be my favorite but they were always a mystery. Some were like semi-hollowbody with all the fake pre formed glue infused particleboard and others were nice 2 tone burst. I loved them and sold many after modding. A few of the necks were nearly as hard as a rock and they had slab fretboards. I kept the 3 flame neck one with the particleboard body and added a Tom DeLong style fender backed red pickguard and humbucker pickup. The rosewood fretboard is and neck fit so well in my hand. I finished it with danish oil and my own varnish that is partially mixed with polyurethane that gave a silky-smooth feeling and look. The Birdseye Maple and flames are what make this guitar so amazing. Lol I gave the other last one to a friend. It had a Maple fretboard (unfinished) that showed the use over time with smudges. Just wow on these finds. They're mostly taken up now. I enjoyed the ride of nearly 40 guitar's in less than a year and a half.
Hey Steve, how are you mate? Catching up on a lot of stuff i missed, while i was absent. I was asked by a drummer i know, to join his band. Although he was casual about it, you know, get to know each other, see if we all vibe blah blah....3 days before we meet he sends me an e-mail: "bring a guitar, here is a list of songs. You should be able to play this, this and this...."! I have never played in a band, so i am feeling a bit anxious right now and it's not helping that my arthritis is burning in both hands at the moment. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.....have a great week!👊🏼🎸🤘🏼🎸
Yeesh! All good mate - sounds like a busy week for ya! If you really want to join the band, then I'd put in the extra effort, but don't do yourself any damage mate! health first - always! 😃👍 It's easy for people to say "don't worry about it" but really - try not to 😂👍 It's music, it's supposed to be fun! The better you know the material the less anxious you'll be. Being anxious isn't all bad, that's just a sign you care 😉 Also... 70% of the job is personality and reliability - you'll do great mate! Good luck 😃👍
You're spot on mate 😎👍 The more I've been reading the comments and thinking about it today. It's actually a really smart move from Fender (I'm not a fan of the company). But they're clearly making it on the cheap, labour will be cheap, laminated maple won't be expensive. But they're throwing a sig name on it, giving you a decent brand pickup and some locking tuners and charging like... £1k. Which seems mental. But this signature FENDER, is still cheaper than most of the Signature Epiphones. This is unfortunatley the reality of 2024 🙈
Yeah I get exactly what you're saying. But that name on the headstock is everything to a lot of people. That's probably why they're sold out a lot of places already - I have no idea who's buying em 🤷♂️ To be fair to Fender (I'm not a fan of the company) They could have tried thier luck and just had Squier on the headstock and sell it for the same price - This model seems to working for Gibson/Epiphone in 2024 🤯
@@stevecassidyguitar No arguments. I got over brand envy a long time ago, my favorite Tele has a Squier neck a pine 9 piece body I picked up from some random guy on RUclips that made it. Can’t say I’m a fan of Epiphone’s new marketing tactics. Love those new Firebird 1’s, but I’m not paying $1300 for one. My sub $700 Epi’s I’ve bought over the last couple of years do just fine.
Love the maple board, but all maple body is too heavy for old me. Been not buying 1 for years but, ya bas*ard, now I gotta have an Affinity to romp on, maple, maple, maple....
Great vid, you are such a tube influencer and now I really want one. But not the one "shooting" starcaster that'll be gone in the "blink" of an eye, did you see what I did there? 🌠
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah I've got the new pristine ltd and a old electrmatic took pick guard off put Steve Jones stickers on and it looks like his Gibson lol
Love the Starcaster design, keep waiting to find the perfect one. Like having a roasted maple neck but want the correct headstock, two cunife widerange pickups and an f-hole…love the cherry red affinity, the walnut classic vibes and the sunburst classic vibes. I just have to decide which one to get to mod it! But a top level Harley Benton would be awesome! If I ever got a Tom Delong I’d trade away the neck for an active Squier neck…can’t believe they got rid of the coolest headstock ever! Well I can because I never cared at all for Blink-182. Hey Squier, put out a Starcaster on your next round of Paranormals! Or a Coronado! Maybe in a new sort of Wildwood-esque colors, since the Antigua colors just came back! But do something fun with the pickups like out of phase, series/parallel. I want a sparkly purple like those discontinued Fender Lead III! Maybe a Gretsch like sparkle jet starcaster that is silver, gold and purple sparkle? One of my favorite Gretsches are the corvettes/cvt models. I hope Gretsch does a new run of them soon too, such a great model with 60s cool and upper fret access. I like the Princess colors and the gold and silver Dukes as well as the single pickup 60’s versions. Too bad everyone thinks of PRS when they see a corvette now! And HiLo pickups…it’s the Gretsch take on a SG Junior!
Wow mate! Loadsa cool suggestions here! Paranormal is a great shout! 😎👌 I'm also very much into Gretsch Guitars right now, and recently same across the Amethyst finish 🤩 Squier Amethyst Starcaster for me please 😁🙏
It’s a nice guitar, but it costs WAY TOO MUCH for an Indonesian guitar, the squires from the saaame factory are $400, if you ad the S Duncan, it doesn’t take you to $$1299!
I know right!?!? 😂🙈 But they have been super crafty here and have put Fender on the headstock. That alone is clearly worth something to a lot of people, then you add on the Tom Delonge sig... 🤷♂️ They seem to be sold out a lot of places already too! I'm surprised they didn't follow the current Gibson/Epi model and just have Squier on the headstock and see if they could get away with selling it for the same price 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar that will happen in about 6 months, fender isn’t stupid, they will wait until the people on the fence either by the big F Tom DeLong version, and then squire will probably drop a version with in-house Humbar and different colors… Which will sell like hotcakes. Also, I think the secondary market in places like China or guitars, they sell on AliExpress and Amazonetc. will have a similar model for people to mod coming quickly
@@stevecassidyguitar squire mod will def come out shortly, in-house shit humbucker and squire headstock, hopefully satin neck, about $700, maybe that’s the plan, ro follow the Gibson model
I’m interested in getting a semi hollow type , been thinking of the Harley Benton hb35 and 35 plus ( the plus has coil splits ) although I’m currently looking at a used gretsch streamliner which is very nice , and an Epiphone casino ( worn look) unfortunately that’s sold now, so missed out 😂,, great video Steve 👍👍🤠🎸
Cheers Chuck! 😃🙏 I gotta admit, I've got a soft spot for Gretsch guitars these days and love the look of the streamliners 😎👌 HB35 and plus both great for the cash too. Decisions decisions 🤔
@@stevecassidyguitar the gretsch is 300 notes used but it’s in fireburst red , looks really nice, but I really like the gunmetal blue HB 35 plus too ,, my head hurts , I need a lie down 😂😂
@@c.h.fieldsports9876 Best o luck with that mate 🙈 The Gretsch I currently have is in FireBird red. I'm selling it soon because I don't love the colour 🙈
Specs only get reviews so far, I would suggest playing one if you want to do a review that has some more credibility to it (not meant to sound rude btw)
Not taken as rude at all mate - you're completely right 😀👍 Apologies if it came off as a review, was more of a comparison to the other starcasters available. As... I love em 😀
@@stevecassidyguitar no that's fair, I think I misinterpreted your intention. One cool thing about this guitar (although I think their are many cool things!) is it might bring more attention to the Starcaster model so maybe some of the discontinued ones will make a comeback and start being produced again. But I would recommend giving it a play. I bought one and it might be my new favorite guitar, plays incredible.
Squier all the way n mod the hell out of it :) Not a fan of Tom theshlong anyway, but his geetars seem a true rip off in a lot of ways. As always sir you deliver these vids so well in such an entertaining way :) Top job as ever sir, hope alls well your end :)
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 100% Agree Re modding a Squier 😎👌 I'm not a Blink182 fan either. I don' t dislike them, but I'd never go out of my way to listen to them, or intentionally chose to listen to em 🤷♂️. Maybe it's a good deal if you're a die hard fan, although I'm struggling to get my head round that
@@stevecassidyguitar modding is the way forward 😈 it makes em your own :) Think it's aimed at the die hard fans and collectors with that price. It's a far lesser guitar for a lot more money but to each their own :) Still cant understand why he'd change the headstock though. The original is really cool :)
@@AnimalJohn85 Turns out a lot of people don't like the headstock 😂. But yeah, I've never seen the appeal of any signature guitars. But modding is a like a wee loop hole, closest thing ya can get to having yer own sig 😜👍
@@stevecassidyguitar the headstock makes it very unique :) Moddings a propper rabbit hole, so much fun n many cool ideas to be had :) We need the Steve Cassidy Jet signature 😈
@@AnimalJohn85 Ha! Funny you should mention I've been thinking about changing the Humbucker in the Jet. But like you say, best thing about modding, it can be an ongoing process 😁👍
Pandering to Delonge's ego deprives his signature guitars of the full functionality and versatility of a Tone Knob. Not very useful with vintage circuit Fuzz boxes, Treble Boosters, etc...
It's a Nay for me, i never buy guitars with a satin finish or with only 1 pickup and if they are made in China, chances are you will receive a bad sample. F holes belong on a Violin, not a Guitar! Sorry Steve, they are not my sort of guitar, even if they have a Rosewood fretboard it will not be a slim wide radius one. Hope you are keeping well.🙂👍💓
All good here barbara - thank ya - I hope you're keeping well too 😃👍 I'm not much of a believer in country of manufacture being a factor on quality these days. There's good and bad everywhere, seems Gibson and Fender USA struggle as much as anywhere else to get it right in 2024 🙈 My Squier Starcaster (12" radius 😁) was actually 3rd time lucky - I had to return the first 2. They're made in Indonesia, but I think the reason for the shoddyness was the timing, it was the height of the pandemic 🙈
@@stevecassidyguitar Buying a new guitar is always a risk, price, brand and country of manufacture make little difference. The only country that i have yet to see a bad sample from is Japan, but i am sure that some have not been 100% perfect. The used market is now awash with all those guitars bought in the pandemic and now sellers are desperate for the cash, but it will take years for the used market to recover. The two guys that run GuitarGuitar's pre-owned department told me they have never taken in so many and are now having to reduce prices to attract buyers, which means lower trade-in offers. We live in interesting times, great if you are looking for a bargain.
@@Barbarapape Actually - that's a great point Re MIJ Guitars, they could well be an exception 😀👍 But to be fair I don't think I've had my hands on too many. 🤔 Thanks for the hot tip Re GuitarGuitar - I'm off to peruse thier used section now! 🙈👍
@@stevecassidyguitar Good luck with GuitarGuitar, if you register with them you get to see the new arrivals before anyone else. As a rough guide they double the price they give you to reach a selling price, but at least each one has new strings and a full setup with 12 months warranty, you won't get that from other sellers.
Ridiculous...isnt it? Made in the pretty decent Indonesia Cort factory...alongside all the Classic Vibes and Affinitys. So...how can they justify A GRAND?!?! Its absolutely hilarious bonkers! Same thing as all those daft 1200 quid plus Joe B Epiphones... I mean...come on! Is ANYONE fooled by this "signature guitar" nonsense??? 🙄
Apparently yes! Many places sold out already! 😂🙈 I don't know who's buying em 🤷♂️ The more I've been reading the comments and thinking about it today. It's actually a really smart move from Fender (I'm not a fan of the company). But they're clearly making it on the cheap, labour will be cheap, laminated maple won't be expensive. But they're throwing a sig name on it, giving you a decent brand pickup and some locking tuners and charging like... £1k. Which seems mental. But you're right... This signature FENDER, is still cheaper than most of the Signature Epiphones. This is the reality 2024 🙈
Oh... I see! 😮 Sorry about that.... I have no idea what's going on there. I'm away from the PC at the moment..Will have to check it when I get back home. Apologies in advance if it turns out it's something I've done 🙈
What's your thoughts on Starcasters? Yay or Nay? 🫳⌨⬇
Apologies for my inconsistant pronunciation of "Delonge" 🙈
Starcasters are cool and this one is expensive for a very limited optioned guitar.
Did you know this dude wears those glasses because he doesn't want people to recognize him from all those porn movies he did in the early 2000's
@@gringogreen4719 Agreed 😎👍
Is there even anyone who knows how to pronounce "Delonge?"
@@tostrmofo6686 😂 Well it's certainly not me 🙈
I interchanged 2 versions - just in case 😆👍
I’m probably one of the people looking forward to a TD Starcaster. I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard Blink fan. But I have some things I like with his signature Starcaster that check boxes for me.
- I never use neck pickups
- I like the simplicity of one volume
- I do not personally like the Starcaster headstock
I did try to look at having a company like Warmoth build a body and neck. If they build it the way that I want it, and paint it, it’s going to be just as much as the Fender offering.
I did look at getting an Affinity Starcaster and modifying it. It’s definitely cheaper. But I don’t have the energy to do the mods myself
That all checks out and totally makes sense mate 😃👍
I remember considering a Warmoth build before too - many years ago, i think they called it the "mooncaster" or something 🤷♂️. Unfortunately Warmoth isn't that attractive of a deal in the UK after shipping, taxes and customs :(
But if you don't have to pay that then I definitely see the appeal - Sounds Grrrrreeeat! 🐯👍
Where it’s made is no longer an issue, but making it in the same factory, fitting one pickup and charging so much more for it is insane.
Can't argue with that logic mate 😎👍
TD has to get a slice too tho. I wonder how much it is 🤔
I'm actually surprised Fender didn't follow the current Epiphone sig series business model, and just chuck "Squier" on the headstock and charge the same price anyway 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar this is the point where we sit and imagine how the conversations go in the boardrooms.
I can imagine the Gibson board room to be like the shady government alien collaborators from the X Files
@@AVM-Music I can picture it now!😂👌
@@stevecassidyguitar you’re welcome 🎩
I have a Classic Vibe in natural. Excellent guitar and my go to out of my current 10 guitars.
Nice on mate! Absolutely killer guitars, and the Natural finish looks super classy 😎👌
You should get a third Starcaster and put alcohol adverts on it with a bottle opener and call it a "Bar-caster"...🍻🤔👍😉
🤣😂👌 Nice one - Always need an excuse to get another Starcaster 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar
Steve, always happy to help!🤣
I'm mainly a Tele guy and I have five T style guitars (Partscaster, Squiers, IYV thinlines) and I have have five Strat shaped guitars (Partscaster, Xaviere, Samick Malibu*, Cheapos) and I am not a huge Strat guy (it's nice how much choice there is). I have three hollow bodies (Ibanez Artcore AFS75T & modified Artcore AK86T (on my pic, it has Gretschbucker pickups and the Ibanez Vintage Vibrato and Roller Bridge (not standard on that model) and.a Gretsch Electromatic with TV Jones.
When you find a style of guitar you like you stick with it. I'm such a fan of Telecasters I have a line of guitars that have the Tele formula (two pickups, master volume, master tone, three way switch) and I have three of those (Charvel Desolation DC-2, Ltd Viper 400 modified, Schecter S-1 Elite (it does have separate volume for each pickup but it has more Telecaster vibes than an SG or a PRS).
*The Samick Malibu is in-between a Strat sized and a Duo Sonic, the jack is on the side of the body and the headstock is a 3x3 design. That said I modded mine SOOOO MUCH that it is it's own deal (look up Llamawreckingkrew on Reddit (I'm band from it but my guitars are still on there). It's a fun guitar.
@@gringogreen4719 This all sounds super cool mate - But I think I'm more interested in the story of how you got banned from that group 😂 Soz 🙈
@@stevecassidyguitar
Banned from the site. I said something along the lines of the Boomers made sure Xellinials (I'm one) are not going to have a retirement system (Pensions, 401ks, investments, etc...) for us the way the Greatest Generation and the older Boomers have it. I said it in much simpler and blunt terms.
The issues I had on Reddit is that Moderators are doing a half-assed job and don't understand nuance. They are probably overwhelmed by volume but when they jab you it's harsh. That said Reddit became a counterproductive time suck and it ended up feeling the worse parts of the Internet where when I was in MySpace back in 2006 was the better part of the Internet (I have a bias, I can admit that) . It was ok on Reddit but there is definitely a tipping point where it goes from "cool" to "uh oh" but you have all this time and effort invested in it that you can't stop even though you jumped the shark. 🦈
On certain things (for me it was pedal boards) comparison can definitely be a killer of happiness or contentment and I have three pretty cool (my OG board from the early 2000s, a cool budget board on a skateboard deck and a very well thought out premium board that has everything from Standard pedals to Boutique with lots in-between, with it costing about $2500ish). I saw boards that cost more than the guitar and amp combined (I sent a pic of one to my Luthier buddy and he told me that it was a processor and not really a pedal board anymore) and while I still love my boards (if you get a buch if new pedals or change the main way you sound I advocate for a new board as you can shoot it out against your own sound and you can see if you are spending too much to essentially get something that your old board can do, foe me I discovered that my Main Board can do Shoegaze, Dream Pop (added Walrus Audio Slo), and Doom Metal (added a Ibanez mini Tubescreamer ahead of my modded Rat and Big Muff) if I just added two more pedals (11 to 13) and rearranged what I already had (the Slo and switch placement of my Danelectro pedals gave me more Shoegaze and Dream Pop options). I saved easy $2500 trying to put together a purpose built Shoegaze and Dream Pop board as well as a Doom Metal/Doomgaze board as well (yeah, they were going to be lots of Boutique pedals). So I ended up happier with Main board (It still does all my Punk, Psychobilly, Ska, Alt Country, Oi, Surf, and Indie Rock but with the new subgenres added) but comparison to other people's boards can make you feel... lacking or less than you did. Also a great setup amp, pedals, and guitar wise doesn't mean your playing is all that great.
You wanted a story, so there you go.😋
Has anyone tried carving out a hole and putting a neck pickup in this one? Other than the goofy one pickup, this should be among the best Starcasters ever made, given the price and look.
I'm sure someone will try that mod soon if it's not already been done.
You might like the new Squier affinity Starcasters. There's a white one and a cherry sunburst one. Has 2 humbuckers and a very similar neck to the Tom Delonge -laurel fretboard and the same headstock shape
I wouldn't buy one. I'm more of a Epiphone Casino, Ibanez Artcore, ES-175 (I don't care who makes them), and Gretsch 6120 guitars for hollow bodies. Epiphone Sheratons for semi hollow bodies.
That's fair enough mate - Different strokes for different folks innit 😃👍
Made in the same factory as the Squier, but with one pickup less and a 'simplified' headstock... £1000+ ?!?!..... Fender really are brazen with their profiteering. Should have been 750 tops.
Spot on
well yeha, thats how capitalism works, companies try and make as much profit as they can, as they have no regulation, and people are willing to pay that much (the market price)
It's because it has the name of a popular artist attached to it. All artist signature models are way more expensive than they should be, it's not exclusively a Fender thing. (Gibson is even worse than Fender is, because their guitars are already priced way too high for what you're getting)
İts cuz the only machine that has the starcaster Molds are in indonesia
@@Hey-Its-Dingo In Gibson's defense, they need to pay their workers US wages. Then again, some of their employees aren't even making a living wage for the place they work and live in. But they should absolutely at least have much better QC for the money. I'm not a fan of Gibson, but mostly because their guitars aren't for me. They're not the sound of the feel I'm looking for.
I agree 100%! Personally, I love the Modern Starcaster. I’m a huge Blink fan, but the asking price is steep for what this guitar offers. The modern Squire offers more value. Overall, Starcasters are cool. I’d love to hear some comparisons vs. hollow bodies from a certain other major brand.
Woohoo! Glad to hear that Marsha - Me too, I love the Modern Player Starcaster too 😎👌
I think I'd find it difficult to compare to anything else as it's so unique (imo 😁)
As one of the few starcaster players out there you opinion is highly valued
Ha! Yeah I think it's just me and some guy called Tom 🤷♂
😜😂
What turns me on more than anything about the squier classic vibe starcasters is the headstock. Due to the fact that many people hate it is exactly why I loved it. It is an attention grabber for sure. The headstock is what makes a Starcaster a Starcaster. I look at the tom delonge and wonder "why didn't he just keep the head stock?" Sorry but to me looks wise, this is not a Starcaster despite what anyone may say.
Agreed! 😎👌I love the headstock too, but not because other people hate it 😂 It's just so different and quirky 😀👌
Also agree Re the Delonge, for me, they removed a lot of the most appealing features of the Starcaster. But they seem to be selling very well, so... what do I know 🤷♂️
hell yeah, another starcaster fan
Woop Woop!! 😃🥳🙌
Love my squier CV starcaster (I too thought the walnut was tasty looking, but was out of stock by the time i could afford it) and if I’m honest, I’d be more inclined to treat myself to the contemporary over the Tom delonge.
I just hope that despite my preference for the squier - that this model sells well enough that they bring it back, I’d love a high end version - but these tom delonge one’s just don’t quite fit the bill for me
There's very little difference between the CV and the Fender modern player. Almost identical 😃👍
I have a feeling Fender might try to do a Gibson and offer a Squier Delonge Sig in future 🤔
I'd guess at around £500-£600
What makes the star caster great is that it’s a semi hollow with a fender neck which means straight string pull! It’s a semi hollow that’ll actually stay in tune! Amongst many other cool features too. Also I agree the headstock is awesome
Great point I failed to mention - well done sir! 😃👌
Bought a gold one from Andertons on Friday last week (they're on offer at 299.00 English pounds with a free distortion pedal too). The build quality is very good but the one thing that's bugging me a little is that the acoustic response is VERY trebly - when you apply some vibrato you can hear the frets "grinding" (they're not rough it's just handling noise) - do you think it's the roasted maple neck (I've got a Reverend Baritone with a roasted maple neck and it doesn't do it: but it was over a thousand pounds). I'm going to use it for Drop B tuning on my website/RUclips channel so I'm hoping it will dampen the treble response down a bit with the lower tuning - any insights?
Is it the contemporary active Squier you got?
Not sure what your issue could be and it's a bit tricky to compare it to mine as I've modded it quite heavily.
Frets polished, Duesenberg Trem, Roller bridge, Pickups etc...
Even though I don't subscribe to the tonewood concept too much. I do "think" Roasted maple can sound brighter, but I have nothing to back that up. It's also an all laminated maple bodt too, so that could add to the acoustic brightness too.
Soz I couldn't be more help 😬🤷♂️
I am a huge SC fan, correct me if I am wrong, but is the neck angle compared to the body pretty huge? This puts my hands in a very natural position and I just plsy do effortlessly.
Me too mate! LOVE Starcasters! 😍👌
As for the neck angle, to be honest, I've never paid too much attention to it - Although maybe I should 😬🤷♂️
I'm just about to order a Squier Affinity Starcaster today too 😂🙈👍
@@stevecassidyguitar I think that the neck angle is a huge feature that's missed out, this is such a cool guitar design.
The TOM bridge on the Affinity is also something I absolutely adore, I can mute strings very intricately, the neck is incredible, balance is perfect.
As a Starcaster expert, would you have any thoughts/comments/info on the neck pickup placement?
It's very strange to see a "24 fret" neck pickup position on a guitar that has 22 frets.
However, sounds really nice, unusually...
I am thinking to buy another one for backup, got a black one, wanna get a white one too.
Looking forward to new vids on your channel man, I've become a Starcaster superfan. Cheers!
@@DragisaBoca Mate! It sounds like it's you who is the Starcaster expert! I never even noticed the neck pickup placement until now 😂🙈
That's probably because I generally don't play Humbucker Guitars (other than Starcasters... and HSS Strats 😜).
The only possible consideration could be the Original Starcasters and the Fender re-issue have WRHB, which are larger and do position the top pole pieces "a bit" closer to the neck. With the affinities, they've probably used the same pickup spacing/layout template, but as standard humbuckers are smaller than WRHB's it takes the pole pieces further from the neck.
Just a guess - could be wrong 🤷♂
But it would also make the neck pickup a bit brighter than normal - maybe that's why I prefer it 🤔
Thanks for watching mate 🙏
@@stevecassidyguitar haha, expert no but I'm a huge nerd as you can see... :D
Either way I am in the same cult now, out of my 20+ electrics it's my fav by far, I wanna get a backup even....
Looking forward to more content, have a wonderful day!
Not into the millions of "signature" guitars these days. Just make a good one and I may buy it. Frankly, I've never been into the "guitar hero" stuff. The instrument, to me, remains the star. Squier and Epiphone have found that sucker born every minute with their rash of recent offerings. Fun video, Steve. The headstock literally kills the look - imo. Gimme 3 on a side for semi-hollows or the traditional fendery headstock.
Thank ya mate! 😃🙏 and... very well said sir. I've also never felt the appeal of signature guitars 🤷♂️
Holy hell where do I get those glasses!?!?!? Great content as usual, but damn those glasses stole the show!
Ha! Thank ya mate 🤓👍 I think I got em off either Ali Express or Temu (Can't remember which 😬).
I've got a few pairs in a few different colours, but none of them have any lenses in them (It's a long story 😂🙈)
us starcaster fans must stick together, i think there's like ten of us...
i have a classic vibe starcaster that i absolutely adore. i dreamed of it for about a year until one was finally mine. authentic WRHB from a boutique maker in the bridge and a phat cat P90 in the neck, both wired to 1meg pots, it makes for a pretty interesting combo that i can't get enough of. and yes the headstock is gorgeous you can't change my mind
i admire blink and tom, and it's a cool guitar. plus the starcaster being released under the fender name again is pretty neat, but given it's made in the same factory as the squiers and it's about triple the price of the CV, it just doesn't feel right. not that i'd be able to afford one anyway lol but it's just something about it. i'm perfectly content with my own wacky starcaster :)
Awesome mate! 😎👌 Yours sounds very close to 2 of mine... I've got "Creamery" WRHB's in my Fender Starcaster. Hands down my favourite humbuckers ever (Coil splits too).
and my Squier affinity Starcaster is off to the tech this morning to have an HB sized P90 in the neck (just a cheap one though). I've been trying to turn my Squier Starcaster into a Gretsch... check it oot! 😃
ruclips.net/video/jcB8vCr-vu0/видео.html
For the Starcaster lovers... 😜
@@stevecassidyguitar sounds like mine combines and gets the best of the both of yours! and i look forward to the final starliner product :)
For me not having the clog headstock is an improvement to the StarCaster
Ha! It's most certainly a divisive one 😂👍
I love the Starcaster but the maple neck for me it’s a No-Go. In the other hand I’m not brave enough to mod it in 2 pus
Well if you're very wealthy... You could Buy a Delonge for the neck and put it on the Starcaster body of your choice! 😜
If they're compatible 🤷♂️
The TD Starcaster is honestly a great guitar. I got the shell pink one, and it’s been a surprise in a good way, SUPER solid and feels amazing.
I'm glad to hear it's good quality! 😅👍
This was my main concern.
Congrats on yer new guitar mate 😃👍
I picked mine up in white today! To me, it honestly sounds so much better than the ES 333 Gibson/Epiphone. Lighter, smaller, locking tuners, the pick up is amazing, and the QC from Fender is like 100%!
I don't follow this guys channel, but even if @steevecassidyguitar is skeptic towards spending the money, I would say he should def try one out!
@@rizzofohshizzle380 Nice one mate - HNGD! 🥳
I'm glad to hear the QC is great 😃👍
If I get the chance to try one I will, but I'm not likely to buy one as I'm not a big fan of rosewood fretboards or single pickup guitars 😬
But I'm glad you're loving yours mate 😃👍
@@stevecassidyguitar thank you. I appreciate it!
Some great points well made. Interesting bonus vid our chap 👍
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 Mon the bandwagons! 😂🙈
I couldn't have the whole of GuitarTube talking about Starcasters and keep ma pus shut 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar aye, a signature starcaster is very much on brand for the ol' Stevie C channel 👍
@@BudgetPedalChap Fanks mate 🤓👍
I'd have a starcaster but the headstock bothers me. I like the shape just not the size. If it was like 5% smaller but same proportions I'd love it. It's not much but just that tad bit to big and its all i can look at when i see one.😅
I get ya mate - it's one of the most divisive 😁
How about the Delonge headstock? Does that work for ya?
I have been thinking about the starcaster for a long long time. The white affinity starcaster does have black binding, as does the candy apple red one. I really dislike pale maple necks though. So I need to either spray paint the neck with amber nitro or find a different neck for it. Which costs a lotta money and makes me think about buying the cv version. So I'm always back and forthing 😂. This delonge version is way too expensive for me but I dig the neck. Rosewood isn't 'as designed' for starcasters but it looks better in my opinion 😊.
Probably the best thing to do is just grab whatever one you see first on a good deal 😜
I don't like the pale necks either 😏
The affinities do have binding but I don't think any of them have binding around the f holes 🤔
If it helps... The CV is pretty much the Fender with Squier on the headstock. Very little differences
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah thanks for that tip 🙂. I know they are more or less the same. The modern player series we're made in the grand reward factory just like the first series of classic vibes 🤓. I have a partscaster strat with a modern player neck. It's looks and feels exactly like the classic vibe I used to own.
Anyway, thanks for this vid! Ive yet to make up my mind. I'm leaning towards the white affinity but that's sold out here in the Netherlands. The natural classic vibe is so freakin beautiful though 😅. See here I go again
@@eertje01 Best of luck to ya mate 😂👍
Would love a starcaster with jazzmaster pickups and trem
Ooooh!!! That sounds intriguing 😃
Please build it! 😁🙏
I’m a blink fan and wouldn’t mind picking up the new Fender TD Starcaster. However I have the Squier Contemporary Active in the gold finish which I absolutely ADORE. So I’m kinda on the fence, I think the Squier Contemporary would still be my most played guitar, but I think I want the Fender one more for collectibility.
Great vid btw!
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 I got to admit, the gold on the SQ Cont Actv looks waaaay better than the gold on the new TD 😎👌 I was torn between that one and the gun metal.
I'm curious though - what do you think of the pricing? Most people complaining about the price are not blink fans, so i get it that the price seems rediculous to them. How do you see it being a blink fan? Does £1k sound about right? I mean it is a Fender signature 🤷♂️
@@stevecassidyguitar Oh definitely! I'll be honest, I've not seen the TD starcaster in person, but the gold finish doesn't look the same as the one on Squier Contemporary. I might be wrong, but the gold, gun metal and metallic blue all have a bit of sparkle to them which makes it stand out, and was why I ultimately went contemporary over the affinity and classic vibe options.
Pricing - it's a weird one. I guess you're paying for the Fender name and that it's a signature model more than anything. But it sounds like since the pandemic, the QC at Fender can be a bit hit and miss - sounded like that effected the TD starcaster rerelease. I like the treble bleed circuit and I'm glad it comes with locking tuners, and I think if it was around the £700 mark I'd go for it.
I think at the price it's going for I'd probably save myself a few hundred £ on a Fender FSR range with the custom shop pick ups, or wait for one of the TD starcasters to hit the used market.
@@stevecassidyguitar I think another thing to consider is that your average Blink 182 fan is probably 30-40 years old and probably in a better position to pay the retail on one.
His previous signatures had a squier and epiphone version, but the strat reissue and the starcaster don't have that available. Which I think is pretty interesting.
@@robbdavis9889 Nice one mate - thank ya for your insight 😎👍
Good point Re the Pandemic. My Squier Starcaster came out of the same factory at the height of the pandemic - It was 3rd time lucky, I had to return the first 2 😬
@@robbdavis9889 Yes indeed mate - I mentioned that in the vid about the age of the original blink fans - I think those will be the most likely buyers
The first time I saw a Starcaster was at our yearly Stock Show when I was about 12 or 13 I tried to win it for the next 5 years. I just thought it was cool. I never did get one. I remember that one and I do like that head stock it's very unique. I think Ibanez copied that headstock at one point.
Yes indeed mate - well spotted 😃👍 I think it was either the Ibanez Blazer or Roadstar (maybe both) almost identical shape but a little bit smaller iirc
If I didn't have a 335, then maybe.
Ha! Great point 🙈👍
I think that's pretty much the reason the Starcaster exists. Was Fenders failed attempt to rival the 335 in... 76 I think 🤔 maybe 78
Isn't Harley Benton difficult to get in the UK now, due to Brexit issues?
Not anymore. There was a time straight after Brexit for a few months where we had to pay duties/taxes etc, but then Thomann, worked out some sort of deal and everything is back to normal now 😀👍
$1500 for an Indonesian guitar love blink but this guitar is not justified , should be around $500
"....But it's a Fender" 🤷♂️
😜
But yeah... I'm with ya mate 👍
i also like the Jim Adkins tele
Ah yeah good shout! - They seem to be highly praised across the board 😀👍
Always wanted to try one, but the lack of maple board always put me off pulling the trigger
Just want one more pickup. I like the roasted maple neck and the satin finish, but the pricing and like of a neck pickup just doesn't do it for me. I also don't like how they changed the headstock too. Nice video sir!
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏
I could never make do with a single pickup... I need as many tricks as possible to mask my lack of ability 😂
But yeah this one at this price in every other parallel universe is outrageous. But in this Universe this is pretty much the new normal for Fender pricing 😬
Starcasters in general yes please, the TD signature I'll leave. If the quality is on point it seems more or less fine for the price factoring in the artist price tag.
If I was spending more than Squier prices I would want closer to vintage spec -CuNiFe pickups and/or the original hard tail bridge
Can't argue with that 😎👍
I remeber when I got my Fender Starcaster in Oct 2013 - (I'm told it was one of the first in the UK 🤷♂️ long story) it was £611 brand new.
Although I do love the look of the original 70's Starcaster bridge, I think the TOM is a simpler design and a bit of an improvement 😬
I want a Starcaster so bad with the walnut finish. Yeah it's hard to find for sure.
Oh yeah - they're so cool! 😎👌I'm always on the look out for a used one - that and an affinity startcaster in White - Not the new ones though 😜
@stevecassidyguitar I might have to settle with the sunburst. I don't mind it. It's just that my jazzmaster is sunburst. I sanded the gloss off though. Like it better.
@@cdreyes81 I know what you mean - I don't like having too many guitars in the same finish either 😁👍
Hi Steve, keep up the entertaining reviews, very informative! If it's possible any chance you can get hold of the new Cort g250 se for a demo. The quality of these are ridiculously good for not alot of money! I've been buying guitars for over 40years, strats, Gibsons, prs etc and this model is definitely in the same league! Check out the specs, , alnico V singles, alnico 2 humbucker, roasted neck, great fret finish coil tap etc for about £250. I'm pretty fussy and these tick all the boxes for me! If you get one you'll want to keep it! Cheers, Stephen, Stirling
Thanks mate 😃👍
And cheers for the recommendation - I'll keep an eye out - sounds like my kinda specs 🤓👍
I have a 2003 G250 and apart from the tiny frets it's not bad and amazed its the same price 20 years later lol!
Lol, dude, you're getting suckedv in. Lol trust me, its a trumped up Squier. 😅I love the stratocaster starcaster.
I don't have any interest in the Delonge Starcaster, other than it's a Starcaster 😜 But rosewood fretboard is a dealbreaker for me. Maple board on a Semi is the whole point of the startcaster in my eyes 😁👌
The Strat Starcaster was like "the catalogue Squier strat" innit? 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar lol so true, the rosewood would un do it for me too. The Fender stratocaster starcaster is a really strange beast. They had 12 in radius, some really high grade necks in 05 and 06., full thickness body and some had 22 frets. I found the arrowhead to be my favorite but they were always a mystery. Some were like semi-hollowbody with all the fake pre formed glue infused particleboard and others were nice 2 tone burst. I loved them and sold many after modding. A few of the necks were nearly as hard as a rock and they had slab fretboards. I kept the 3 flame neck one with the particleboard body and added a Tom DeLong style fender backed red pickguard and humbucker pickup. The rosewood fretboard is and neck fit so well in my hand. I finished it with danish oil and my own varnish that is partially mixed with polyurethane that gave a silky-smooth feeling and look. The Birdseye Maple and flames are what make this guitar so amazing. Lol I gave the other last one to a friend. It had a Maple fretboard (unfinished) that showed the use over time with smudges. Just wow on these finds. They're mostly taken up now. I enjoyed the ride of nearly 40 guitar's in less than a year and a half.
@@ranman58635 Wow mate! that's the way to do it! Go hard or go home! 😎👌
@@stevecassidyguitar , yeah, I'm extremely in the whole guitar thing. 😆 some people run. Gee hee
@@ranman58635 💪😎
Love my modern player! Great to see more starcaster videos
Glad to hear it! I'll definitely have more Starcaster vids in future 😀👍
Not too many of us lucky enough to have a modern player 😎👌
Hey Steve, how are you mate? Catching up on a lot of stuff i missed, while i was absent. I was asked by a drummer i know, to join his band. Although he was casual about it, you know, get to know each other, see if we all vibe blah blah....3 days before we meet he sends me an e-mail: "bring a guitar, here is a list of songs. You should be able to play this, this and this...."! I have never played in a band, so i am feeling a bit anxious right now and it's not helping that my arthritis is burning in both hands at the moment. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.....have a great week!👊🏼🎸🤘🏼🎸
Yeesh! All good mate - sounds like a busy week for ya! If you really want to join the band, then I'd put in the extra effort, but don't do yourself any damage mate! health first - always! 😃👍
It's easy for people to say "don't worry about it" but really - try not to 😂👍
It's music, it's supposed to be fun! The better you know the material the less anxious you'll be. Being anxious isn't all bad, that's just a sign you care 😉
Also... 70% of the job is personality and reliability - you'll do great mate! Good luck 😃👍
@@stevecassidyguitar Thanks Steve, much appreciated🙏🏼 I will give it my best, hell, this has been my dream for 40 years or so....😂🔥🔥🔥
@@gearViewmirror Get stuck in then mate! 💪😎
But be careful too 😜👍
@@stevecassidyguitar 🙏🏼 By the way, i'm Josh!👊🏼
@@gearViewmirror Nice to meet ya mate! 😂👍 I'll do my very best to remember mate - I'm the worst with names 🙈 but great with faces!
Made in Indonesia so less labor cost with Fender logo and hefty price tag
You're spot on mate 😎👍
The more I've been reading the comments and thinking about it today. It's actually a really smart move from Fender (I'm not a fan of the company). But they're clearly making it on the cheap, labour will be cheap, laminated maple won't be expensive. But they're throwing a sig name on it, giving you a decent brand pickup and some locking tuners and charging like... £1k. Which seems mental.
But this signature FENDER, is still cheaper than most of the Signature Epiphones.
This is unfortunatley the reality of 2024 🙈
Well, seeing how the TD actually IS a Squier....
...personally I’d just mod an affordable Squier. TD can suck it.
Yeah I get exactly what you're saying. But that name on the headstock is everything to a lot of people. That's probably why they're sold out a lot of places already - I have no idea who's buying em 🤷♂️
To be fair to Fender (I'm not a fan of the company) They could have tried thier luck and just had Squier on the headstock and sell it for the same price - This model seems to working for Gibson/Epiphone in 2024 🤯
@@stevecassidyguitar No arguments. I got over brand envy a long time ago, my favorite Tele has a Squier neck a pine 9 piece body I picked up from some random guy on RUclips that made it.
Can’t say I’m a fan of Epiphone’s new marketing tactics. Love those new Firebird 1’s, but I’m not paying $1300 for one. My sub $700 Epi’s I’ve bought over the last couple of years do just fine.
@@corneliuscrewe677 Ha! Same here mate - I'm gigging a £170 Jet Strat most weekends these days 😂 I've spent about the same on mods though 🙈
What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Steve also today is my friends birthday ❤😊
Thank you mate! And a very happy bithday to your friend 🥳🎈
I have to ask, where did you get those epic glasses from! I want a pair!
Ha! It was either Temu or Ali Express. I don't have any lenses in them though 🙈 Looong story 🙈
Love the maple board, but all maple body is too heavy for old me. Been not buying 1 for years but, ya bas*ard, now I gotta have an Affinity to romp on, maple, maple, maple....
😂 Soz mate! 😬🙈
I remember when the affinities came out - I'm certainl they we're just under £200. Wish I grabbed a white one back then
Great vid, you are such a tube influencer and now I really want one. But not the one "shooting" starcaster that'll be gone in the "blink" of an eye, did you see what I did there? 🌠
Ha! Cheers mate 😃🙏
I see what ya did there 😜👌
I like the old remakes like the crestwood Wiltshire rapier 33 burns scj take your pick got casino 2 brilliant gretch hofner etc etc
Very cool mate - I've just recently got the Gretsch bug - Loving discovering more of these types 😎👌
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah I've got the new pristine ltd and a old electrmatic took pick guard off put Steve Jones stickers on and it looks like his Gibson lol
@@alanjackman2296 Oooft the pristines are waaaay too tempting 😎👌
They are fantastic play fantastic it's my second favourite guitar at the moment behind the casino but I'm looking to get a danelectro
@@alanjackman2296 Danelectro - that's another one of these kinda quirky must-haves. Played a couple before - always liked them, never owned one 👍
Love the Starcaster design, keep waiting to find the perfect one. Like having a roasted maple neck but want the correct headstock, two cunife widerange pickups and an f-hole…love the cherry red affinity, the walnut classic vibes and the sunburst classic vibes. I just have to decide which one to get to mod it! But a top level Harley Benton would be awesome! If I ever got a Tom Delong I’d trade away the neck for an active Squier neck…can’t believe they got rid of the coolest headstock ever! Well I can because I never cared at all for Blink-182.
Hey Squier, put out a Starcaster on your next round of Paranormals! Or a Coronado! Maybe in a new sort of Wildwood-esque colors, since the Antigua colors just came back! But do something fun with the pickups like out of phase, series/parallel. I want a sparkly purple like those discontinued Fender Lead III! Maybe a Gretsch like sparkle jet starcaster that is silver, gold and purple sparkle?
One of my favorite Gretsches are the corvettes/cvt models. I hope Gretsch does a new run of them soon too, such a great model with 60s cool and upper fret access. I like the Princess colors and the gold and silver Dukes as well as the single pickup 60’s versions. Too bad everyone thinks of PRS when they see a corvette now! And HiLo pickups…it’s the Gretsch take on a SG Junior!
Wow mate! Loadsa cool suggestions here! Paranormal is a great shout! 😎👌 I'm also very much into Gretsch Guitars right now, and recently same across the Amethyst finish 🤩
Squier Amethyst Starcaster for me please 😁🙏
It’s a nice guitar, but it costs WAY TOO MUCH for an Indonesian guitar, the squires from the saaame factory are $400, if you ad the S Duncan, it doesn’t take you to $$1299!
I know right!?!? 😂🙈
But they have been super crafty here and have put Fender on the headstock. That alone is clearly worth something to a lot of people, then you add on the Tom Delonge sig... 🤷♂️
They seem to be sold out a lot of places already too!
I'm surprised they didn't follow the current Gibson/Epi model and just have Squier on the headstock and see if they could get away with selling it for the same price 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar that will happen in about 6 months, fender isn’t stupid, they will wait until the people on the fence either by the big F Tom DeLong version, and then squire will probably drop a version with in-house Humbar and different colors… Which will sell like hotcakes. Also, I think the secondary market in places like China or guitars, they sell on AliExpress and Amazonetc. will have a similar model for people to mod coming quickly
@@stevecassidyguitar squire mod will def come out shortly, in-house shit humbucker and squire headstock, hopefully satin neck, about $700, maybe that’s the plan, ro follow the Gibson model
@@NoNameNo.5 stranger things have happened 🤷♂️
😃👍
I’m interested in getting a semi hollow type , been thinking of the Harley Benton hb35 and 35 plus ( the plus has coil splits ) although I’m currently looking at a used gretsch streamliner which is very nice , and an Epiphone casino ( worn look) unfortunately that’s sold now, so missed out 😂,, great video Steve 👍👍🤠🎸
Cheers Chuck! 😃🙏
I gotta admit, I've got a soft spot for Gretsch guitars these days and love the look of the streamliners 😎👌
HB35 and plus both great for the cash too. Decisions decisions 🤔
@@stevecassidyguitar the gretsch is 300 notes used but it’s in fireburst red , looks really nice, but I really like the gunmetal blue HB 35 plus too ,, my head hurts , I need a lie down 😂😂
@@c.h.fieldsports9876 Best o luck with that mate 🙈
The Gretsch I currently have is in FireBird red. I'm selling it soon because I don't love the colour 🙈
@@stevecassidyguitar it’s very difficult, there’s far too many guitars around, and I want them all 😂😂😂
@@stevecassidyguitar now there’s a squire starcaster classic vibe for sale locally ffs 😂😂
Specs only get reviews so far, I would suggest playing one if you want to do a review that has some more credibility to it (not meant to sound rude btw)
Not taken as rude at all mate - you're completely right 😀👍 Apologies if it came off as a review, was more of a comparison to the other starcasters available. As... I love em 😀
@@stevecassidyguitar no that's fair, I think I misinterpreted your intention. One cool thing about this guitar (although I think their are many cool things!) is it might bring more attention to the Starcaster model so maybe some of the discontinued ones will make a comeback and start being produced again. But I would recommend giving it a play. I bought one and it might be my new favorite guitar, plays incredible.
Steve excellent video but I won’t be buying the T D version .
Cheers mate 😃🙏
Yup... Same here 😂👍
Squier all the way n mod the hell out of it :)
Not a fan of Tom theshlong anyway, but his geetars seem a true rip off in a lot of ways.
As always sir you deliver these vids so well in such an entertaining way :)
Top job as ever sir, hope alls well your end :)
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏
100% Agree Re modding a Squier 😎👌
I'm not a Blink182 fan either. I don' t dislike them, but I'd never go out of my way to listen to them, or intentionally chose to listen to em 🤷♂️.
Maybe it's a good deal if you're a die hard fan, although I'm struggling to get my head round that
@@stevecassidyguitar modding is the way forward 😈 it makes em your own :)
Think it's aimed at the die hard fans and collectors with that price. It's a far lesser guitar for a lot more money but to each their own :)
Still cant understand why he'd change the headstock though. The original is really cool :)
@@AnimalJohn85 Turns out a lot of people don't like the headstock 😂. But yeah, I've never seen the appeal of any signature guitars. But modding is a like a wee loop hole, closest thing ya can get to having yer own sig 😜👍
@@stevecassidyguitar the headstock makes it very unique :)
Moddings a propper rabbit hole, so much fun n many cool ideas to be had :)
We need the Steve Cassidy Jet signature 😈
@@AnimalJohn85 Ha! Funny you should mention I've been thinking about changing the Humbucker in the Jet. But like you say, best thing about modding, it can be an ongoing process 😁👍
I'd buy a squier version but that Head stock yuck
It's certainly a divisive design. People literally love it or hate it, there really is no inbetween 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar slap a affinity neck on there it will be good and they fit someone on here made a replica before fender released them
@@thebipolarbear1 I think I seen that same vid mate 😀👍
But persoanlly I'm in the "love it" camp 😜
Pandering to Delonge's ego deprives his signature guitars of the full functionality and versatility of a Tone Knob. Not very useful with vintage circuit Fuzz boxes, Treble Boosters, etc...
😂
I quite enjoy neck pickups too 😁
To me Tom Delonge starcaster is a fail because its just satin, doesn't look interesting or have an interesting design.
Good point! I think I forgot to mention that 🙈
It's a Nay for me, i never buy guitars with a satin finish or with only 1 pickup
and if they are made in China, chances are you will receive a bad sample.
F holes belong on a Violin, not a Guitar!
Sorry Steve, they are not my sort of guitar, even if they have a Rosewood fretboard
it will not be a slim wide radius one.
Hope you are keeping well.🙂👍💓
All good here barbara - thank ya - I hope you're keeping well too 😃👍
I'm not much of a believer in country of manufacture being a factor on quality these days. There's good and bad everywhere, seems Gibson and Fender USA struggle as much as anywhere else to get it right in 2024 🙈
My Squier Starcaster (12" radius 😁) was actually 3rd time lucky - I had to return the first 2. They're made in Indonesia, but I think the reason for the shoddyness was the timing, it was the height of the pandemic 🙈
@@stevecassidyguitar Buying a new guitar is always a risk, price, brand and country of manufacture
make little difference.
The only country that i have yet to see a bad sample from is Japan, but i am sure that some have
not been 100% perfect.
The used market is now awash with all those guitars bought in the pandemic and now sellers are
desperate for the cash, but it will take years for the used market to recover.
The two guys that run GuitarGuitar's pre-owned department told me they have never taken in so many
and are now having to reduce prices to attract buyers, which means lower trade-in offers.
We live in interesting times, great if you are looking for a bargain.
@@Barbarapape Actually - that's a great point Re MIJ Guitars, they could well be an exception 😀👍 But to be fair I don't think I've had my hands on too many. 🤔
Thanks for the hot tip Re GuitarGuitar - I'm off to peruse thier used section now! 🙈👍
@@stevecassidyguitar Good luck with GuitarGuitar, if you register with them you get to see the new arrivals
before anyone else.
As a rough guide they double the price they give you to reach a selling price, but at least each one has new strings
and a full setup with 12 months warranty, you won't get that from other sellers.
Ridiculous...isnt it?
Made in the pretty decent Indonesia Cort factory...alongside all the Classic Vibes and Affinitys.
So...how can they justify A GRAND?!?!
Its absolutely hilarious bonkers!
Same thing as all those daft 1200 quid plus Joe B Epiphones...
I mean...come on!
Is ANYONE fooled by this "signature guitar" nonsense??? 🙄
Apparently yes! Many places sold out already! 😂🙈
I don't know who's buying em 🤷♂️
The more I've been reading the comments and thinking about it today. It's actually a really smart move from Fender (I'm not a fan of the company). But they're clearly making it on the cheap, labour will be cheap, laminated maple won't be expensive. But they're throwing a sig name on it, giving you a decent brand pickup and some locking tuners and charging like... £1k. Which seems mental.
But you're right...
This signature FENDER, is still cheaper than most of the Signature Epiphones.
This is the reality 2024 🙈
Let’s be real it’s fender… it’s a log with strings on it. Hot garbage.
Yup and sold out loads of places already too 🙈
I certainly didn't buy one 😁
The original Starcaster have a headstock that is the most ulgy thing ever
It's certainly divisive 😂🤣👍👌
It's a crime to remove the original Starcaster headstock from the Starcaster.
Agreed! 💯 😃👍
Although a lot of comments here from people who "dislike" it 😂
Could be one of the most divisive headstocks ever 😆
@@stevecassidyguitar Well, I think it's their problem if they don't know better ;)
@@tostrmofo6686 Ha! That's right! 😁👍
Talk alot but you said nothing
Perfect mate! 😃👌
Thank you for your input 🙏
Have a great day! 😘
I love the maple fretboard - that's about it 😊
Gotta love dat maple 😎👌
@@stevecassidyguitar it's my thing , can't deal with "driftwood" fretboards now at my advanced age 😎
@@bumcrackwatchco. I totally get ya 😎👍👌
You still get mackies crisps up there a really honest question
Ha! Yes mate we do... I like the haggis n black pepper or pickled onion ones 😋👍
@@stevecassidyguitar can't get them I'm 55 years in Worcester just moved to Workington North West Cumbria and still can't find any lol
@@alanjackman2296 Lidl do a pretty good impression of them - Think they're called "Finlay's" or summin 🤔
Thanks mate I'll have a look
@@alanjackman2296 Cheaper too! Win/win/win/win 🥳💃
Subbed
Thank ya mate 😃🙏
You tube is playing games your clickbait about the starcaster sent me to a different website so don't know if it yours or mine apologies
Oh... I see! 😮
Sorry about that.... I have no idea what's going on there. I'm away from the PC at the moment..Will have to check it when I get back home.
Apologies in advance if it turns out it's something I've done 🙈