I ended up buying this guitar after looking at 335s and Guild’s Starfire VI, both well above $1,500. Finding a guitar that fills my needs (semi hollow humbucker) for below $500 was not on my bingo card. Squire is absolutely crushing it with high quality at an accessible price. I have some plans to tune it up a bit with some new pups and electronics, after all’s said and done it’ll likely still be less than the other semi hollows I’ve looked into.
Squire make great guitars now! They are also great platforms for upgrades. I bought a CV 60 Strat and it’s fantastic! This guy not only has the best hair of any human, but is a great player too. Great review guys!
Glad you like it! I'm thinking about getting one myself and I would like to ask if you think the guitar would be suitable for punk rock and heavier types of music?
That was some terrific guitar playing and a great overall review of the guitar. I had been looking for an affordable semi hollow body guitar and ended up buying the white one from you guys online so thanks for that. Came really well packaged and with a pick! There are the Ibanez at the same price point but the pickups are not great on those from what I have heard. You can get the cheap imports from Grote and now Glarry but not the quality as the Squier. I love my white Starcaster ( best color in my opinion ) and it sounds great and super comfortable to play. If I want to be super picky I wish they would apply a little more paint inside the f holes but again I’m being super picky. There is no other guitar like this in shape or style so in my mind it’s a steal at the price. Get one before the prices go up!
Epiphone ES 339s are semi hollow and come with P 90s or coil tap Humbuckers… I have one with P90s and it’s sweet. I see the used ones P90 ones are $700 on Reverb, buckets are 350-500 used or new, depending… I just hate how Starcasters look, but I have a shell pink Squier Cyclone I love, the tones are great!
I bought an Affinity Starcaster based at least partially on this review. I’m glad I did. It’s a beautiful guitar, and it plays and sounds great (even if I’m no Cooper Greenberg) 😊
I have an original ‘76 model. These are such an overlooked gem in my opinion. My uncle bought it new and left it to me. Glad to see them making them again. I’m surprised they haven’t made come US models yet?
Fender recently gifted Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups this guitar, and we heard it live last weekend, and it sounded great! A little different from his '94 Epiphone sheraton 2, but very cool. Now we want one at my house!
Just got my affinity star caster yesterday from Amazon three bills. I saw the Guitar online. Check to what guitar Center said about the guitar. I gave it a shot then looking at it sitting in the guitar stand picking it up and playing it now I don’t spend a lot of money. I can’t afford it. I’m retired 75-year-old but I think I’m keeping this Having a little trouble getting it to tune using an electronic tuner and I’m interested in that blue box you were talking about. I’m gonna watch your demo interested in your take on this guitar
Are semi-hollows a good alternative for someone who's lost somewhere in a weird musical Bermuda triangle in the middle of heavy metal, singer- songwriter, and classical music? I'm considering actually embracing all of my weird finger picking distortion/palm muting stuff that I played around with when I was younger, but was too scared to actually show to the world.
Came to see the guitar. I close the tab desperately wanting one of those blue box things. Made the guitar sound double-tracked! The tasteful, amazing playing helped as well.
Can confirm with an amp modeler this guitar will can be dialed in to match almost anything using a H--H setup. Handles Ted Nugent great. Iron maiden no prob. . I'm loving mine.
Amazon has the sun burst on sale for $209. I watched this video to decide if I should buy it or not, and needless to say, the order has now been placed 👍
I really wonder how sales numbers for these have changed since Tom Delonge came back to Fender onto these. I know personally it's the reason I learned about this guitar.
LOL dude exactly what im searching for drunk at 6 am. Looking for RUclips videos to see who else is famous who plays a Starcaster. Fender is DEF going to release a Tom Delonge signature next year. I guarantee his re-release strat was a text to see who would want to buy it.
Great playing! Thank you for the review. P.S Fender Starcasters came out in 76’, not the 60’s. And the Fender reissues were made in China, not Mexico. Cheers guys
I had one of the originals (a '76) that I just traded in on a PRS after having it since '98. It was cool but just wasn't calling to me anymore. Did love it for a long time though.
Cooper’s tasty licks showing the guitar to advantage! Incredible bargain for a versatile axe. BTW, Cooper strongly resembles the late, great Jim Steinman! I’d love to hear his version of “Rock and Roll Dreams Come True”….rock on!
I bought one this year 2022, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the lead guitarist from the Meter's (Leo Nocentelli )played an authentic Fender American Starcaster and played Cissy Strut on a Starcaster and that the song may even have been written on that Black Starcaster that he plays.
I was so pleased with the Ibanez AS73FM-TAF ($449), lighter than acoustic strings for a nice break for the fingers, playing unplugged or with the Vox MiniG3 modeling amp (line channel with acoustic). Had to replace the pickguard with a WD Custom black pearl guard. (Flamed Maple-Transparent Autumn Fade). On the advice from the store, I added a set of NYXL 10-46 strings and Reverend Willy's 9s to try. No salsa of his brand yet, that's more intimidating!
Squire will take you higher 👆 🔥 butternasty tones 🎶 i have one of these. The sunburst. It is by far my fav guitar out of the many guitars I have. It is a absolute monster beast maestro 🎉❤
I would love to see Squier build a 15 or 20 percent smaller version of the Starcaster, especially in this Affinity line. Other offset semi-hollow: ESP LTD Xtone PS-1 BTW, the Contemporary is really cool for being hollow-body without F holes. And yes, active pickups. Awesome deal for about 100$ over this Affinity.
You got so many things *wrong* about the Starcaster’s history. But it’s a good review of *this* particular guitar. And *this* guitar is quite different from the CV, the 2013 Fender reissue, or the 1976 - ‘82 vintage models. That said, it’s still a cool guitar.
I bought a classic vibe Starcaster about a year ago and I’m just settling into how cool it is. I loved the look right off. But it took awhile to grow on me . It plays great, it looks great, But it’s Different. So overall I’m quite Glad with my purchase.
I’m looking for a good first electric guitar (I’m an average acoustic player) and I found a cherry red affinity starcaster at my local shop for 20% off. I was wondering if it would be a great first purchase or if I should stick to a classic strat. (Which I could get in a bundle deal)
I got the very same guitar than in this model, it sounded good but not great, nice to play but the machine tuners were rubbish, upgrading it would be more expensive than getting a classic vibe, however on these the glossy neck is not as comfortable as the one on the Affinity. So I returned and got a Contemporary Strat that probably was the worst change I had made, I should stick to the Starcaster. Of course, I’m not even 10% the guitar player that Cooper is, he does gets the best even from a garden rack! Wonderful playing indeed
Great review, thanks for doing it. Maybe could have tightened it up just a tad but still very good. The Ibanez Artcore AS53 is about $350 right now, i would really like to see a comparison, as i'm currently deciding between these two. Keep up the great work!
Beautiful tone. Lovely playing. I play jazz on a Gibson ES-165 and I can see myself playing this and getting some cool jazz tone. What gauge strings are on that puppy?
Just swap out the humbuckers with some high-quality boutique humbuckers (DiMarzio or Duncans, whatever), and you have yourself a great Fender 335 guitar. (& only $300).
The Squier Starcasters are available in three Squier lines Affinity, Classic Vibe, and Contemporary. This particular one is an Affinity, and I haven’t seen one of them in person so I don’t know for sure. However, the Contemporary and Classic Vibe are made in Indonesia.
This is the RUclips channel of an actual guitar store. Why wouldn’t they make videos to help sell their inventory? RUclips is free advertising that reaches almost the entire world. They can sell instruments to customers in any location to which their company is willing ship.
I honestly think Cooper is one of my favourite guitars ever, especially on acoustic, he has such a percussive and full spectrum sound. Inspiring
This dude makes even a broom sound great and seem like a great purchase too.
Just unboxed the broom. Couldn’t be happier with the tone and build quality
Ain’t that the truth. He should be on tour somewhere. Be it jazz, rock, blues, country, this dude is fantastic.
I've had one of these for a year or two now, and I love the guitar. If you want a semi-hollow this is the best guitar for the money hands down.
I ended up buying this guitar after looking at 335s and Guild’s Starfire VI, both well above $1,500. Finding a guitar that fills my needs (semi hollow humbucker) for below $500 was not on my bingo card. Squire is absolutely crushing it with high quality at an accessible price. I have some plans to tune it up a bit with some new pups and electronics, after all’s said and done it’ll likely still be less than the other semi hollows I’ve looked into.
Just ordered mine. I love how diverse it is. Couldn't resist!
Squire make great guitars now! They are also great platforms for upgrades. I bought a CV 60 Strat and it’s fantastic!
This guy not only has the best hair of any human, but is a great player too. Great review guys!
Fantastic guitars…a buddy of mine bought one, painted EVERYTHING matte black and plays in a metal band with it…has emgs in it now
I have an affinity red one , changed the hardware for golden and put some golden gibson 57 custom and vintage, it’s a beauty and what a sound !
Coming to watch this as I just tried one in the shop and loved it so much I bought it!! 😁
Just got it today and it is awesome! It has a beautiful sound it plays beautifully
Glad you like it! I'm thinking about getting one myself and I would like to ask if you think the guitar would be suitable for punk rock and heavier types of music?
@@Lucasdelaroche punk rock I would say yes…heavier stuff maybe? It is very unique sound
NICE VIDEO (and AUDIO) !!! Greetings from Europe , Estonia.
A very unique looking guitar, I’m impressed by the quality!
Best demo of this guitar I have hear, lovely tone too.
I like it! Learn something new every day! Thanks guys.
That was some terrific guitar playing and a great overall review of the guitar. I had been looking for an affordable semi hollow body guitar and ended up buying the white one from you guys online so thanks for that. Came really well packaged and with a pick! There are the Ibanez at the same price point but the pickups are not great on those from what I have heard. You can get the cheap imports from Grote and now Glarry but not the quality as the Squier. I love my white Starcaster ( best color in my opinion ) and it sounds great and super comfortable to play. If I want to be super picky I wish they would apply a little more paint inside the f holes but again I’m being super picky. There is no other guitar like this in shape or style so in my mind it’s a steal at the price. Get one before the prices go up!
The player is the real star here but I do like this axe. It's just so COOL !
I got a classic vibe last year. AWESOME guitar that holds tune incredibly well! Mine is natural color.
Epiphone ES 339s are semi hollow and come with P 90s or coil tap Humbuckers… I have one with P90s and it’s sweet. I see the used ones P90 ones are $700 on Reverb, buckets are 350-500 used or new, depending… I just hate how Starcasters look, but I have a shell pink Squier Cyclone I love, the tones are great!
I’ve had a 339 pro, but the neck was uncomfortable to me, I ´m happy with my starcaster and my Gretsch g5655 , thinner necks.
I bought an Affinity Starcaster based at least partially on this review. I’m glad I did. It’s a beautiful guitar, and it plays and sounds great (even if I’m no Cooper Greenberg) 😊
I have an original ‘76 model. These are such an overlooked gem in my opinion. My uncle bought it new and left it to me. Glad to see them making them again. I’m surprised they haven’t made come US models yet?
The Starcaster was originally released in the mid '70s, and that Fender Modern Player version (2013) was built in China, not Mexico.
The headstock looks fine, it suits the body perfectly.
Fender recently gifted Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups this guitar, and we heard it live last weekend, and it sounded great! A little different from his '94 Epiphone sheraton 2, but very cool. Now we want one at my house!
Just got my affinity star caster yesterday from Amazon three bills. I saw the Guitar online. Check to what guitar Center said about the guitar. I gave it a shot then looking at it sitting in the guitar stand picking it up and playing it now I don’t spend a lot of money. I can’t afford it. I’m retired 75-year-old but I think I’m keeping this Having a little trouble getting it to tune using an electronic tuner and I’m interested in that blue box you were talking about. I’m gonna watch your demo interested in your take on this guitar
This guy can PLAY!
Great guitar - never given these much thought.
Might consider one in the future.
Everything about this Starcaster is great but mostly it's the sustain. Very impressive ... !!!
I really appreciate the review videos you guys make. Thank -You so much for your time and expertise. I'll be looking into your products. Good job!
Are semi-hollows a good alternative for someone who's lost somewhere in a weird musical Bermuda triangle in the middle of heavy metal, singer- songwriter, and classical music?
I'm considering actually embracing all of my weird finger picking distortion/palm muting stuff that I played around with when I was younger, but was too scared to actually show to the world.
The best music a musician can make is the music they love to make, so I say go for it!
Came to see the guitar. I close the tab desperately wanting one of those blue box things. Made the guitar sound double-tracked! The tasteful, amazing playing helped as well.
I'm here for the potential new Tom Delonge signature.
Same he kinda made this guitar popular,didnt even ever heard of it before
When I was a kid, I first saw them in "Guitar Player" magazine in ads back in 1977 but I think they were around 1 or 2 years before that.
Love every thing about it...
Love the Starcaster 😍
Does that volume knob get in the way? Nice looking guitar
Can confirm with an amp modeler this guitar will can be dialed in to match almost anything using a H--H setup.
Handles Ted Nugent great. Iron maiden no prob.
.
I'm loving mine.
Amazon has the sun burst on sale for $209. I watched this video to decide if I should buy it or not, and needless to say, the order has now been placed 👍
I really wonder how sales numbers for these have changed since Tom Delonge came back to Fender onto these. I know personally it's the reason I learned about this guitar.
LOL dude exactly what im searching for drunk at 6 am. Looking for RUclips videos to see who else is famous who plays a Starcaster. Fender is DEF going to release a Tom Delonge signature next year. I guarantee his re-release strat was a text to see who would want to buy it.
That music was so relaxing ☺️☺️
Leo Nocentelli
of the the Meters was one of the guitar players to give these some real profile and cred.
Great playing! Thank you for the review. P.S Fender Starcasters came out in 76’, not the 60’s. And the Fender reissues were made in China, not Mexico. Cheers guys
I had one of the originals (a '76) that I just traded in on a PRS after having it since '98. It was cool but just wasn't calling to me anymore. Did love it for a long time though.
Cooper’s tasty licks showing the guitar to advantage! Incredible bargain for a versatile axe. BTW, Cooper strongly resembles the late, great Jim Steinman! I’d love to hear his version of “Rock and Roll Dreams Come True”….rock on!
Alternate offset semi-hollow guitar? Look at the Vintage (brand) VSA500, around £300-350 (US $410-475).
The Starcaster was in production from 1976 to 1982. However, an advertisement from 1977 states that the Starcaster's first creation was in 1975.
It wasn't mentioned, but I HAVE this guitar....but it's Candy-Apple Red. Must have come out after this video.
Great playing! Love it....And to think that I used to trash Squiers - I now own 3!
I bought one this year 2022, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the lead guitarist from the Meter's (Leo Nocentelli )played an authentic Fender American Starcaster and played Cissy Strut on a Starcaster and that the song may even have been written on that Black Starcaster that he plays.
He looked so cool with his black one!
Leo is the main reason why I want to pick one of these up. His playing on The Meters’ early records is criminally underrated.
funny...is the pickup 3-way switch turned 180 in opposite ? as the neck possition sound like bridge ...or am I deaf ??
I hear it too!
I was so pleased with the Ibanez AS73FM-TAF ($449), lighter than acoustic strings for a nice break for the fingers, playing unplugged or with the Vox MiniG3 modeling amp (line channel with acoustic). Had to replace the pickguard with a WD Custom black pearl guard. (Flamed Maple-Transparent Autumn Fade). On the advice from the store, I added a set of NYXL 10-46 strings and Reverend Willy's 9s to try. No salsa of his brand yet, that's more intimidating!
Squire will take you higher 👆 🔥 butternasty tones 🎶 i have one of these. The sunburst. It is by far my fav guitar out of the many guitars I have. It is a absolute monster beast maestro 🎉❤
I just got one enjoyed your instructions and play
Sounds great, I want one.
I would love to see Squier build a 15 or 20 percent smaller version of the Starcaster, especially in this Affinity line.
Other offset semi-hollow: ESP LTD Xtone PS-1
BTW, the Contemporary is really cool for being hollow-body without F holes. And yes, active pickups. Awesome deal for about 100$ over this Affinity.
Gibson Vegas High Roller. I think that’s the equivalent of this guitar in Gibson’s lineup. Nowhere near this price and not being produced now.
You got so many things *wrong* about the Starcaster’s history. But it’s a good review of *this* particular guitar. And *this* guitar is quite different from the CV, the 2013 Fender reissue, or the 1976 - ‘82 vintage models. That said, it’s still a cool guitar.
I bought a classic vibe Starcaster about a year ago and I’m just settling into how cool it is.
I loved the look right off. But it took awhile to grow on me . It plays great, it looks great,
But it’s Different. So overall I’m quite Glad with my purchase.
Man made me buy a guitar, mad cuts ✌️
Is this the Tom Delonge model.? 😮 or just squier affinitty 😮.?
I’m looking for a good first electric guitar (I’m an average acoustic player) and I found a cherry red affinity starcaster at my local shop for 20% off. I was wondering if it would be a great first purchase or if I should stick to a classic strat. (Which I could get in a bundle deal)
What did you end up getting?
Cooper: plays two chords;
Me: pauses video to see if Sweetwater has any in stock
We've got them in stock...
@@AlamoMusic Still?
Bizarro pedal choice, but why not, I guess. An overdrive and a comparison with the classic vibe would have been great.
Awesome guitar!! Can we get a Jazzmaster vs Jaguar comparison?
Would it be possible to put piezo Tune-o-Matic bridge pick up in one of these for some acoustic sounds as well?
surely
Gotta get me one... throw in some tv jones pups, could be a rockabilly machine !!
I bought an Electro-Caster !
Nice rippin jam❤
I got the very same guitar than in this model, it sounded good but not great, nice to play but the machine tuners were rubbish, upgrading it would be more expensive than getting a classic vibe, however on these the glossy neck is not as comfortable as the one on the Affinity. So I returned and got a Contemporary Strat that probably was the worst change I had made, I should stick to the Starcaster. Of course, I’m not even 10% the guitar player that Cooper is, he does gets the best even from a garden rack! Wonderful playing indeed
why didn't you get the contemporary Starcaster?
@@marjorieblack4888 Classic Vibe actually, it was sold out everywhere. I got rid of the Strat and got a PRS Starla, I couldn’t be happier!
cool looking guitar
This thing would romp with P90s
Great review, thanks for doing it. Maybe could have tightened it up just a tad but still very good. The Ibanez Artcore AS53 is about $350 right now, i would really like to see a comparison, as i'm currently deciding between these two. Keep up the great work!
Beautiful tone. Lovely playing. I play jazz on a Gibson ES-165 and I can see myself playing this and getting some cool jazz tone. What gauge strings are on that puppy?
How comfortable is it to play, is there a small body version?
Can’t find this guitar anywhere anymore . And If you find it they are price gauging.
Didn’t Elvis and Jimmie Vaughan play the Fender Starcaster?
Just swap out the humbuckers with some high-quality boutique humbuckers (DiMarzio or Duncans, whatever), and you have yourself a great Fender 335 guitar. (& only $300).
How much does this guitar weigh. I’m a lady. Thx
xtone ps1 LTD is great and is a cheap offset semi
insane IS the word ..deserves a place in my room ..and my car ...in the park under a tree.
This guitar is like a lot of people you may see.......
The body looks great,
then your eyes move up to the head and OMG, where did that bag go?
Good video-p
I see how a person who likes the droopy sock Fender 12 headstock, would also like this one 🤣
Eastman pa2
60’s?
They should be made so a strat neck can go on them.
If only it had a dark fretboard.
It looks kind of like it could be a WVH guitar.
Oh the turtles references...
The guy on the right keeps saying wrong things.
1. The Starcaster is from the 70's
2. The reissue is from China not Mexico.
Absolute neck swap for me.
China?
The Squier Starcasters are available in three Squier lines Affinity, Classic Vibe, and Contemporary. This particular one is an Affinity, and I haven’t seen one of them in person so I don’t know for sure. However, the Contemporary and Classic Vibe are made in Indonesia.
Mine is made in Indonesia.
The guitar looks fantastic, but its sound is not for me. It is for jazz only.
Way too much talk.
Fucking advert, FFS
This is the RUclips channel of an actual guitar store.
Why wouldn’t they make videos to help sell their inventory?
RUclips is free advertising that reaches almost the entire world. They can sell instruments to customers in any location to which their company is willing ship.
Not a fan