If the Gibson Victory series was an aesthetic swing at the strat, this was Fender's rip on a Gibson ES-335. Neither the Victory or the Starcaster were successful for either company and the Starcaster's lack of star appeal made this a short-lived model. It only existed from 1976-1980.
Another strike against Fender during the CBS ownership era.
For whatever reasons the Starcaster didn't take off, but that doesn't mean it isn't an awesome guitar. Produced in the Fullerton, CA shop there was a lot going on here.
A couple of unique design points:
1- By far is the headstock with two notable features
a) at the end of the headstock the curve pointed up, not down
b) painted relief cut on the lower edge
2- A master volume control
1976 Starcaster headstock below:
1976 Stratocaster headstock below:
The Starcaster sported Fender's Wide Range Humbuckers pickups which were designed by Seth Lover, formerly of Gibson, and introduced on the 1972 Thinline Telecaster.
Seth has some historical clout, he invented the humbucker pickup for Gibson around 1955 and they were introduced on Les Paul models in 1957.
Starcaster Specs: Offset semi-hollow, Laminated maple top, Maple back, sides, and neck, Volume and Tone knob for each pickup, Master volume knob, Three-way switch
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! “See you” Monday!
Best, -David