1977 Fender Starcaster, Burgundy

A real cult favourite from Fender’s late-'70s output, this 1977 Starcaster is a great example of one of the company’s most distinctive and ambitious designs. With its offset semi-hollow body, string-through construction and a pair of Seth Lover-designed Wide Range humbuckers, the Starcaster occupies a fascinating place in Fender history blending familiar Fender feel with a more Gibson-like approach. It remains one of the most visually striking guitars Fender ever produced, and this one has all the right ingredients, complete with its original Fender-branded orange lined fitted case.

Finished in Walnut, this example has a particularly attractive look, with the transparent finish showing more of a burgundy or wine hue in the flesh than the catalogue name might suggest. The grain and figure of the maple body show through nicely, with a little flame peeking through. Combined with the Starcaster’s offset outline, bound f-holes and large headstock, it's a bold design that has seen quite the rise in popularity in recent years.

Features include a maple neck and fingerboard with black dot inlays, bullet truss rod and the 3-bolt Micro-Tilt neck joint. The neck carries the correct green date stamp and inspection marks, all consistent with production from this era. It has been refretted with larger fret wire and also has a changed nut, both sensible player-focused updates that make it a more accommodating guitar in regular use.

Hardware and electronics are nicely on point, with correct Fender-branded tuners, chrome parts throughout and, most importantly, the correct pair of Wide Range humbuckers that deliver a sound that is HiFi in nature, praised for their string to string definition and clarity. The control layout features a three way pickup switch with a five-knob arrangement of two volumes, two tones and a master volume, offering plenty of flexibility and control.

The Starcaster was never a mainstream success in period, which one of the reasons they feel so interesting now. For anyone after a vintage Fender that steps outside the usual Strat/Tele conversation, this is a very cool and increasingly desirable piece!