A Brief History Of The Fender Starcaster | PlayJason

[@landonbailey]

I don't care what anyone says, I've been a fan of the Starcaster headstock for years :)

[@JasonTMays]

Dude!!! I agree!!! I love the starcaster headstock!

[@christophervincent8420]

Ok @LandonBailey Casino or Starcaster?

[@markmoriarty7388]

@landonbailey. Tha's interesting Landon. The Starcaster headstock is what I like least about the guitar; but that's probably because Fenders standard headstock has always been so iconic and cool looking. I guess that Fender was in full experiment mode with their Starcaster

[@keiranbradley3238]

It looks like a witches slipper.

[@dheitz5830]

Best headstock in the game.

[@greyseraphim]

I got the Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster, swapped the pickups with Abasi Fishman Fluence, added locking tuners, and swapped the toggle switch with a sturdier switchcraft short-frame. It's now my go-to guitar, having very usable single-coil, PAF, and modern humbucker tones. I even added a Boss GK-5 pickup so I can do some crazy guitar synth stuff. I do need to polish the frets - they feel a bit gritty. And the size/shape takes some getting used to. Despite those issues, it takes the top spot in my guitar collection.

[@JasonTMays]

Dude!!!! That sounds like one hell of a modern starcaster! I love modding stuff and you did it in spades. I bet those pickups sound insane with gain!

[@none_remaining]

5W-style brief history x Wide Ranj pickups x Offset Working Class Music? I’m so very here for it.

[@JasonTMays]

Yep! I’m trying to make the GearTube shared universe/avengers initiative a thing! lol.

[@markmoriarty7388]

@none...remaining Is there a" Ranj pickup someone makes? Or did you mean " wide range pickups "

[@none_remaining]

@@markmoriarty7388 gonna have to think about this question for a longe time

[@ianthehay]

Yes more brief histories please!! Great video.

[@JasonTMays]

Bet! Will do! What would you want to the next brief history be about?

[@oldmanzen6682]

You bump into Nelsen on the way into the office and spill his coffee all down his shirt? Cause damn. Enjoyed this. I've got one of the recent contemporaries with active pickups. My wife fell in love with the look of it, while I really enjoy how it plays. Has an icepick sound, but I can play with that with effects.

[@JasonTMays]

LMAO!!!!! Yea…I don’t know what I did to Nelsen, but hey whatever I did we got the funniest episode on this channel out of it. lol.

[@markmoriarty7388]

@oldmanzen6682 You are very lucky your wife loves the look of the Starcaster. Most wives will ultimately reach apoint where it's like "forget about all that expensive music equipment and pay sme attention to me. I've been a pro musician for close to 60 years; I've been through the female/music wars.

[@Bcpowell]

Man those basses look really cool! What about brief history videos for amps? I've always been interested to find out about the differences in the Fender amps because from the outside looking in they all seem the same to me (obviously never had any of them).

[@Bcpowell]

As for guitars I'd maybe say the mustang or duo sonic

[@JasonTMays]

Dude!!!! I was actually thinking of doing a brief history of a few amp companies, there’s a few I’ve had in mind. But what amp companies would you recommend?

[@JasonTMays]

@@Bcpowell also, I’ll probably do one on the duo sonic since it doesn’t seem like anyone has done a video like that just yet.

[@Bcpowell]

@@JasonTMays I'm basic so I'd say Fender but Orange could also be cool and also the Roland Jazz Chorus.

[@JasonTMays]

@@Bcpowell Well, I could definitely make either of those happen. I’ll probably try to swing the Jazz Chorus.

[@AdamGarrett72]

Watching Emily's video of the Classic Vibe inspired my purchase. Like yourself, I got mine in Walnut. I love that guitar, man! She upgraded the wiring harness on hers in a later vid, but I haven't had the courage to do it myself yet.

[@JasonTMays]

Dude, Emily is the best!!!!! And you should just do it!!!! I did add the cunife pickups.

[@GetOffset]

I have Jessica Dobson's old Fender Starcaster pickups that I need to put into the Squier! But I am not looking forward to that soldering job lol

[@JasonTMays]

@@GetOffset ohhh after watching justin do the pickup install in real time I don’t blame you! lol .

[@lenonel3286]

You killed those radiohead covers, and what a beaut of a guitar!

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!!!!! I was hoping i made Mr. Greenwood proud and i agree the starcaster is a beauty!

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Love this! I'm such a Starcaster fan. I never understood why they'd rob the name for those cheap Squier "Strats" . BUT I'll say, the modern player RIs are FANTASTIC. Mine is still one of my favorite guitars to play.

[@JasonTMays]

Dude!!! One of these days we need to start a group with all of starcaster loving friends called the super starcaster bros! We’ll make the coolest ambient starcaster based music EVER!

[@隠れた]

Because they already owned the name to the rights and it is cheaper and faster to use the name of a product they no longer make than go through the process of getting the rights for a new name.. it’s fender we’re taking about they always cut cost at any possible chance

[@phillipalter6499]

Oh man, Starcasters are fucking incredible. I wish I could afford one, I really have temptations to sell my Ibanez AS73 and possibly even my Squier 40th Anni Jazzmaster to get one.

[@JasonTMays]

Dude!!!! Starcasters are my favorite semi-hollow! I would say if you don’t mind going used you could find a classic vibe starcaster for around $300ish.

[@christophervincent8420]

Same. All I can nab is the classic vibe

[@JasonTMays]

@@christophervincent8420 dude the classic vibes are the GOAT! I think there is very little differences between the Modern Player and Classic Vibe that justifies the increase in price. The CV is a fantastic guitar.

[@christophervincent8420]

@@JasonTMays I'm going to agree. I can't just jump in lay down over a grand in this crap economy for anything. I couldn't do it when we had a good economy either. Lol But yeah. I've been caught in a predicament. I'm wanting to sell my Paranormal Surf green telecaster, for either the Epiphone casino or the Classic Vibe Starcaster. Only because I have a parts caster Esquire my father and I built and painted out of a beat up Squier FSR telecaster.

[@JasonTMays]

@@christophervincent8420 Dude, I completely understand! Times have definitely been hard on our wallets. I say go for the Starcaster over the Casino but I’m incredibly bias. lol.

[@keiranbradley3238]

It would be great to see you review some of the 60's Italian off-sets, especially the Galanti Grand-Prix. Those are great guitars and can still be had quite inexpensively!. Peace.

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!! And I'd love to take a stab at reviewing them. I'm always open to recommendations. So, I definitely appreciate it.

[@keiranbradley3238]

@JasonTMays You're very welcome. I know you would dig the Galanti Grand-Prix being a Jazzmaster/Jaguar need like myself, they have some of the best sounding pickups and the vibrato system is amazing!.

[@keiranbradley3238]

"nerd" not "need"!. Haha

[@AlexanderDekhtyar]

Thank you for the video. Can you do a history of Mosrite/Sidejack style guitars?

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!!! And absolutely! I’ll add that to the list!

[@odelljl]

I enjoyed the brief history even if the tones didn't resonate with my old ears. New subscriber!

[@JasonTMays]

Well thank you! I may not be the best guitarist on KZbin, but I’m definitely one of the friendliest. :)

[@odelljl]

@@JasonTMays It wasn't the playing - I think you were going for more modern tones and I'm an old guy :> Rock on!

[@JasonTMays]

@@odelljl touché!!! Well, thank you! That makes me feel like im doing something cool. :)

[@DanielHaggerty-cp6df]

I appreciate the editing.

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you! All the editing is the work of the producer of this and working class music, Nelson!

[@gloryxkid]

Fender also did a pawnshop Starcaster which had a jm floating trem system and jm pickups

[@JasonTMays]

Oh! I have fond memories of the offset special! I miss that guitar!

[@thepedalcouple]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. I feel that Starcasters are underrated. We have a CV Natural and we love it. One of my favorite guitarists, Jessica Dobson from Deep Sea Diver uses a Fender Starcaster.

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!!! And I agree!!! I would argue that it’s fenders most underrated guitar. I love the look of the natural one. Funny enough Emily from getoffset mentioned Jessica Dobson too.

[@nisebelle]

Absolutely loved this! I grew up seeing the Starcaster name on all of those starter kits at costco so I was super confused to learn that the "Fender Starcaster" was a completely different guitar. I actually just got to play a few for the first time the other week (they were Emily's) and they were incredible! It was like a 335 that wasn't the size of my entire body haha

[@JasonTMays]

Dude!!!!! I kind of want to see you make a video about the starcaster! I think that would be awesome! Also! I appreciate the support your friendship! it means the world to me!

[@GetOffset]

Gotta edit that vid!

[@JasonTMays]

@@GetOffset👀

[@markmoriarty7388]

I was playing in the late 60s and can't remember a Fender Starcaster. I like the guitar, at least in it's original incarnation. That's cool you played through the Supro amp. The 1×10 model right?

[@JasonTMays]

Yea, It didn't take off like Fender had hoped and it wasn't around for that long. And the Supro is a 12 inch. It's the Royale. I love that amp.

[@markmoriarty7388]

@JasonTMays that's the same Supro model Jimmy Page used with his Yardbirds Tele to record the debut Led Zep album. Landon Bailey has the 1×10 you just don't see them. Love your site!

[@JasonTMays]

@@markmoriarty7388 ohhh snap! Think you just gave me an idea for another video. And thanks my friend.

[@markmoriarty7388]

@JasonTMays you continue to do your thing bro, it's great!!!

[@JasonTMays]

@@markmoriarty7388 thank you for the kind words! I definitely appreciate it!

[@AlbusBand]

I love starcasters and Coronados; great video

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you! And likewise! The starcaster is my favorite semi-hollow!

[@ruffryder13]

Love the starcatser. And would love a bass version too!

[@JasonTMays]

Same!!! Fender needs to bring back the starcaster bass!

[@TheInstantClassic86]

Fun fact: Brian Aubert from “Silversun Pickups” has been using the Squier CV Starcaster on his recent tour and plays it when he’s playing “Substitution” on stage. I just need to fix mine to get it going.

[@JasonTMays]

Ohhh snap!!!! I didn’t know that! That’s what’s up!

[@PedalPlayhouse]

Great walk through of the history and playing.

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!! I’m particularly proud that this is one of the few episodes my playing reaches beyond mediocre and not sucking! lol. 😂

[@PedalPlayhouse]

Youre silly about your thoughts on playing Jason just as I guess we all are about ourselves playing. You’re good at what you do and what makes you.. you. ❤

[@JasonTMays]

@@PedalPlayhouse Well, thank you! I am very self conscious about my playing! But when you're surrounded by so many wonderful musicians like yourself who wouldn't be!

[@shaunspins]

Enjoy the breakdown of guitar. Creep sounds wonderful on guitar. Happy to find the new channel. be well

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏾

[@GitShiddy]

Damn Nelson holding Jason to the fire for that DelonGGGE pronunciation. That's true friendship ball busting folks. Having only been exposed to the Squier and now the DelonGGGE interpretations the couple of spec changes you mentioned make me more interested in the old ones. String through, offset semihollow?! Damn! Imagine they do a Vintera Starcaster that's to the OG specs.

[@JasonTMays]

lol. Yea, he wasn’t gonna let me get away with that. And i wish fender did a vintera version of the OG starcaster.

[@none_remaining]

Too bad Fender let Tom get away with that signature model instead! Ah well.

[@JasonTMays]

@@none_remaining touché! lol. 😂

[@GitShiddy]

@@none_remaining We could have it all, is all.

[@sassycat]

An affinity Starcaster is on my list. As for short history ideas, the Cyclone, Toronado, and Super-Sonic all come to mind.

[@JasonTMays]

Bet!!!! I’d love to check out those models and I’m all about making that happen! I’ll definitely add those to the list.

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

So, when is the Starcaster going to get the Telecaster/Hipshot style tailpiece again?

[@JasonTMays]

Right!!!!! I’d love a vintage accurate Starcaster!

[@tonyevans9999]

In the way back times, my local music shop... Hans Music in Main St, Croydon ... had a natural starcaster hanging up for years in the late 70's early 80's and for the times it was easily the most expensive guitar there. I did play it a few times, enough to know the modern updates aren't for me, also the modern cunife pickups don't have what those pickups had in the top end, it's so hard to describe, it's a certain schhhhhparkle. That headstock and the beautifully balanced body shape are knockouts, both for comfort and visual appeal. I've always called him Tom De Lunch, but that's just me.

[@JasonTMays]

Dude, I played a vintage Starcaster back in the day and I had a very similar experience. I’m okay with the modern updates, however I’d love if fender released a proper vintage accurate Starcaster at some point. I actually like the modern CuNife pickups: They’re bright and full sounding. But, I’m glad I’m not alone in mispronouncing Tom’s last name. lol.

[@Robstafarian]

Is the Toronado too recent for this treatment? I was really into it for a while, a 24.75" scale length with a flat neck pitch and four knobs, but the weird hardtail bridge (no swapping in Babicz Full Contact Hardware) and neck pickup position relative to the fretboard (reminiscent of an SG) turned me off.

[@JasonTMays]

Not too recent at all! I’d love to make the Toronado happen! Im not the biggest fan of SG’s…but, I do love Toronado’s.

[@ACWraith]

Eastwood's recent Telstar 2 preorders has me interested in Guyatone offsets if that's an option (possibly with variant notes like the extra fretboard access Eastwood is adding).

[@JasonTMays]

Ohhh!!! That’s most definitely an offset! 👀

[@Sorakorra]

Great video, great playing! Insta sub

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you!!!! Also your user name might be the best fusion of two of my favorite fictional characters!

[@PooNinja]

Those basses look incredible

[@JasonTMays]

RIGHT!!!!! Fender needs to bring these basses back in either the Paranormal or Classic vibe line up.

[@adee2569]

great guitar!

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you! 🙏🏾

[@andsoistopped]

I have the same CV version. It’s glorious.

[@JasonTMays]

Dude! The CV starcaster might be the best guitar in the entire CV lineup!

[@andsoistopped]

@@JasonTMaysyou might be right!

[@JasonTMays]

@@andsoistopped yea! Maybe I should turn that into a tier list episode?

[@andsoistopped]

@@JasonTMays for sure!!!!

[@aaronteague8050]

Thanks

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you! 🙏🏾

[@domingoburrito]

great video i love the star caster and i own a coronado reissue which is a pretty sweet guitar

[@JasonTMays]

I really wish they would bring the Coronado into the classic vibe line.

[@blazeofglory1982]

I propose Squire make a Paranormal Starcaster with 2 P-90’s and reverse headstock.

[@JasonTMays]

I see your P-90’s and raise you two proper Jazzmaster pickups!

[@taylornutt]

The Starcaster is one of those guitars I wanted to love but just wasn’t comfortable to play for me. I still think they are super cool.

[@JasonTMays]

Fair enough! One of the things about guitars is we can always admire them even if a particular guitar isn’t our thing comfort wise.

[@jasonmarchant1607]

Classic!

[@JasonTMays]

Thanks! 😬

[@GreenyBlues]

Great video, but now I have bad GAS for that walnut classic vibe you’re playing 😅

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you! lol. Man! I really wish fender didn’t discontinue that finish! But you can find one pretty cheap on the used market.

[@JesseMancillas]

The headstock is the best

[@JasonTMays]

Big facts!!!!

[@BoyAditya]

Man... You have your own channel too??? 😮

[@JasonTMays]

Yeppers!!!! Gotta have my own creative outlet.

[@mrfq_abg]

Can't wait for Fender to eventually issue a period correct Starcaster! As great as the ES-335 is, i'm bummed that it seems every semi-hollow is inspired by the Gibson designs.

[@JasonTMays]

I really hope they do a vintage accurate version! I’d be all over that, $1500 Vintera version is something I would buy!

[@隠れた]

Yeah I would love the original bridge on a accurate reissue, I can’t stand adjust o’matic brides

[@JasonTMays]

@@隠れた Yea...I've got some feelings about the adjust-o-matic. lol.

[@SandauxBeats]

When I was looking for a non-Gibson and non-Epiphone and non-Ibanez semi-hollow guitars, stumbled upon the Starcaster. I love the headstock! However, as budget permits, I went for Tagima Seattle2. It's almost like a Dave Grohl guitar but with a much thinner body. Yes, I'm a DG fan. But not of Gibsons and Epiphones.

[@JasonTMays]

That’s understandable! I mean at the end of the day you got a cool guitar that inspires you and that’s all that matters!

[@SandauxBeats]

@@JasonTMays Amen!

[@JasonTMays]

@@SandauxBeats 🙏🏾

[@ingersollmusicacademy]

Best Headstock Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JasonTMays]

FACTS!!!!!

[@eertje01]

I have the Olympic white affinity. I modded it to perfection. It's probably the most beautiful starcaster out there 😜

[@JasonTMays]

Ohhhh! Dang! I wanna see it!

[@eertje01]

@@JasonTMays I have a picture online on a R to the Eddit (somehow my comments keep getting deleted) on the squierstarcaster section 🤘

[@JasonTMays]

@@eertje01 bet!!! I’ll go and take a look at it!

[@Staticgrooms]

Well I thought this was GREAT!

[@JasonTMays]

Thank you! I always appreciate you my friend! Thanks for everything! 😬

[@mooseymoose]

🦆🦆:moose: HWAT? NO MOOSE? :shocked_face:

[@JasonTMays]

(In Terrence Howard voice): Next time baby.

[@mooseymoose]

@@JasonTMays DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT!

[@JasonTMays]

@@mooseymoose lmao!!!! 😜

[@mooseymoose]

@@JasonTMays ROFL

[@JasonTMays]

@@mooseymoose good times! 🤘🏾

[@Great-Documentaries]

And there is a reason why those originally shitty Wide Range Humbuckers were universally hated in the 1970s and discontinued after just an embarrassing 10 year run: They suck. Who gives a shit if they have expensive magnets? They suck! The new ones do to! That's what is so cool about the fake WRHB's on the Squier. They don't have those magnets and sound BETTER! Only a fool would swap them out for the shitty Fender reissues that cost nearly as much as that Classic Vibe Starcaster!

[@JasonTMays]

Did you really just like your own comment? lol.

[@renula]

You installed cunifes on that one? Sounds great anyways

[@JasonTMays]

Yep!!!!! We did a video on WCM a few years ago about the install. But thank you! I felt pretty happy with the demos in this video.

[@marccarter1350]

Na, not for me. Prefer my Epiphone Casino!

[@JasonTMays]

That’s cool too! Casinos are nice!

[@Great-Documentaries]

Do you really think shit like that OJ interlude adds something to your videos? Because it REALLY doesn't. Not only in general, but who specifically wants to be reminded of that double-murderer?

[@idlepickups]

Love wide range humbuckers. In my opinion, the modern reproductions are a travesty. Why put them in the larger wide range form factor if they’re just muddy sounding spaced-apart pafs? I don’t get it. Whatever

[@JasonTMays]

I agree!!!! Thats why I like Fender CuNife reissues and admittedly Curtis Novak and Lollar are pretty close alternatives to the originals.

[@idlepickups]

@@JasonTMays yeah I remember your video where you swapped the Fender reissues in. I make some too cause I know I wouldn’t want to spend $400 on one set of pickups 😬

[@JasonTMays]

@@idlepickups You know at some point i need to actually try some of your pickups! Especially after Emily’s video. I just need to figure out what guitar. lol.