Howdy Fenderites!

Im fairly new here, just thought i'd let you all know, i started an online petition for the re-issue of the original 70s Fender Starcaster stunning semi-hollow guitar, a few weeks ago. There is a lot of buzz surrounding this guitar on various sources all over the net, there are lovers and haters. Although mostly lovers

After contacting 'Guitarist' magazine, they have featured a 2 page spread devoted to the guitar in the 'used gear' column in the March edition issue326. And in the new April issue 327 they have published my letter, which is about the petition itself.

Before this thread gets into a haters debate, about how; Fender will never re-issue this, it didnt sell the first time round, they wont get the pickups right, just buy a gibson, get the custom shop to make you one, its ugly, or whatever your opinion may be, please check out the link to my petition, alot of your questions may be answered there.

Basically, a lot of guitarists want this guitar, but are not prepared to pay £3500+ for a used 35 year old guitar. There are big named acts guitarists who use these guitars; RadioHead, Killers, Artic Monkeys, to name a few. And so far ive got 80 signatures that support this cause.

I am looking for More support and More signatures from the Fenderites here, please show your love and support by signing the petition, the link is below, it takes less than a minute, its free, and is spam free!!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fender70sstarcaster/

Thankyou in advance for anyone kind enough to show your support!

Sorry i should just mention, that the actual petition itself is NOT this poll, it is at the link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fender70sstarcaster/

Also i should point out that this is a duplicate thread of the one in the 'other guitars' forum, but it was suggested i come here for more traffic, thanks again

There's one for sale on EBay right now for a fixed price of $4,495.00 (not an auction) and it appears to be in good shape.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1976-Fender ... 246wt_1167

I'd certainly consider one if it was competitively priced. By that I mean priced more according to cost of construction instead of a limited run with collector value pre-built in. Or, perhaps Fender would consider a collector valued identical-to-original US run and a MIM close clone for those of us who'd play one for the sound but don't have collector level income.

I do not know much about the guitar, to be honest. What -- specifically -- do you like about this guitar that is not present in Epi, Gibson, Gretch, or Ibanez models? Just curious ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Nah, they were okay and played well but they didn't sell well then and probably wouldn't sell well now. I seriously wouldn't pay 4 grand for an original one. They're not that sought after. I never liked the funky headstock.
People didn't like the bolt on neck and it was a 3 bolt neck to boot.

I wouldn't mind the Wildwood guitars coming back like the Coronodo. Maybe they could bring the Starcaster out as a Squire or a MIM model. I think something like one popular recording artist used one at the time and I can't even remember his name. LOL Younger guys use them now though I don't know why. Could be because they were so funky looking.

I've played a few way back and never bought one. The workmanship wasn't up to say the 335 level. Actually I think my Artcore AS73 is built better and sounds better. But the Artcore I have supposedly doesn't have stock pups in it. I never looked, I bought it used for a beater and now it's my go-to Blues guitar.

I did not vote, but for the following reasons. Although I like the orginal Fender Starcaster as well as the Coronado series guitars, I just do not think they should be re-issued at this time. The economy is not in good enough shape just yet to support such an endeavor.

1. I think that Fender may have some issues putting out another model with such a different design that would slow down production of all their other guitars being made at this time. They may be abe to out-sourse the guitar to their sister company Squier and make them in a country outside the US to make them more affordable.

2. I feel that unless Fender sold these guitars for under $500, they would sell rather slowly. Most guitarist are on some sort of budget and are looking for an affordable instrument.

3. FMIC already owns Gretch, would the Starcaster be any more affordable than a Gretch?

As much as I would love to see a hollow body Fender guitar, I think it would drain away Fender's profits too much to for them to b able to effectively produce and market that type of guitar at this time. I say give it a few more years.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

The standout features of the starcaster, which seperates itself from other semi hollows, are; the maple fretboard(no other semi hollow has one) the off-set body shape, the wacky headstock, (which i like), a master volume pot, and a bolt on neck. For me, the bolt on neck isn't a bad thing as i think one of gibsons major design flaws is the set neck. Yes a set neck has better sustain, but with the set neck paired with a tilted headstock and shorter scale the necks are more suseptable to breaks, and when they do, the only option is a very pricey neck job. with the bolt on, when/if they have a break (which is highly unlikely due to the decreased angle of the headstock) you have the option of both a pricey neck job, or a replacement neck.

Years ago there were tow kinds of necks. Fender bolt on necks and everyone else. Then many manufacturers started making them. Dano, Supro, National and a bunch of others. I have never broken a neck on a guitar in my life set neck or otherwise or even know someone who has. On a Gibson, you still need to whack it pretty hard to break it or do the neck push thing to get that tremolo effect. Set neck guitars are not as fragile as you think, and as far a sustain goes, I don't know. My Strat sustains pretty well so does my Supro and that neck is bolted to a fiberglass body. I don't think the whole sustain set/bolt on neck thing holds water on a solid body instrument anyway. On a semi hollow or arch top, I can see it, but not on a solid body guitar. But that's another debate. YMMV and it's only my opinion.