Fender StarcasterMusic 

Camaroyenko

Camaroyenko

1,255
United States
Indiana
camaroyenko
No....just no.
I'm probably getting one of these, anything I should know?


By the way-please, I'm not looking for "Oh that's a piece of crap" answers. It will be my first electric guitar, I don't need anything special.



Thanks. :)
 
Last edited:
By Starcaster do you mean the "Strat pack" starting kit with a guitar, 10watt amp and lead?

If so, I believe this is the best possible choice for anybody learning to play the electric guitar. Quality instrument, the amp is crap (if its still the squier 10w) but it is more than good enough to set you on your way.

Stratocasters have 3 single coil pickups, when you use high gain (the distorted rock sound) it will tend to be a little noisier (buzzzzzzzzz sound) than a guitar with a humbucker pickup (looks like 2 singlecoils stuck together), the single coil pickups tend to have a brighter and more vibrant tone, where as a humbucker (less buzzz) is usually a little more high output with more upper mids and will sound more focussed.

Either way, it is a great starting guitar, but the amp that comes with the "Starcaster" set isnt so great. You may be better looking at a standalone Fender Stratocaster guitar, and getting an amp from say Peavey, Marshall or Line 6 (popular and quality amps in the low cost range).


If you mean the Fender Starcaster acoustic guitar set, well it is cheap as chips. It will do the job but don't expect magic, it is much easier to make a quality and great sounding electric for cheap than it is to make an acoustic (in my opinion).
 
They are good little guitars but a little limiting due to the pickups. My suggestion would be an entry level Yamaha Pacifica. It has a humbucker in the bridge position and better build quality. Ive been playing since I was 11 (32 now) and alway held the Yamaha very highly. Id happily use and gig one now! The guy who posted above me is right in saying that a standalone guitar bought with an better quality practice amp would be better suited. check out Rolands Microcube. Best little amp ever!
 
Thanks guys. Yeah, I meant the electric Strat pack. The amp, yeah I already knew it was bad, but I'll have to live with it because my budget is really that strict.
 
Acheron79
My suggestion would be an entry level Yamaha Pacifica.
Click to expand...
A friend of mine has both a Stratocaster and a Telecaster but he wouldn't get rid of his Yamaha, either. 👍
 
The Yamaha Pacifica entry models are also great starting guitars, I wouldn't rate them above the Squier Fenders though, but atleast on a par, a Yamaha 112 would set you back a little more money.

It shouldnt be too much more (if at all) expensive to buy a seperate guitar and amp, look around a bit.


For example, on a quick search I came up with these

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-affinity-fat-strat-montego-black/15965
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/marshall-mg15fx/19477

Would come in at £260, roughly the same price as the Starcaster pack.


http://www.gak.co.uk/en/roland-cube-15xl-guitar-amp-combo/41346
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-affinity-stratocaster-black-rosewood/15975

Would cost you £220.

Throw in £10 for a lead and £2 1-2 picks. It should be roughly the same over in the states, currency converted.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys.


RB, I play acoustic but I fail hard at it. I'm trying to learn though. If I get an electric I'll definitely learn on that due to the strings being easier to bend.
 
I used to find the action more of an issue than the string thickness when I first started playing guitar, but by then I'd already been learning with a Squier Strat for several years anyway, which was a doddle to learn on.

As far as acoustics go if I ever get around to buying another it'll be a Tanglewood. The action isn't much higher than most electrics which makes them so nice to play. Easy on the fingertips!
 
Yeah, I've heard of the Starcasters having a low action. That could be fixed with a new nut though couldn't it?
 
Camaroyenko
Thanks guys.

RB, I play acoustic but I fail hard at it. I'm trying to learn though. If I get an electric I'll definitely learn on that due to the strings being easier to bend.
Click to expand...

Well then I'd just get it if it's cheap, I learned on some 80's SWG Stinger guitar, I can't any history on it though, says it was set up and inspected by WF Martin & Co, so I don't know what's up. But for learning, don't worry too much, as long as it is decent, which a starcaster is.
 
Camaroyenko
Yeah, I've heard of the Starcasters having a low action. That could be fixed with a new nut though couldn't it?
Click to expand...

Strats have fantastic action. It all depends on your tremolo, the neck and well as your string gauge. For example I found the American Special to bend a little bit easier than an American Standard and the fretboard on the American Standard was for me a little slower, probably due to the particular finish that was on that fretboard and not on the American Special. A .009 e-string gauge will bend easier than a .010 e-string gauge, but will have less sustain. Bending on an acoustic is a little harder, but equally as easy as on an electric.
 
For what its worth, Starcaster is the name of the package, the actual electric guitar is called the Stratocaster. Action is how high the strings are from the fretboard, lower action is generally easier to play and absolutely recommended for beginners and for anybody who likes playing fast.

With that said, low action is a good thing. Squier Stratocasters (the guitar in the Starcaster pack) are fantastic guitars. I still play mine, and I have a collection of a few guitars with my main being worth in excess of £2000.
 
Only problem is though is string buzz with low action. Although, that should only be a problem on acoustics..?
 
It depends from individual guitar to guitar, you can get fret buzz if the action is too low or if the neck is not straight, also if the nut is too deeply cut, but action is something that is set at the bridge, the guitar should have a basic setup from the factory (and squiers usually are setup decently), it is unlikely you will run into such problems.

I don't think these are even issues you should be worried with. It sounds like from reading you do not yourself fully understand what you're talking about ^^.
 
Though you probably have never heard of them, I would suggest looking into SX guitars. The link posted below is the same guitar that I have had for about two years. It is really well built, though I would recommend changing the strings as they aren't the best. I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky(pink package) and only had to raise the saddles a small bit and I have had little to no fret buzz, and I have a pretty low action as well. A friend of mine who has played it on numerous occasions has told me that it is better than any of his guitars which cost him more than this. I also will add that the amp isn't the best, and I have since upgraded to a Vox VT20+. They come in a few other colors, and I was quite drawn to the Sunburst. I have had no problems at all with it and would recommend it to any beginner.
http://www.rondomusic.com/rst3ts.html
 
Get what is suited to your playing style, go down to your local music shop and just spend a while trying out the guitars that you like/in your price range and find which you like and you also like the sound of 👍 I would say that the Yamaha would be worth a go over the Stratocaster. But also paying out for slightly better amp is worth it too in my opinion, it will make your playing sound better than through the basic amps and thats always good :lol: My favourite amp type are the Vox valvetronix (although they can be pricy, but also can be found at good prices) and it will last you really well, I have a 15W one and it has a load of built in effects and is great for using when playing live for audiences or just in your room to yourself :)

I started out with a Squire Jagmaster and would recommend the Squire build quality, but I wouldn't go for the Stratocasters as a better sound (in my opinion) can be found for the same price 👍
 
The Stratocaster is a legendary design, the most popular and well sold guitar of the last 60 years, present on many legendary music tracks and played by many of the greatest players to this day. The Stratocaster is also the most copied model (the yamaha pacfica is a Stratocaster) which can vary in price from £100 to over £4000 and every single individual guitar will play and sound slightly different.

I own and have played a lot of older vintage and newer guitars (including owning a Pacifica 412), a few boutique studio quality and live amps and I am a musician by profession and have a lot of experience in the area with 2 generations worth of insight. You're right when you say the best thing you can do is to go and try what you like at a shop, but saying that a "better sound can be found at the same price" is misinformation. There is no such thing as a "better" sound from guitar design to design, only a different sound, that will be suited better to different styles of people, playing and music. Sure a £4000 Strat will sound better and play nicer than a £100 one, but a great player can make the £100 one sound better than the £4000 in lesser hands.


When you're advising a new player the last thing you want to do is confuse them with misinformation, and that is exactly what you're doing when you generalise the "Stratocaster" like that.
 
Last edited:
Camaroyenko
Thanks guys.


RB, I play acoustic but I fail hard at it. I'm trying to learn though. If I get an electric I'll definitely learn on that due to the strings being easier to bend.
Click to expand...

Depends on the acoustic. My friend has a jumbo Gibson acoustic and it plays like an absolute dream. Despite using some heavy strings, String bending is effortless on it.

The Squire will suit you fine although I am of the opinion that in order to learn, you are better forking out a bit more money for a better made guitar. I always see people buying cheap, poorly made acoustics near christmas time (you know, the 30 gbp ones from supermarkets). The problem is that the guitar will be harder to play as the action will be poor, as will the general build quality. A first time player may not realize you can make adjustments to the action. Spend a bit more on a better guitar and the general build quality will be much higher, making the guitar more comfortable to play, encouraging better progress. And if it doesn't work out, at least you'll be able to get a decent amount back for it when you sell.
 
Camaroyenko
Hey, my acoustic was $20 so the Star can't be much worse :lol:
Click to expand...

You mean the Strat. It'll be a decent first guitar, but you should play some different guitars and get a feel for what you like. For example, you could get a decent epiphone and get an amp later. If you like the feel of that type of guitar and like the sound of the humbuckers better than single coils, you'll probably learn a lot faster. I briefly had an epiphone sg as my second guitar and the neck was a perfect fit for my hand and the action was nice and low. Plus the build quality was good for the price, so there were no uncomfortable jagged edges. Sometimes cheap guitars will be made so poorly, that the fret ends will be very sharp.

Point I'm trying to make is the more comfortable the guitar, the more likely you are to keep plugging away at it until you're pretty good. Plus the resale value will be pretty good when you're ready to move on to a premium guitar.
 
I disagree with what you say about the squier F1 fan. They are fantastic guitars, not just decent but really good, and they have a reputation as such (magazines giving rave reviews of 5/5 etc). They have low action and a lovely neck and are easier to play than some of the more expensive (even the Fender versions) models around. That doesnt mean they have as high quality components, or are made out of the same quality wood, and it doesnt mean they will sound as good but they certaintly are built to exceptional quality.

I completely disagree that a player should start with something more expensive. When a player is new they need something good enough, then if and when they really start to get into learning and playing the guitar they will read about and research new products and find out what they like and what they want. That then gives them a goal, something to aim for. If you start off with something too already good then you have less of a goal to aim for and the bottom line is that the entry level guitars (especially the Squier and Yamaha) are the perfect choice for a starter.

I don't think there is much likelyhood that a £300 guitar is going to be anymore comfortable than a £150 Squier Strat for example, especially so with the squiers as they have a more narrow and easy to reach (for beginners or small hands) neck profile. The neck on my Fender Strat is considerably thicker and requires a stronger (more developed) hand to get the most out of, when i'm teaching new players I always have them use my old squier (assuming they don't have their own guitar) because it is easy to get comfortable with.


I've always advised my students and anybody who is starting new to avoid expensive gear because the entry level stuff (of the last 10 years atleast) is more than good enough for its purpose.
 
Can't figure out why everyone makes a big deal out of the jagged frets. I'd just take a file in at an angle to get them right.


F1 Fan, my acoustic is a Burswood. It's actually a 31" kid's guitar (I'm 13) and I've kind of outgrown it :irked:


That's why I want a full size guitar.


The reason I don't want anything expensive-what if I don't like playing? I'll be honest I'd love a Les Paul for a beginner but if I don't like it I'm out $800 not including the cost of the amp and everything else. I think the Starcaster will last me a year or so then I could maybe upgrade to a Squier. As far as I'm concerned, with the right parts and some effort you could have yourself a very good guitar. For instance, if the neck's bad or something, you only need a new neck. See what I'm getting at? :)


Not completely sure on an amp though. I was thinking of maybe a Marshall, or the Roland Micro Cube.
 
Camaroyenko
F1 Fan, my acoustic is a Burswood. It's actually a 31" kid's guitar (I'm 13) and I've kind of outgrown it :irked:

That's why I want a full size guitar.
Click to expand...
I'm 17 and have largish hands and I still play my beginner guitar which was a 3/4 size Yamaha Junior steel strung acoustic and love it. A smaller guitar isn't always bad, its great for travelling with :)

Camaroyenko
Not completely sure on an amp though. I was thinking of maybe a Marshall, or the Roland Micro Cube.
Click to expand...
Just curious as to why a Marshall? I would really recommend taking this amplifier into consideration (15w size) as I previously mentioned its an incredible little amp and would suit all your needs for playing. It's louder than Marshall amps of a similar size and up to double the size too :P Mine is louder than a 40w Marshall that was the other amp being used on full during a concert I played.
 
Vox Valvetronix are great little amps, but they are more expensive for it. I recommended the Marshall because it falls into his very tight budget and because they are also great practice amps. The Roland Cube also falls roughly into that price range, as does the Line6 Spider 15.

Camaro - Squier is the lower end brand name of the Fender company, so its more of where you want to start with, not an upgrade ^^. The Starcaster is actually a new brand name of lower end and entry level (beginner/student) guitars, and is also part of the Fender company, but a Starcaster is definitely not a real Fender. The guitar you're getting with the Starcaster set is called the "Stratocaster", even if it doesn't say it on the headstock, lol. Personally I would go with the Squier branded Affinity Stratocaster, rather than the Starcaster branded set, they should both be around the same price.

This "Starcaster" thing confused me and so I had to go find out about it, originally I wasnt sure what it was but a bit of digging around and a look at the http://www.strat-talk.com/forum gave me what I was looking for. The people there don't rate them, a few specifically saying that the Squier Affinity Stratocaster (the guitar in the squier start set) is a much better guitar and warned at new buyers looking into buying guitars. This thread - http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/squ...der-starcaster-fender-strat-squier-strat.html

But..... for the same price as the Starcaster set you could buy a seperate amp and guitar and get a better sound, because the amp that comes with the Starcaster starter set is really not great. Some shops will even do you a deal where they will put together a starter set with an amp and guitar of your choice (in the same price range) for a similar price. You might be able get one with an Epiphone or Tanglewood brand lower end Les Paul model. Take everybodies advice on this, go to a shop and have them make you a set, you will be happier for it. A Squier affinity Strat would be a great starting guitar, it would be even greater when paired with a good amp, but with all that aside i'm sure you would rather start with a Les Paul, which is quite possible for the same price range.



Check these out - Guitar Center - just one site for example.

Guitars -

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-Affinity-Series-Fat-Strat-Electric-Guitar-102545753-i1146519.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Electric-Guitar-100001870-i1149986.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-...-Deluxe-Electric-Guitar-103153664-i1166881.gc


Amps

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Marshal...8-Guitar-Combo-Amp--Black--501641-i1598915.gc - 10w version is $69

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-Spider-IV-15-15W-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp-105482871-i1470458.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-Valvetronix-VT15-15W-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp-483551-i1969466.gc - more expensive at $129
 
Last edited:
Trust me, I have no high expectations with the Starcaster. I already know the highs and lows.


Oh well, I was thinking of possibly getting the Epiphone Les Paul someday.



Thanks everyone. :)
 
A Strat is a GREAT guitar. When I was a kid learning, I wish there were inexpensive guitars available that are as good as what you can get today. In my day a cheap guitar was a cheap guitar. You had to REALLY want to learn to continue with some of the junkers I had....

I now own a 1962 Stratocaster and a 1969 Les Paul.

You will love learning on a Strat. Best of Luck with it.

****EDIT****

Sorry, I thought the thread said STRATocaster. I didn't notice until NOW it says STARcaster (whatever that is) My bad.
 
Last edited:
I thought you meant this
1976-Fender-Starcaster-Natural.jpg


Which IS a piece of crap unless you set it up right, in which case the guitarists of The Killers and Radiohead use one.
 

Similar threads

ProjectWHaT
2025 Ferrari EV
Replies
17
Views
3K
MIE1992
MIE1992
Pesselles
What are your 2024 GT7 goals?
2 3 4
Replies
101
Views
10K
Wilsonson
W
I
Headphones connection options?
Replies
6
Views
942
IfAndOr
IfAndOr
Yard_Sale
Sim Racing PC specs
Replies
5
Views
2K
Kriptical
Kriptical
Cristobal1234
Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven Concept 2023
Replies
0
Views
1K
Cristobal1234
Cristobal1234

Latest Posts

Back