"The guitarуs controls include a 3-way pickup selector, a tone and volume knob for each pickup, and a master volume. The Starcaster shown here has a natural finishяother choices available were black, blonde, tobacco sunburst, walnut, and white. This particular Fender model was the only non-Telecaster model to feature the Seth Lover-designed Wide Range humbuckers. These pickupsяoriginally used from у71пу79 in Telecaster Deluxes, Thinlines, and Customsяare described as having a fat, distinctive tone with a little more detail and clarity than the famous PAF pickups Lover designed for Gibson. While Fender didnуt lure away too many ES purists with the short-lived Starcasterяthe guitar was only manufactured from 1976п1980яit did eventually find favor with indie guitarists like Radioheadуs Jonny Greenwood, Phishуs Trey Anastasio (who plays a custom Langeudoc designed after the Starcaster), The Killersу Dave Keuning (who uses one in the bandуs videos for рFor Reasons Unknownс and рHumanс), and Arctic Monkeysу Jamie Cook (who rocks one during the video for рCrying Lightningс). "
GALLERY: Gear of the Month 2012
See all 12 unique instruments featured as Gear of the Month in 2012.
By Chris KiesDec 23, 2012
Chris Kies
Chris Kies has degrees in Journalism and History from the University of Iowa and has been with PG dating back to his days as an intern in 2007. He's now the multimedia manager maintaining the website and social media accounts, coordinating Rig Rundown shoots (also hosting and/or filming them) and occasionally writing an artist feature. Other than that, he enjoys non-guitar-related hobbies.