New Squier Starcasters - Classic Vibe, Contemporary, and Affinity

[sirspens]

I just got notice that tracking has been added to my pre-order for my Classic Vibe Starcaster!

[sirspens]

Just got home to my newest guitar.

[alexpigment]

Whoa. Need a full report on it. That's the one that's catching my eye.

[Pacafeliz]

Oh shit I love it!!!
And that was FAST!

[thisisnickpaige]

Super excited for these. Though my eyes are set on the surf pearl contemporary one. Pull the guts, put in some passive electronics, and we’re in business.

Anyone get one of those yet? How you liking the brown one?

[sirspens]

Whoa. Need a full report on it. That's the one that's catching my eye.

I had to wait quite a while to play it, because I got the guitar at about 100 degrees, coming off a UPS truck here in Austin, Texas. So, I only got about an hour with it last night.

The finish is really nice. Got it from CME and the set up is great, of course. The first thing that really jumped out at me (and I don't know if this is true to the original Starcaster) is that the 22 fret neck isn't an overhang, the neck is full length 22 frets, so it would not fit on other Fenders. The neck also has a LOT of angle on it.

I haven't researched or taken apart the pickups (yet), but they sound pretty good. Good clarity. More compressed than a single coil, obviously, but far less compressed than a typical humbucker. They are brighter than my Meteora HH humbuckers, with more clarity. I typically find the neck pickup in humbucker guitars absolutely useless anything but clean. I have found myself actually learning toward the neck pickup at anything but high distortion, but even liked the neck with fuzz. All that said, it could be accomplished with Alnico 3 magnets. I fully expect to find the same stupid recent reissues of the WRHB under the covers.

The guitar has been really comfortable to play. I own two 1976 Coronados (6 and 12) and while I love the guitars, I will be the first to admit they aren't extremely comfortable to play. This is the first Starcaster I have played, and it is very comfortable. I like the big body, and it has curves in all the right places (very sexy), and aligns pretty well when sitting.

The guitar came strung with 9s, so that is super annoying and they feel way to loose. I'll have to fix that. Which will give me the opportunity to look under the humbucker hood.

I'll update, or probably even do a NGD, as I learn more and get some pictures taken.

One thing I'm wondering is if an original Starcaster bridge (or similar modern model, those were pretty big footprint bridges) can fit over and cover the holes of the ToM and stoptail, while also being high enough to account for the neck angle. That would be a great mod, as I'm not a fan of ToMs.

[alexpigment]

One thing I'm wondering is if an original Starcaster bridge (or similar modern model, those were pretty big footprint bridges) can fit over and cover the holes of the ToM and stoptail, while also being high enough to account for the neck angle. That would be a great mod, as I'm not a fan of ToMs.

I think you're out of luck getting the original bridge to cover the stopbar holes, but I suppose if you're really good with at woodwork and finishing, it could be done passably. You'd have to drill ferrules in the back of the guitar of course.

For what it's worth, I have an American Pro bridge drilled out to sit on top of AOM posts in case you think you'd prefer that. PM me if so.

Anyway, congrats on the new guitar, and cheers from a fellow Austinite.

[Debaser]

Awesome, I hope mine is shipping soon. Could you tell us about the neck? Thin, chunky? Is it heavy? I avoid the MP Coronado because some are too heavy.

Also could anyone give me a distance from the end of the guitar to the TOM? Bigsby in mind as soon as I get mine

[sirspens]

The neck is fairly thin, not chunky. It is feels a hint wider than my AV65 neck, but not 1-3/4" like a Gibson 335.

The guitar itself is heavier than my 1976 Coronado, but that is a super light guitar, being a full hollow body. I haven't weighed it, but I would guess it is around 7lbs, slightly over.

I changed the strings today, and took a look under the hood to see this "new" Squier WRHB. Not a lot to see, though...




The baseplate for the humbucker is soldered on, and I wasn't committed enough to getting it off. If I ever change pickups, I will. Unless someone gets to it before me.

[thisisnickpaige]

The neck is fairly thin, not chunky.
...
The baseplate for the humbucker is soldered on, and I wasn't committed enough to getting it off.

I don’t know if it’s just the contemporary active ones but they’re suppose to be thinner, from what I’ve heard.

What would taking off the baseplate achieve?

Also got a set of the stock G&B pickups in my PRS S2 (I know, don’t stone me) and they actually sound really great, especially when the coils are split. Very jangly and single coil-esque, yet warm and full. May be a different model, though.

Bigsby in mind as soon as I get mine

Also looking to add a bigsby to mine, so y’all who get them before us, do keep us informed! I won’t be getting mine until the end of October.

[sirspens]

What would taking off the baseplate achieve?

It would let us see the construction.

Is there a base magnet with slugs? Probably.
How wide are the coils wound? Full WRHB width? Just standard but spaced?

[thisisnickpaige]

Oh that’s right. This model has ‘wide range’ humbuckers, now I’m with you.

[Debaser]

Still hoping somebody could chime in on the distance from bridge to strap button end. I hope to use a Bigsby B3 on mine

[alexpigment]

Still hoping somebody could chime in on the distance from bridge to strap button end. I hope to use a Bigsby B3 on mine

I just did the math for you from a stock photo. Should be 6.85 inches from the back of the bridge to the beginning of the strap button. Some margin of error there (due to the photo, and also the curvature of the body itself), but hope that helps.

[sirspens]

Still hoping somebody could chime in on the distance from bridge to strap button end. I hope to use a Bigsby B3 on mine

I've been on the road for a few days. I'll measure it this evening.