Fender Puts Starcaster Bass Into Production After Nearly 40 Years

In addition to the recently reintroduced Coronado Bass, Fender has added another classic design to their Modern Player Series with the Starcaster Bass.

ender Modern Player Starcaster Bass - natural finish

Based on the Starcaster guitar, the semi-hollow bass was designed in the mid-1970s and was never officially produced. Fender calls it one of their rarest instruments as only a handful of prototypes were built.

The Fender Modern Player Starcaster Bass is short-scale (30?) instrument defined by its thin semi-hollow offset body with a bound maple top and f-holes. Its maple neck has a “C” shape profile and leads up to a curvy, retro Starcaster headstock.

The bass is fitted with two Fender “Wide Range” humbuckers controlled with a 3-way toggle switch with volume and tone knobs for each pickup. Other features include a four-saddle Fender Hi-Mass bridge, four skirted “amp” style control knobs, and black dot inlays. It’s available in three finishes: Natural, Black, and Aged Cherry Burst.

The Fender Modern Player Starcaster Bass will be available soon with a street price around $749. For more info, check out the Fender website.

Fender Modern Player Starcaster Bass Photos:

Fender Modern Player Starcaster Bass Specs:

  • Body Material: Alder with Maple Top and Back
  • Body Finish: Gloss Polyester
  • Body Shape: Other
  • Body Binding: Bound Top and Back
  • Neck Material: Maple
  • Neck Finish: Gloss Polyester
  • Neck Shape: “C” Shape
  • Scale Length: 30? (762 mm)
  • Fingerboard: Maple
  • Fingerboard Radius: 9.5? (241 mm)
  • Number of Frets: 22
  • Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
  • String Nut: Synthetic Bone
  • Nut Width: 1.625? (41.3 mm)
  • Position Inlays: Black Dot
  • Truss Rods: Standard
  • Neck Plate: 4-Bolt
  • Bridge Pickup: Fender “Wide Range” Humbucking Bass
  • Neck Pickup: Fender “Wide Range” Humbucking Bass
  • Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
  • Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
  • Pickup Configuration: HH
  • Bridge: 4-Saddle Fender Hi-Mass
  • Hardware Finish: Chrome
  • Tuning Machines: Standard Open-Gear
  • Control Knobs: Skirted Amp Knobs
  • Strings: Fender USA Bass 7250M, NPS (.045-.105 Gauges)

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Leave a Reply to Charlie Parish Cancel reply

  1. Nice, but I think my heart beats for the Coronado…

  2. Like to see these offered in 32″ medium scale. For that matter I’d like to see Med Scale versions of a lot of basses as short feels kinda, you know, ‘short’ :-)

  3. nice bridge and maple ‘board.

  4. Luv the look, but it’s kinda hard to decide between the natural and the black. Hope it sounds as good as it looks.

  5. Only three colors ? Can’ appease all tastes… so I just wish they would come in cobalt or navy blue…

  6. I ?? THE FENDER STRATACASTER BASS, GUITARS