Although we’re used to seeing Fender produce wild hybrid builds by means of its oddball Squier Paranormal vary, Fender Japan has bucked the development by unveiling a Massive F-branded Frankenstein’d creation that mashes two of the agency’s offset shapes.
The newly minted Starmaster is (no prizes for getting this proper) a mish-mash electrical guitar mannequin that takes inspiration from each the Jazzmaster and the Starcaster – the latter of which has skilled one thing of a resurgence over the previous few years.
Nevertheless, whereas on paper the Starmaster is a time period that appears completely loaded with wonderful potential – a Thinline Jazzmaster physique with Starcaster trimmings, for instance, would have been a winner – Fender Japan has opted as an alternative to go down an alternate route.
It’s a selection that may deter some punters, although, as a result of FJ has determined to slap its all-too-divisive outsized Starcaster headstock onto the physique of a Jazzmaster.
The result’s, it must be mentioned, a really odd-looking Jazzmaster that from the images seems to be eerily out of proportion to itself.
Nonetheless, it could possibly be one other considered one of Fender Japan’s traditional ‘growers’, and whereas it’s not precisely what we’d have gone for with a Jazzmaster/Starcaster hybrid, there’s no denying there’s a sure ugly-duckling form of allure to it that may win us over ultimately.
However the color-matched headstock apart, we’re additionally intrigued by what Fender Japan has really accomplished to the Jazzmaster physique itself. For the Starmaster, the offset has been given a wierd, stepped higher bout bevel, which affords a contrasting end to the remainder of the guitar.
It’s actually not one thing you’d discover on an everyday Jazzmaster. Heck, the sports activities car-style vibe we get from this reminds us of feedback Fender made when describing the American Extremely II vary – which, in fact, dropped the Jazzmaster in favor of the Meteora.
Nevertheless, this isn’t a discarded Extremely II Jazzmaster physique. As a substitute, as Fender Japan explains, it’s a continuation of the Starcaster’s headstock design, which additionally options the identical two-step bevel motif.
Bevels apart, it’s a typical Jazzmaster physique, out there in Jupiter Blue, Sweet Apple Pink and Black (which has a modern silver spotlight). Oh, and to make it much more divisive, it is out there in Antigua.
The guitar is constructed from an alder physique, whereas the U-shape maple neck affords a rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5” radius and 22 medium jumbo frets. The electronics division accommodates Hybrid II Customized Voiced single-coils.
These are wired to a conventional Jazzmaster management structure for a guitar that, in the event you solely take note of the fretboard and physique, seems to be similar to an oddball Jazzmaster correct.
As one other cool addition, the divisive new offset additionally boasts a brand-new headstock decal that flaunts the brand new Starmaster mannequin title. Might this be the beginning of a totally fledged Starmaster line? It’s solely a restricted launch, so in all probability not, but when this divisive offset takes flight, who is aware of…
The Fender Made in Japan Restricted Starmaster is obtainable for 192,500 Japanese Yen, roughly $1,290.
Head over to Fender Japan to seek out out extra.
