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Fender Modern Player: Coronado or Starcaster?

Fender Modern Player: Coronado or Starcaster?

  • Coronado

    Votes: 20 33.3%
  • Starcaster

    Votes: 40 66.7%

  • Total voters
    60
The Starcaster looks more interesting to me, and sounds better to my ears. The Coronado is not faithful to the original. It looks all wrong due to the pick ups not being the same as on the old ones. The new pick ups don't sound very good to me.
I don't know as I've never heard one, but from all I've read, that's pretty much the reason the Coronado failed in the first place, in that most thought it had terrible tone.
 
Starcaster. The pickups are much hotter (which I prefer) than what is used on the Coronado, and I liked the tone better as well. I was also fortunate to find a light one (compared to the others I had tried) in the cherry sunburst finish (which was my first choice.)
 
Theres a Starcaster on Sweetwater right now that's less than 8 lbs. I'd imagine it would be pretty neck heavy though.

Just looked, couldn't find a Starcaster bass at that weight... If it was that weight, it would have been an original. Very rare bass model.
Of the new crop, the only ones close to 8 lbs are the guitar models at 8 lb 3oz.

None of the current crop are neck divey because of the center block and short scale. Most of them weigh in at 9 lbs 10 oz, and it feels heavier than that because of the wiggy weight distribution (all in the center), though I will say the Starcaster guitar feels more "normal" than either the Starcaster or Coronado basses.

The Starcaster guitar is about the same weight as my Jack Casady bass. I got a nice 3" strap and installed some planet waves elliptical strap buttons to alleviate the slight neck dive the JC had.

At 9+ lbs for the Starcaster and 10+ lbs for the Coronado, I would suggest a 3" strap for the Fender basses as well.


Fender JP-90
Epi Bass Club #169 JC sig
 
Would be tempted with a Coronada if it didn't have that sustain block running through it. I like my hollow bodies truly hollow body for that authentic 60's tone that you only get with a short scale hollow body, flats, and a neck humbucker
 
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Tried the Jack Casady, brought the case because my Starcaster fit in it almost perfectly. Wish the case didn't have the manufacturer's name on it but oh well. I've replaced the strings that it came with with D'Addario Chromes and really like the sound. Unfortunately the bass spends too much time in its case but every time I get it out and play it I realize it's a keeper.
 
I've played both of these--and both guitar versions as well.
I like the Starcasters a lot--I tried an older Starcaster guitar before they re-introduced these, and have liked them since then.

I voted Starcaster--for reasons similar to ones above.

I prefer the feel and the playability of the Starcaster.
I also prefer the sound.

One issue I have with the Coronado (Both bass & guitar versions), is the pickguard blocks the view of the bridge pickup volume control.
Either the pickguard is too big or the control is poorly placed or both.
You can help by removing the pickguard (Which I would do if I had the Coronado), but it's still oddly placed.

Budget & other concerns right now mean I won't be buying either, but maybe one day I'll get one of them used, or I'll win one in a draw.
 
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I went with the cherry burst Starcaster. Liked the looks, humbuckers.
IMG_1164.JPG
 
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I played the Coronado @ a local shop about a year ago. I liked it well enough, it sounded ok and fit and finish were decent. No hollowbody I have played to date sounds as good or plays as good as my old Ibanez artcore 140, after having the faulty factory tone circuit repaired.
 
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Which one? And preferably, why you like it more.

CORONADO...
View attachment 2286002


STARCASTER...
View attachment 2286003
I voted for the Coronado, only because I had an original back in ‘69, identical to the photo. In truth, it was a challenge to hold and to play, and I never got it set up quite right. So I sold it. But it’s nice to vote for it for old times sake :).
 

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