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Fender Starcaster Bass "Reissue"!!
- Thread starter spindoc
- Start date
I agree that this thread needs more pictures. I picked this up today, thought I'd show it off.
I would never do any business at that shop ever again, and I would go over this jerk's head and contact Fender directly with a customer service complaint against him. What they are doing in utterly unethical. And you can get a better lesson in doing setups and truss rod adjustments several different places online anyway (the Gary Willis site is a good one, imho).
Thanks man. I emailed Fender again, explained what the tech said and they told me I should take the bass to Guitar Center. I have to say that Fender has been very good about emailing me back and telling me the steps to take. So I'll see how it goes with GC.
I know, I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled it out of the gig bag it was in. I bought it used from guitar center and they have the worst pictures on their used inventory. I really didn't know what to expect but lucked out. This beauty is spectacular.
Kitch
Kitch
robbietick
Commercial User
Hi Guys I've just got a new Starcaster bass and was wondering if any Starcaster owners could help me on a couple of things...
Cases
As you guys are already aware the bass doesn't come with any form of case (I don't understand why Fender would make such a brilliant instrument and not offer any form of protection with it? baffles me, it really does). I live in London and travel around to gigs and rehearsal using busses and trains etc and sometimes this is during peak rush hour times so can get very busy.
I was so gutted last night when I discovered my Starcaster didn't fit into my trusty Mono M80 case that is perfect for my situation. I really want to take the bass with me to use with my band as much as possible, but at the same time ensure that it is fully protected to the best it can be.
Ideally what I like to have is 2 cases that fit my basses. One Hardcase for each and a gig bag that they can fit into when using the hardcase isn't really an option. My other 2 basses are an American Jazz and Rickenbacker 4003. Each came with their own hardcase and I use the Mono as the gigbag.
So please, anyone, if you could please, please recommend me a hard case and decent quality gig bag that offers reasonable protection I would be very, very grateful! My band has some gigs coming up in the next couple of weeks and I'd love to use my new Starcaster on a few, so really eager to hear some suggestions.
In terms of hardcase I've heard that the Starcaster fits the Epiphone Jack Casady case well. Do you think this is the best option? I can get one of these pretty easily but I want to make sure that the bass fits well and isn't under any sort of pressure from the sides or the pick up selector isn't being pressed against by the lid of the case. Has anyone considered Fender's acoustic bass hardcases? I think Stagg do one as well. Would these be too deep for the body and the neck rest angle? If anyone has any other suggestions please share.
For a gigbag I understand this could be more challenging but if I could find anything that provides similar protection levels of the Mono that would be fantastic. I understand though that this might not be fully achievable. I understand Fender make a gig bag for this bass now that also fits the Coronado bass. What is the protection like? Would it make do? Is it waterproof? I understand that there is no headstock or neck rest to keep the bass in place, this is a bit of a concern. Is there any protection at the bottom where the bass sits to stop the strap button pushing into the body if the case was dropped?
Here are a couple of alternative cases I've been looking at that seem to provide ok protection, and would be grateful if anyone could tell me if the Starcaster will fit these:
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My main concerns for both types of cases is good protection on the Headstock/tuners, Neck and pickup selector switch.
I'm desperate for suggestions and guidance on this so would be highly grateful for any help.
Strings
I also need some help finding the correct length strings I can use, as I'd like to replace the stock ones.
On my American Standard Jazz bass I've got a set of GHS Boomers L40/55/75/95 which sound great. I like to use light gauge strings, they feel far more comfortable when I'm playing.
Would string sets labelled at 30' scale fit the Starcaster ok? (e.g. GHS do the same set I have on my Jazz but in 30' scale) or should I go for regular 34'? I understand that may seem like a stupid question but I just want to make sure as I wouldn't want the strings to break on me or damage the bass in anyway (Intonation etc) or not tune properly.
I'm not sure if I want to put Nickel Rounds or Flats on the bass yet as I've heard people get some good results with flats but I'm more familiar to using Nickel Rounds. I'm in a rock band that plays Bluesy/indie rock and roll type stuff (Think Stones, Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Stone Roses, Libertines etc) so as long as the flats cut it in the mix (maybe chromes?).
If anyone can please list out sets of strings that are light gauge and fit this bass (either Flatwounds or Nickel Rounds) it would again be highly appreciated!
Look forward to hearing your suggestions! Really am a bit stuck!
Cheers,
Mike
Cases
As you guys are already aware the bass doesn't come with any form of case (I don't understand why Fender would make such a brilliant instrument and not offer any form of protection with it? baffles me, it really does). I live in London and travel around to gigs and rehearsal using busses and trains etc and sometimes this is during peak rush hour times so can get very busy.
I was so gutted last night when I discovered my Starcaster didn't fit into my trusty Mono M80 case that is perfect for my situation. I really want to take the bass with me to use with my band as much as possible, but at the same time ensure that it is fully protected to the best it can be.
Ideally what I like to have is 2 cases that fit my basses. One Hardcase for each and a gig bag that they can fit into when using the hardcase isn't really an option. My other 2 basses are an American Jazz and Rickenbacker 4003. Each came with their own hardcase and I use the Mono as the gigbag.
So please, anyone, if you could please, please recommend me a hard case and decent quality gig bag that offers reasonable protection I would be very, very grateful! My band has some gigs coming up in the next couple of weeks and I'd love to use my new Starcaster on a few, so really eager to hear some suggestions.
In terms of hardcase I've heard that the Starcaster fits the Epiphone Jack Casady case well. Do you think this is the best option? I can get one of these pretty easily but I want to make sure that the bass fits well and isn't under any sort of pressure from the sides or the pick up selector isn't being pressed against by the lid of the case. Has anyone considered Fender's acoustic bass hardcases? I think Stagg do one as well. Would these be too deep for the body and the neck rest angle? If anyone has any other suggestions please share.
For a gigbag I understand this could be more challenging but if I could find anything that provides similar protection levels of the Mono that would be fantastic. I understand though that this might not be fully achievable. I understand Fender make a gig bag for this bass now that also fits the Coronado bass. What is the protection like? Would it make do? Is it waterproof? I understand that there is no headstock or neck rest to keep the bass in place, this is a bit of a concern. Is there any protection at the bottom where the bass sits to stop the strap button pushing into the body if the case was dropped?
Here are a couple of alternative cases I've been looking at that seem to provide ok protection, and would be grateful if anyone could tell me if the Starcaster will fit these:
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
My main concerns for both types of cases is good protection on the Headstock/tuners, Neck and pickup selector switch.
I'm desperate for suggestions and guidance on this so would be highly grateful for any help.
Strings
I also need some help finding the correct length strings I can use, as I'd like to replace the stock ones.
On my American Standard Jazz bass I've got a set of GHS Boomers L40/55/75/95 which sound great. I like to use light gauge strings, they feel far more comfortable when I'm playing.
Would string sets labelled at 30' scale fit the Starcaster ok? (e.g. GHS do the same set I have on my Jazz but in 30' scale) or should I go for regular 34'? I understand that may seem like a stupid question but I just want to make sure as I wouldn't want the strings to break on me or damage the bass in anyway (Intonation etc) or not tune properly.
I'm not sure if I want to put Nickel Rounds or Flats on the bass yet as I've heard people get some good results with flats but I'm more familiar to using Nickel Rounds. I'm in a rock band that plays Bluesy/indie rock and roll type stuff (Think Stones, Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Stone Roses, Libertines etc) so as long as the flats cut it in the mix (maybe chromes?).
If anyone can please list out sets of strings that are light gauge and fit this bass (either Flatwounds or Nickel Rounds) it would again be highly appreciated!
Look forward to hearing your suggestions! Really am a bit stuck!
Cheers,
Mike
Does anyone know if the Starcaster will fit in the Protec bag? Reunion Blues (including the fender custom shop bass version)? or Gator Progo?
I have a Roadrunner gig bag for my Starcaster bass and it fits well. The bag is pretty heavey-duty, more like a soft case.
As far as strings, the problem is in the type and placement of the bridge. Thomastik-Infled Jazz Flats fit because these are the longest short scale flats on the market. When I installed short scale La Bella 760FL flats, the silk was over the fingerboard. When I tired the medium scale set, the metal portion wrapped around the E string tuner post which would likely result in the string breaking. La Bella made me a custom set based on the measurements I gave them and this set can be ordered through bassstringsonline.com. I'm not sure which roundwounds will fit, but I suspect you will have the same issues and probably have to go with a medium scale set. The stock strings are Fender 7250MS medium scale 045-105, so that's obviously a safe bet.
- Steve
As far as strings, the problem is in the type and placement of the bridge. Thomastik-Infled Jazz Flats fit because these are the longest short scale flats on the market. When I installed short scale La Bella 760FL flats, the silk was over the fingerboard. When I tired the medium scale set, the metal portion wrapped around the E string tuner post which would likely result in the string breaking. La Bella made me a custom set based on the measurements I gave them and this set can be ordered through bassstringsonline.com. I'm not sure which roundwounds will fit, but I suspect you will have the same issues and probably have to go with a medium scale set. The stock strings are Fender 7250MS medium scale 045-105, so that's obviously a safe bet.
- Steve
Interesting what you say on the strings. I noticed the stock strings are just regular scale length. Would a normal set of say Boomers or DR Sunbeams fit ok then? In terms of flats, what about chromes or pyramids?
The stock strings are Medium Scale, not Long Scale and Fender only makes on set in this length. I would try Medium Scale for the GHS and DR strings you mentioned. If the Pyramid strings are the ones designed for the Hofner Beatle Bass, then they will fit as these basses actually requirey Medium Scale strings due to the bridge/tailpiece design. I installed a set of Pyramid flats on my Starcaster and they fit okay, but I didn't care for the sound.
- Steve
Thanks, I'll have to try a set out once I've decided if I want to go with Flats or stick with Rounds.
Does anyone know if either of these cases will fit the Starcaster?
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Would be great if someone could help out. Either of these seem like they would be perfect for what I need.
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Would be great if someone could help out. Either of these seem like they would be perfect for what I need.
I should think so, that's what there made for. But you can always compare the specs for the bag to your bass
Yeah, definitely look into someone else:
First clue "some wood is good and some wood is bad" - that's right - and the necks made out of "bad" wood need to be replaced.
Second clue "I'll give you a Lesson for $200" - What is he going to spend 5 hours with you exclusively? Guitar tech work is worth 40-50/hour - a good tech is WORTH more but has to compete with all the schleps who think they're techs and, in my experience, the really good ones LOVE to share their secrets so the MOST they'd charge is the regular price of a setup which is like $100.
Fender service has never been stellar (they just off-load onto whomever will take it (usually dealers stuck with doing it or losing their franchise), but this is well below par.
