Starcaster vs Epi dot or Sherridon

[micaiah]

so i have a thing for hollow bodies i had a 335 copy from AXL a few years back and i loved it and i'm thinking of actually getting the RI starcaster in cherry seeing as it is as close to the old burst of the 75'. how is the build quality vs the other's i've mentioned.

 

[msfenderarg]

I haven't had the chance to playthe new Starcaster yet, but I have played both those Epis (both MIC, not MIK), and I own a MIC Casino, and the build quality is really, really good.

Hope this helps...

 

[jayyj]

All the Modern Player Fender stuff I've had my hands on is pretty good from a basic build quality point of view. The only criticism I would make about the semis (Starcaster and Coronado) is I've seen a few with problems with the electronics - crackles, pots that keep working loose - nothing major but something to be aware of.

Epiphones from recent years also strike me as very good guitars. The Epi Dot Pro in particular gets very good press. Currently my only Epiphone is a Japanese one that is exceptional in build quality, but the Chinese versions can be quite impressive too.

As with all guitars at this level it pays to play them first and if possible find a dealer that will set one up for you. You'll find the Fender quite different to the Epi - not necessarily better or worse but you'll probably prefer one over the other.

 

[micaiah]

yeah i figured as much that seems to be the thing with all MIC stuff for the most part, but no where i go can i Try a starcaster they only carry the Coronado...

 

[supersoldier71]

My impression of the Sheraton I played at a local shop was that it was a very well made guitar that I liked more after I picked it up and played it than I did before. They are kind of showy for my taste, but I'd seen the reviews and heard the demos on YouTube, so I plugged into a Blues Jr Tweed and ran through some songs and riffs that I like.

It sounded fine, but--here's the subjective part--not different enough from my LP to justify the purchase. It was very much like an LP with more lower mids and slightly less sustain when played clean. Turn up the volume and gain and it got pretty muddy, but I'd bet that that's just a semi-hollow/humbucker issue.

 

[BGlinks]

Starcaster owner

I've had mine for about a year, and enjoy it. Mine has a deep full sound, compared to my Telecasters. I like it much more than my Epi 339, which I have since sold. The maple neck and fret board are much like a Tele, and easy to play. It is heavy, but the offset body sits well. I have had one problem, a bad switch, which a local tech fixed for $35.
Finding a case was a bit of an issue, I settled on a generic large one that works ok.

 

[micaiah]

ah okay, and yeah you would think fender would just make a damn molded case for it already uugghhh...

 

[KokoTele]

Turn up the volume and gain and it got pretty muddy, but I'd bet that that's just a semi-hollow/humbucker issue.

It's probably the specific pickups it had. The stock ones are okay, but not great. A better set of pickups will do wonders for that guitar.

 

[Obsessed]

The Sheraton is the safe bet. Best quality bang for you buck. Now, the Sheraton Pro comes with coil tapping Probuckers and graphite nut for an extra $100.

 

[swampyankee]

I've had a 90's era MIK Dot for probably 10 years but have never warmed up to it. It's a handsome dark tobacco burst which is the only reason I hang on to it. It plays nice but I'm just not a humbucker guy.

I recently picked up a new Starcaster and even though the wide range humbuckers aren't the same as the 70s version, they sound far different than a standard humbucker. They are much mellower, more like fat single coils. I'm really digging the Starcaster. The offset body makes it more comfortable to play, and the Fender c shape is very familiar to this lifelong Fender player. I'm finally ready to let go of the Dot, or maybe just hang it on the wall as a decoration.

 

[Danjabellza]

I played a starcaster, and it was awesome!!! Plus, with the availability of mods and aftermarket wrhb pickups, you could get a rockin axe for not a lot of coin (comparatively).

Plus the starcasters looks are unique/wacky enough that to set it apart from almost every other guitar out there in that same general category.

My personal second choice would be a casino, (for the price point)

 

[swampyankee]

Yes, that's another reason the Starcaster appealed to me. It's definitely doesn't even attempt to be another ES 335 copy. It's got a look - and a sound - all of its own.

 

[slauson slim]

I had an early '90s MIK ebony Sheraton that the prior owner had installed SD Jazz HBrs. It was an excellent instrument, well made, easy playing and sounded good.

I sold it because I am Leo-Centric. No other reason, the Epi was a fine instrument.

 

[musicalmartin]

I owned an upgraded everthing except the wood Dot including a good fret
level and played a Starcaster in a shop for half an hour last year .I prefered the Starcaster .Just plain better out of the box .

 

[Danjabellza]

I owned an upgraded everthing except the wood Dot including a good fret
level and played a Starcaster in a shop for half an hour last year .I prefered the Starcaster .Just plain better out of the box .

This! Yes! Also, if in not mistaken, the neck pocket is a Strat shape, so if you wanted to replace/mess with the neck, you can. You could custom order whatever neck you want from a custom builder, or throw your favorite jazzy, strat, and maybe even jag neck on there and get a different look/feel while still maintaining the unique apeal and awesome sound.

 

[jimd]

I've got a Sheraton with Gibson mini humbuckers. It is a great guitar, but if you play a lot of Fenders the neck might take some getting used to. Check out the new Guild Starfires. Very nice guitars. They came out with them when Fender still owned Guild and at the same time as the Starcaster. I am guessing they are made at the same place and should be similar in quality.

 

[micaiah]

there are NEW starfires the ****!? checking now!, but wow all the praise for the starcaster haha i just might get one now, also i seen jonny greenwood picked up as well and retired his 75, SOOOO that is another nail in my coffin seeing as psudo-tele plus haha.

 

[swampyankee]

I have a Strat, Tele and Esquire. They claim the Starcaster neck is a bit fatter but I didn't notice and it took no getting used for me.
I looked into the possibility of swapping a Strat neck to get away from that huge starcaster headstock, but I am told the Starcaster neck pocket is a bit wider. I should measure it compared to the Strat. I was considering modding the headstock to tone it down a bit too, but I'll probably just end up living with it. If it ain't broke...

BTW, I paid under $600 including shipping for my Starcaster brand new from a dealer on Reverb. I don't know if they're being blown out or the dealer just had had the thing long enough.

 

[J. Hayes]

I have a reissue Starcaster with the pickups swapped out for Seymore Duncans and I also have two Sheratons, a '92 MIK model and a '12 reissue of the '62 with the small humbuckers. I really like the Starcaster but it's not really in a league with the Sheraton... I don't know his name but the lead player in the "Kings of Leon" plays a Sheraton II and it really cooks under his hands. Here's some shots of both of my Sheratons and my Starcaster.........JH in Va.

PS... The cases for the Starcaster are hard to find but they do fit right into a 335, Casino or Sheraton case......JH

 

[backporchmusic]

The Starcaster I played in store was nowhere near as well made (or of as good wood) as my Sheraton. It felt 'cheap'. And I reallllllly wanted to like it....it's a great model, executed on the cheap.