22-02-2025
Fender Japan unveils the Starmaster – a Jazzmaster/Starcaster hybrid that could be the most divisive Fender offset of them all
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Though we're used to seeing Fender produce wild hybrid builds through its oddball Squier Paranormal range, Fender Japan has bucked the trend by unveiling a Big F-branded Frankenstein'd creation that mashes two of the firm's offset shapes.
The newly minted Starmaster is (no prizes for getting this right) a mish-mash electric guitar model that takes inspiration from both the Jazzmaster and the Starcaster – the latter of which has experienced something of a resurgence over the past few years.
However, while on paper the Starmaster is a term that seems absolutely loaded with glorious potential – a Thinline Jazzmaster body with Starcaster trimmings, for example, would have been a winner – Fender Japan has opted instead to go down an alternative route.
It's a choice that might deter some punters, though, because FJ has decided to slap its all-too-divisive oversized Starcaster headstock onto the body of a Jazzmaster.
The result is, it has to be said, a very odd-looking Jazzmaster that from the pictures looks eerily out of proportion to itself.
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Nevertheless, it could be another one of Fender Japan's classic 'growers', and while it's not exactly what we'd have gone for with a Jazzmaster/Starcaster hybrid, there's no denying there's a certain ugly-duckling sort of charm to it that might win us over eventually.
But the color-matched headstock aside, we're also intrigued by what Fender Japan has actually done to the Jazzmaster body itself. For the Starmaster, the offset has been given a strange, stepped upper bout bevel, which offers a contrasting finish to the rest of the guitar.
It's certainly not something you'd find on a regular Jazzmaster. Heck, the sports car-style vibe we get from this reminds us of comments Fender made when describing the American Ultra II range – which, of course, dropped the Jazzmaster in favor of the Meteora.
However, this is not a discarded Ultra II Jazzmaster body. Instead, as Fender Japan explains, it is a continuation of the Starcaster's headstock design, which also features the same two-step bevel motif.
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Bevels aside, it's a standard Jazzmaster body, available in Jupiter Blue, Candy Apple Red and Black (which has a sleek silver highlight). Oh, and to make it even more divisive, it's available in Antigua.
The guitar is built from an alder body, while the U-shape maple neck offers a rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5' radius and 22 medium jumbo frets. The electronics department accommodates Hybrid II Custom Voiced single-coils.
These are wired to a traditional Jazzmaster control layout for a guitar that, if you only pay attention to the fretboard and body, looks just like an oddball Jazzmaster proper.
As another cool addition, the divisive new offset also boasts a brand-new headstock decal that flaunts the new Starmaster model name. Could this be the start of a fully fledged Starmaster line? It's only a limited launch, so probably not, but if this divisive offset takes flight, who knows…
The Fender Made in Japan Limited Starmaster is available for 192,500 Japanese Yen, approximately $1,290.
Head over to Fender Japan to find out more.
