Starr Guitars Hustler Custom Black Limba w/ 5A Flame Top – Trans Black

Information

Brand New w/ Warranty. We are an authorized Starr Guitars Dealer.

Like what you see? All photos are of the exact instrument you will receive.

Starr Guitars isn’t exactly a new kid on the block. For years, Kip Elder has been doing high-end finish makeovers and killer vintage restorations. On the side, he’s been doing custom from-the-ground-up builds for a selective clientele. As he expands his luthier business, Guitars To Be Played is proud to come onboard as a dealer and share the work of Starr Guitars with a larger audience.

What Do We Think?

The bridge position is all about big lows, sparking highs and meaty mids. The pairing of Maple cap on Korina body is both present and powerful. It’s thick, yet sings with perfect sonic clarity. The pickup itself is a Singletone A6. Located locally to Starr Guitars in Orlando, FL Singletone winds some very fine pickups. As you might suspect by the name, this one utilizes Alnico 6 magnets for a robust, balanced output.

The neck pickup is a Singletone A3. The Alnico 3 magnets allow you to hear the woodiness of the Korina, and split exceptionally well to one magnet/coil. In humbucker form, the pickups is warm and chewy on bottom with a sweet top end. Coil splits occur via the Tesi switches which engage much more easily than a traditional push/pull. The coil split tone retains the big bottom end while opening up the midrange and putting some spank in the highs.

The middle position has a wonderful sparkle without losing body. And talk about unique options… try splitting the neck pickup while leaving the bridge pickup humbucking. Or vice versa. You’ll get wonderful blends of warm midrange and snappy top end, with that midrange shifting in its frequency depending on the option you choose. Both pickups split sounds quite Strat-ish with some nice “position 2” quack. And bridge pickup split by itself gives you pretty darn good Strat bridge tones.

While we’re speaking of Strats, the Super-Vee Blade Runner tremolo is Strat-inspired but brings a little different feel and much better tuning stability to the table. It’s a little stiffer and quicker, and can be made to do a wonderful flutter and Uni-Vibe impression. It also accommodates Jeff Beck style approach-from-below technique very well.

We haven’t even chatted about cosmetics yet. And there’s plenty to say! This is one of the tightest-grained flame tops we have ever seen. The trans black finish shows off the flame spectacularly, and a clearcoat on the back and neck let you see the Black Limba in all its exotic glory. This is a nitro finish too! So it’s thin, breathable and resonant.

How Does It Play?

This guitar plays with low string action all the way up and down the neck, featuring a 10” fretboard radius that allows for plenty of string bending without buzz. Pair that with a medium V neck profile and you’ll have an easy time moving those big thumb-over chords while still having plenty of meat to hang onto when playing more traditional voicings.

Weight: 7lb 10.5oz

The TKL hardshell case pictured is included!

Specifications

Model: Hustler Custom

Serial No: 0128

Color: Trans Black Top / Clear

Body: 5A Flame Maple / Black Limba

Neck: Black Limba

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Scale: 25”

Radius: 10”

Nut Width: 1.68”

Neck Shape: .85 Soft V

Frets: Jescar 45x85

Neck Pickup: Singletone A3

Middle Pickup: N/A

Bridge Pickup: Singletone A6

Controls: 2 Volume, Master Tone, 2 Tesi coil split

Bridge: Super-Vee BladeRunner

Tuners: Hipshot Griplok

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