Starr Guitars Maverick Firebird/HB Guitar w/ Gigbag – Vintage Blonde

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 Does Parker Think?

The Maverick certainly lives up to its name! The California-flavored shape and Strat-style bridge might lean aesthetically a certain way, but paired up with Starr’s own Firebird and humbucker pickups it does put a fresh spin on an age-old classic. The control layout is also familiar for any S or T aficionado, but with some subtle changes to update things for 2025, like the angle of the selector switch following the path of your hand which I love. The cherry on top is the tastefully aged Vintage Blonde finish, which leaves the guitar looking and feeling like a well-loved instrument.

The Starr Firebird neck pickup is superb. It has all the right brightness of a single coil, but with the warmth and body of a humbucker. Additionally it is totally silent, which is an added plus. If you are a player who has struggled with overly dark or muffled neck pickups, this will be perfect. It has a brilliant snap and chirp that brings out all the dynamics and nuance of your playing clean or with gain. This is an especially great example of what a neck pickup should sound like.

The Starr bridge humbucker is excellent as well, and firmly establishes itself as a name to pay attention to. I was blown away by the sound of this humbucker when I tested it through a Bad Cat Hot Cat. It has just the right sparkle and chime for clean or edge of breakup tones, and sings when played with more gain. Put another way, this bridge pickup will rock when you want it to rock but sounds just as good for clean cowboy strumming. The flexibility and beautiful top end sparkle are what really stood out to me.

How Does It Play?

Kip Elder shapes these necks by hand and the result certainly does not disappoint. The slim, modern C profile feels effortless and comfortable, but with enough meat in the shoulders to support the hand all night long. The finish has been sanded off the back of the neck, providing a smooth played-in feel. The string action hovers right around 4/64” at the 12^th fret without buzz, and the contoured heel joint makes it an absolute joy from top to bottom.

The Starr padded gigbag pictured is included!

Specifications

Model: Maverick

Serial: SA251010

Body Wood: Alder

Neck Wood: Rift-Sawn Maple

Fingerboard: Maple

Fingerboard Inlays: Black, Dot

Neck Shape: Slim “C”

Scale Length: 25”

Fingerboard Radius: 10”

Nut Width: 1.68”

Fret Wire: Jescar (“6125” Profile), Nickel Silver

Joint Construction: Bolt-On

Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer

Body Color: Vintage Blonde

Neck Color: Medium Amber Tint w/ Black Headstock Face

Body Distressing: Medium

Neck Distressing: Medium

Hardware Color: Aged Nickel, Medium

Tuning Keys: 6-in-Line Vintage Style Tuners

Bridge/Tailpiece: Kluson 2-Point “S-Style” Tremolo

Pickguard: 3-Ply Black/White/Black

Knobs: Nickel Barrel Knobs

Neck Pickup: Starr Custom Mini-Hum (Firebird), Nickel

Middle Pickup: N/A

Bridge Pickup: Starr Custom A5 Humbucker, Nickel

Electronics: 2 Volume / 1 Tone / 3-Way Toggle

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