Starfield Altair Classic ALL420TK Natural Teak 1993
Starfield Altair Classic, natural satin over Teak, made in Japan 1993. The Starfield brand is owned by Hoshino Gakki, the company behind Ibanez and Tama, and is actually an English translation of the Hoshino (星野) surname. They were made at the excellent Fujigen Gakki factory, the very same place making Fender Japan as well as Ibanez at the time. They were only made from 1992-4, so this is certainly an unusual guitar. The Altair series came in a few different models, and this one is blessed with a solid Teak body. Teak is a luxurious timber, mostly associated with high end furniture making, and offers a detailed waiving grain appears a little like Korina but darker in colour. It's got a hefty brass trem bridge and a pair of lipstick pickups, so the tone is direct, chiming and clear, with a percussive bass and a shimmering treble. The styling is cool: I love the headstock, and the slick curves are reminiscent of a Danelectro or a Mastersound. I was pleased to score this, it's a cool little slice of MIJ history, and super cute.
Model: Starfield Altair Classic ALL420TK
Made: Japan, 1993, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: F344112
Finish: natural, satin poly
Body: teak
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 42mm nut, 12" radius, Wizard III shape
Weight: 3.800kg
Mods: knobs replaced, neck screws replaced
Pickups: Starfield Lipstick single coil x2
Accessories: none; no trem arm
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs all over, dimples on the front and some clouding on the back, as well as tarnish on the tuners. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear and dimples on the back. The fretboard has what appears to be scratches from where stickers have been applied and then later removed without sufficient care; it's only really visible up close and isn't a functional/tactile issue The back has dimples on the horns and near the neck join and scuffs in the elbow area and back edge. The sides have minor dimples all over, no major marks. The front has scuffs around the knobs and back edge, dimples and rub wear in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only