Every guitarist, at some point, seeks an instrument that not only sounds exceptional but also makes a visual statement. For those looking to break away from the conventional, a Star Shaped Guitar is an ultimate choice. This guide dives deep into the world of star-shaped guitars, exploring various models that cater to different playing styles and budgets. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, prepare to discover the perfect star guitar to amplify your stage presence.
Star Shaped Guitars for Aspiring Players
Starting your musical journey with a star-shaped guitar can be incredibly inspiring. These guitars offer a unique aesthetic that can fuel passion and creativity right from the beginning.
Daisy Rock Debutante Star Short Scale Electric Guitar: Top Pick for Beginners
The Daisy Rock Debutante Star is an outstanding entry-level option, particularly well-suited for younger players or those who prefer a shorter scale. Despite its beginner-friendly price point, this guitar doesn’t compromise on quality. It features a maple neck paired with a rosewood fingerboard, a classic combination that delivers a warm, resonant tone and a comfortable playing experience. The inclusion of humbucker pickups is a significant advantage for beginners, providing a versatile sound suitable for various genres, especially rock and pop. Durability is another key feature; unlike many entry-level guitars that might need replacing within a couple of years, the Daisy Rock Debutante Star is built to last, making it a smart investment for budding musicians. Its 22-fret neck is designed for smaller hands, enhancing playability and reducing strain.
Daisy Rock Debutante Star Short Scale Electric Guitar, best star shaped guitar for beginners, featuring a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard.
First Act Star Guitar: A Budget-Friendly Entry into Star Shapes
For those extremely budget-conscious, the First Act Star Guitar presents a more affordable pathway into the world of star-shaped instruments. It’s a common choice for absolute beginners due to its accessibility. However, it’s important to note that to meet its lower price point, the First Act Star uses more economical hardware and components. While it serves its purpose as a starter instrument, the lifespan and overall quality are less robust compared to models like the Daisy Rock. The wood and construction are basic, and quality control may be less stringent. If longevity and higher performance are priorities, especially for players planning to progress quickly, investing slightly more in a guitar like the Daisy Rock Debutante Star is advisable. However, for a first guitar to test the waters with the star shape, the First Act can be a starting point.
Red First Act star shaped electric guitar, a very affordable and basic option for beginners looking for a star guitar.
Star Shaped Guitars for Rock and Metal Domination
Star guitars are synonymous with high-energy genres like rock and metal. Their aggressive aesthetics and powerful sound make them ideal for musicians looking to make a bold statement on stage.
Ibanez Xiphos: Shred-Ready Metal Machine
The Ibanez Xiphos is unequivocally designed for metal. Every aspect of this guitar caters to high-speed, aggressive playing styles. Constructed from mahogany, it offers a rich, resonant tone that forms a solid foundation for heavy music. The extended fretboard and rosewood fretboard are optimized for shredding, allowing for fast and fluid solos across a wide range. The pickups are engineered to deliver crystal-clear articulation even at high gain, ensuring that every note is distinct and powerful, cutting through the mix. For metal guitarists who demand precision and power, the Ibanez Xiphos is an exceptional instrument.
Ibanez Xiphos star shaped electric guitar in black, designed with metal guitarists in mind, featuring a mahogany body and extended fretboard.
Jackson USA Signature Gus G. Star: A Rock and Metal Icon
The Jackson USA Signature Gus G. Star is a guitar that transcends mere description. It’s a high-caliber instrument that delivers unparalleled sound and playability, particularly for rock, alternative, and metal genres. Available in striking Satin-Snow White and Deep Black finishes, it exudes a sleek, professional vibe. The mahogany body contributes to its warm, sustain-rich tone, while the set-in maple neck and rosewood fretboard enhance resonance and playability. Notably, the set-in neck construction improves sustain and stability compared to bolt-on necks. Featuring signature active humbucker pickups from Seymour Duncan, specifically designed for Gus G., this guitar produces a phenomenal range of tones, from crushing rhythms to soaring leads. The thoughtfully designed cutaways provide effortless access to the upper frets, making high-register playing exceptionally comfortable, a feature not always present in star-shaped guitars. Gus G.’s influence, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Firewind, is deeply embedded in this model, making it a true signature instrument.
Jackson King V: A Popular Choice with Powerful Heritage
The Jackson King V, while arguably less dramatically star-shaped than some other models, still firmly resides within the star guitar family and boasts a significant legacy in rock and metal. Available in numerous styles and configurations, it’s a popular choice among both amateur and professional musicians. While it may not scream “star” as loudly as others, its sharp, angular design and aggressive styling are unmistakable. The King V series includes several signature models, attesting to its popularity among renowned artists. However, some argue that at certain price points, there might be alternatives that offer superior value. Despite this, the Jackson King V remains a widely recognized and respected instrument in the guitar community, appreciated for its powerful sound and stage-ready aesthetics.
Jackson King V electric guitar in black and white, a popular star shaped model in rock and metal music, known for its powerful sound.
EVH Edward Van Halen Stripe Series Star Guitar: A Legendary Tribute
The EVH Edward Van Halen Stripe Series Star Guitar is more than just an instrument; it’s a piece of rock history. Inspired by Eddie Van Halen’s iconic “partscaster” from the 1970s, this guitar captures the spirit and innovation of a guitar legend. Constructed with a Charvel-style body, it echoes the guitars Eddie famously modified. It features a Floyd Rose tremolo, essential for dive bombs and expressive vibrato, and is equipped with an EVH Wolfgang humbucker pickup, replicating Eddie’s preferred tone. Considered by many to be an exceptional value, this guitar delivers professional features and iconic style at a price that’s surprisingly accessible. Its backstory and connection to one of rock’s most influential guitarists make it particularly appealing to fans and players seeking a guitar with both heritage and high performance.
Epiphone Snow Falcon: Budget-Friendly with a Dethklok Edge
The Epiphone Snow Falcon stands out as a budget-friendly star guitar with a unique pedigree. Co-created with Brendon Small, the mastermind behind Dethklok, it brings a touch of animated metal to the real world. This all-white guitar is visually striking and comes with a matching white gig bag, enhancing its distinctive appeal. Epiphone’s lifetime warranty adds significant value and peace of mind. Featuring a mahogany body and neck, a phenolic fingerboard, a LockTone Tune-o-Matic bridge, and Gibson Burstbucker pickups, it offers a robust and versatile tonal palette suitable for rock and metal. While some might find the input jack placement on flying V style guitars unconventional, the Snow Falcon delivers a compelling combination of style, features, and affordability, making it a great option for fans of Brendon Small or players seeking a unique, white star guitar on a budget.
Epiphone Snow Falcon white star shaped guitar, a budget-friendly model co-created with Brendon Small of Dethklok, featuring an all-white finish and gig bag.
ESP LTD FX260SM: Pro-Level Features at an Incredible Value
The ESP LTD FX260SM is a hidden gem in the used guitar market. Finding one of these guitars pre-owned represents an exceptional deal, as it offers features typically found on much more expensive instruments. Equipped with active Seymour Duncan Live Wire Dave Mustaine signature pickups, a mahogany body, and a rosewood fingerboard, it’s built for high-performance playing. Guitars with these specifications often retail for well over $1,000, making a used FX260SM a smart buy for players seeking professional quality without the premium price tag. The LTD series by ESP is known for delivering high quality at a more accessible price point, and the FX260SM is a prime example of this philosophy.
ESP Rl-600 Sig: Metal-Focused Shredding Machine
The ESP Rl-600 Sig is a powerhouse designed for metal shredders. Although no longer widely available in major retail stores, it remains relatively easy to find on the used market. It boasts high-performance features including a Floyd Rose tremolo, EMG-HZ passive humbucker pickups, and jumbo frets, all optimized for fast, aggressive playing. These specifications make it ideal for players who prioritize speed and precision. The combination of Floyd Rose and EMG pickups is a classic setup for metal, providing the sustain, responsiveness, and aggressive tone that genre demands.
BC Rich Ironbird: Known for Aggressive Tones
The BC Rich Ironbird is unapologetically designed for heavy music styles. Its radical shape is matched by its aggressive tone, thanks to BC Rich’s “BDSM” pickups (Broad-Dynamic-Sonically-Matched). These pickups are engineered to deliver high output and a wide frequency range, making them well-suited for metal and hard rock. The Ironbird’s distinctive shape and powerful sound make it a visually and sonically striking choice for musicians who want to push boundaries.
Washburn Dime V Pro: Versatility and Comfort in a Star Shape
The Washburn Dime V Pro is not only visually stunning, especially in the carmel burst finish, but also remarkably versatile. It’s praised for its comfortable feel and excellent sound, suitable for both soloing and rhythm playing. Its popularity stems from its playability and balanced tone, making it a favorite among players across different rock subgenres. Surprisingly, it lacks a Floyd Rose tremolo, which is somewhat unusual for guitars in this style category, but some players might appreciate the simplicity of a fixed bridge for tuning stability and direct tone transfer.
Unique and Rare Star Shaped Guitars
For those seeking the truly extraordinary, the world of star-shaped guitars also includes some rare and uniquely designed models that stand out from the crowd.
Dommenget Explorer: Acoustic Star Elegance
The Dommenget Explorer breaks the mold by offering both acoustic and electric versions in a star shape. Acoustic star guitars are exceptionally rare, making the Dommenget Explorer a true conversation piece. Both versions are noted for their excellent sound quality and elegant aesthetics. Dommenget is known for its custom work, often creating guitars with highly unique and artistic designs. For guitarists looking for something truly different, exploring Dommenget’s custom creations is highly recommended. The Dommenget Explorer is ideal for players who appreciate both visual artistry and sonic excellence, particularly those in old-school rock or metal genres.
Malmberg Star Guitar: The Ultimate Star Shape
If maximum star-like appearance is the goal, the Malmberg Star Guitar delivers. With thirteen points, it’s an exceptionally elaborate and visually arresting instrument. Originally made for Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, it has also been used by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, adding to its unique history. However, these guitars are very rare and not particularly known for their exceptional sound quality. They are more collector’s items than primary playing instruments. For collectors or those seeking an incredibly unique visual statement, the Malmberg Star Guitar is a standout piece.
John Birch Star Guitar: A Vintage British Icon
The John Birch Star Guitar is a piece of British rock history. Originally crafted in 1972 for Gerry Shephard of the Glitter Band, it represents a vintage era of glam rock guitar design. Revamped in 2008, it retains its classic appeal while incorporating modern enhancements. These guitars are also quite rare and appeal to collectors and players interested in vintage British guitar designs with a star shape.
Conclusion
Star shaped guitars are more than just visually striking instruments; they are statements of individuality and boldness. From beginner-friendly models to professional-grade shred machines and rare collector’s items, the variety available ensures that every guitarist can find a star guitar to match their style and aspirations. Whether you’re drawn to the unique aesthetics, the powerful tones, or the historical significance, a star shaped guitar is sure to ignite your passion and elevate your performance. Explore the options, find your star, and let your music shine.
