Fender Starcaster Troubleshooting Guide

To purchase strings and accessories, please
visit your local Fender Musical Instrument
Dealer. To nd an Authorized Fender Dealer
in your area, use the Dealer Finder on our
website at www.fender.com.

TROUBLESHOOTING

AND SETUP GUIDE

P/N 991-6025-200 © 2003 FMIC

STARCASTER® PACK TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

No sound from the instrument or amplifier.

1. Is the instrument cable plugged into both the guitar
and amplifier properly?

2. Is the amplifier power cord properly plugged into
an electrical outlet?

3. Is there power at the electrical outlet?

3. Have you checked the tuner battery to make sure
it still carries a charge?

4. Is the power clip attached properly to the battery?

Try using a different cable or replace the battery. If the
instrument and tuner are connected correctly with a good
cable and a fresh battery, and there is still no input to the
tuner, return the complete product to your Starcaster Dealer.

The strings seem either too high off of the fingerboard,
or too close to it.

4. Is the amplifier turned on?

5. Is the volume control of the instrument turned up?

6. Are the control knobs of the amplifier turned up?

Try using a different cable. If the instrument and amplifier are
set up correctly with a good cable and there is still no sound,
return the complete product to your Starcaster Dealer.

No input to the Tuner.

1. Is the guitar cable plugged into both the guitar and
tuner properly?

2. Is the volume control of the instrument turned up?

For either condition, review the Setup Guide section of
this booklet for information on adjusting the neck of your
instrument. Perform either a truss rod adjustment or saddle
height adjustment if necessary.

If you are not comfortable performing any of these
adjustments to your instrument, take it to an Authorized
FMIC Service Center for a “setup.”

NOTE: Setups and adjustments are considered to be routine
maintenance, and as such, are not covered under warranty.

Broken String.

Visit your local Fender Musical Instrument Dealer to purchase
replacement strings and accessories. If you need detailed
information or assistance with restringing your guitar, visit the
Setup page of our Mr. Gearhead product support website at
www.mrgearhead.com.

STARCASTER® PACK SETUP GUIDE

Truss-Rod Adjustment

The following specifications are for guitars using the
standard gauges of Fender® strings that the instrument
is equipped with from the factory. Adjustments in these
specifications will need to be made if you plan to change
string gauges. Modifications of the specifications can also be
made (within limited parameters) to adjust for your individual
playing style or application, (i.e. how hard you pick, strum or
fret the guitar).

If you are not comfortable performing these adjustments
to your instrument, take it to an Authorized FMIC Service
Center for a “setup”.

Note: Setups and adjustments are not covered under warranty.

Setup and Adjustment Made Easy

Weather, specifically temperature and humidity, may have
a dramatic impact on the way your instrument plays. All
instrument woods expand and contract with seasonal
fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and naturally,
string height and playing action are affected. Depending
on the climate where you live, your instrument may need
routine adjustments a few times a year.

Starcaster instruments have several points of adjustment
which are there to control the effects of these environmental
changes, and more importantly, these features allow you to
tailor the action of the instrument to your own personal
playing style.

Note: The following factory specifications are minimum specs,
and are meant only to guide you. They should not to be taken as
hard and fast rules. If you want your action higher, set it higher!

String tension exerts a tremendous bending force on the
neck of the instrument. The adjustable steel truss rod in the
neck employs a counter-force to the pull of the strings. If
these two opposing forces are not in harmony with each other,
the result will be a poorly playing instrument. Note: A truss

rod that is too loose will result in a concave neck bow and high
action (Figure A). A truss rod that is too tight will result in a
convex neck bow and buzzing strings (Figure B).

Figure A. Concave “Bow” (Exaggerated View)

Figure B. Convex “Hump” (Exaggerated View)

Figure C. Measuring relief with feeler gauge

To check the adjustment of the truss rod, first tune your
instrument to pitch. Next, attach a capo at the 1st fret. For
electric guitars and basses, depress the “E” string at the last
fret. For acoustic guitars depress the “E” string at the 14th
fret. With the feeler gauge, check the gap between the bottom
of the string and the top of the 8th fret (Figure C).

(See the relief specification chart on the next page for the proper gap.)

Note: It’s a good idea to loosen the strings prior to making
any truss rod adjustment. If you don’t have feeler gauges,
don’t give up. You can approximate the gap, which is
about the thickness of a regular business card and a piece
of paper put together.

Starcaster® Fingerboard Relief
Instrument Radius at 8th Fret

Electric Guitars 9.5 .010” to .012”

To adjust the truss rod, use the hex wrench supplied with
your instrument (Figure D). If neck is too concave (Figure A),
turn the truss rod nut clock-wise. If neck is too convex
(Figure B), turn the truss rod nut counter clock-wise. Check
your tuning, then re-check the gap with the feeler gauge.

If you meet excessive resistance, if your neck needs constant
adjustment, or you’re not comfortable adjusting it yourself,
take your instrument to an Authorized FMIC Service Center.

String Height Adjustment (Action) for Electric Guitars

First, check your tuning. Then, using your ruler, measure
the distance between the bottom of each string and the
top of the 17th fret. Using the 1.5mm hex wrench, adjust
the bridge saddles to height (Figure E), according to the
recommendations of the chart below, then re-tune. Don’t be
afraid to experiment with the height a little bit, until it feels
right. If you play with a light touch, you can get away with
lower action. If you play hard, you’ll need a little higher action to
avoid fret buzz and rattles.

Note: Adjust in small increments of only 1/4 turn at a time,
and allow time for the wood to settle before adjusting again.

Figure D.

(Electric Guitar truss rod adjustment)

Starcaster® String Height String Height
Instrument Bass Side Treble Side

Electric Guitars 4/64” 4/64”

Figure E.

(Electric Guitar saddle height adjustment)

STARCASTER® PACK WARRANTY

1-YEAR LIMITED INSTRUMENT AND ACCESSORIES WARRANTY

Fender® Musical Instruments Corporation warrants that the instrument and accessories included
in the Starcaster Pack you have purchased shall be free of defects in parts and workmanship,
if used under normal operating conditions, for a period of one (1) year from the date of
purchase. This warranty applies only to the original retail purchaser when this Starcaster Pack
is purchased from an Authorized Starcaster Dealer and is subject to the limitations set forth
herein. IMPORTANT: PLEASE RETAIN YOUR ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT, AS IT IS YOUR PROOF OF
PURCHASE VALIDATING THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.

Should a defect in parts or workmanship occur in the instrument or an accessory component
of the Starcaster Pack, return the complete product to the Authorized Starcaster Dealer from
whom it was purchased with your sales receipt as proof of purchase, during the applicable
warranty period. Defective products that qualify for coverage under this warranty will be repaired
or replaced with a like or comparable model (at FMIC’s discretion), without charge, by your
Starcaster Dealer.

All transportation, insurance and freight charges associated with receiving warranty service on
Starcaster Pack products are the responsibility of the purchaser, as is any service initiated for
the purpose of customizing setups or adjustments beyond factory specifications.

Limitations and exclusions

The following items are not covered by this warranty:

1. Fret wear, saddle wear, nut wear, strings and batteries.

2. Setups, adjustments or routine maintenance of any kind.

3. Damage to finishes or cracks, splitting, or warpage of wood due to changes in temperature
or humidity, exposure to or contact with sun, fire, moisture, body salts and acids, guitar
straps, guitar stands/hangers made from vinyl, plastic, rubber or other synthetic materials,
any other chemicals or non-FMIC-approved polishes.

4. Damage, corrosion or rusting of any hardware components caused by humidity, salty air, or
exposure to the moisture, body salts and acids of perspiration.

5-YEAR LIMITED TRANSFERABLE AMPLIFIER WARRANTY

Fender® Musical Instruments Corporation warrants that the amplifier contained in the Starcaster
Pack you have purchased shall be free of any defects in parts and workmanship if used under
normal operating conditions for a period of five (5) years from the date of purchase or initial
lease, with the exception of footswitches, covers, speakers, rechargeable batteries, cabinets,
handles and cabinet hardware are warranted for a period of one (1) year from date of purchase
or initial lease. Light bulbs, vacuum tubes, meters, cables and all other included accessory
products are warranted for a period of ninety (90) days from date of purchase or initial lease.
This warranty shall run to the original purchaser or lessee when purchased or leased from an
Authorized Starcaster Dealer and any transferee of a retail purchaser. IMPORTANT: PLEASE
RETAIN YOUR SALES RECEIPT OR LEASE, AS IT IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE COVERING YOUR
LIMITED WARRANTY. TO TRANSFER THE WARRANTY TO A SUBSEQUENT PURCHASER, YOU MUST
ENDORSE THE SALE OF THE PRODUCT TO THE SUBSEQUENT PURCHASER ON THE FRONT OF
THE SALES RECEIPT. TO TRANSFER THE WARRANTY OF A PREVIOUSLY LEASED PRODUCT TO A
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASER, A COPY OF THE INITIAL LEASE MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE SALES
RECIEPT. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS VOID WITHOUT SUCH ENDORSED SALES RECEIPT OR
ATTACHED LEASE.

Defective products that qualify for coverage under this warranty will be repaired or replaced
with a like or comparable model, (at FMIC’s discretion), without charge, by the Dealer. To
receive warranty service, return the complete product to the Authorized Starcaster Dealer
from whom it was purchased, with your sales receipt as proof of purchase, during the
applicable warranty period . TRANSPORTATION COSTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS LIMITED
WARRANTY. Any repair or service performed by any person or entity other than an Authorized
FMIC Electronics Service Center is not covered by this limited warranty. This limited warranty
becomes void if the serial number on any product is defaced or removed, or the product has
been damaged by alteration, misuse, accident, or neglect; or the product has been repaired or
serviced by persons not authorized by FMIC.

THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTES THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY FENDER WITH RESPECT TO
THE PRODUCTS AND IS MADE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED. Any implied warranties, including without limitation, any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, imposed under state law are limited to the
duration of this limited warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied
warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not be applicable to you.

5. Damage to any Starcaster Pack component resulting from customization or modification.

6. Normal wear and tear on any part of the instrument, gig bag or Starcaster Pack accessory
including jacks, controls, switches, plated surfaces, tuning machines, pickguards, handles,
clasps, zippers, etc.

7. All other damage and deterioration due to normal usage, wear and tear, aging, accidents,
neglect, abuse, or Acts of Nature.

8. Any instrument, whose serial number is missing, altered or tampered with in any fashion.

9. Components of a Starcaster Pack purchased from anyone other than an Authorized
Starcaster Dealer.

10. Instruments that have been serviced by unauthorized persons (any person other than an
FMIC Certified Technician at an Authorized FMIC Service Center).

FMIC ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM FAILURE OF THIS
PRODUCT NOR ANY LOSS OF INCOME, SATISFACTION, OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE LOSS
OF USE OF SAME DUE TO DEFECTS OR AVAILABILITY OF SAME DURING SERVICE.

This warranty applies only to Starcaster Packs
purchased within the U.S.A. and Canada.
Warranties outside these countries are as
defined by the authorized Starcaster Distributor
for your country or region, and may vary from
the above in terms and/or length.

EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 1, 2003

FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP.

Backed By

8860 EAST CHAPARRAL ROAD - SUITE 100
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85250-2618 - USA
Phone: [phone]
www.fender.com

NOTES