SE Starla vs SE Custom

[alex1fly]

I have a SE Custom that probably isn't going anywhere, and it appears that I'm beginning to work my way through the SE offerings with the Wide/Fat neck. The SE Starla seems a little less talked about than some others. But I'm falling for the colors - surf green, covered pups. How do the Custom and Starla differ in sound & vibe beyond the obvious spec differences? Has anybody played them back to back? Does the Starla mimic a Fender kind of spank? Is the S2 Vela in the same ballpark as the Starla?

Thanks, Alex

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

The Starla is a much different animal from the Custom. I have a Core one and it’s really not like anything else in the lineup. It’s not really like a Fender, it does cleans really well and it can actually take some gain pretty well too.

I have mine up on Reverb but I think I might pull it and give it some more play time.

 

[Boogie]

Vibe is the real separator. For me, vibe in a guitar makes me think differently, and play differently. While the Stella and Vela share a bridge pickup, that’s it, especially regarding vibe. And the Stella vs. a CU22/24 is, again, a fair gap due to bridge, pickups, and vibe. You should have all three!

 

[alex1fly]

Vibe is the real separator. For me, vibe in a guitar makes me think differently, and play differently. While the Stella and Vela share a bridge pickup, that’s it, especially regarding vibe. And the Stella vs. a CU22/24 is, again, a fair gap due to bridge, pickups, and vibe. You should have all three!

Good plan! How would you describe the vibes of the Stella and Vela?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Not necessarily “vintage but sort of vintage”. The Starla has great cleans and can take gain well too. The Vela is cool because of the D Type single paired with a Starla bridge pickup. Both being all mahogany is a cool aspect as well.

 

[Boogie]

@Bowtiefanatc has it down. I think of the Starla pickups as TV Jones Classic Plus in hummer format. As the owner of wonderful FrankenTele with Classics, I can confirm the similarity. That “bite with attitude” loves gain and encourages me to cut loose and let harmonics fly. The Vela is tied for my favorite guitar I own. Beautiful, feels amazing, plays perfectly, and sounds awesome. It also takes alternative pickups and runs with it...just not the Type D: I don’t mess with that perfection! They both make me feel differently, so I play differently as a result.

 

[alex1fly]

Thanks! Good food for thought.

 

[Draconomics]

I kinda dig the Starla moreso now than I used to. They remind me a bit of a melody maker in look and overall vibe.

 

[Russ73]

OP one thing I like about the SE Starla as I had one briefly was the upper fret access for a singlecut and the overall comfort of the guitar as opposed to your typical LP style guitar, the body is thinner than a 245 and it very comfy and playable....go for it if youre thinking of it..