Updating Starla

fender1punk

Certified Guitar Hoarder
Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
235
Location
Lynbrook
Has anyone upgraded, modified, or otherwise replaced the trem on their S2 Starla? Mine works fine, just wondering if there was room for improvement.
 
I’m pretty sure the bigsby on the S2 Starla is a licenced version rather than an original one. If that’s true then you may be able to swap it out easily enough. If your current one is working ok I wouldn’t expect you to see a huge difference though. I’ve seen a few vids where bigsbys have been swapped for Gibson style tailpieces with the tuneomatic bridge. Only issue there are the visible holes where the bigsby was mounted to the guitar.
 
Going from a B50 to a B5 probably isn't worth the effort tbh. I would however consider swapping the bridge out for a roller bridge if possible.

Something like this: https://www.axesrus.co.uk/WIlkinson-Ultimate-Roller-Bridge-p/mtb604.htm - just check the fit, I know there are often imperial vs metric considerations on these things depending on the existing hardware...

The next (or other) thing you could do is get a Reverend soft touch spring for the Bigsby. Super inexpensive and improves the feel considerably. http://store.reverendguitars.com/product/soft-touch-spring/

Other than those things it's a pretty solid setup already...
 
Does anyone know what the routing is like under the pick guard on a starla? Toying with making a new one and adding in a middle pick up similar to Swamp Ash Special. Don’t want to carve into the body though and haven’t lifted the pick guard to see if it’s possible.
 
Does anyone know what the routing is like under the pick guard on a starla? Toying with making a new one and adding in a middle pick up similar to Swamp Ash Special. Don’t want to carve into the body though and haven’t lifted the pick guard to see if it’s possible.

There's a big hunk of wood between the two humbuckers.
 
Back
Top