Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK
The Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK pairs a Japanese-made Jazzmaster design with two vintage-style single-coil pickups, dual control circuits, and a floating tremolo. It includes a deluxe gig bag, but no hard case.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK review
The Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK is a black, Japan-made electric guitar with a Jazzmaster-style design and a specification set centered on traditional features. It has an alder body, a maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, two vintage-style Jazzmaster single-coil pickups, and a floating tremolo tailpiece. The listed price is 1475. No customer reviews are available for this product, so this assessment is based solely on the supplied specifications.
The model has been available since September 2025 and carries item number 612980. Its 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale and 22 medium-jumbo frets place it within a familiar full-scale electric guitar format. Fender specifies a Modern C neck profile, a 241 mm (9.5-inch) fingerboard radius, and a 42 mm (1.650-inch) nut width. These measurements describe the neck's shape and dimensions, but they do not establish how it will feel to any particular player. The bone nut and white dot fingerboard inlays round out the listed fingerboard and neck details.
Body, neck, and finish details
The body and neck use alder and maple, respectively, with a rosewood fingerboard. The black finish is paired with a three-ply black pickguard, giving the instrument a consistent dark appearance. No separate top is specified. The neck is attached with a bolt-on construction, and the hardware is nickel and chrome. Fender lists vintage-style machine heads, but the supplied data does not specify a locking mechanism or tuning ratio.
The guitar ships with nickel-plated steel strings in a.009 to.042 gauge set. That is the factory string specification only; it does not indicate what string gauges are suitable after a setup or whether the instrument is adjusted for alternate tunings. Similarly, the listed construction details do not provide information about the guitar's weight, finish type, or individual setup measurements.
Pickup and control layout
Two vintage-style Jazzmaster single-coil pickups provide the instrument's specified pickup configuration. The controls are arranged around separate lead and rhythm circuits, selected by a slide switch. With the switch down, the lead circuit offers master volume and master tone controls, along with a three-way pickup selector. This gives the player a conventional master-control arrangement for choosing between the pickups or combining them.
With the slide switch up, the rhythm circuit uses two thumbwheel controls for the neck pickup's volume and tone. The supplied specifications identify their function but do not detail the precise electrical response or the difference in output between the two circuits. Players should therefore treat the separate circuit as a distinct control option, not as a guaranteed change in sound character. The pickup description is specific to vintage-style Jazzmaster single coils, but no resistance, magnet type, or output measurements are provided.
Floating tremolo and included accessories
The adjustable six-saddle vintage-style tremolo is paired with a floating tremolo tailpiece. The six saddles provide individual string adjustment points, while the floating design is part of the stated tremolo system. The specifications confirm that a tremolo is included, but do not describe its range, setup, or tuning stability under heavy use. Those results can depend on adjustment and playing technique, so they cannot be established from the feature list alone.
A Deluxe gig bag is included. A hard case is not. The distinction matters when comparing the supplied protection with a player's transport needs, especially if a rigid case is required. The product is sold as one piece, and the listed country of manufacture is Japan.
Technical assessment
The specification sheet presents a clearly defined instrument: full 648 mm scale length, rosewood fingerboard, two Jazzmaster-style single coils, a three-way selector, dual lead and rhythm circuits, and a vintage-style floating tremolo. The Modern C neck profile, 9.5-inch radius, and medium-jumbo frets provide concrete reference points for comparing it with other guitars, without making claims about personal comfort or performance.
At the listed price of 1475, the available data supports a feature-based comparison, not a conclusion about value against other models. It does not include measured weight, electronics tolerances, setup condition, or independent play testing. Buyers who need those details should confirm them with the seller before purchase. On the facts provided, the Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK is a Japan-made Jazzmaster-style guitar with a detailed two-circuit control layout and an included gig bag, while its real-world feel and performance remain unverified here.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Japanese-made alder body with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard
- Two vintage-style Jazzmaster single-coil pickups with separate lead and rhythm controls
- Floating tremolo, bone nut, and included deluxe gig bag
What bugged me
- No hard case is included
- The two single-coil pickups may not suit players seeking a hum-canceling pickup setup
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players who want a Jazzmaster-style guitar with vintage-style single-coil pickups, a floating tremolo, and separate lead and rhythm controls. Also suits buyers who value Japanese manufacture and are comfortable using a gig bag.Look elsewhere if
Not ideal for players who require a hard case in the package or prefer a hum-canceling pickup setup. Buyers seeking a different scale length or a simpler control layout may want to compare other options.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Alder
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickup system
- SS
- Tremolo
- Yes
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- Yes
- Design
- Jazzmaster
- Top
- None
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What kind of pickups does this guitar have?
It has two vintage-style Jazzmaster single-coil pickups.
How do the lead and rhythm controls differ?
With the slide switch down, the lead circuit provides master volume and master tone controls. With the switch up, the rhythm circuit provides separate volume and tone thumbwheels for the neck pickup.
Does it include a case?
It does not include a hard case, but a deluxe gig bag is included.
What are the scale length and neck profile?
The scale is 25.5 inches, or 648 mm, and the neck has a Modern C profile.
Where is the Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK made?
It is made in Japan.
The last word from the bench
This model offers a familiar Jazzmaster layout, with a 25.5-inch scale, a Modern C neck, and 22 medium jumbo frets. Its lead and rhythm circuits provide separate control options, while the floating tremolo adds pitch-bending capability. The included deluxe gig bag is useful, though buyers should factor in the absence of a hard case. At the listed price of $1,475, its appeal rests on its Japanese manufacture and specific Jazzmaster features.
Hanging next to it
Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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