Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster Electric Guitar Ice Blue Metallic

Quick Product Summary

The Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster in Ice Blue Metallic takes Fender's unconventional offset semi-hollow design and pushes it firmly towards modern rock territory.

Instead of the vintage-style passive electronics normally associated with semi-hollow guitars, this Contemporary Starcaster uses a pair of Squier SQR active ceramic humbuckers, powered by a 9V battery to deliver a strong, high-output signal suited to overdrive, distortion and heavier amplifier settings. The sealed semi-hollow laminated maple body retains the distinctive Starcaster shape while helping control unwanted feedback when the gain comes up.

A comfortable maple “C” neck, fast 12-inch radius maple fingerboard, 22 narrow-tall frets and 25.5-inch Fender scale make it feel much closer to a modern solid-body electric than a traditional large-bodied jazz guitar.

Finished in striking Ice Blue Metallic with black binding, black chrome hardware and a matching painted headstock contour, this is a strong choice for players who want the visual character and resonance of a semi-hollow guitar without sacrificing the punch and playability needed for contemporary rock.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Squier by Fender
Series	Contemporary
Model	Active Starcaster
Finish	Ice Blue Metallic
Condition	New
Body	Sealed Semi-Hollow Laminated Maple
Neck	Maple, “C” Shape
Fingerboard	Maple, 12" Radius
Pickups	Dual Squier SQR Active Ceramic Humbuckers
Main Appeal	High-output modern semi-hollow with fast Fender-style playability
Best For	Rock, alternative, grunge, punk, metal, shoegaze and effects-heavy rigs

What's Included?

• Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster – Ice Blue Metallic

• ✘ Case or gig bag not included

• ✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every new guitar is checked by the Fair Deal Music team before leaving us, with particular attention paid to the areas that matter when an instrument arrives ready for its new owner.

For an active semi-hollow guitar such as the Contemporary Starcaster, our checks include the pickup output, volume and tone controls, three-way pickup selector, output socket, bridge and tailpiece hardware, tuning machines and general electrical operation.

We also visually assess the neck, frets, hardware and finish and check that the instrument is playing and functioning as expected before dispatch.

As with any guitar, setup can shift slightly during delivery because timber naturally responds to changes in temperature and humidity.

Why Choose The Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster?

Active Humbuckers With Serious Output

The defining feature is the pair of Squier SQR active ceramic humbuckers. They provide a stronger, more forceful signal than conventional passive Starcaster pickups, making the guitar particularly comfortable with distortion, heavier rhythm sounds and sustained lead tones.

Semi-Hollow Character Without Vintage Restrictions

The Starcaster's laminated maple body retains a semi-hollow construction but is engineered to minimise unwanted feedback. That makes this model particularly interesting for players who like the response and visual presence of a semi-hollow guitar but normally play through higher-gain amplifiers and pedals.

Fast 12-Inch Radius Maple Fingerboard

A 12-inch fingerboard radius is noticeably flatter than the 9.5-inch radius used across many traditional Fender and Squier models. It works well for lower action, wide string bends, lead playing and modern rhythm techniques.

Full 25.5-Inch Scale

Unlike many traditional semi-hollow guitars that use shorter scale lengths, the Contemporary Starcaster retains Fender's familiar 25.5-inch scale. The slightly firmer string feel gives riffs and lower tunings good definition while making the transition straightforward for Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster players.

Fixed Bridge And Stop Tailpiece

The six-saddle adjustable bridge and stop tailpiece provide individual intonation adjustment without the additional movement of a tremolo system. It is a straightforward, stable setup for rhythm players, alternate tunings and heavier music.

Ice Blue Metallic With Black Chrome Hardware

The Ice Blue Metallic finish is contrasted by black binding, black pickup covers and black chrome hardware, giving the guitar a much more contemporary appearance than a vintage-style Starcaster. The matching painted contour around the distinctive Starcaster headstock completes the look.

Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster vs Popular Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster

The Classic Vibe Starcaster is the better choice for players who want the Starcaster concept with a more traditional 1970s influence. Its passive Wide Range-style humbuckers, 9.5-inch radius and vintage-inspired presentation favour cleaner, classic rock and retro semi-hollow sounds. The Contemporary Active model is better suited to higher gain, a flatter playing surface and modern rock.

Squier Affinity Series Starcaster Deluxe

The Affinity Starcaster Deluxe provides a more affordable route into the offset semi-hollow body shape, with conventional passive ceramic humbuckers and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius. Choose the Affinity for straightforward versatility and value; choose the Contemporary Active Starcaster if high-output electronics and more performance-focused playability are priorities.

Newer Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster

The later Contemporary Active Starcaster develops the same basic concept with a roasted maple neck, sculpted heel, revised hardware details and jumbo frets. This Ice Blue Metallic version has its own specification with a standard maple neck and narrow-tall frets, making it an interesting alternative for players who prefer that fret feel or specifically want the Ice Blue Metallic finish.

Who Is The Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster For?

The Contemporary Active Starcaster is ideal for players who have always liked semi-hollow guitars but do not necessarily play traditional semi-hollow music.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Alternative rock guitarists

• Modern rock players

• Grunge and post-grunge styles

• Punk and post-hardcore

• Shoegaze and effects-heavy music

• Heavier indie guitar

• Hard rock

• Modern metal and high-gain rhythm work

• Players using fuzz and distortion extensively

• Guitarists moving from solid-body instruments to a semi-hollow

• Players who prefer flatter fingerboards

• Musicians wanting something visually different from another Strat or Tele

Looking for advice on choosing the right semi-hollow electric guitar, active pickup guitar or modern Squier? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store at our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The Active Starcaster's strongest territory is rock and alternative music. The active ceramic humbuckers provide enough output to drive an amplifier or distortion pedal confidently, making chunky rhythm parts and sustained lead sounds feel natural.

The fixed bridge also makes it well suited to players who use aggressive picking or regularly experiment with alternate tunings.

For shoegaze, post-rock and ambient music, the semi-hollow platform combined with the high-output electronics provides an interesting basis for reverb, delay, modulation and fuzz. There is enough output to push a large effects chain while the guitar's unusual construction gives it a different character from a conventional solid-body HH guitar.

It is equally capable of cleaner sounds. Rolling back gain at the amplifier and selecting the neck pickup provides a fuller clean voice, while the centre position combines both pickups for broader rhythm tones.

Can A Semi-Hollow Guitar Handle High Gain?

Traditional semi-hollow guitars can become more susceptible to acoustic feedback as volume and gain increase because their hollow sections interact more strongly with amplified sound. That is one reason many heavy players traditionally choose solid-body guitars.

The Contemporary Active Starcaster was specifically engineered around a more modern approach. Its sealed semi-hollow body is designed to reduce unwanted feedback, while the active SQR ceramic humbuckers provide the output required for crunchy rhythm tones and heavily driven lead sounds. It therefore makes much more sense for high-gain playing than the vintage appearance of the Starcaster shape might initially suggest.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The Contemporary Active Starcaster works with standard guitar amplification, effects and recording equipment.

Particularly useful pairings include:

High-gain amplifiers – the active pickups make it a natural partner for modern rock and heavier amp channels.

Overdrive and distortion pedals – useful for everything from crunchy alternative rhythm sounds to saturated lead tones.

Fuzz pedals – a particularly interesting combination for grunge, shoegaze, alternative and experimental guitar.

Noise gates – useful when building very high-gain rigs with multiple drive stages.

Delay and reverb – well suited to the Starcaster for ambient, post-rock and shoegaze textures.

Pitch shifting and octave effects – the strong active signal can provide a useful foundation for more experimental pedalboards.

Audio interfaces and modelling systems – the guitar can be recorded directly through a suitable instrument input or used with modern amp-modelling hardware and software.

A Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Starcaster-compatible gig bag or suitable hard case is a sensible upgrade if the guitar will regularly travel to lessons, rehearsals or gigs.

Story & Context

The original Fender Starcaster appeared in 1976, during an era when Fender was experimenting beyond the solid-body designs on which its reputation had been built. Its offset semi-hollow body, twin humbuckers and dramatically curved headstock made it one of the most unconventional guitars Fender had produced.

The original model disappeared from Fender's price list by 1980, but its unusual design gradually developed a following. Fender eventually brought the Starcaster name back in 2013 as interest in the offset semi-hollow format increased.

In 2019, Squier expanded the idea further with three different Starcaster interpretations, including the Classic Vibe, Affinity and Contemporary Active Starcaster. The Contemporary version deliberately moved away from recreating the 1970s instrument, combining the Starcaster body shape with active electronics and more modern playing specifications.

That history helps explain this Ice Blue Metallic model: it is not intended to be a budget vintage reissue. It takes one of Fender's most unconventional historic shapes and repurposes it for a very different kind of player.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Squier by Fender
Series	Contemporary
Model	Active Starcaster
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Ice Blue Metallic
Country Of Origin	Indonesia
Body Shape	Starcaster
Body Construction	Sealed Semi-Hollow
Body Material	Laminated Maple
Body Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Body Binding	Black
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Shape	“C” Shape
Neck Finish	Satin Urethane
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	12" / 305 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	22
Fret Size	Narrow Tall
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Bridge Pickup	Squier SQR Active Ceramic Humbucker
Neck Pickup	Squier SQR Active Ceramic Humbucker
Pickup Configuration	HH
Electronics	Active
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching	3-Position Toggle
Bridge	6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge
Tailpiece	Stop Tailpiece
Hardware Finish	Black Chrome
Tuning Machines	Die-Cast Sealed
Pickup Covers	Black
Control Knobs	Skirted Amp Knobs
Switch Tip	Black
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Squier
Strap Buttons	Standard
Factory Strings	Nickel-Plated Steel .009-.042

Specification Note

This Ice Blue Metallic Contemporary Active Starcaster uses the maple neck and maple fingerboard specification associated with this version of the model.

It should not be confused with the later Contemporary Active Starcaster specification featuring a roasted maple neck and other updated details.

An exact individual guitar weight has not been provided, so no estimated weight has been added.

Power Requirements

The Squier SQR active ceramic humbuckers require one 9V battery to operate.

The battery powers the guitar's active electronics and is required when using the instrument through an amplifier, effects processor or recording interface.

A standard 1/4-inch instrument cable is required to connect the guitar to your amplifier, modeller, pedalboard or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster is one of those guitars that makes much more sense once you stop thinking of it as a conventional semi-hollow.

Its combination of a 25.5-inch scale, flat 12-inch maple fingerboard, fixed bridge and active ceramic humbuckers gives it the feel and output modern rock players expect, while the offset semi-hollow Starcaster body provides something visually and physically very different from another standard double-cut or single-cut solid body.

The Ice Blue Metallic finish and black chrome hardware make this particular version especially distinctive.

Best suited for: Alternative, rock and heavier players wanting a semi-hollow guitar without vintage-style electronics or playability.

Main benefit: High-output active performance combined with an unusual semi-hollow Fender-derived design.

Value proposition: A distinctive modern guitar with active electronics and semi-hollow construction at an accessible Squier price point.

Standout feature: The combination of dual SQR active ceramic humbuckers and the sealed Starcaster semi-hollow body.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Affinity guitars, entry-level HH solid bodies and passive semi-hollow instruments.

Most commonly paired with: Distortion, fuzz, delay and reverb pedals, high-gain amplifiers and modern modelling systems.

Our tip: Don't assume the neck pickup is only for cleaner sounds. With active humbuckers, the neck position can produce a thick, sustaining driven lead voice that contrasts nicely with the tighter bridge pickup.

Showroom feedback: The 12-inch maple fingerboard and narrow-tall frets make the guitar feel far more modern than its semi-hollow body suggests. The Ice Blue Metallic and black hardware combination also gives it a strong visual identity in person.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Based in Birmingham, our knowledgeable musician-led team understands the practical differences between passive and active pickups, solid and semi-hollow guitars, neck profiles, amplifier choices and effects setups.

Whether you're buying your first electric guitar, moving into a semi-hollow design or building a higher-gain rock rig, we're here to offer straightforward advice before and after your purchase.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned guitars and musical equipment

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the pickups active or passive?

The Contemporary Active Starcaster uses active Squier SQR ceramic humbuckers. They require a 9V battery and produce a stronger output than conventional passive Starcaster pickups.

Is the Contemporary Active Starcaster suitable for metal?

Yes. Its active humbuckers, flat 12-inch fingerboard and fixed bridge make it much better suited to high-gain rock and metal than a traditional vintage-style semi-hollow guitar.

Will a semi-hollow guitar feed back with distortion?

Any resonant guitar can interact with loud amplifiers, but the Contemporary Active Starcaster uses a sealed semi-hollow construction designed to minimise unwanted feedback. Sensible amplifier positioning and gain control remain useful at very high stage volumes.

Can I use heavier strings or lower tunings?

Yes. The fixed bridge and 25.5-inch scale make it a good candidate for heavier strings and alternative tunings. Significant string-gauge or tuning changes can require adjustments to neck relief, action and intonation.

Is the 12-inch fingerboard radius good for lead guitar?

Yes. A 12-inch radius is relatively flat by traditional Fender standards and works particularly well for string bending, lower-action setups and lead playing.

Can it still produce clean sounds?

Yes. Active pickups are not limited to distortion. Through a clean amplifier, the neck and combined pickup positions can provide full, clear sounds that work well with modulation, delay and reverb.

Does it have a tremolo?

No. The guitar uses an adjustable six-saddle bridge with a fixed stop tailpiece, making it particularly straightforward for players who do not need a vibrato system.

Is it suitable for recording?

Yes. Its strong active output works well into suitable audio interfaces, modelling systems and recording preamps. The two humbuckers and three-way switch provide useful tonal variation when layering different guitar parts.

How does it differ from the Classic Vibe Starcaster?

The Classic Vibe model is far more vintage influenced, with passive Wide Range-style humbuckers and a more traditional playing specification. The Contemporary Active Starcaster is aimed at modern players who want higher output, a flatter fingerboard and a more aggressive overall character.

What happens when the 9V battery runs low?

Because the pickups rely on active electronics, reduced battery voltage can affect output and sound quality. Keeping a spare fresh 9V battery in your gig bag or accessories case is sensible for rehearsals and performances.

The Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster in Ice Blue Metallic is a great option for players who want something genuinely different rather than another conventional solid-body electric. Its sealed semi-hollow construction, active humbuckers, fast maple fingerboard and striking finish turn the distinctive Starcaster platform into a guitar that feels completely at home with modern amps, pedals and heavier playing styles.

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