Duesenberg Starplayer V Silver Sparkle 2013
Duesenberg Starplayer V, silver sparkle, made in Germany 2013. Phwoar... swish. The Starplayer is Duesenberg's most iconic shape, and the V was an early version that did especially well in Japan. You get a semi-hollow construction with a centre block, similar to a Gibson ES, but with a spruce top and maple back and sides, and closer to a Gretsch Jet or Les Paul in size. Pair that with a slim, comfy, full scale neck and some cool signature hardware, and you get one very sleek machine. It's super easy to play: the tremolo rules, it holds tune nicely, the woodwork and fretwork are all bang-on, it's lightweight... what a dream. The pickups are awesome too: the P-90 in the neck is plump and round with a gooey, expressive voice, while the bridge humbucker is wide and complex with gorgeous dripping detail. This would have been more silver when it was new, but the finish has aged to a more champagne type hue, which looks fantastic. A new Duesy will set you back plenty these days, so this little charmer is a very fun little option. What a star.
Model: Duesenberg Starplayer V
Made: Germany, body date 11 Jan 2013
Serial: DSV0322
Finish: silver sparkle top, black back and sides gloss poly
Body: laminate spruce top, laminate maple back and sides, semi-hollow with centre block
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, 25.5" scale, moderate C shape
Weight: 3.290kg
Mods: arm tip removed and missing
Pickups: Grand Vintage humbucker, Domino P-90
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has three little chips and scuffs on the end and minor scuffs on the edges, back around some tuners and front around some of the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has a patch of surface scratches in the middle of the body, dimples on the top horn, back edge and bottom corner and a fair few scuffs around the whole body, mostly around the back edge. The sides haves scuffs around the whole body, as well as some dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front doesn't show marks very easily, but there's some dimples around the tailpiece, scuffs in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 strings.
Fret life: 7/10, some normal wear including minor pitting but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues.