From their workshop in Elk Grove, California, Doug Kauer and his team of self-proclaimed "bearded wizards" build eye-catching, rock-n-roll-inspired axes that push the electric guitar to a new level. Kauer Guitars are built for the stage—not only do they look the part with their gorgeous finishes, but each one is a tool, meticulously crafted to be ready for any job.
The Starliner Deluxe returns to the roots of the Kauer line with a simple, offset Spanish Mahogany body with a Maple top. The neck is also Spanish Mahogany, which is not only lightweight but also highly resonant. The unique single-cutaway body shape maximizes the dynamic range while also providing effortless access into the upper register. Every detail is high-end, including a Wenge fingerboard with Jescar frets that are PLEK-ed to optimize the setup.
This 2023 Starliner Deluxe (serial #1026-179) is gently-used, and it features a stunning Lemonburst finish that sets off the Curly Maple figure in the top. Although it was originally outfitted with Wolfetone Kauerbuckers, the previous owner upgraded the pickups to ThroBak Pro-90 humbucker-sized P90s. These single-coils are a great fit for the resonant Starliner Deluxe template—they are dynamic and touch-sensitive. When you dig in, they bite and push your amp, but you can coax sweeter, mellower single-coil tones just by rolling off the volume and tone. Of course, the original pickups are included should you want to experiment with different sounds.
From there, the previous owner also upgraded the nut and optimized the setup (the original nut is included). The action is super low and inviting with .010-gauge strings. The bridge pickup on this Starliner Deluxe has some serious attitude, but the guitar has impressive range via the three-way switch and controls. It includes its original Mono M80 bag.
- Model: Starliner Deluxe
- Serial Number: #1026-179
- Top: Maple
- Back: Spanish Mahogany
- Neck: Spanish Mahogany
- Binding: White
- Neck Profile: Standard C
- 1st Fret: .85" 12th Fret: .90"
- Width at Nut: 1.725"
- Fingerboard Binding: White
- Fingerboard: Wenge
- Scale: 24.75" Frets: 22 Radius: 12"
- Fretweire: Jescar 4709NS
- Fingerboard Inlay: Keystones
- Top Finish: Lemonburst
- Back & Neck Finish: Natural brown
- Bridge: TonePros Tune-O-Matic
- Tuners: Hipshot Open-Backed Locking w/ Keystone knobs
- Control Layout: 1 Vol / 1 Tone + 3-way Switch
- Pickups: ThroBak Pro-90 HB (Originally Wolfetone Kauerbuckers)
- Weight: 6 lbs 14.5 oz