MiniStar Travel Guitar Review

[candidcomment]

Hi ! Nice review. playing and set up to! I wanted to ask if you played the Castar version with the built in headphone amp? I wnt to buy one and have seen different models on the net. I have seen the Minstart for $109 Us but am not sure witch is witch

I looked at eh Minstar website and it says the Castar has a built in headphone amP

??

[LimeyInSD]

@candidcomment Thanks. I have not played or seen the one with the built in amp. I upgraded mine to install the new bridge assembly that's on the PRO (see my other videos). It works great and I strongly recommend it over the original (which eats strings and allows no intonation/ height adjustment). I'm less interested in the headphone amp as I use effects and need to practice with those. I think the PRO version will be at least $200, though I haven't seen anyone selling yet.

[cdemanelis]

Do you think it would be possible to use strap buttons? The only thing i dont like are the top bars.

[LimeyInSD]

@cdemanelis I don't think you can mount them to the ends easily due to the bridge. Also, the metal bars allow you to separate the support points from the guitar. Without that it would likely be unbalanced.

[cdemanelis]

@LimeyInSD Hmm, In that case i can't really move on until I have 1 in front of me. It's gonna take more than strap buttons if the weight was used in the design... Even as is I think this is more pracitcal 4 my need than some of the more expensive alternatives. Thanks 4 the upload and insight very helpful in my decision.

[PoGGiE06]

looks interesting. How is the feel for picking etc.? and the action? can live without a whammy bar personally, esp for travelling.

[LimeyInSD]

@PoGGiE06 It's actually pretty good after some adjustment. I recommend you get the Mark 2 version, which has an adjustable bridge (also a built in headphone amp, though that's of less interest to me). I upgraded my Mark 1 with the new bridge (bought it separately) and it's MUCH better. I posted another video on YouTube with how to do the bridge upgrade. Good luck!

[deathslice60]

hmm nice guitar :)

[RyallOdunga]

Very helpful review. The Pro is apparently now on the market. Have you had the chance to review it? Is it a better product and would you recommend it? Have they sorted out the problems with the volume and tone controls, and the instruments string-breaking penchant? What about the now integrated headphone amp? Does it work. How will the headphone jack fit, as it will evidently protrude awakwardly between the guitar and the body against which it should normally be resting?

[thejimmyofbobs402]

Does it stay in tune when you use the whammy bar? I've wanted a guitar with one for a while now but never got one then I saw this

[LimeyInSD]

@thejimmyofbobs402 It stays in tune, but I must warn you that the whammy bar is stiff and hard to use as there's not much leverage. Also it likely contributes to more frequent string breaking. I hope the new bridge assembly (which isn't out yet - any time, apparently...) is better. The little screw is useless. My solution, buy a set of #47 rubber O rings, fit them into the groove on the bar: much better solution. Good luck!

[STLKANE3]

thank you but how do you rest the guitar on your knee

[LimeyInSD]

@STLKANE3 There's a separate attachment that can be used for the sitting position. This is included in the price.

[MegaMahuro]

Hi ,

Great videos ... many thanks ...

I hope you can suggest smething to help me with some problem I have with the mini ... I bought one on a sale very cheap .. it is great .... but I am left handed ... and while revresing the strings was easy , the metal bars to hang the strap really does not work if yu try to use them as a left handed !!!

really don't know what to do as it is imposible to use the strap without the right set of bars .... can you suggest a work around ???

Many thanks.

Mahuro

[LedetandtheBears]

great review! I saw your review on amazon and was wondering if you ordered from that page. It seems that the guitar you got is in that wood finish even though the page where you put the review its listed as being the mahogany finish. Was just wondering if theres any way to make sure to get that look outside of doing it yourself and possibly ruining the guitar with the sanding/staining/coating process. Im very impressed with the sound.

[LimeyInSD]

@LedetandtheBears Thanks. Yes, I ordered it off Amazon. My recommendation would be to wait for the PRO to come out as it eats strings (which should be any time - I heard they'd been shipped and should be available late June/ July, but the company is incredibly non-communicative with their vendors). I've not looked into the different finishes (there weren't any when I first got this). I'm sure you can specify or ask whoever is selling it these days.

[celermail]

Ugliest instrument i've EVER seen in my life, shitty sounding too.

[LimeyInSD]

@celermail With regards looks, each to their own and it certainly raises a lot of eyebrows: there are plenty of ugly $1k+ guitars out there. I've not seen any other travel guitar with 3 pickups, 5 settings that is so compact/ easy to travel with. For sound, it ain't a Strat, but IMO it does the job for keeping the licks and is surprisingly faithful sound-wise - you may just not like my sound. My biggest complaint is that it eats strings. Hopefully the PRO will be better (new bridge design).

[kernelspy]

Awesome review!! Good job!

[zarphod]

Thanks for this vid, bought the guitar based on your review and am quite happy - they should offer you a commission!

cheers

[LimeyInSD]

@zarphod Thanks - enjoy it, but stock up on strings! Re commission... I'm not holding my breath!

[1963tigre]

Why the Castar and not one of the other models or doesn't it matter?

[LimeyInSD]

@1963tigre Not sure what your question is. I only have the Castar as I normally play a Fender Strat and it's a decent emulator.

[1963tigre]

@LimeyInSD Sorry if I wasn't clear. Ministar have a whole range of electrics - Castar is just one.

Am looking at Lestar but saw your clip (very good by the way). Was wondering if you looked at the range or just picked the Castar for any particular reason. My regular guitar is an Epi Les Paul Custom

[1963tigre]

@LimeyInSD Sorry if I wasn't clear. Ministar have a whole range of electrics - Castar is just one.

Am looking at Lestar but saw your clip (very good by the way). Was wondering if you looked at the range or just picked the Castar for any particular reason. My regular guitar is an Epi Les Paul Custom

[1963tigre]

@LimeyInSD Sorry if I wasn't clear. Ministar have a whole range of electrics - Castar is just one.

Am looking at Lestar but saw your clip (very good by the way). Was wondering if you looked at the range or just picked the Castar for any particular reason. My regular guitar is an Epi Les Paul Custom

[1963tigre]

Why the Castar and not one of the others?

[SexyQueenLiz]

Hey ! really good review ! i might buy a orange amp ! would you be able to give us the names of your incredible riffs ? ! they're pretty awesome x

[LimeyInSD]

@SexyQueenLiz Thanks for your feedback. RE: the riffs, one was Can't Explain (The Who), some just random & a few were from my CD, Sins of the Times (on iTunes, Amazon). Of course, on the CD I used my Fender Strat, not the Ministar, but the same originals are on my youtube video: "Putting the Ministar Castar through its paces" so you can compare the sounds of the guitars (though bear in mind different recording quality) for each pickup setting.

[raindogred]

Now what you need is a travel amp???? message me if you need a ruby amp kit:) love the concept. I'm getting one of these..

[LimeyInSD]

@raindogred Thanks for the heads up but I currently have 2 different solutions. First is an Orange Crush 3 micro amp (5 watts/ 9V AC or DC), OK but of course limited by its small speaker. Second is a micro 4 channel Rolls MX41b mixer fed into a home stereo (or a PA). I used it in Fiji and got the resort dancing! BTW, I've moved to Zoom G1XN over the RP55 - more rugged, bit more flexible (pedal) and only use 4 batteries. It's harder to match the sound to my GNX3000, though..

[raindogred]

@LimeyInSD The Ruby amp is a DIY electronics kit . sounds awsome at about 1W. circuit is tiny and people build them into things like Cigar boxes, Beer cans, altoids tins etc etc. I built one into an effect pedal box which has an headphone out, line out to a speaker. I do at least one trip OS a year) and I would love to start bringing a guitar setup with me. I also travel with a surfboard, sowhatever I bring would have to squeeze into a surfboard bag. I think this guitar might be the one.

[LocalBandTV]

Nice review, I have the Misistar Lestar it's great. Volume knob is on full volume & gets low at the end of the post. We all run them full volume & full tone. The guitar plays great & stays in tune. The metal arms that come with the guitar all fit in a zipper part of the bag, always away from the guitar & can Not cause damage to the guitar. Guitar price $99 Shipping included Ebay. Denny from Attaboy Luther I will post pics and Vids soon.

[2Twisted4NE1]

It's just my opinion, but all of those detachable parts make this really unattractive for me. I can see those bouncing around in the bag with it, damaging the frets, dinging the neck, or just getting lost. I want to be able to pick up my practice guitar, and play, not waste time assembing it. It does sound pretty good though.

[LimeyInSD]

@2Twisted4NE1 Mostly, it's not a big deal, but it is a travel guitar. At home, I leave it assembled so I can pick it up and play. The detachable parts sit in a separate outer pocket of the included bag to avoid damaging the frets. IMO, the weakest part is the tremolo arm (I discussed my work-around in earlier comments or on my other video of this guitar). It also goes through strings).

[claudianewman]

nice review you did. What is the unbuild length of the guitar? I read somewhere it is 30", but I dunno if its without the metal pieces or with?

 thanks... best wishes Claudia

[BonesAndBones]

I like the way it looks! Its definitely a trip. Ill grab one of these some time.

[nareiko]

Good honest review, I just got mine tonight and it is looking vey good.

[LimeyInSD]

Thanks - have fun with it and if the volume control doesn't work properly, check out my other video on how to fix it easily.

[Xelanderthomas]

Thanks, I'm thinking of getting one.

[LimeyInSD]

It's a fun little guitar - perfect for travel or small get togethers; I've even used it as a stand-in at gigs. If you get one and the volume control doesn't work, check out my other video for how to easily fix it. Good luck and keep on jamming.

[Xelanderthomas]

Will do. Thanks. I mean, I don't even need it to be gig quality, cause I'm not even gigging yet. I'm just learning really. I just want to keep up my practice while I travel. I'm going on the road with a stage play (as an actor) but I committed to getting my guitar playing in realistic shape about 8 months ago and been playing everyday and I don't want to let up now.

[theultimaterockr]

Does the Min iLestar have a tremolo too?

[LimeyInSD]

I don't know - I only have the Mini Star.

[iatneH]

Great video, definitely a deciding factor in my purchase. But I got the Lestar model and it seems to have that same logarithmic volume problem. Can you detail what your fix involved? Was it really just a resolder/re-wire or did you have to replace the entire pot assembly?

[LimeyInSD]

Thanks mate. In terms of the fix, it's a one-wire resolder on the potentiometer circuit board - from what I remember, they'd wired the volume pot in series with the tuner pot.

I have an email showing how to fix the pot with some pictures showing the end result, but I can't post pictures to youtube. If you send me your email address, I can forward it to you. It's an easy fix.

[duckykittn]

way to go, pete townshend :)

great review too!

[LimeyInSD]

Thanks, mate!

For general reference, one thing I recently had to do was to come up with a fix for the whammy bar (which also serves as a great guitar stand). Fortunately a #47 in the little groove and a #5 O ring on the bar did the trick -= better than the crappy little screw that eventually stripped the thread anyway.

Only other downside: it eats through strings (even 10 gauge detuned a semitone!). Bring spares!

[benjieisntcoolenough]

that is soooooooooooooo coool... whats it called!!!i am soo getting that for christmas!!!!!!weeeeeeeeeeeeee­eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­eeeeeee

[LimeyInSD]

It's called a Ministar guitar and they have different types that emulate Strats, Tele's and even Les Pauls as well as basses. I got it from Amazon for about US$160. It's fun, though I had to resolder the volume potentiometer so that it worked as a volume control and not as a really bad tone control (who uses tone controls on guitars, anyway!).

[pastorkev777]

Thanks!

[LimeyInSD]

It stays in tune surprisingly well (no worse than any of my other guitars once it's been played for a bit). The whammy bar's about the weakest link on the guitar: takes alot of force to bend the string and the mount is a bit funky (needs a screw driver).

The only thing I noted is I busted an E string after about 6 hours of playing. I'll see if that's a pattern.

[pastorkev777]

Does it stay in tune well? With wammy and in general!

[LimeyInSD]

Stays in tune very well even with the whammy bar (my least favorite part of the set up: the attachment could have been engineered better - I might take a stab at that one of these days).

I have busted a few strings, but then I'm not using the finest strings for a guitar I play occasionally... Take spares if you travel!