Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Built for Studio and Stage Clarity

The Duesenberg Starplayer TV Phonic Balboa Pearl Red delivers the open, bright, and defined tone that professional musicians rely on in the studio and on stage. The semi-hollow body design with a solid centerblock combines the resonant warmth of a hollow instrument with the feedback resistance of a solid body, making this guitar equally at home on a bedroom amp or a touring rig. Sound engineers consistently praise Duesenberg instruments for sitting perfectly in a mix, providing every frequency needed to cut through without harshness. The Starplayer TV Phonic is engineered to be a versatile workhorse for any genre, from blues and jazz to rock and beyond.

Innovative Phonico Pickup System with Four-Way Tonal Control

The Starplayer TV Phonic features Duesenberg's award-winning Phonico pickup combination: a GrandVintage Humbucker in the bridge position and a Domino P90 in the neck position, both dressed in striking gold covers. What sets this guitar apart is the 4-way rotary switch, which offers unprecedented tonal flexibility. The first two positions blend both pickups—the first lets them run freely, while the second filters certain frequencies to create a uniquely defined character. Positions three and four isolate the Domino P90 neck pickup and GrandVintage Humbucker bridge pickup respectively, giving you four distinct voices from a single instrument.

Plek-Processed Fretboard and Hand-Finished Playability

Every Duesenberg instrument is expertly Plek-processed to guarantee perfectly level frets and buzz-free playability across the entire fingerboard. The Starplayer TV Phonic features a 22 jumbo frets on an Indian Rosewood fingerboard with a 305 mm / 12-inch radius, shaped in a medium D profile for comfort during long sessions. After Plek processing, the fretboard is carefully hand-finished and precisely set up by one of Duesenberg's professional luthiers, who signs the instrument inside to guarantee quality. This meticulous attention to detail means the Starplayer TV Phonic feels as good as it sounds.

Reliable Radiator Tremolo and Premium Hardware

The Duesenberg Radiator Tremolo represents an evolution of the brand's original Diamond Deluxe Vibrato system, delivering buttery smooth action with reliable tuning stability. Heavy-duty needle and nylon bearings provide the responsive Duesenberg feel, while the freely adjustable 360-degree tremolo arm can be angled and lengthened to suit your playing style. String changes are straightforward thanks to the simple bar-guided design. The guitar ships with Duesenberg Custom 10/50 strings and features Duesenberg Z-Tuners and a Duesenberg Steel Saddle Bridge, all finished in gleaming gold hardware that complements the Balboa Pearl Red finish.

Semi-Hollow Construction: The Bridge Between Hollow and Solid

The Starplayer TV Phonic's semi-hollow body design combines laminated Spruce arched top, laminated Maple flat back, and laminated Maple bent sides around a solid centerblock running through the middle. This construction method delivers a unique tonal character: the open resonance of a hollow guitar with the feedback resistance and sustain of a solid body. The semi-hollow design is particularly prized by session musicians and touring players who need an instrument that responds naturally to amp gain without unwanted feedback, yet still provides the organic warmth that studio recordings demand. The single F-hole and pearloid binding complete the classic semi-hollow aesthetic.

For Versatile Players Who Need Professional Sound in Any Context

The Duesenberg Starplayer TV Phonic is the right choice for intermediate and advanced players who work across multiple genres and need a single guitar that handles it all. Whether you're recording in a studio, rehearsing in a band, or performing on stage, this instrument delivers clarity and definition that engineers and audiences alike will appreciate. The semi-hollow body responds beautifully to both clean tones and driven sounds, making it equally suited to jazz, blues, rock, alternative, and experimental music. Players who have invested in their technique and understand the value of superior construction will recognize the meticulous Plek processing and hand-finished setup as hallmarks of an instrument built to last decades. The Starplayer TV Phonic rewards careful playing with responsive feel and punchy tone.

Duesenberg: Three Decades of Refined Guitar Design

Duesenberg Guitars was founded in 1986 by designer Dieter Gölsdorf, who began building guitars and parts in 1978 and developed a distinctive vision for electric instruments that combined sophisticated mechanics with bold aesthetics. The Starplayer TV was introduced in 1995 and quickly became the flagship model, designed to have a voice of its own, look stunning, and serve as a reliable companion for working musicians. Today, Duesenberg instruments are trusted by world-class artists including Ron Wood, Mike Campbell, Bob Dylan, Joe Walsh, and Johnny Depp. The brand's reputation for solid, roadworthy construction and versatile tone has made Duesenberg an insider's choice among professional stage and studio musicians worldwide.