Fender’s latest Tom DeLonge Starcaster features actual meteorite dust in its finish

A production-line version of the Blink-182 guitarist's signature model is looking more likely than ever – minus the space dust

Just when we thought Tom DeLonge's new custom Fender Starcasters couldn't get any more extraterrestrial, luthier Brian Thrasher has gone and unveiled a dazzling version of the semi-hollow electric guitar featuring actual meteorite dust.

In a new Instagram post, Thrasher – who has been behind all of the UFO-keen Blink-182 guitarist's custom semi-hollows thus far – has shared photos of the mind-blowing build, revealing, "We mixed actual ‘star dust’ aka meteorite dust into the finish. Probably a first in guitars."

"I collect meteorites and saved the dust when facing them," he continued. "The dust has Lunar, Martian and Carbonaceous meteorites. The sides and back were torched like a meteor coming through the atmosphere."

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It's a jaw-dropping finish, and one we’re unlikely to see replicated anytime soon. That said, we would bet serious money on a Tom DeLonge Starcaster becoming a full-time production model, given Fender's official Instagram account also shared a behind-the-scenes look at the guitar – the first time DeLonge's new signatures have appeared on the account.

Intriguingly, in a post from DeLonge himself, he reveals that the design was originally drawn up for his old Gibson ES-333, before Fender brought it to life on the Starcaster.

After more than two decades with Gibson, DeLonge announced his return to Fender guitars in December 2022, revealing a fleet of single-humbucker Starcasters, which have since been bolstered by several custom designs, including a Roswell flying saucer newsprint finish.

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The guitars are all spec’d with an oversized ’70s Strat headstock, Seymour Duncan SH-5 overwound PAF-style humbucker and Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge, while Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Ron Thorn is behind the Blink-182 smiley inlays.

Eight custom designs will be produced, along with the initial run of Shoreline Gold, Flat White, Shell Pink and Surf Green-finished guitars, resulting in 12 in total.

The semi-hollow made its official debut at Blink-182's surprise Coachella set last month, and is set to feature throughout the band's headline US dates, starting tomorrow (May 4) in St. Paul, Minneapolis.

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Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as more than 20 years performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

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