MusicRadar’s got your back
Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
What is it?
Part Firebird, part Gretsch, and part Telecaster, with a little dash of 12-string thrown in for good measure, the Telstar is something of a Griffin in the affordable guitar space, and one that is most definitely trying to stand out from the crowd.
For those not in the know, Shergold is a British brand that built rather well-liked guitars through the ‘70s and ‘80s, and despite having a fair few famous names who used them, like Genesis axeman Mike Rutherford, it never quite became as legendary as some of its peers.
After falling into relative obscurity, UK distributor Barnes & Mullins, you know, the company behind Faith acoustic guitars, re-launched Shergold with a slate of new designs thought up by UK guitar maker Patrick James Eggle.
Latest Videos FromMusicRadar
Today, I’m looking at a 12-string version of the 2023 model, the Telstar. Like the original, this updated version features a poplar body, a maple neck, and a laurel fingerboard. As for the hardware, we’ve got a 12-way adjustable bridge, where six of the strings are strung through the body, while the others are strung top-loaded through the bridge. At the peghead, we have two rows of closed-gear machine heads and a synthetic bone nut.
A pair of FilterSonic humbuckers handles the tone, with a single volume and tone control and a Les Paul-esque three-way selector switch. The model comes in a high-gloss solid Champagne Gold or Black finish and costs a smidge over £400.
On paper, it’s certainly an attractive little package, but how does it perform in reality, and can Telstar hang with the big guns that it calls its inspiration? Well, let’s find out.
Specs
- Launch price: £409 / $519 / €480
- Made: China
- Type: 12-string electric guitar
- Body: Solid Poplar
- Neck: Solid Maple
- Fingerboard: Laurel
- Scale length: 25.5″ / 648 mm
- Nut/width: Synthetic Bone / 44 mm
- Frets: 22 frets, Medium-Jumbo, Hard Nickel
- Hardware: Chrome; closed gear 6-a-side tuners; fixed bridge (6-string through-body / 6-string through-bridge) with 12 individually adjustable saddles
- Electrics: 2 x Page FilterSonic Humbuckers (bridge and neck); controls: 1 x Volume (A500K), 1 x Tone (A500K), 3-way toggle switch
- Weight: 8 lbs / 3.6 kg
- Finishes: Champagne Gold or Black
- Case: None
- Contact: Shergold
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
It’s a good-looking guitar that looks classic while still feeling fresh and new
If ever there was an electric guitar styled especially to my tastes, it would probably be the Telstar. I’m lucky enough to have a Firebird, Telecaster, and Gretsch in my personal collection, so combining all three most definitely appeals to me.
It’s a good-looking guitar that looks classic while still feeling fresh and new. The gilded Champagne Gold is also rather nice, too. So, a job well done by Shergold on aesthetics.
Running my eye over the body of the guitar, everything looks good from a finishing point of view. No overspray, dings or scuffs to speak of. That said, I did spot a small issue with the pickup routes. They seem too large for the pickups themselves. So much so, I can fit more than two plectrums between the FilterSonic humbucker and the body of the guitar.
It’s not the biggest issue, sure, but one that perhaps shows the limitations of such a budget build.
Flipping the model over reveals a nicely rounded heel, with neck screws sitting in recessed cupped washers. The neck pocket is plenty tight too. It’s very neat and tidy and very well put together.
Now, with a 12-string, the machine heads are one of the most important details, as no one wants to deal with a dozen strings that won’t stay in tune. I’m happy to say that, while the Shergold machine heads don’t look particularly special, they do hold strong and turn smoothly.
Overall, it’s an impressively made guitar. Sure, the pickup routes could be better, but that’s a small issue with what is otherwise a tidy guitar that feels nice in hand.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
This is actually a rather inviting guitar to play
Right, we all know that 12-string guitars can feel a little overwhelming, cumbersome, and, well, awkward at times, but thankfully this Telstar is none of those things. This is actually a rather inviting guitar to play – thanks in part to the nicely rolled edges of the fingerboard.
As you’d expect, the neck is wider than normal to accommodate the extra strings, but it feels pretty comfortable to me. The 25.5″ scale length is naturally familiar, and the 14″ radius feels flat and, despite its look, fairly modern. I like it.
The action is set nicely from the factory, too. It’s a little higher than you’d want for a standard electric at 1.65mm on the low-E, but I think it’s more than serviceable for a 12-string. It keeps the strings ringing out proudly, and let’s face it, you’re not going to be shredding on this thing unless you have fingers like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s arms.
With such a large headstock, it would be easy to think this guitar would be unbalanced, but it sits comfortably on a strap or my lap with no neck dive to speak of, and that’s no mean feat.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★☆
There is enough jangle here without sounding too harsh or brittle
With a set of faux Filter’Trons installed, I’m expecting the sound of the Telstar to be bright, edgy, and with plenty of chime. It may be unfair to pit the Telstar against my Gretsch Doublecut Falcon, but to my surprise, this budget Shergold does a respectable job trying to replicate those classic Gretsch sounds.
Plugged into a Fender Twin, the real Gretsch is certainly more lively and responsive, but the Telstar holds its own in terms of chime with a pleasant top end that perhaps sounds more like a slightly brighter voiced humbucker than a true Filter’Tron.
That said, it’s a nice tone and one that complements the 12-string format. There is enough jangle here without sounding too harsh or brittle.
Kicking on my JHS Angry Charlie, these pickups prove they can handle some gain, too
The neck position is noticeably warmer and rounded, as expected, and turning down the tone control makes it even woollier, perfect for faux acoustic strumming.
Kicking on my JHS Angry Charlie, these pickups prove they can handle some gain, too. There’s a throaty nature to the bright pickup in particular that makes me want to play octave single-note riffs.
What’s genuinely impressive is the guitar’s ability to produce a nice range of tones that really brings out the best qualities of a 12-string. Whether strumming open chords, picking arpeggios, or riffing, there’s decent clarity here and pleasant presence that just sounds good.
Verdict
Personally, I think the Shergold Telstar ST14 12-String is a refreshing entry to the world of affordable 12-string electrics. It manages to combine three well-known guitar styles cues into one that looks like it could’ve easily been thought up in 1960.
For the price, the build quality is impressive for the most part, with the only minor flaw being oversized pickup routes, but I don’t think that’s enough to detract from the overall experience I had with this lovely guitar.
To me, it’s a very approachable guitar to play, even for those new to 12-strings, and sonically, the Telstar delivers plenty of bright and chiming tones, with enough versatility to move from lush cleans to rockin’ overdrive.
I genuinely think it more than holds its own within its price bracket and offers a compelling alternative for players seeking something different. So, whether you’re looking to add new textures to your recordings, looking for a quirky songwriting partner, or you’re simply searching for an eye-catching alternative to mainstream brands, the Telstar delivers much more than its modest price would suggest.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build quality |
Well-finished and visually appealing, with only minor flaws in the pickup routing. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Playability |
Comfortable neck and balanced feel make it inviting and easy to play for a 12-string. |
★★★★½ |
|
Sounds |
Bright, chimey tones with surprising versatility, handling both clean and driven sounds well. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Overall |
An impressive and approachable 12-string electric that stands out for its sheer value for money. |
★★★★☆ |
