What we’re about

Before Starr Labs, there was Starr Switch Company. The company originally offered a line of electric guitar switches and FX circuits meant mostly for Strats and Teles. Notable guitar manufacturers SSC worked with included Kramer and B.C. Rich. Starr Switch Company also provided industrial electronics businesses in the LA-area with mechanical/electrical design and fabrication services. In 1986, Starr Switch Company made the official switch to Starr Labs. 

The now San Diego, CA-based provides custom high-end MIDI controllers, keyboards and accessories. All products are built in-house by a small team led by Harvey Starr. For more than 30 years, it has been our goal to encourage users to approach playing music with creativity and innovation!

“For more than 30 years, it has been our goal to encourage users to approach playing music with creativity and innovation!”

Our famous Ztar was an idea spawned after Harvey saw Jan Hammer in concert with his hot-rodded Minimoog synthesizer. His insane lead guitar sound immediately inspired Starr to design a fingerboard that could hack into the Minimoog keybed plug. The assembly failed miserably and was totally unplayable but it had that “one great note” that said to keep going. After many iterations over the years, our Ztars have been optimized to be professional-quality tools for guitarists.

Notable musicians Starr Labs has serviced include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Pendulum, Chemical Brothers, Kesha, DJ Excision, Linkin Park, Grateful Dead, Pat Metheny, Lou Reed and Muse to list a few.