The Phonic nods to Gretsch's iconic Falcon models, though aside from the external similarities, there are few sound similarities. Duesenberg did go all-out, as with the Falcon's, with the gorgeous, glamorous look.
Sound-wise and feature-wise, the Phonic differs from the regular Starplayer TV with its Phonico pickups. These are actually the regular Grandvintage Humbucker and P90 Domino elements with different caps but on the Starplayer Phonic an additional pickups circuit has been added (4-state instead of 3-state) where an additional combination of both elements with filtering is selected. The sonic range of the Phonic is thus simply just a bit greater.
The original luxery Duesenberg hard case is included.
With its fantastic art-deco looks and above all state-of-the-art design and specifications, it is the Starplayer TV that stands proudly as a pillar at the center of the entire Duesenberg collection. As such, most of the other models seem to be derivatives of the Starplayer TV, but perhaps not one is as versatile and typical of the German guitar company. The Starplayer TV actually covers the load of an LP, Tele and Strat awfully well. With the distinctive recipe of a center-block flame maple hollowbody with arched spruce top, 1-piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 25.5" scale and 12" radius and the proprietary Grand Vintage humbucker / P90 Domino combination, Duesenberg seems to have found a brilliant blend where versatility does NOT, for once, come together with a "neither meat nor fish" feel; never is the Starplayer TV boring, but always rich in character and tone. Additionally, the Starplayer TV -Tremolo Version- features Duesenberg's Deluxe Tremola; looks like a Bigsby, but actually offers more comfort, stability, adjustability and ease of use. Within the Starplayer TV family are many variations. The slight variations on the above theme are often subtle on paper, yet each Starplayer has its own character and existence.