Tostar TST90 39" Strat-Style Electric Guitar — Beginner-Friendly

Intro

If you're shopping for a first electric guitar to give as a gift, the Tostar TST90 (39" full size) positions itself as a low-cost, ready-to-play Strat-style option with a long list of buyer-friendly features. The listing highlights an H-S-S pickup configuration and a synchronized tremolo bridge, plus a maple neck and a Tectona (Tectona Grandis) fretboard. Owners and buyers repeatedly flag its one-two value punch: it plays well out of the box for the price, but it also has recurring setup and hardware caveats that matter if the recipient plans to play seriously or gig.

Below I walk through what the TST90 actually is, who it's best for, how it behaves in regular use, and the real risks to check before you hit Buy.

What it is / first look

The Tostar TST90 is a 39-inch, right-handed, strat-style solid-body electric guitar sold in multiple colorways and three series/sizes (Standard, Elite, Pro) according to the listing. The listing describes the body, top and back as "Eco-Composite," a maple neck with a maple headstock, and a Tectona Grandis fretboard with 22 frets and 2.7mm fret wire. The scale length is listed as 25.5 inches; string nut width is 1.65 inches. The pickup configuration is H-S-S (a humbucker at the bridge and single coils in the middle and neck positions) controlled by a 5-way switch. The bridge system is a vintage-style synchronized tremolo with a removable whammy/tremolo arm. The item weight is listed as 2.6 kg, and the listing includes a 1-year warranty for this electric guitar kit. The listing specifically lists "guitar cable" under Included Components.

In short: the TST90 is positioned as a lightweight, versatile, beginner-focused Strat copy with tremolo and a versatile H-S-S voicing that the listing says adapts to a variety of musical styles.

Who this is a good gift for

Make gifting decisions on recipient needs and expectations: the TST90 is not a boutique instrument, and owner feedback shows some variability in setup and hardware. If the assumptions below hold, this is a straightforward, practical gift.

The absolute beginner or a student

• Why it fits: The listing and owner reports show it’s designed for learning—22 frets, a C-shaped maple neck for comfort, and a versatile H-S-S pickup layout that covers clean to overdriven tones. Several owners reported it was playable right away after minor tuning/setup. Assume the recipient will accept a guitar that may need small adjustments (strings, action, nut) to be ideal.

The budget-minded teen or roommate

• Why it fits: Owners repeatedly praise the look, lightweight feel (listing weight: 2.6 kg), and value for the price. It’s often described as comfortable and easy to handle, making it a good daily-practice option for a teen or casual player who wants a full-size guitar without a heavy investment.

The modder or hobbyist who likes tinkering

• Why it fits: Multiple owners call it a good modding platform—pickup swaps, tuners, and bridge work are common upgrades. If the recipient enjoys customizing gear, the TST90 gives a low-cost base that owners say responds well to upgrades.

The gift for someone who wants a complete starter kit (with caution)

• Why it fits: The listing includes a guitar cable and the listing copy markets the TST90 for gifting. Owners often report receiving extra accessories (strap, picks, tuner, gig bag, even an amp in some cases). But the listing explicitly lists only a cable as included, and at least one owner reported a promised amp did not arrive—so assume any extra accessories are a pleasant bonus, not guaranteed.

In daily use

Owners provide the clearest signal about day-to-day behavior. There are two consistent patterns: many buyers find the guitar playable and good-sounding for the price, while a meaningful minority encounter setup or hardware problems that require attention.

Practice and learning

• Playability: The listing says the neck is a maple C-shape with 22 frets and the fretboard uses Tectona Grandis. Owners often describe the neck as comfortable and the instrument as "playable right out of the box" after a minor tune-up. That aligns with the listing’s playability claims for beginners.
• Sound: The H-S-S pickup layout with a 5-way switch is listed as versatile. Owners consistently report usable cleans and gain tones; some describe the bridge humbucker as not a high-output, thick humbucker but rather bridged toward single-coil character—still satisfying for rock, pop, and blues styles. The listing emphasizes a "balanced, versatile" sound profile.

Bedroom practice and apartment use

• Weight & comfort: The listing weight is 2.6 kg and several owners praise the guitar’s light feel, which is useful for long practice sessions and players who prefer a lighter instrument.
• Amp & kit expectations: The listing lists only a guitar cable in Included Components, but some owners say they received a bundle (strap, tuner, picks, gig bag, and sometimes an amp). Conversely, at least one owner reported an advertised amp was missing. Don’t assume any accessory beyond a cable is guaranteed.

Garage bands, casual gigging

• Reliability for gigging: Several owners warn tuning stability can be an issue because of tuners or nut setup. One owner recommended replacing the tuners for better stability. If the recipient plans to gig, budget for setup and possible tuner replacement.
• Tremolo use: The listing states a vintage-style synchronized tremolo with removable arm; owners report the bridge functions and some have adjusted the tremolo spring setup to float for push/pull use. Expect some setup work if the player wants extensive tremolo use.

Materials & build quality

Be explicit about what the listing says versus what owners notice.

• Listing materials: The listing lists the Top, Body and Back material type as "Eco-Composite," the Neck material type as Maple, and the Fretboard material type as Tectona Grandis. Strings are listed as Nickel-Plated Steel. Those are the listing's material claims.
• Finish & styling: Owners report the finish often appears matte rather than glossy despite glossy-sounding marketing, and several owners praised the finish and overall aesthetic. The listing shows many available colors and finish options, and owners commonly compliment the look for the price.
• Fit and finish: Several owners call the fretwork and fit-and-finish better than expected for the price—rounded frets and clean assembly are repeated positive notes. A few owners still noted minor fret polishing needed or small setup tweaks (nut work, action adjustments).
• Hardware quality: Owner feedback is more mixed on hardware. Tuners are a recurring weak point—several owners say tuners don’t hold tune consistently and recommend swapping them. One owner reported a non-functional truss rod, which is a serious setup/hardware failure if encountered.
• Included components vs. expectations: The listing specifies a guitar cable as included; owner reports show extras sometimes arrive (strap, picks, tuner, gig bag, amp), but these vary by order and seller/kit. Treat extras as variable, not guaranteed.

Safety considerations

There are no listing-level safety certifications noted. Use the owner feedback and specs to flag practical safety and reliability points.

• Truss rod: One owner reports a non-functional truss rod. A stuck or non-adjustable truss rod can prevent proper neck relief adjustments, which affects playability and could necessitate professional repair. That’s the most important hardware risk flagged in owner feedback.
• Tuning stability: Multiple owners report tuners that don’t hold tune well. If tuners slip, playing with an amp and high gain can cause sudden detuning during use—an annoyance rather than physical danger, but worth noting for performance reliability.
• Sharp frets/finished frets: Most owners report acceptable fretwork, but a few mention fret edges needing attention or polishing. Sharp fret ends are a playable nuisance and a minor safety/comfort issue to check on receiving the instrument.
• Packaging and missing accessories: At least one buyer reports missing a promised amp. If the listing or seller copy promises accessories, confirm what’s actually included before gifting so the recipient isn’t left without an expected amp or bag.
• Warranty: The listing includes a 1-year warranty, which provides a degree of buyer protection for defects that arise within that period.

Who should skip it

• Players who need a gig-ready road instrument: If the recipient is a working professional or regularly plays live, the recurring hardware caveats (tuners, possible nut/truss rod issues) make this a risky main-stage instrument without immediate upgrades.
• Buyers who want guaranteed accessory bundles: The listing only lists a guitar cable as included. If the gift depends on a tuner, amp, gig bag, or strap being in the box, this model is a maybe unless the seller specifically guarantees those extras in the purchase details.
• Someone who expects pristine, long-term factory setup: A noticeable fraction of owners perform at least minor setup—string change, action lowering, nut work, or tuner swaps. Skip if you want a zero-maintenance out-of-the-box perfection guarantee.

Verdict

For a beginner-focused budget electric guitar, the Tostar TST90 offers a compelling mix of spec sheet features (H-S-S pickups, 5-way switch, tremolo, maple neck, Tectona fretboard, 22 frets) and owner-reported playability. Owners repeatedly praise its look, light weight (2.6 kg), and surprising tone for the price. However, there are real, repeated caveats: tuning stability due to the stock tuners, occasional fret/nut polishing or setup needs, and at least one serious report of a non-functional truss rod. These are typical issues for a sub-premium instrument and are fixable, but they affect the gift confidence level.

Buy / Maybe / Skip guide

• Buy if: You’re gifting to a beginner, teen, or hobbyist who will accept small setup chores, or to a modder who wants an affordable base instrument.
• Maybe if: The recipient is a regular gigging musician or someone who expects perfect out-of-box hardware—plan to pay for a professional setup or part upgrades.
• Skip if: The gift must include guaranteed accessories beyond a cable, or if the recipient needs a fully roadworthy instrument with no tuning or neck adjustment concerns.

Check before you buy

• Confirm included accessories in the product-seller description—only a guitar cable is guaranteed by the listing.
• Ask the seller whether the truss rod is functional or inspect it on arrival; a non-working truss rod is a major setup limitation.
• Plan for a basic setup: new strings, intonation/action adjustment, and possibly a nut or tuner swap; owners commonly perform these tweaks.
• Keep the 1-year warranty paperwork handy in case of defects discovered after delivery.

FAQ

• Q: Does the guitar come with an amp, strap, or gig bag?
  A: The listing specifically lists a guitar cable under Included Components. Owners report that extras (strap, picks, tuner, gig bag, and sometimes an amp) have arrived with some orders, but those extras are not guaranteed by the listing—one owner reported an advertised amp was missing.
• Q: What pickup configuration does this guitar have and what styles does it cover?
  A: The listing states an H-S-S (humbucker–single coil–single coil) pickup arrangement with a 5-way switch. The listing and owner feedback describe it as versatile: usable for bright cleans, pop, blues, and higher-gain rock tones.
• Q: What is the neck and fretboard material?
  A: The listing lists the neck material as Maple, and the fretboard material as Tectona Grandis with 22 frets and 2.7mm fret wire.
• Q: Is the guitar ready to play right out of the box?
  A: Many owners report the instrument was playable after minor tuning and small adjustments, but others performed simple setup work such as fret polishing, string changes, or nut adjustments. Expect a variable out-of-box setup experience.
• Q: Are there any common durability or hardware issues to know about?
  A: Owner feedback repeatedly notes tuning stability issues with stock tuners and at least one report of a non-functional truss rod. Some owners recommend replacing tuners or getting a professional setup to address these concerns.
• Q: What warranty coverage is provided?
  A: The listing states a 1-year warranty for the electric guitar kit.

Bottom line: the Tostar TST90 is a practical, affordable entry-level electric guitar with real upside for beginners and modders, plus clear, repairable caveats. If you gift it with the right expectations (possible setup and small upgrades), it’s a strong value. If the recipient needs a guaranteed, gig-ready instrument with no tinkering, consider a higher-tier option or budget to include a professional setup.