I'll throw this out there;
1) Sam Coulson could made a $20 WallyMart toy guitar sing
2) The Fender Starcaster has more in common with the ES335 than the Warmoth Mooncaster. I don't know the entire construction specs of the Mooncaster but the sides and back are all one piece, hollowed out, similar to the Samick RL Royale line of guitars. I have played an RL2 and an RL3 that were both lively with plenty of articulation.
3) I would be interested in building a Mooncaster-cello if I could find a TOM-style bridge and stop tailpiece that would build it out as a mandocello. I may have to bite the bullet, buy a small mill and do the bridge and tailpiece by myself.