I’ve probably owned 25-30 Strats over the last 40 years , still have 3 including my first strat, A gift from my parents in 1986 that I judge all other Strats I play on
My dad bought me my first Fender Strat, a 1996 Mex which is still my main. With all the new guitars I buy or build, nothing beats it. Maybe it’s just because it’s the one a learned how to play on and holds sentimental value.. or it’s just that good. Not sure, but I play my best on it.
“My Strat is another arm, it’s part of me. It doesn’t feel like a guitar at all. It’s an implement which is my voice. A Les Paul feels like a guitar and I play differently on that and I sound too much like someone else. With the Strat, instantly it becomes mine so that’s why I’ve welded myself to that. Or it’s welded itself to me, one or the other.” Jeff Beck
Thanks for another great fender video. I stopped in to Dr. Guitar in Watertown on Saturday past and while checking out their great selection of PRS SE guitars I test drove a Squier affinity strat fmt hss in Sierra burst. It was a struggle to not bring it home.!!!
Excellent job on this, Keith. I absolutely love the “short history” series and this one is a gem. I had several “oh wow” moments during this one; especially around prices!
I'm completely sold on Fender stratocaster. I love everything about it ! I recently bought a road worn Mike McCready and I don't regret my purchase at all. I even wore it down a bit more to make it look even more relic.
I feel very fortunate to have been friends with Dick Dale, and to have played his one and only 61 Strat. He also insisted I play his custom shop Strat ( The Beauty) He signed and played mine. I will never let that go. Rest easy Dick!🙏
Another great documentary Kieth! I have been diving into the 80’s post CBS era Fender history myself while reshaping a Squier like a Performer. It was such a difficult time and the brand almost disappeared completely before being saved by the employees themselves.
Dude Keith, you missed it when Clapton sold Ritchie Blackmore his first Strat for 60lbs in like '67. It was it was black and Ritchie's main strat for a couple of years. Before that, Ritchie played an ES-335
I like pretty much everything about the Strat except the pickup sound! I have two…one with 2 minibuckers, the other with 2 P90s. Great episode again, Keith.
One of the great "Fender" innovations was the use of the center-hole-shafted Klusons which are some of the easiest tuning machines to restring, no accidental blood-letting, no sharp points or scrapes, easy winding and release, too. A small but important part of the Fender guitar story. (:
2 boden classic singles and a dimarzio 59paf humbucker in my HSS strat ..it changed my life Modernized fender+gibson tones in one guitar made me a better all around player
I purchased a Reissue Strat ages ago because like Keith, many of my favorite guitarists played one. I soon discovered that it couldn't do what I wanted without being significantly modified, so that's what I did. "Modding" Strats was something frequently done, as it is an easy platform to work on. 😎 Keith, "A Short History of How CNC Changed Guitar Building" would be interesting.
6:09 this is perhaps one of the more obvious examples of Leo Fender not being a guitar player. The effect created by the arm is not tremolo, which is modulation of volume from loud to quiet, but rather the effect of vibrato.
I used to own a '73 strat and used to keep a pick in between the neck and the body. After it got stolen, and I bought another strat, I tried to put a pick back in there, and the guy at the store said, yeah, you can't do that anymore. I also remember that whenever I played Sweet Home Alabama, I said to myself, sounds just like the record, he must have used a strat. Then, years later I found out it was the same year that I had.
I bought my first Strat in 1976: a sunburst with a maple fingerboard. I wanted it - no I NEEDED it - after seeing Keith Richards play one on TV. I didn't think I would ever sell it until I saw my current Strat: a '66 with a rosewood fingerboard and a bird's eye maple neck. No finish on the body at all; just a dirty, worn-looking chunk of wood. If I had NEEDED the sunburst Strat, my longing for this particular guitar was off the charts. I traded in the sunburst and forked over my cash. I think the total value was $375. This was in 1977. Although other guitars have come and gone over the years, my Strat has been my constant. Sometime in '78, I changed out the middle pick up for a Dimarzio SDS-1 ( needed more oomph for the cover band I was in and refused to get a guitar with humbuckers), and at some point, I switched out the tuners for Dimarzio low mass tuners, and put in a five way switch. Fortunately, I kept both the original pickup and tuners. Don't hate; back then it was just another post-CBS Strat that wasn't anything special and making those mods was no big deal at all.
I purchased my first (preowned) Stratocaster (black with rosewood fingerboard and white scratch plate) in August 1995 when I was fifteen and had just begun learning to play. I still own it, but I haven’t played it since 2005. I acquired another in 2012 (3-tone sunburst, maple fingerboard, bridge humbucker, again white guard) which I played consistently from then until 2019 when I had a parts caster assembled for me. Letting that Stratocaster go in October 2022 may have been a mistake, but it had become redundant to the other models I had and played more frequently.
Absolutely no other guitar sounds like a Strat. So many things about the Strat have been elevated to statements such as Leo Fender must have been in a state of grace when he designed the Stratocaster. Things like the switch is a masterpiece because it allows you to have that special in between setting. In an interview with Leo Fender when asked about the Stratocaster switch and the supposed secret in between positions and was it intentional to get that cool sound. His statement was no we use that switch because it was the only one that would give us three positions and was shallow enough to fit in the body. Regardless of what Leo's reasoning was behind the Stratocaster there is no doubt that he created an iconic guitar. Quite possibly the most iconic.
In 1952 Leo had designed the hardtail bridge with the bent steel saddles. Even in his final days he was working on new bridge that kept the bent steel part of the saddle. He said all other saddles move if you strum hard or bend notes or use finger vibrato resulting in killing the sustain by that movement. He also had designed a new PU for the neck position of his next guitar. It was a Strat PU. He felt, just like the car industry that the best parts from one model of car should be used in the new model. In short he thought the Tele bridge PU should be in the next guitar. He made a sketch of the next guitar that he called the Tele II. It had a Jazz Master body but it was NOT offset. It had the Tele bridge PU and indeed his new (Strat?) neck PU. The headstock looked like what became the Strat headstock but was the same size as the Tele. Leo kept every hand written note and sketches from day one in arms reach. These notes were in his personal workshop at G&L even at the time of his death. Leo had a 'best friend' that worked with him half day every day at G&L who was allowed access to the notes and asked questions. That friend help me nail the 52 design. I had a prototype made. At this second it is on my lap, lol. Leo's friend, though very old was at Guitar Summit 2024 just days ago. He is semi-retired and wishes his privacy so I can not say who he is. He still designs though. If I say what you will guess who he is. He was likely at the show to promote a new design released at the show.
Owning a Squier Strat is something of a rite of passage but buying a used powerhouse strat really catapulted me into my love for the instrument. My current stratocasters are an FCS '07 1965 Stratocaster and a 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Strat. I've also built one from parts, another rite of passage. A thought piece on partscasters or even a live discussion with that as the main topic might be interesting.
I think it is widely accepted that Bill Carson, guitarist for Spade Cooley and Hank Thompson, was the impetus for creating the Stratocaster. There is footage of him talking about how he used a hacksaw to cut contours in his Telecaster, showed it to Leo, and told him he wanted a guitar like built like that. Went on to work for Fender for like 40 years or so.
I love your videos. I have a Japanese made Squire i bought new in 1987. I used it live for gawd 4 years maybe? Never let me down. It’s with my brother over in Melbourne, Australia at the moment. I can’t get it as Ive git cancer and all my resources are tied up sorting that out. His son, my nephew is guitar player so it’s probably gonna be bequeathed to him but id love to play it one more time before i go as it’s been in storage for 10 years before my brother emptied the storage unit. Cheers from this Aussie living in NZ 😎🎸🤘
Thank you for the updated Strat history, even if you did forget to mention Bonnie Raitt... I've been playing guitar for over 50 years and always thought of the Stratocaster as the quintessential electric guitar. It feels right, plays right and, with a maple neck, looks right (I've always thought rosewood was for Gibson's and acoustics).
24:15 it’s also worth noting that due to the rise in popularity of heavy metal and so-called superstrats, Fender had a handful of their own responses to what were essentially heavily-modded Stratocasters. From 1984 to ‘87 they had the Japanese-made Contemporary Stratocaster. From 1985 to ‘86 there was the short-lived Fender Performer, designed by John Page. From ‘88 to ‘92 they had the Fender HM Strat, with the “HM” being short for “heavy metal”. (The logo on the headstock is about as ‘80s metal as it gets.) From 1991 to ‘93 they had the Prodigy. And from 1998 to 2009, there was the Fender Showmaster. Edit: the Contemporary Stratocaster is still offered by Squier as part of the Contemporary series.
@@spookybaba incidentally, that has actually never been an official term used by Fender nor any other guitar manufacturer. The very definition of what a superstrat is also varies depending on the player.
My dad texted me a picture a few weeks ago, he said was holding the first made fender Stratocaster in a local brewery. I did not believe him at first but after a bit of research I did online, he was in fact holding the first strat, it was the prototype. Pretty wild. I want put together a replica of it.
I wish i could play a 1954-1964 Strat just to experience it. I would never want to own one though. Being responsible for something with so much history would make me uneasy. Lol. I love Fender though. I used to be so hesitant on any big brands due to paying extra for a brand name, but i really gravitate towards Fender tones.
Keith, I have to recommend a Journeyman Stratocaster from the Custom Shop. They're so good I own three. I love the 59 Esquire neck profile and the year specific reissue pickups. There's nothing to change when you get those specs.
I bought my 2000 American 2 tone ash bodied strat from Sam Ash and paid for it with a student loan check. I have it tattooed on me. I did my life’s best playing and recording with it.
I had a Japanese Strat and my friends made fun because it wasn’t an American standard or vintage! Well I traded for a 1989 American Strat! Wish I had my Japanese Strat back!! Keith is the best!! 👍👋
I liked the way you couldn't see who was playing in the intro. And thinking, that sounds really great, who's playing, and with what. To reveal it's Jeff McErlain, and looks like a Two Rock? That's _exactly_ the sound I want to hear the most from a Strat. (some steps down from that, a Marshall JTM with Pedal Pawn Fuzz and volume rolled back sounds damn good too in a nice glassy way)
I've owned a few that I hated, but finally The Edge signature version felt good - enough power without going HSS, no faffing around with a tremelo, it just works. It's probably me, but I find it easier to manage a Custom 24.
Interesting. I heard somewhere that the Jazzmaster style tremello was originally slated for the strat but that they couldn't get it working and went for the version we know and love today. I couldn't tell you where I got that information from though and it may be incorrect.
Strat is very comfortable to hold, but for playing I usually somehow prefer Tele and then Les Paul. I like when guitar pokes into ribs, fight them a little. Not sure anybody would understand 😅
Truth; a preponderance of data inevitably leading to a conclusion. 5 WW; see above. Synchrony today, Strat day, Thursday! My 4th and favorite Strat teammate is a tsb Player, Hernandez pg, named Menestheus, or cowboy horse name Sundown.
Well my Gilmour inspired strat is one of the nicest sounding and looking guitars i've ever owned! Finally have a proper guitar! :) Thanks Keith for the video, so much info! Personally i am a die hard fan of the spaguetti logo by far!
I've spent much more money on my 335, but always grab my Strat as a go-to guitar at home. It's just much more contoured & comfortable while playing in a slouched position
I am also a strat guy. but I have a love/hate relationship with it meaning to say, I do more on a superstrat but I cannot resist the tones of a regular strat. I personally prefer a rosewood fretboard. And Keith. you mentioned that you are currently using a Squier strat, this means that it doesn't matter where is it made and how much is it, if it plays and sounds good, then that's all that matters.
Candy Apple Red was known to be Leo Fender's favorite colour. I had a few Fullerton reissues and I can say that it was a better guitar than those built in the 70's for sure. It wasn't as accurate as the early made in Japan models but the pickups were a dream.
I tried a Fender strat in the late 90's and was shocked by the feel of the neck and the puny looking head stock. I then tried a Fender Squire and I was hooked, normal feeling neck profile and a more robust looking head stock. My only complaint is why do I keep hitting the 5 way switch when strumming? I think I might cut the knob off it, I never use it any ways. Thanks for posting and explaining how the Squire's came about.
My Ultra Plus Strat has noiseless pickups. I understand that noiseless are double-wound. When I use my Strat with the UAFX 1179 Compressor, they just touch the sweet spot of Heavenly Perfection for me. I wonder why they work together so well?
Of all the guitars that I have played the Strat is the one I like the least. The sound is amazing, but the ergonomics from my POV are horrible. Fortunately Fender came up with the Noventa Jazzmaster, and that got me to into the quack territories that I long cherished.
I’ve probably owned 25-30 Strats over the last 40 years , still have 3 including my first strat, A gift from my parents in 1986 that I judge all other Strats I play on
My dad bought me my first Fender Strat, a 1996 Mex which is still my main. With all the new guitars I buy or build, nothing beats it. Maybe it’s just because it’s the one a learned how to play on and holds sentimental value.. or it’s just that good. Not sure, but I play my best on it.
if you don't know the exact number of Strats you've owned, you're not a real Strat man....(iim kidding btw)
“My Strat is another arm, it’s part of me. It doesn’t feel like a guitar at all. It’s an implement which is my voice. A Les Paul feels like a guitar and I play differently on that and I sound too much like someone else. With the Strat, instantly it becomes mine so that’s why I’ve welded myself to that. Or it’s welded itself to me, one or the other.” Jeff Beck
Love my American Ultra strat. Who knew that design would be as fresh today as it was when it was first designed
Thanks for another great fender video.
I stopped in to Dr. Guitar in Watertown on Saturday past and while checking out their great selection of PRS SE guitars I test drove a Squier affinity strat fmt hss in Sierra burst. It was a struggle to not bring it home.!!!
You make the best in depth docs for guitars on TH-cam, but it works because your such a great bloke
How is something designed in the early 50s still one of the coolest looking things ever!? That and the Les Paul!
Excellent job on this, Keith. I absolutely love the “short history” series and this one is a gem. I had several “oh wow” moments during this one; especially around prices!
I'm completely sold on Fender stratocaster. I love everything about it ! I recently bought a road worn Mike McCready and I don't regret my purchase at all. I even wore it down a bit more to make it look even more relic.
I feel very fortunate to have been friends with Dick Dale, and to have played his one and only 61 Strat. He also insisted I play his custom shop Strat ( The Beauty) He signed and played mine. I will never let that go.
Rest easy Dick!🙏
Wow, what was it like? I’ve watched many interviews with him talking about it and the 20 layers of paint😂😂❤
Another A+. Excellent, Mr Williams.
Great roundup history on the Fender Stratocaster… and how Fender squire played an important role as well ❤
Yeah bro 😊..great surprise this morning.. fantastic work as always
Facts
Thank you for making this, Keith!
Another great documentary Kieth! I have been diving into the 80’s post CBS era Fender history myself while reshaping a Squier like a Performer. It was such a difficult time and the brand almost disappeared completely before being saved by the employees themselves.
Great work Keith. Thank you kindly.
Dude Keith, you missed it when Clapton sold Ritchie Blackmore his first Strat for 60lbs in like '67. It was it was black and Ritchie's main strat for a couple of years. Before that, Ritchie played an ES-335
Haha 60lbs😂😂😂
@@handle433 I guess you're not into the whole brevity thing..
Great video, Keith. As a 40+ year strat player, you managed to pack a mountain of essential history in a concise presentation. Well done!
Thanks Keith. Very informative as always. I’ll never let my ‘98 CIJ Strat go
I must have purchased one of the few great 72 American Standard Strats , there isn’t much I wouldn’t give to get it back. Great video Keith!
I like pretty much everything about the Strat except the pickup sound! I have two…one with 2 minibuckers, the other with 2 P90s.
Great episode again, Keith.
One of the great "Fender" innovations was the use of the center-hole-shafted Klusons which are some of the easiest tuning machines to restring, no accidental blood-letting, no sharp points or scrapes, easy winding and release, too. A small but important part of the Fender guitar story. (:
2 boden classic singles and a dimarzio 59paf humbucker in my
HSS strat ..it changed my life
Modernized fender+gibson tones in one guitar made me a better all around player
Another superb short history video. Thanks Keith!
Didn't think I'd be here for a "rerun" but i like to think of it as a refresh
I love your videos, and this was one of your best, great work.
fantastic video- presentation, photos- you are the best!!
I purchased a Reissue Strat ages ago because like Keith, many of my favorite guitarists played one. I soon discovered that it couldn't do what I wanted without being significantly modified, so that's what I did. "Modding" Strats was something frequently done, as it is an easy platform to work on. 😎
Keith, "A Short History of How CNC Changed Guitar Building" would be interesting.
The Fender Stratocaster: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition DX 4K (Anniversary Director's Cut)
6:09 this is perhaps one of the more obvious examples of Leo Fender not being a guitar player. The effect created by the arm is not tremolo, which is modulation of volume from loud to quiet, but rather the effect of vibrato.
I used to own a '73 strat and used to keep a pick in between the neck and the body. After it got stolen, and I bought another strat, I tried to put a pick back in there, and the guy at the store said, yeah, you can't do that anymore. I also remember that whenever I played Sweet Home Alabama, I said to myself, sounds just like the record, he must have used a strat. Then, years later I found out it was the same year that I had.
I bought my first Strat in 1976: a sunburst with a maple fingerboard. I wanted it - no I NEEDED it - after seeing Keith Richards play one on TV. I didn't think I would ever sell it until I saw my current Strat: a '66 with a rosewood fingerboard and a bird's eye maple neck. No finish on the body at all; just a dirty, worn-looking chunk of wood. If I had NEEDED the sunburst Strat, my longing for this particular guitar was off the charts. I traded in the sunburst and forked over my cash. I think the total value was $375. This was in 1977. Although other guitars have come and gone over the years, my Strat has been my constant. Sometime in '78, I changed out the middle pick up for a Dimarzio SDS-1 ( needed more oomph for the cover band I was in and refused to get a guitar with humbuckers), and at some point, I switched out the tuners for Dimarzio low mass tuners, and put in a five way switch. Fortunately, I kept both the original pickup and tuners. Don't hate; back then it was just another post-CBS Strat that wasn't anything special and making those mods was no big deal at all.
The Strat has been my go to since 1989.
I purchased my first (preowned) Stratocaster (black with rosewood fingerboard and white scratch plate) in August 1995 when I was fifteen and had just begun learning to play. I still own it, but I haven’t played it since 2005. I acquired another in 2012 (3-tone sunburst, maple fingerboard, bridge humbucker, again white guard) which I played consistently from then until 2019 when I had a parts caster assembled for me. Letting that Stratocaster go in October 2022 may have been a mistake, but it had become redundant to the other models I had and played more frequently.
The one thing I love about Leo Fender was that he listened to players and build his guitars to satisfy the players.❤
Absolutely no other guitar sounds like a Strat. So many things about the Strat have been elevated to statements such as Leo Fender must have been in a state of grace when he designed the Stratocaster. Things like the switch is a masterpiece because it allows you to have that special in between setting. In an interview with Leo Fender when asked about the Stratocaster switch and the supposed secret in between positions and was it intentional to get that cool sound. His statement was no we use that switch because it was the only one that would give us three positions and was shallow enough to fit in the body.
Regardless of what Leo's reasoning was behind the Stratocaster there is no doubt that he created an iconic guitar. Quite possibly the most iconic.
Another gem Keith !! :)
The Strat is arguably one of the coolest guitars on the planet.
In 1952 Leo had designed the hardtail bridge with the bent steel saddles. Even in his final days he was working on new bridge that kept the bent steel part of the saddle. He said all other saddles move if you strum hard or bend notes or use finger vibrato resulting in killing the sustain by that movement. He also had designed a new PU for the neck position of his next guitar. It was a Strat PU. He felt, just like the car industry that the best parts from one model of car should be used in the new model. In short he thought the Tele bridge PU should be in the next guitar. He made a sketch of the next guitar that he called the Tele II. It had a Jazz Master body but it was NOT offset. It had the Tele bridge PU and indeed his new (Strat?) neck PU. The headstock looked like what became the Strat headstock but was the same size as the Tele.
Leo kept every hand written note and sketches from day one in arms reach. These notes were in his personal workshop at G&L even at the time of his death. Leo had a 'best friend' that worked with him half day every day at G&L who was allowed access to the notes and asked questions. That friend help me nail the 52 design. I had a prototype made. At this second it is on my lap, lol.
Leo's friend, though very old was at Guitar Summit 2024 just days ago. He is semi-retired and wishes his privacy so I can not say who he is. He still designs though. If I say what you will guess who he is. He was likely at the show to promote a new design released at the show.
Owning a Squier Strat is something of a rite of passage but buying a used powerhouse strat really catapulted me into my love for the instrument.
My current stratocasters are an FCS '07 1965 Stratocaster and a 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Strat. I've also built one from parts, another rite of passage. A thought piece on partscasters or even a live discussion with that as the main topic might be interesting.
I bought my friend’s 1964 Stratocaster in 1975 for $250.
I was 17 years young.
50 years later it’s still my number one.
I think it is widely accepted that Bill Carson, guitarist for Spade Cooley and Hank Thompson, was the impetus for creating the Stratocaster. There is footage of him talking about how he used a hacksaw to cut contours in his Telecaster, showed it to Leo, and told him he wanted a guitar like built like that. Went on to work for Fender for like 40 years or so.
proud owner of the Stratocaster x 4. American Ultra, MIM, Custom Shop, and the always reliable Squier Affinity HSS
Beloved Stratocaster, happy 70th birthday.
I love your videos.
I have a Japanese made Squire i bought new in 1987.
I used it live for gawd 4 years maybe?
Never let me down.
It’s with my brother over in Melbourne, Australia at the moment.
I can’t get it as Ive git cancer and all my resources are tied up sorting that out.
His son, my nephew is guitar player so it’s probably gonna be bequeathed to him but id love to play it one more time before i go as it’s been in storage for 10 years before my brother emptied the storage unit.
Cheers from this Aussie living in NZ 😎🎸🤘
Ohh word, nice! Thanks Keith. We weren’t expecting this haha.
A fantastic video. Thank you!
You hang on to that CAR Strat, Keith.
Thank you for the updated Strat history, even if you did forget to mention Bonnie Raitt... I've been playing guitar for over 50 years and always thought of the Stratocaster as the quintessential electric guitar. It feels right, plays right and, with a maple neck, looks right (I've always thought rosewood was for Gibson's and acoustics).
Lol, Mark Knopfler is playing a Schecter in that first pic. Love all these Short History videos!!
24:15 it’s also worth noting that due to the rise in popularity of heavy metal and so-called superstrats, Fender had a handful of their own responses to what were essentially heavily-modded Stratocasters. From 1984 to ‘87 they had the Japanese-made Contemporary Stratocaster. From 1985 to ‘86 there was the short-lived Fender Performer, designed by John Page. From ‘88 to ‘92 they had the Fender HM Strat, with the “HM” being short for “heavy metal”. (The logo on the headstock is about as ‘80s metal as it gets.) From 1991 to ‘93 they had the Prodigy. And from 1998 to 2009, there was the Fender Showmaster.
Edit: the Contemporary Stratocaster is still offered by Squier as part of the Contemporary series.
Yeah, the SuperStrat!
@@spookybaba incidentally, that has actually never been an official term used by Fender nor any other guitar manufacturer. The very definition of what a superstrat is also varies depending on the player.
@StarQueenEstrella *tips* *fedora*
My dad texted me a picture a few weeks ago, he said was holding the first made fender Stratocaster in a local brewery. I did not believe him at first but after a bit of research I did online, he was in fact holding the first strat, it was the prototype. Pretty wild. I want put together a replica of it.
Thanks Keith!! I missed the first run 8(. I always need #2, possibly #3 anyway, but I like the #1! 8) Peace --gary
I wish i could play a 1954-1964 Strat just to experience it. I would never want to own one though. Being responsible for something with so much history would make me uneasy. Lol. I love Fender though. I used to be so hesitant on any big brands due to paying extra for a brand name, but i really gravitate towards Fender tones.
Stratocaster is simply perfect. since 1954 that's crazy
Great video Keith. Freddy Tavares and Malia Ka'aihue ("Mary Kaye"), two Hawaiians who played a part during the early years of the Strat.
Eric Clapton Strat: next year it will be 40 years since Eric's first pre-production models. Artist model since 1988!!! Deserving of it's own video
It’s fascinating to me that Leo Fender didn’t play guitar yet created such an iconic instrument.
Keith, I have to recommend a Journeyman Stratocaster from the Custom Shop. They're so good I own three.
I love the 59 Esquire neck profile and the year specific reissue pickups. There's nothing to change when you get those specs.
Great short history! But maybe a little too short? Adrian Belew and Dave Murray have proven strats to be the ultimate blank canvas for customization.
I bought my 2000 American 2 tone ash bodied strat from Sam Ash and paid for it with a student loan check. I have it tattooed on me. I did my life’s best playing and recording with it.
I have a Japanese Hondo Strat, Seems fine to me, played a few Fenders in shops for comparisons and have no complaints with the Hondo.
Good info thnx again
I had a Japanese Strat and my friends made fun because it wasn’t an American standard or vintage! Well I traded for a 1989 American Strat! Wish I had my Japanese Strat back!! Keith is the best!! 👍👋
Outta nowhere. Thanks, Keith!
I can't wait for the 3D re-release.
I liked the way you couldn't see who was playing in the intro. And thinking, that sounds really great, who's playing, and with what. To reveal it's Jeff McErlain, and looks like a Two Rock? That's _exactly_ the sound I want to hear the most from a Strat. (some steps down from that, a Marshall JTM with Pedal Pawn Fuzz and volume rolled back sounds damn good too in a nice glassy way)
Mahalo Keith!
0:06 right ON!!
I've owned a few that I hated, but finally The Edge signature version felt good - enough power without going HSS, no faffing around with a tremelo, it just works. It's probably me, but I find it easier to manage a Custom 24.
Very good stuff, Keith. Thanks for all you do! 🇺🇲🍺🍻🥃🧑🌾😭🎸🇺🇸
The strat on the Texas flood album cover is a Tokai
I maybe in the minority but I really love the Plus/Lace Sensor era. My only Strat is a 1989 Plus that was my dream guitar when it was new.
I’m a Stratocaster player. Most of my S-type guitars are Squiers. I prefer to have a variety of Squiers rather than just one Fender.
Interesting. I heard somewhere that the Jazzmaster style tremello was originally slated for the strat but that they couldn't get it working and went for the version we know and love today. I couldn't tell you where I got that information from though and it may be incorrect.
I knew Survivorman was pretty good at harmonica, but I didn't know he could jam out to Hendrix on guitar. 😂
Strat is very comfortable to hold, but for playing I usually somehow prefer Tele and then Les Paul. I like when guitar pokes into ribs, fight them a little. Not sure anybody would understand 😅
Truth; a preponderance of data inevitably leading to a conclusion.
5 WW; see above.
Synchrony today, Strat day, Thursday!
My 4th and favorite Strat teammate is a tsb Player, Hernandez pg, named Menestheus, or cowboy horse name Sundown.
Well my Gilmour inspired strat is one of the nicest sounding and looking guitars i've ever owned! Finally have a proper guitar! :)
Thanks Keith for the video, so much info! Personally i am a die hard fan of the spaguetti logo by far!
I've spent much more money on my 335, but always grab my Strat as a go-to guitar at home. It's just much more contoured & comfortable while playing in a slouched position
If you want to become a Strat guy, try a 1980s Tokai or Greco Strat. I recommend the ST 80 and the SE 800 respectively, both CS quality and nitro.
I am also a strat guy. but I have a love/hate relationship with it meaning to say, I do more on a superstrat but I cannot resist the tones of a regular strat. I personally prefer a rosewood fretboard. And Keith. you mentioned that you are currently using a Squier strat, this means that it doesn't matter where is it made and how much is it, if it plays and sounds good, then that's all that matters.
Have to watch the video but I will thank you in advance 👍
Candy Apple Red was known to be Leo Fender's favorite colour. I had a few Fullerton reissues and I can say that it was a better guitar than those built in the 70's for sure. It wasn't as accurate as the early made in Japan models but the pickups were a dream.
I like Strats, but hardtail ones. The best Strat tone I know is from Robin Trower. Just listen I can’t wait much longer or Bridge of Sighs, of course.
The 20th century produced 3 geniuses who benefitted mankind: Albert Einstein, Jonas Salk, and Leo Fender.
Your new demo guy is ok! 😂
gtreat video, and i love you have eric here
Although not American-made, you didn't mention the HM SuperStrat!
Early serial numbers were stamped on the plastic backplate .
I have 2 guitars, a Les Paul standard and a player ii strat. I find myself playing the strat more.
I tried a Fender strat in the late 90's and was shocked by the feel of the neck and the puny looking head stock. I then tried a Fender Squire and I was hooked, normal feeling neck profile and a more robust looking head stock. My only complaint is why do I keep hitting the 5 way switch when strumming? I think I might cut the knob off it, I never use it any ways.
Thanks for posting and explaining how the Squire's came about.
No mention of Nile Rodgers and the Hitmaker?
I suppose the Frankenstrat was modified too much to qualify for this video?
Yeah that, and it wasn't a Fender?! It was made up of Charvel/Boogie Bodies parts.
My Ultra Plus Strat has noiseless pickups. I understand that noiseless are double-wound. When I use my Strat with the UAFX 1179 Compressor, they just touch the sweet spot of Heavenly Perfection for me. I wonder why they work together so well?
I didn’t think they used plain enamel on Strat pickups until 1964?
"thickness of rosewood to get better sound"? hmmmm
4k!!!
Squier!
Of all the guitars that I have played the Strat is the one I like the least. The sound is amazing, but the ergonomics from my POV are horrible. Fortunately Fender came up with the Noventa Jazzmaster, and that got me to into the quack territories that I long cherished.
Squier not Squire