Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

Metalman_666

Well-known member
I don't think I ever found out what a superstrat was.... is it a strat copy made by companies like Jackson and such, made for shredding?
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

pretty much what you said, but they originated as Fender Strat's that were modified to have a Humbucker in the bridge spot and routed for a floyd rose bridge.

Rock On!
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

I refer to a super strat simply as any strat with dual humbuckers, made to rock.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

Xeromus said:
I refer to a super strat simply as any strat with dual humbuckers, made to rock.
that's basicly the same for me, but the first thing that comes to mind when I think super-strat is a Strat with a single humbucker in the bridge spot.

Rock On!
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

First thing I think of is a H-S-S equipped strat. I suppose a real definition of it should be anything other than a S-S-S designed strat.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

I always thought that H-S-S was referred to as a Fat Strat.:smack:
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

LesStrat said:
I always thought that H-S-S was referred to as a Fat Strat.:smack:

That too :smack:

Superstrats are usually associated with shredding and the most popular things seem to be H-S-S or H-H and a trem. :beerchug:
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

Chris, make sure you don't leave out the single humbucker guitars! Very popular design in the most SUPER of super strats!

Rock On!!!
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

The earliest reference to a 'superstrat' I've seen was from Tony Bacon's 'ultimate guitar handbook' from around 1990 or so. It had a two page section entitled 'superstrats' and it featured charvel and jackson models.

If you were to make any assumptions from that book, you'd class a superstrat as a downsized strat with a pointy headstock, floyd, and HSS configuration. In my opinion, he did a pretty poor job of covering this style of guitar, considering he didn't mention EVH's pivotal role in their development or the Kramer brand at all. his ore recent books have been more accurate and accomodating.

When I think superstrat, I think floyd and bridge humbucker. All the rest is up for grabs.

I find the term 'superstrat' funny. A more appropriate term would be 'no tone strat'.
 
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Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

I would consider anything with a Strat-like shape that isn't a Strat or Strat copy as a Superstrat. Jackson Soloists/Dinkies, Ibanez RGs, hot-rodded Strats, etc. are Superstrats.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

Kac said:
Chris, make sure you don't leave out the single humbucker guitars! Very popular design in the most SUPER of super strats!

Rock On!!!

:smack:

I need to go to bed :smack:
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

I normally think of Superstrats as strat-shaped guitars made by high-end luthiers / companies.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

LesStrat said:
I always thought that H-S-S was referred to as a Fat Strat.:smack:

The funny thing about the term "Fat Strat" is that it was DiMarzio who originally used it. In the 70s their FS-1 pickup was the "Fat Strat" model, until Fender stopped them using the word "Strat" and they had to rename it. Then Fender took the term and applied it to a Strat with a humbucker.

DiMarzio missed a trick there by not trademarking the word "fat". :)

I tend to think of "superstrat" as a generic term applied to any Strat-style guitar with one or more humbuckers, a fancy-ass non-vintage trem and (usually) a loud paint job.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

LesStrat said:
I always thought that H-S-S was referred to as a Fat Strat.:smack:

Only since Fender started markewting them as "Fat Strats" and "Double Fat Strats" a few years ago ;)

Traditionally / historically a superstrat is any strat or strat shape with a humbucker in it, often (but not necessarily) accompanied by a Floyd.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

H S S Strat = Fat Strat

H H Strat = Double Fat Strat

Soloist, Dinky, RG = Superstrat. (A leaner body, longer horns, 24 frets, floyd, possibly neck through construction)

Point is: the Strat and the Superstrat have 2 completely different body shapes... The superstrat is much leaner with longer horns, as I said...
 
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Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

I consider a guitar a super strat if it has a configuration other than SSS. Superstrats aren't necessarilly pointier or smaller -- Charvels look like normal strat bodies to me.

Here's an Anderson:

02,13,2004_07-18-56.jpg


Here's a Wayne [Charvel] Rock Legend:

rocklegend46.jpg
 
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Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

I think of locking nuts and Floyd Rose trem and at least one Humucker when I think of super strat.
 
Re: Superstrats? Sorry... I'm a moron

You're not a Moron Dood...well, not for not knowing what a superstrat is.

Jackson's (Charvels) define and started the term "superstrat". Everything else was a copy of them.

Superstrats are a modded strat, modded for more capability, in theory. ;)

Really, the only link they have to original strats is the shape.

Actually, many of the modded Fender designs are superstrats.

Most known superstrat manufacturers historically are Jackson/Charvel, ESP, Ibanez, BC Rich and Kramer.

There are many other manufacturers that can be included. Schecter, Robin, Dean .....
 
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