Who makes you want to get a Strat?
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crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
Similar for me too ... in the early 70s it was all about Jimi, Rory, Blackmore, and even Clapton and Kossoff moved to Strats. So i got one and sounded nothing like them, in fact i sounded like garbage. After owning four or five 70s models (the very worst as i was to discover many years later) I gave up on them for over twenty years.
Fast forward to recent times. I aquired a fantastic Tokai Strat, which is better than any of the Strats I had in my younger years. Since then i've gone on to buy back an old 69 Strat i sold to a mate 20 years ago, and I have a Highway 1. They've all been retrofitted with Callaham bridges and BKP pickups (all single coils, i don't like humbuckers in Strats).
Now i'd say my reasons are .... madness and masochism, love and hate, logic and lack of logic, magic, uncertainty, certainty of uncertainty, love of fighting the instrument, hatred of fighting the instrument, and basically the entire duality of trying to make a Strat work for me in musical ways.
Yeah, i love some Strats now but i accept the realities as i see them. Some days i don't feel like having to fight every inch of the way to sound good, and those are the times to pick up some kind of Gibson-based instrument. But after years of playing, i can finally extract some of the Strat goodness from the stubborn planks and enjoy them. Plus of course they're probably the most comfortable guitar to play and they seem to always be open to whatever you want to do with them provided you are prepared to dig deep to extract it.
Stupid Strats. I love mine, hehe.
Similar for me too ... in the early 70s it was all about Jimi, Rory, Blackmore, and even Clapton and Kossoff moved to Strats. So i got one and sounded nothing like them, in fact i sounded like garbage. After owning four or five 70s models (the very worst as i was to discover many years later) I gave up on them for over twenty years.
Fast forward to recent times. I aquired a fantastic Tokai Strat, which is better than any of the Strats I had in my younger years. Since then i've gone on to buy back an old 69 Strat i sold to a mate 20 years ago, and I have a Highway 1. They've all been retrofitted with Callaham bridges and BKP pickups (all single coils, i don't like humbuckers in Strats).
Now i'd say my reasons are .... madness and masochism, love and hate, logic and lack of logic, magic, uncertainty, certainty of uncertainty, love of fighting the instrument, hatred of fighting the instrument, and basically the entire duality of trying to make a Strat work for me in musical ways.
Yeah, i love some Strats now but i accept the realities as i see them. Some days i don't feel like having to fight every inch of the way to sound good, and those are the times to pick up some kind of Gibson-based instrument. But after years of playing, i can finally extract some of the Strat goodness from the stubborn planks and enjoy them. Plus of course they're probably the most comfortable guitar to play and they seem to always be open to whatever you want to do with them provided you are prepared to dig deep to extract it.
Stupid Strats. I love mine, hehe.
thespricket
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
Wow, John Mayer was mentioned before Robin Trower. That's funny. I totally agree that Mayer rocks the balls off a strat, he really is a strat player who knows how to make it sound good. The version of Gravity from "Where the Light is" has amazing strat tone.
When I decided that I NEEDED a strat it was pretty much Stevie Ray. I was trying to learn his Little Wing and Lenny and finally realized that there is no way of getting the sound I wanted from my Les Paul. It's funny to think back on. I actually remember thinking quite clearly "I really must have a Fender Stratocaster!" I was already a big Clapton fan, but Stevie really made me want to go out of my way to buy one. I had just graduated High School and I wanted to spend some of my graduation gift money on a new guitar. I went to two stores. One place I went to had MIM standards, which were just OK, and I didn't want to spend as much as they were asking. I remember the one I was going to buy was white, I've always wanted a white strat, and that's what I was shopping around for.
So the next place I went to was my favorite music store back in MD. Atomic Music. All they sell is used stuff. So I went to a wall full of used guitars and pointed my focus to the gaggle of Strats. There wasn't really one that was in my price range that I liked. I remember there was a red MIM. I played it and I wasn't crazy about it. Looking back, I had only been playing the guitar for four years at the time, I really didn't know what I was doing. I had brought some stuff in to trade towards a guitar, old pedals and an old amp. That increased my budget by a few hundred bucks. Finally when I'd almost given up my buddy Joe looked at me and said "Hey man, did you see this one?" and I was wiped out. It looked amazing and I immediately assumed it was out of my price range. It was only $500!! So I remember I actually paid about $350 cash for it, plus the value of the stuff I traded in. Like I said, I didn't really know what I was looking for. I just know it looked really cool, felt comfortable to play, and didn't sound bad for the very few minutes I plugged it in to the nearest amp and strummed a few chords.
Wow, John Mayer was mentioned before Robin Trower. That's funny. I totally agree that Mayer rocks the balls off a strat, he really is a strat player who knows how to make it sound good. The version of Gravity from "Where the Light is" has amazing strat tone.
When I decided that I NEEDED a strat it was pretty much Stevie Ray. I was trying to learn his Little Wing and Lenny and finally realized that there is no way of getting the sound I wanted from my Les Paul. It's funny to think back on. I actually remember thinking quite clearly "I really must have a Fender Stratocaster!" I was already a big Clapton fan, but Stevie really made me want to go out of my way to buy one. I had just graduated High School and I wanted to spend some of my graduation gift money on a new guitar. I went to two stores. One place I went to had MIM standards, which were just OK, and I didn't want to spend as much as they were asking. I remember the one I was going to buy was white, I've always wanted a white strat, and that's what I was shopping around for.
So the next place I went to was my favorite music store back in MD. Atomic Music. All they sell is used stuff. So I went to a wall full of used guitars and pointed my focus to the gaggle of Strats. There wasn't really one that was in my price range that I liked. I remember there was a red MIM. I played it and I wasn't crazy about it. Looking back, I had only been playing the guitar for four years at the time, I really didn't know what I was doing. I had brought some stuff in to trade towards a guitar, old pedals and an old amp. That increased my budget by a few hundred bucks. Finally when I'd almost given up my buddy Joe looked at me and said "Hey man, did you see this one?" and I was wiped out. It looked amazing and I immediately assumed it was out of my price range. It was only $500!! So I remember I actually paid about $350 cash for it, plus the value of the stuff I traded in. Like I said, I didn't really know what I was looking for. I just know it looked really cool, felt comfortable to play, and didn't sound bad for the very few minutes I plugged it in to the nearest amp and strummed a few chords.
marvelous_seven
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
In no particular order,this is my seven marvelous list:
1. Ritchie Blackmore
2. Yngwie Malmsteen
3. Ritchie Kotzen
(after Mr. Big days)
4. John Mayer
5. John Frusciante
6. Henry Garza
7. Ken
In no particular order,this is my seven marvelous list:
1. Ritchie Blackmore
2. Yngwie Malmsteen
3. Ritchie Kotzen
(after Mr. Big days)
4. John Mayer
5. John Frusciante
6. Henry Garza
7. Ken
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
I have one but I don't play it much anymore. Mainly because for a Strat it doesn't sound that great and I don't like the neck anymore, but it was my number one until about 2005 when I got my Music Man. I still do like a really good Strat though.
Listening to Eric Johnson, Dave Gilmour, and Mark Knopfler make me want a really top-notch Strat.
I have one but I don't play it much anymore. Mainly because for a Strat it doesn't sound that great and I don't like the neck anymore, but it was my number one until about 2005 when I got my Music Man. I still do like a really good Strat though.
Listening to Eric Johnson, Dave Gilmour, and Mark Knopfler make me want a really top-notch Strat.
Bludave
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
The greatest Live Guitar solo ever recorded! Awesome.... it STILL brings shivers to my spine!
The greatest Live Guitar solo ever recorded! Awesome.... it STILL brings shivers to my spine!
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
I finally get back to my own thread. I've just never gotten along with Strats; owned one for about a year once, but went back to Teles after a bit. Even though I was a total Ritchie Blackmore head in the late '70s, I just never felt right with a Strat.
However, these days John Frusciante makes me want to get one.
I finally get back to my own thread. I've just never gotten along with Strats; owned one for about a year once, but went back to Teles after a bit. Even though I was a total Ritchie Blackmore head in the late '70s, I just never felt right with a Strat.
However, these days John Frusciante makes me want to get one.
Bludave
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
That is one awesome Strat, but be prepared... if you are going to play a Strat like that you gotta be able to bring it!
Is that a SRV neck? or someone elses sig.
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Jimi Hendrix...a couple of months ago I made the comment that "I'm just not a Strat Guy"...well...now I'm eating those words and having the below STRATOCASTER assembled!
That is one awesome Strat, but be prepared... if you are going to play a Strat like that you gotta be able to bring it!
Is that a SRV neck? or someone elses sig.
Bludave
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
I think anyone who first moves to a Strat has to "LEARN" how to play it. Not talking music, but how to coax the right tone or voice out of a Strat. I bought my first Strat in 87. Prior to that guitar(which I still have) I played a '68 SG standard(which I also still have). It took me a good solid year of experimenting with action, strings, neck adjustments, pickup height etc., etc., etc. trying to find what was going to work. As Crusty has stated it was a love/hate relationship. Then finally it clicked for me. Where as a Tele; as much as I love them after about an hour of playing my arm starts to tire from it hanging over the sharp edge of the body. Great sounding guitars but a little uncomfortable to play for any length of time. Its the same thing with a Les Paul. I have two and I love the tone I get with them, but it is hard for me to play them all night. for me it's a 335 or a Strat. thats where I get the sounds I want to hear.
I think anyone who first moves to a Strat has to "LEARN" how to play it. Not talking music, but how to coax the right tone or voice out of a Strat. I bought my first Strat in 87. Prior to that guitar(which I still have) I played a '68 SG standard(which I also still have). It took me a good solid year of experimenting with action, strings, neck adjustments, pickup height etc., etc., etc. trying to find what was going to work. As Crusty has stated it was a love/hate relationship. Then finally it clicked for me. Where as a Tele; as much as I love them after about an hour of playing my arm starts to tire from it hanging over the sharp edge of the body. Great sounding guitars but a little uncomfortable to play for any length of time. Its the same thing with a Les Paul. I have two and I love the tone I get with them, but it is hard for me to play them all night. for me it's a 335 or a Strat. thats where I get the sounds I want to hear.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
Thank you. I hear you...been having a go at parts of "Riveria Paradise" recently...and yes it is a 2008 SRV Signature Neck.
Thank you. I hear you...been having a go at parts of "Riveria Paradise" recently...and yes it is a 2008 SRV Signature Neck.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
Hmmm, tough call. When I started playing, my first electric was a SSS Strat copy but I preferred humbuckers and my influences all used humbuckers. It was SRV that made me really want a SSS Strat and I got a Fender American Standard in 1994. I've since sold it to fund another guitar but one day I will have another SSS Strat. I have one "strat" style guitar left, HSS config though, and it's my number 1, always will be. It just feels right.
Hmmm, tough call. When I started playing, my first electric was a SSS Strat copy but I preferred humbuckers and my influences all used humbuckers. It was SRV that made me really want a SSS Strat and I got a Fender American Standard in 1994. I've since sold it to fund another guitar but one day I will have another SSS Strat. I have one "strat" style guitar left, HSS config though, and it's my number 1, always will be. It just feels right.
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
I think with a Strat, the biggest thing is getting use to it. They're an industry standard, but they are def they're own thing playing and tone wise. I've owned several over the years. Some Fender, Kramer, ESP, etc... and none of them felt like my other guitars, making them difficult for me to play. Now that I've been around for awhile and know what I like, I know I'll never be happy with an off the shelf Strat.
I'm really curious to see how this Warmoth Strat build is going to turn out. I'll have the neck shape, radius, and fret size I want in it, while still having the vintage appointments that really make a Strat sound what it's like.
My thinking is, most people probably end up enjoying Strats more once they build them the way they want them. Think about how many necks and bodies Warmoth, USACG, Musikraft etc..., but compare that to how many you see put up for sale on the used market. Statistically thinking, there's a lot of custom Strats out there that are working really well for their creators. Hopefully mine will fall into that category!
I think with a Strat, the biggest thing is getting use to it. They're an industry standard, but they are def they're own thing playing and tone wise. I've owned several over the years. Some Fender, Kramer, ESP, etc... and none of them felt like my other guitars, making them difficult for me to play. Now that I've been around for awhile and know what I like, I know I'll never be happy with an off the shelf Strat.
I'm really curious to see how this Warmoth Strat build is going to turn out. I'll have the neck shape, radius, and fret size I want in it, while still having the vintage appointments that really make a Strat sound what it's like.
My thinking is, most people probably end up enjoying Strats more once they build them the way they want them. Think about how many necks and bodies Warmoth, USACG, Musikraft etc..., but compare that to how many you see put up for sale on the used market. Statistically thinking, there's a lot of custom Strats out there that are working really well for their creators. Hopefully mine will fall into that category!
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
I was a Tele guy until I got into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Nick Zinner totally made me want to get a Strat.
I was a Tele guy until I got into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Nick Zinner totally made me want to get a Strat.
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walkdmc
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
at heart I'm a closet gibby guy. When I first started, there was no way I could afford one so I got a strat. Definitely happy I did. Having said that, John Fruciante and John Mayer (and anyone else named john).
I would go with the obvious gilmour or clapton but I don't relate their sounds to being traditionally stratty. They both use active pups/cirguits which turn their guitars into something else entirely.
at heart I'm a closet gibby guy. When I first started, there was no way I could afford one so I got a strat. Definitely happy I did. Having said that, John Fruciante and John Mayer (and anyone else named john).
I would go with the obvious gilmour or clapton but I don't relate their sounds to being traditionally stratty. They both use active pups/cirguits which turn their guitars into something else entirely.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
Same here. I used to have a (white) Strat decades ago, which I attribute 100% to the influence of Hendrix. It was magic in Jimi's hands, and his music is still fresh and exciting. The man was amazing. He probably sold more guitars than anyone else, ever. Guys like SRV and his legions of imitators are why I have no desire to own a Strat anymore.
Same here. I used to have a (white) Strat decades ago, which I attribute 100% to the influence of Hendrix. It was magic in Jimi's hands, and his music is still fresh and exciting. The man was amazing. He probably sold more guitars than anyone else, ever. Guys like SRV and his legions of imitators are why I have no desire to own a Strat anymore.
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
+1
I've just never had much of a problem playing strats and getting great tones out of them. I'm a strat player, even though I play a lot of metal. But when I pick up a strat, I tend to unconsciously gravitate towards music like this:
+1
I've just never had much of a problem playing strats and getting great tones out of them. I'm a strat player, even though I play a lot of metal. But when I pick up a strat, I tend to unconsciously gravitate towards music like this:
P.A.Foholic
New member
Re: Who makes you want to get a Strat?
Rory Gallagher & Matt Schofield (gonna see him on Saturday wooo!)
Rory Gallagher & Matt Schofield (gonna see him on Saturday wooo!)
