Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: jojokeo on February 13, 2014, 01:04:29 pm
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This doesn't belong in the Amps section and can be moved later, but for now I'd like to share this with as many as possible. There's a series of cool photos too in the article so why the link is best to check out for this:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-stratocaster-60th-20140213,0,3072085.story#axzz2tEH8y6L0 (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-stratocaster-60th-20140213,0,3072085.story#axzz2tEH8y6L0)
keo
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:bravo1: :occasion14: :wav: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :m11
Jim :m8
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"However! There are two kinds of people in the world. Those that play Stratocasters and those that play Telecasters….and the twain rarely meet," Springsteen wrote, identifying himself as a Tele player "til he dies."
"..runaway American dream...plink plink plink....sprung from cages on Hwy 9, chrome wheels.....plink, plink, plink....baby I was born to plink!....plink plink plink plink....... :sleepy2:
Little known fact that it took Ritchie Blackmore's amp and guitar tech to make Brucie's Tele play right....hmmmmm....
Jimbob - it's a GREAT DAY! :happy1:
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Ha! I was thinking about you to entire time I was reading it. You are the most hardcore :m8 stratman :m8 I've ever known!
I love this part:
Not veteran blues musician Buddy Guy. Playing anything other than a Stratocaster, he said, "is like putting on a glove that's too small, then putting one on that you've been wearing for five years . . . f you see me change from a Strat, it means I done broke a string."
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There are two kinds of people in the world. Those that play Stratocasters and those that play Telecasters….and the twain rarely meet
I saw this the other day and actually considered picking one up just to blur that line.....this way I can stay friendly with Jim AND Tubenit...
I've got a guy at work who is always trying to jam a Tele down my throat,,,and I say "if it felt like a strat, I'd want to play it!"
As much as I HATE agreeing with him,,,,If I HAD to choose a side, I'd be on Team Ritchie :m8
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Posting that pic is just wrong. Friends? I don't think so mon EX ami. You better just butter up 'Nit, cause you crossed the line.
ConfuzusJim say: If you walk on top of the fence long enough, you will fall - with a leg on each side.
Jim :m8
ps, I expect to hear some early Rush recordings from you, now that you are "physically" able to sing them.
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Nice article. I've been a Strat fan ever since high school. My first real electric was a Strat.
(http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/misc/Intruders.jpg)
In the '70s I had an affair with a 335 for several years before turning acoustic. I never did get the itch for a Les Paul even though I have a lot of respect for them. I now own a 50 year anniversary Strat and although I can't really play anymore, I'll keep it til I die.
For now, I'll drink a toast to the Stratocaster. If I could only own one electric guitar it would be a Strat. Bottoms up y'all!
:occasion14:
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If I could only own one electric guitar it would be a Strat
Now, that's sayin' somethin :thumbsup:
Jeff Beck can relate.
"Nothing's been invented that's better than the Stratocaster," he said. "Fender has kept asking me, 'What could we do to make you a better guitar?' I always tell them, 'Give me a 1954 Strat in the box, and I'll be happy. You had it right from the start.'"
....... cause you crossed the line.
Me,,,, again!...that's the 5th time this month :wink:
That's it..... I'm going to the nipple-pierced Geddy Lee fan forum.....maybe I can "make friends" over there... :undecided:
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Yeah man! Gimmi that rosewood fretboard.
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Jim, does a strat have to be a strat to be considered a strat? :think1:
1) Does my Warmoth qualify?
2) Can it have a humbucker in the bridge?
3) Does it have to have a pickguard?
Just wonderin... :dontknow:
If there are any other crazyfrickenstratcommunistrules that I should know,,,,,now is the time
EDITED--- removed unnecessary obscenity :icon_biggrin:
This is family friendly thread after all.
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Strats are arguable tougher to play than a Les Paul. I had to fight them to get good tone AND playability--until I got a decent Strat. The rewards are great IMHO. It may be hard to beat the playability of a good Les Paul but even tougher to beat the tone palette of a good Strat.
Oh, and SG, a humbucker in a Strat is like putting a Hemi in a Porsche. It works but it just ain't a Porsche no more. :icon_biggrin: Regards
dennis
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Being one that lived and breathed Ventures in my early guitar days---this picture on this Walk Don't Run
album fixed my mind on what a strat should be--vintage sunburst--blond neck. That's what I have today
1997 CIJ, 54 RI with Texas Specials. Platefire
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Just for grins I'm showing a couple of my strat-formations from years past. I modified these two back in the early '90s BI (before internet). The first is a photo of my '90 custom shop model before I changed her...once again. I was in an experimental stage about 20+ years ago and wanted to have a strat to be "versatile". So I made it to where I could play any pickup any time in or out of phase (but all in parallel to each other). She's really heavy with a super thick neck on her. Now she's got Fralin blues split rails.
Then on my 1987 I went one (or two) further. She does everything that the other can do but also put any combination into series. So she can put any two into parallel w/ the other series or any two in series against another in parallel. They can also be all in series and any of them could be in or out of phase at the same time. It was quite the challenge to figure it all out but mission accomplished in the end. I ultimately changed out that pick guard assembly also after the novelties wore off after a number of years later to Kinman AVn56s & 59 in bridge after a time of using Duncan's classic stacks.
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I am a big fan of those Strat Plus (made 1987 - 1997) I have two. The neck finishing is excellent, and the guitar really sings and "gives back". I like the flat profile of the rosewood necked ones, and the sating finish is a massive improvement over lacquer. The Lace pickups are quiet but fairly sterile sounding, to my insensitive ear, but I generally only use the bass pickup so it's not the biggest of big deals to me. The build quality of those Strats is excellent, and a true Strat afficianado could replace the guts and get a superior guitar. When I got those two, I was able to sell my old ones which were problematic in terms of being worn out (though they felt great and sounded great) but I didn't want to refret them nor re-tuning peg them and they were worth too much. Mechanically, these guitars devastate the old ones I had, a 1960 which was ehhh, and a 1964 which was great. But worn, fretwise and I couldn't keep it in tune very well.
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All this strat talk, and no one discussed MIA (missing in action,) or MIJ, or MIM or even MII.
like this one?
(http://i.imgur.com/sb3LDS0.jpg)
1977 Greco Supersounds. made by FujiGen, who Fender would buy later in 1982 and create Fender Japan.
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All this strat talk, and no one discussed MIA (missing in action,) or MIJ, or MIM or even MII.
Maybe because the subject is about the real thing.
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sluckey---shiiiiiiiiiiiii--don't tell that strat it's not real---it may not know!
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(http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US2960900-0.png)
(http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US2741146-0.png)
For me, the celebration is about all the great ideas that Leo Fender put into that guitar, to make guitars more comfortable, better balanced, easier to play, easier to tune, better everything. all wrapped up with a overall design that is aesthetically gorgeous. form, function, everything: STRAT.
that's it for me. details of manufacturing not as critical.
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For me, the celebration is about all the great ideas that Leo Fender put into that guitar,
The only thing that was missed and not designed for was using multiple pu's together. It took a long 23 years before the familiar 5-way switch (in 1977) was put into use. I'm sure most Strat players have never known what it sounds like to have the "best" combo of using the bridge & neck positions together? I find this much more useful than positions 2 & 5 and I urge everyone to try it.
The other big thing I think he botched was having two tone controls. I never used them both at the same time with different settings anyway. To enjoy the extra benefit described above and more, you can simply make one a 'master tone' and convert the other into a 'blender'. IMHO, this is by far the best and most useful wiring configuration for a Strat (and no need for crazy switches like in my photos above, therefore no permanent changes made). Search & read about the blender control if you've never heard of it. As a side note, use a "no load" pot or simply file away the trace on one end so that it's completely out of circuit when not in use.
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My best strat I ever had was a 1965 three tone sunburst with rosewood fretboard I bought used in 1976 for $200.00 and was my main guitar until I sold it to a vintage buyer in 1994. In those days I didn't work on my own guitars and my guitar tech was a Jazz Player that worked for Walker and Rodie Music in Shreveport, La. He had bought the strat for his son but because he made bad grades in school refused to give it to him and sold it to me. When I sold it was severly worn but still played great. I latter ask the buyer where it was at and he said Japan.
It had a 3 way switch on it. I recall the night I accidently jammed the 3way switch in between the mid and bridge position and experianced the out of phase tone the first time. I was amazed and thought I had made a great discovery only to find out it was nothing new. I later installed a 5 way switch but kept the old 3 way in the case. Platefire
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What?!?! What?!?!?! TEWWWW pickups at the SAME time?!?!?! 5way switch?!?!?! Heresy I say! Heresy!!!! Why don't you just put a humbucker in there...... :BangHead: Rewire the original layout?!?!? Are you mad?!?!? Sheeesh.... YOU might as well just go out and buy a tele. You are officially OUT of the Strat Club. :brushteeth: :brushteeth:
OR, since you are a switch and knob twiddler (does this mean you are a Master Knob Twiddler?), you could lose all sense of reality and perspective and get one of these...
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Heaven on Earth... :m15
Jim :happy1:
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:l2: :l2: That's "Rich" Wait! No, it's just "Richie being Richie" :l2: :l2:
What?!?! What?!?!?! TEWWWW pickups at the SAME time?!?!?! 5way switch?!?!?! Heresy I say! Heresy!!!! Why don't you just put a humbucker in there......
or how about TWO??? :huh: got to REALLY hate these then! (variety is the spice of life I've heard) :grin:
Warning: Do not look down!!!
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For me, the celebration is about all the great ideas that Leo Fender put into that guitar,
The only thing that was missed and not designed for was using multiple pu's together. It took a long 23 years before the familiar 5-way switch (in 1977) was put into use. I'm sure most Strat players have never known what it sounds like to have the "best" combo of using the bridge & neck positions together? I find this much more useful than positions 2 & 5 and I urge everyone to try it.
The other big thing I think he botched was having two tone controls. I never used them both at the same time with different settings anyway. To enjoy the extra benefit described above and more, you can simply make one a 'master tone' and convert the other into a 'blender'. IMHO, this is by far the best and most useful wiring configuration for a Strat (and no need for crazy switches like in my photos above, therefore no permanent changes made). Search & read about the blender control if you've never heard of it. As a side note, use a "no load" pot or simply file away the trace on one end so that it's completely out of circuit when not in use.
Joe, you know we put the switch in-between to get the quack.
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Joe, you know we put the switch in-between to get the quack.
I was pretty good at 'balancing' the switch between the bridge and middle p/u on my old Strat with simple 3 position switch. But that switch would not reliably stay in-between the neck and middle. Kinda like standing a nickel on it's edge.
My '50s anniversary Strat has a 5 position switch and the S-1 switch. I'm fond of that switching arrangement. Lot of different tones even if they don't all sound like a Strat.
I remember back in the day there was only one Strat. You had several color options and that was it. So simple. You either liked the Strat or you didn't. Today it's quite different. There are more different model Strats than there are car models for the entire auto industry. And I'm just counting the Fender brands! The Fender Stratocaster must be the most copied guitar of all time. That's quite a tribute in it's own.
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I was pretty good at 'balancing' the switch between the bridge and middle p/u on my old Strat with simple 3 position switch. But that switch would not reliably stay in-between the neck and middle. Kinda like standing a nickel on it's edge.
You have to take the spring out, then it will stay in place. Gallagher did that as did many others who had a 3 way switch before 5 ways became available. He also had the tone pot next to the volume pot wired up as a master tone, the 2nd tone pot was disconnected.
Had a friend that played for Muddy Waters, they were on tour and Mark Knopler came to his hotel room and changed out his 3 way for a 5 way. He said Knopler kept a few 5 ways and a soldering iron with him on tour and would do that for guys.
On my strat I swapped the + wire from the #2 pup with the + wire from the #3 pup on the 5 way switch. Now it goes #1 neck, #2 neck/bridge, #3 middle, #4 middle/bridge, #5 bridge. Now since I never use the bridge pup alone I throw the 5 way full up to #1 neck then throw it full down to #5 and I have the middle pup. Plus I get the neck and bridge pups in #2 position.
I saw Trower up close in the late 90's and it sure looked/sounded like his strat that night was wired up the same. All night he was going back and forth from #1 to #5 in the same song and #5 position didn't sound much brighter than the neck pup at all. I don't believe it was the neck pup in the #5 position, it was the middle pup. :dontknow:
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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you could lose all sense of reality and perspective and get one of these...
I admit it....the nicest Strat I ever owned was a Parker.....double cutaway, 3 pickups, stock tremolo, natural finish, played like a dream, sounded like a plastic Ferrari with a 9 volt battery under the hood :icon_biggrin:
YOU might as well just go out and buy a tele.
Everyone grows up eventually....... :wink:
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Yeah, but look what he has to go through just to make it work!
"As for guitars, I’ve been playing a special Alvarez-Yairi made for me. There’s a Fender Telecaster acoustic/electric; I think they only made them about six months, which is a shame; they’re not bad guitars. I use that with a synthesizer on “Shadow of the Moon” and “The Clock Ticks On” to get a fuller sound."
And I can put a banjo through a synth "to get a fuller sound", or a washtub and broom handle....but I digress. It figures, Fender finally develops a tele design that sounds pretty good and then they discontinue it!
"We do a 2 1/2 hour set, and most of it is “electro-acoustic,” but we throw in four or five heavy rock songs. “16th Century Greensleeves” is one, but we also do “Written in the Stars,” “Writing On The Wall,” and others.
I take out the Strat and play loud, which is kind of tricky onstage, because you’ve had an acoustic balance in the sound instead of a “heavy” balance… although it’s not really purely acoustic because we run through amplifiers. There is nothing like the Strat."
Uh huh, oh yeah, cue the progressive soft soul funk and let's dance!
Jim :m2
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Trower is a middle and neck pickup guy, he likes it thick. For a while he used a couple of thin rail (for lack of a better description as they fit in the single coil pick guard) humbuckers in the late 70's. Robin has used everything in amps and effects over the years, but the guitar is always a Strat.
Ritchie actually removed the middle pup, "bass and treble, black and white" as he says, uses a 3 position switch without a spring (as he likes to switch constantly through a solo), with a passive tone circuit that is matched to the impedance of the pups to get that smooth and creamy tone.
Slucky you were in tall clover if that red Strat was your first electric! My first electric quitar was a red sunburst Audition (Teisco) that my dad bought me from Mr. Mel Bay. That store was like Christmas in July for me! Looking at your pic, would you rather have that Silvertone back or that Bassman?
Jim
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Slucky you were in tall clover if that red Strat was your first electric! My first electric quitar was a red sunburst Audition (Teisco) that my dad bought me from Mr. Mel Bay. That store was like Christmas in July for me! Looking at your pic, would you rather have that Silvertone back or that Bassman?
That Strat was my first REAL electric. I had a Gibson Melody Maker double pickup before the Strat. The only thing in that pic that I wish I still had is the Strat. That Sears 1484 Twin Twelve was a POS back in 1966, but at only $149 it was all I could afford. I still think it's a POS and cannot understand why people think so highly of it today. It was just a cheaply built, wimpy amp, and sounded too dark for the '60s. Man, back then we wanted screaming treble. The Bassman was really used for bass back then. They were very popular for bass but nobody played guitar thru one of those in the '60s. Too dark.
Wish I still had that Strat though. Man, I was so stupid back then! Traded it in on a Gibson 335, which I really loved. But this was all before I knew about Deep Purple and Pink Floyd and mushrooms. :icon_biggrin:
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But this was all before I knew about Deep Purple and Pink Floyd and mushrooms. :icon_biggrin:
A-huh! The truth comes out! :undecided: :laugh:
That was a good lookin rosewood fret board strat. Was it candy apple or fiesta red?
Brad :m8
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First - sorry I misspelled your name! :BangHead:
When I was in Jr. High they had a Jazz Band. The guitarist used a Bassman and being a Marshall guy, I used to make fun of him. But I had to admit, he sounded awesome! The first band I was in the other guitarist had a Silvertone. I had a Bandmaster. I actually thought we sounded equally crappy! Hey, back in the 60's a 335 was the STUFF! I can understand. :icon_biggrin: You sounded exactly like Alvin Lee, right? :icon_biggrin:
My first REAL electric was a LP Jr double cutaway. I loved that guitar. It was easy to play, looked cool, and sounded fat and raw! Plus, it had TWO pickups!!!!! (I understand those are very rare....terrific....) Holy pickup switch Batman! I could make machine gun noises!!!! And a lot of other equally obnoxious high volume noises, my poor parents.....
Jim
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Hey, back in the 60's a 335 was the STUFF! I can understand. :icon_biggrin:
Me too, their still great guitars, depends on what you want to play.
My first REAL electric was a LP Jr double cutaway. Plus, it had TWO pickups!!!!!
Nice!
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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That was a good lookin rosewood fret board strat. Was it candy apple or fiesta red?
I would guess it was Fiesta Red. It was a very thin painted finish. I bought it used. It later became yellow (ugh!) then finally white. Here's a pic of the yellow...
http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/misc/1st_build.jpg (http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/misc/1st_build.jpg)
And here's the 50th Anniversary...
http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/misc/gear.jpg (http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/misc/gear.jpg)
Hey, back in the 60's a 335 was the STUFF!
I know. I drooled over them in the stores. Finally bought mine in '72. The LP was becoming king by then. My rock 'n roll daughter plays it now. Here's a pic of the 335...
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You strat guys are killing me. You talk so much about them, I have decided to get one. Considering I do not mind paying a fair price for a guitar, I cannot see what all the fuss is about. I have played every strat I can get my hands on over the last few months and the build quality is poor. Pockets that do not fit. New warped necks. I am speaking of American Strats from $1500 and up. Rosewood or maple.
There is always the $3000 one that is Road Worn which is like I really want to pay $3000 for a guitar that looks like crap.
I compared a new Select with a MIJ and I hate to say it, but the MIJ IS the real one today. Ever wonder why Fender Japan quit importing to the US?
I am getting old and cranky so take this with a grain of salt. I really want to find the strat that transforms me to a strat lover as they have been used on some of the best recordings I love. I did play a Nash I liked, but I can get parts and put one together and beat it up myself.
And no, it is not because I am a Tele guy. I use a Tele when I need it, I am a Gibson/Heritage guy mostly. My 335, and Les Pauls and L5 feel substantial, however Gibson has dropped the ball on their recent builds. Even the new Custom Shop guitars.
My Favorite guitar is a Firebird with minis in it. I plan to keep up the looking for the one that fits me as there has to be one. All you guys cannot be wrong. Maybe I just not a good enough player to appreciate the strat.
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I really want to find the strat that transforms me to a strat lover as they have been used on some of the best recordings I love.
I know exactly what you mean. All the players I like use one, but I've never been able to get one to sound good. I'm definitely a Gibson guy, but I've always wanted a Strat. I even have a Tele (inspired by Richie of course).
And you're right too in saying that quality isn't always where you'd expect it to be. The 'best' Strat I have played recently is my son's Squier. It was $125, but the neck is rock solid, and it plays like a dream.
I may end up building one from pieces and parts. You can put one together from Warmoth/Stewmac for about $900 that'll beat a 'real' Fender. The likes of Guitar Fetish.com might be just as good for all I know.
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Rosewood or maple.
Big difference on a strat.
Rosewood is rounder and warmer sounding, Gallagher. Maple is more crisp/percussive sounding and more articulate in nuances, they get all the little picking noises, David Gilmour.
Brad :m8
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Rosewood or maple.
Big difference on a strat.
Rosewood is rounder and warmer sounding, Gallagher. Maple is more crisp/percussive sounding and more articulate in nuances, they get all the little picking noises, David Gilmour.
Brad :m8
I am looking mostly at Rosewood per you and Ritchie suggestion. I too played a classic vibe squire thinline and was blown away. What a great guitar if you replace the pups and bridge and tuners or at least the tuners. Of course I have the parts and I am seeing them new for $329.00. What really discouraged me on a new strat was I was checking out an American strat. I asked the price and they said $1050 with a gig bag. With a GIG BAG. I know Fenders were intended to be cheaper to build, but please. I guess the next thing is they will send a kit to make your new one into a road worn and charge you for the kit so you can do it.
I did say I am old and believe it or not I have never touched a GIG BAG. Really I am only 50. That is not old anymore. :icon_biggrin:
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Warmoth
Solid rosewood neck with no finish.....just suggestin' :wink:
http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseNeck.aspx?i=SN15629&Body=1&Path=Neck (http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseNeck.aspx?i=SN15629&Body=1&Path=Neck)
If you ever wind up going with Warmoth, go with the Warmoth Pro construction for the heavy duty truss rod....and you can't go wrong with Quartersawn
I'm still saving my lunch money....
If you're gonna buy a guitar and then replace all of the parts, ya might as well just build one :icon_biggrin:
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Ed, did you try an American Deluxe Strat? If so, was the build quality poor? At least they come with a HS case. :icon_biggrin:
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I've wanted a maple fret board strat for several years too compare the 2.
You very well might like a maple board better. If you run it through a BF Fender might be too bright but going through a tweed might make all the difference in the world.
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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Ed, did you try an American Deluxe Strat? If so, was the build quality poor? At least they come with a HS case. :icon_biggrin:
I truly believe Guitar Center may be one of the problems and they have managed to control Fender in Atlanta. I am going to Nashville in a few weeks and I am planning to find my strat. If Gruhn doesn't have one I like I will consider my search over and just wait until I stumble across one.
I did try the American Deluxe. Nice feel and comfortable, but it had a high fret at 14. I have seen this on a couple of more. I think Guitar Center beats their vendors down so much that they only get seconds. I may be completely wrong here but at christmas they were selling a Gibson Hummingbird for $1900. I went and looked at it and it is NOT a hummingbird.
SG, I have never had a guitar I do not change parts on, but I always keep the original parts. I sometimes buy cheap guitars for the parts people have installed. I bought a Epiphone LP for $130 with Gibson PAF buckers in it. Put some cheapos in it and polished it and sold her for $270.00. It was a nice sounding guitar, but I have enough Les Paul types. I have a 345 they are going in.
Remember I am a DIY guy which means the Road Worn kit will be up my alley. Send me your beautiful Strat or Tele and I will make it a Road Worn for $800 plus shipping of course. :l2:
I will do your Gibson too, but that is on a custom basis and we will have to discuss cost in advance. :hijack1:
Brad, I am trying all of them. I do prefer Rosewood and you know I have more amps than brain cells.
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Sluckey, your high school Strat pix reminds me of a story....
Around 1980 I used to have the habit of going into any music store I saw. There was one in the next town over which was a complete hole, real mom & pop, and when I went in, it really was. Looked like it had last been painted in 1957. They had nothing I was interested in, but they had this rabbit-warren of small rooms where they gave lessons. On the hallway walls were black and white pictures of kids playing guitars in school assemblies...exactly like yours. All the photos had dymo labels stuck on with the names of the kids. There were no bad guitars nor amps, there. There was maybe one Harmony guitar, otherwise all the amps were white Tremoluxes or Bandmasters or Bassman. All the guitars were Les Paul Jrs or in this one case, a single P-90 ES-175. So, I thought, "how stupid would it be to copy down the names of the people and invest $2 in dime telephone calls to see if I could find them in the phone book? (no internet in 1980!) So I went back to the shop with pencil and paper and gathered about 8 names. Obviously, I could not do much with Smith and Jones but there were several unique names. On the third phone call, I found the guy who was in the picture with the ES-175. Not exactly my all-time favorite guitar but nothing objectionable about it. Anyway, Iasked if he still had the guitar. He said he had traded it for a Fender something, "a supermaster or something like that" that was only good for country and if I wanted it, I could stop by and buy it for $125. I said I had some country gigs coming up and got his address, went there, and bought his 1959 Strat in about 7 condition, which was just about the worst Strat I have ever owned, very weak output. Too bad I sold it for $1300 the next day.
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Remember I am a DIY guy which means the Road Worn kit will be up my alley. Send me your beautiful Strat or Tele and I will make it a Road Worn for $800 plus shipping of course. :l2:
That's OK....I can build one that's nicer that anything on the wall @GC for less than that :l2:
Obviously, you missed this:
I'm still saving my lunch money....
Now I've got the bug...
I browse that site every other day looking for the right neck and/or body....it's just a matter of time..
I'll bow out of this thread.....
I don't want to be the a-hole that soiled the sanctity of the Fender 60th anniversary.......IT IS a very sacred thing for a lot of people, and I'm just too much of a non-traditionalist to add any value to the conversation.
I do completely respect and appreciate what Fender has done, and I probably should have bailed out when I admitted that I never owned a real strat. :sad:
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WARNING This is not a real strat!!!! But I have owned three USA strats in my lifetime and feel like I am qualified to say I'm really happy with my 1997 CIJ 54 RI. I can say with the exception of my 65 strat I sold in 1994, this strat is a close runner up. It's not stock. Starting at the head to tail--it has Sperzel Locking tuners, Buzz Feiton nut/tuning mod, Texas Special pickups and electronics taken from an American Special Strat was fitted into its original one layer 54 RI pick guard. That's about it on mods.
Another perk/history for me on this strat is it once belonged to my Son and was purchased new from Chambers Guitars in Nashville Tn when he went there late 90's to seek his fame and fortune. Yes he came back home after about a year. I have all the purchase documents, inspection tags and case too.
In last few years I have become a decent elec guitar tech and have become OK on setting up a floating strat bridge. So this strat was bottomed out on the body when I first got it but recently made it floating--a lot better! If I was to purchase a new strat I would go for the the "American Select Strat HSS".
Haft to say something about Leo. He was a great example of what a hard working individual with some talent and dream can do. It's kind of amazing to me that being a non-player he created what he did. His guitars and amps were just standouts. He was just a talented individual and listened to what musicians wanted and acted on it. An old saying says "If you work at doing what you love, you'll never work a day in your life". I think that was Leo. I love to switch off to my Les Paul, 335 and such for a change but I'm a Fender man all the way to the bone! Platefire
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I have a friend who owns a music store and sells Fenders. He has a wall with probably 50 Strats hanging up there. One day his son and I were checking out a new amp that just came in. He pulled a Strat off the wall and I played it. I was like, "This must be a MIM, because it plays like crap!" Nope, USA. I went through probably 30 guitars and they were all crap. Then he gave be a 50-something reissue. WOW! It played like butter, just fantastic. However, it was $3K or $5K or something obnoxious. I had a few 70's versions back in the day and they all played better than the new junk.
I've still got my old MIJ wanna-be Strat from about 1978 that plays really nice. THere is a lot of shared history with that one.... I've also got a 1997 MIJ Ritchie Blackmore Strat. It is the best playing Strat I have ever had. Acoustically is just rings. Gig bag on a $1K guitar, what a joke! I mean how much extra extra for a plastic case! Ed, you may need to just visit a vintage shop to find something good. Or, maybe these guys! http://pitbullguitars.com/ (http://pitbullguitars.com/)
Jim
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He has a wall with probably 50 Strats hanging up there. I went through probably 30 guitars and they were all crap. it was $3K or $5K or something obnoxious.
I knew if I was patient ................ the truth would come out. :l2:
With respect, Tubenit
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Jimbob, trying to help a friend (me) 'nit landed one. Gotta give credit, plink, plink, plink. :laugh:
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I was going to try a Tele, but he only had one - not because they were selling.....
With MORE respect,
Jim
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Good stuff here.
My Strats are mainly from '87 into the 1990's. In '85 the Fender employee's bought the company from CBS under a new Fender Music Instruments Corp name. I believe that the custom shop was also developed right at this time. Prior to '85 there was quality issues, lower sales, etc. and the new company made a concerted effort to re-make and restore the Fender name by making quality instruments again. Most everything at that time was coming out of the Corona facility. But, as with everything - progress gets going well and then the business side rears it's head which many times ultimately lowers quality and craftsmanship. Since then the Mexico factory was put into place (taking over many of the Japan models built for export) along with others like Korea, Indonesia, India, China, and still Japan too. But the Japanese made guitars are specifically & primarily for the Japanese market with only a few that make it to exportation.
It appears that with the many buy-outs and other mass production factors that evolve have taken yet another toll on the good Fender products, quality, and name they try to maintain and could be the explanation for what we're seeing even in the current USA Strats these days?
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jojo,,,you seem to know a lot about these guitars....
What strat model is the guy in this video playing? :dontknow:
Rainbow Can't Let You Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ15B2FqVqg#)
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That's the Rich big hair lip sync model. :icon_biggrin:
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Just announced. A new strat with a interchangeable module on the back that makes you have different tones. Check out the video at this link
http://www.fender.com/series/american-deluxe/american-deluxe-strat-plus-maple-fingerboard-mystic-3-color-sunburst/?utm_source=Newsletter-February19-2014&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=AmericanDeluxe-StratPlus-MainFeature (http://www.fender.com/series/american-deluxe/american-deluxe-strat-plus-maple-fingerboard-mystic-3-color-sunburst/?utm_source=Newsletter-February19-2014&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=AmericanDeluxe-StratPlus-MainFeature)
This is important stuff to me as I need this more than a better built guitar. :l2:
Fender is killing me.
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WOW! I love it already!
I'm going back to this; :m2
Brad :laugh:
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Although my SG has been my main squeeze since I was 17, I've come to realize that my taste in guitars has changed, so I'm saving pennies for a strat. I still like the SG, it can do a few things better than anything else I've tried, but the strats I've played were just more versatile.
Silvergun, I hate to say this, but that song is terrible, especially considering the talent that is involved. :dontknow:
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jojo,,,you seem to know a lot about these guitars....
What strat model is the guy in this video playing? :dontknow:
You kids..... I don't know why I waste my time setting the record straight, its obvious you don't want to believe the truth! Take off the tinfoil hats and join the real world...
Sigh...once again, an old interview (with my comments in red):
"I was able to go back stage during a Rainbow concert in Lubbock,Tx around 1980. I talked with Richie's guitar tech Ian. I asked about Richie's guitars. He took me to Richie's dressing room to see the guitars and meet the man. This was a huge thrill for me as he had always been one of my favorite players! I walked in and he introduced himself and showed me a white strat copy and a sunburst tele that he called his "smash up" guitars. I was puzzled because I was sure he only played a real Fender strat. I found out later that these were the guitars that he destroyed during the performance. Ian then glued them back together for the next performance. Then he pulled his Strat out and showed it to me. He talked a good bit about the tail piece. It had been modified to go down in pitch as well as up. I can't remember if if was routed underneath to be pulled up similar to a Floyd. (No) It almost had to be. The fretboard had a medium scollop. It was not extremely deep. I think the neck was also glued into the neck pocket. (Yes) It had 3 pick ups but I think the middle one was disconnected. (Yes) As I recall the action was not high but not real low either."
The REST of the story. Now children...don't try to play in the big leagues unless you are big enough to swing the bat.
Jimbob
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What??? ....a guy cant ask an innocent question? :angel
Geeeeezzzz,,,,I was talking to jojo :rolleyes:
That's it....I'm really outta here this time
Just for the record....this was just released as the RB model :icon_biggrin:
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twas a Stratotele, or a Teleostrat. Eveybody knows that! Don't know if that's a happy marriage or not?
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WOW! I love it already!
I'm going back to this; :m2
Brad :laugh:
I can see it now. The next model will be made in conjunction with line 6 and model other guitars.
Just give me a hunk of wood and a straight, nice neck. I will do the rest.
I have a Telecaster setup like a strat with lace pups and a strat hardtail. I have played very nice strats before and they are not the same. The feel of a guitar has a lot to do with how I approach playing. I did see a 50th anniversary on Gruhn website. They get great reviews. Great move Sluckey. It is maple board, but I am still going to play it. The price is sensible. I may be on to something if they made a few with rosewood.
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I have a Telecaster setup like a strat with lace pups and a strat hardtail
+1
Mine has hollow sides and the back is Prima Vera (sort of a lightweight white mahogeny that sounds similar to swamp ash). DiMarzio Cruiser (neck), Area '61 & FastTrack 1 (bridge). I like it!
With respect, Tubenit
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Yes but buttons (diatonic) or keys? Big difference.
Button style are the old world 1's and sound very different. I love their sound!
Brad :m2
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I have a Telecaster setup like a strat with lace pups and a strat hardtail
+1
Mine has hollow sides and the back is Prima Vera (sort of a lightweight white mahogeny that sounds similar to swamp ash). DiMarzio Cruiser (neck), Area '61 & FastTrack 1 (bridge). I like it!
With respect, Tubenit
I like it too. I have seen it before. You did a beautiful job on this. I like a middle pup on a modern type tele.
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I do not think Jojo expected all this.
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I do not think Jojo expected all this.
Entirely okay and entertaining to say the least. Between meetings & dental work I haven't had much opportunity to join in. Now let's get a virtual octagon match with no tap-out to decide things once and for all! BUT, I was fairly impartial between the two until just now as I found myself typing the word "lipstick" describing a part of a guitar! This fact alone unfortunately seals the fate of Miss Tele ever being dominant over the manly Stratocaster! Furthermore looking at it from this perspective the Strat has more of everything including pups, knobs, and even a bigger head(stock)! :laugh: So now we all know who is the king in this family right!!??
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Right, the Jazzmaster! :l2:
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I do not think Jojo expected all this.
Entirely okay and entertaining to say the least. Between meetings & dental work I haven't had much opportunity to join in. Now let's get a virtual octagon match with no tap-out to decide things once and for all! BUT, I was fairly impartial between the two until just now as I found myself typing the word "lipstick" describing a part of a guitar! This fact alone unfortunately seals the fate of Miss Tele ever being dominant over the manly Stratocaster! Furthermore looking at it from this perspective the Strat has more of everything including pups, knobs, and even a bigger head(stock)! :laugh: So now we all know who is the king in this family right!!??
Are speaking of the guitar being manly? Or the players like the 80's dudes that wore lipstick. :l2:
I think I would rather fight a guy who wears lipstick than a Country Tele player, but that is just me. I know things are different on the left coast. I say that out of jealousy.
Then again, the guys from Skynyrd played Gibsons cept Steve Gaines and he was a tad girly. I said you got that right, sho got that right.
I don't think the pickup is a lipstick either. Now I do not care either way and you know I love you Joe, but compared to a Les Paul/Marshall to a strat/Princeton we know what manly is. Remember you got the V from Eddie because it was too heavy for him. He needed a lighter guitar and I believe they called it a Frankenstrat. :help:
Seriously, I am getting one and I would like to get some wiring tips from you when I get it. It will say Fender on it as well.
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Are speaking of the guitar being manly? Or the players like the 80's dudes that wore lipstick. :l2:
I think I would rather fight a guy who wears lipstick than a Country Tele player, but that is just me. I know things are different on the left coast. I say that out of jealousy.
Then again, the guys from Skynyrd played Gibsons cept Steve Gaines and he was a tad girly. I said you got that right, sho got that right.
I don't think the pickup is a lipstick either. Now I do not care either way and you know I love you Joe, but compared to a Les Paul/Marshall to a strat/Princeton we know what manly is. Remember you got the V from Eddie because it was too heavy for him. He needed a lighter guitar and I believe they called it a Frankenstrat. :help:
Seriously, I am getting one and I would like to get some wiring tips from you when I get it. It will say Fender on it as well.
Whoa there Pilgrim, who said anything about fightin'?! I thought you were a lover not a fighter (like Michael, lol)? :wink: sho got that right! (love that) And I'm completely comfortable in my own manly manliness to say "love you too buddy". Now just waiting for Jimbo's remarks to come a flyin' :l2: :l2:
I have some major question marks in my head on what those control cards actually are all about on the Deluxe you referenced earlier. Kinman pioneered the solderless pu & switch system I believe but that takes it to another level. BTW, I LOVE Kinman's pups too. (what's with all this "love" in the air? Oh yeah, V-day just happened) :icon_biggrin:
OK - here's another sort of frankenstrat from my "EVH collection" I was tellin you about. They found a '58 strat neck buried in the back of a shop, refinished it, gave it a brass nut, and glued it to their creative body/paintjob idea based on an Explorer. Then gave it the usual personal touches treatment w/ a split coil switch and 25dB preamp boost for the other ("for you really got me" solo ending) in the usual vintage single HB pup & vol only set-up. I put most of the wear on it from the early 80s then realized I should keep her in the case mostly since the creator was going to be really legendary. Back then he was just a "really good" player, :w2:
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Woow! Flag on the play.
Steve Gaines tore up that strat!
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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I think this says it all:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0x-WqG9kWuY/Uwa4iEG6ETI/AAAAAAAANxY/YuELy6weaHc/s640/Screen%2520Shot%25202014-02-20%2520at%252020.20.56.jpg)
:laugh:
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And they are ALL wrong! :l2:
Jazzmaster, that's good! :l2:
Ed, you need to PM me. I know who can make you the Strat of your dreams!
Jojo, you been holden out on your buds here about your supastar affiliation with Mr. EVH....
'Nit, beaut of a guitar - except for the shape....
Jim
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Woow! Flag on the play.
Steve Gaines tore up that strat!
Brad :icon_biggrin:
I was having fun, but Steve was really a great player. One of my influences RIP. I mention Skynyrd as they were legendary tough guys from the wrong side of the tracks. His work on I know a little hit me hard and showed me how to blend many styles and use fast playing with heart and soul. Great writer and vocals as well. I wonder what it must have been like to back Ronnie Van Zant. If you missed a note I believe he might stare at you till you run up a tree.
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I read in an interview with Gary R that Ronnie had timing problems knowing when to come in singing on some songs and he had to give him a nod when to start. That's kinda hard to believe but he said it. I saw them live in the 70's at Shreveport La before Steve G and they didn't disappoint. That's when Ed King was still with them and he wasn't no slouch on a strat either! I use to be their biggest fan but haven't kept up with the band after their big accident. Platefire
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Old thread here but it still is Stratocaster's 60th birthday after all! Here's something that recently came out in the local paper. I live in the general area near Fullerton, CA - the original Fender factory, and a bit further down the road from the current Corona factory and custom shop. Anyway here is the VERY FIRST 1954 model to come off the assembly line with serial number 0100. AND it can be bought at Gruhn Guitars if ya got the dinero and the desire?! It's only about a quarter mil - heck Clapton & Dylan's each sold for just under a cool million. :laugh:
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I know a guy that has an original 54 strat sunburst with blond neck. He bought in brand new and is the original owner. Yeah he's older than me :l2: :l2: I recall about 20 years ago he had it refinished. Don't know how much that devalued it but I haven't seem him in years but I bet he still has it. I don't think he's a internet guy--I wonder if he knows how much it is worth?
Platefire