Hi Darrell great video and totally agree with all your points you outlined . On a different point would love to know your views on a rickenbacker brand guitar . I love them myself but realise they are not everyone's dream . All the best from New Zealand
I still have my first Stratocaster, pictured to the left. 1987 American Standard with TBX tone control. Other than strings, the only things replaced have been the trem bar and tone pots. Awesome guitar, so versatile…even with the three single coils. And for those that question it’s ability to be a metal musician’s guitar, that’s what I primarily use it for. Awesome blues, jazz, rock, and/or country guitar as well.🤘🏻
The affordability of the Fender Stratocaster (and Telecaster) compared to the Gibson Les Paul put Fender's in a far greater number of musicians hands without sacrificing quality. I love my Gibson LP Standard and Classic but I love my Fender's and G&L's just as much, if not moreso. Leo Fender was an absolute genius.
From Leo: (not that one) I remember when they started advertising the 5 way switch. Must of us said "why would you need that?" Then we tried them and decided they should have always had 5 way. BTW, the early ones did not have a reverse wound pickup in the middle so the early 5 ways were not hum cancelling in position 2 or 4.
Glad you’re continuing the series, Darrel! I know it would make sense to go to Gibson territory next, but I’d love to see episodes on the Jazzmaster and the Jaguar.
Wow I'm allways amazed at how far this channel has come ..I wasn't among the firsts..but I've been around since there was an AT-AT in the background..good sht darrell
They may not be full tilt Fender's, but my two Squire Strats, one with the standard three singles, and the other a single humbucker in the bridge, both hardtail, are fun guitars!
The name on the headstock isn't the most important thing. I have at least 7 different brands of Strats. Most important how it feels, plays and sounds in that order.
I still play my 2007 Squire Bullet Strat - it actually has a flamed maple neck with rosewood fretboard and pearloid dot inlays. Still has the original ceramic pick-ups and crappy tuners although this month, after 15 years, I'm fitting Fender roadworn tuners to help with the tuning stability. The pick-ups sound nice btw, I'm going to leave those alone. If I want Alnico pick-ups I'll just buy another guitar 😀
My standard Strat stays in E, my Ibanez GAX sits in Eb, Ibanez RG6 in D, Bullet Strat in C# (Beefy Slinkys), Schecter Omen 6 in C (Mammoth Slinkys), and then my Ibanez RG7 in B standard but I've been playing that one in A standard for almost a year now. Every guitar has it's personality.
Darrel seems to agree as the red strat he begins the show with is a Squier. I made the mistake of selling my first guitar, 1984 Squier Tele a few years ago.....ugh, don't be me!?
Just built my own with 3 noiseless single coils (bridge is a hot one) and wired a switch to turn on the neck pickup so you can get every pickup combo. Before I painted it, I sanded down the heel at an angle like warmoth offers so the higher frets are a bit more comfortable to get to. It's also a hardtail because I had come to appreciate my tele a lot, and I wanted to keep those hot bridge and neck/bridge tones and tuning functionality on top of the classic stratty tones and comfy shape.
Leo's team was actually one guy. And you never mentioned his name. It was Freddy Tavarez who developed the Strat's shape and original wiring configuration.
I love my new American FSR Strat, I've been playing Strats for years. The body cut aways are so good, they've never needed to be changed. I will never be without one.
Mike I also have 4 old models at home. I have both Japanese models from year 1985 which is reissue 72 (ST72) and Contemporary Stratocaster (ST557). One American model from 1991 which is the Strat Plus and one Mexican model from 1995 it's from Squier series or something. I also own a 1971 (also American) but I called it Franken-Josh (parody of Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat).
It’s mind blowing to think about. The Strat body, as well as the Tele and Les Paul bodies, were all designed from scratch in the early to mid 1950s. That’s 70 years ago! Consider almost anything else designed in the 50s - like cars, for example - and how much those items have changed thru the years. But these amazing guitar shapes are, as you’ve said, totally iconic.
@@brusselssprouts560 sorry, but I wouldn’t say that, at all. The simplest was the Tele, but it was still quite the departure from the guitars that came before it. These were space-aged designs in the early 50s. Think of how bizarre a Strat must have looked at first, when players were used to acoustic guitar shaped instruments.
I built my current Strat with a buddy of mine; a ‘62 size, 3 tone sunburst body & the Fender ‘57/62’ pickups…it has that groovy 10 way switch I discovered on this channel…I opted for a hard tail mainly for the Tele-like sustain but also because, at 64 years old, I have played many Strats and none of the trem systems stay in tune…I’m sorry but that’s a fact (I love my Bigsby on my Epi Wildkat but that’s another story) to me the Stratocaster is Leo Fender’s finest contribution to the guitar world; it’s the most comfortable & the most versatile guitar…I always say that if I can only bring one axe to a gig it would be a Strat…if you’re interested in the history of Fender I recommend finding a copy of ‘Fender: The Inside Story’ by original, pre-CBS plant manager (and close personal friend of Leo) Forrest White
I just picked up a Squier Affinity HSS Charcoal Frost Metallic as part of their kit with the Frontman 15G Amp. I’m on a budget and beginner. Its only for around the house anyway. They make these guitars for any budget and still great looking. Part of this purchase was because of some of the reviews I’ve watched on your channel. Yes, there are some minor flaws but great overall. And the sound.. great! The frets are smooth. Vintage style tuners, The glue at the nut is kinda messy. Same where the truss rod is. Even though I bought a string gauge I was able to play it right out of the box. it’s a great guitar. Picked up a Boss Overdrive 40th anniversary pedal and Fender Mirror Image Delay afterward.
Nice job on the hallmarks of what makes the Strat so unique. The BEST mod I've done to mine is eliminating the volume knob that's too close to the strings and making the remaining knobs a master tone and volume. No more accidental hits to that upper volume, and an actual tone control for the bridge pickup. Something that made it more useable for me, by rolling off some of the extreme brightness.
I have a Mexican HSS Strat and replaced the pickups with DiMarzio Twin Rail Cruisers in neck and middle and DiMarzio Tone Zone bridge and a push pull pot and wow it’s a beast only one I want play now incredible difference from stock pickups.
The best thing about Strats is they can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. Have you ever considered getting a Strat with EMG single coil active pickups for something a little different than passives?
My first electric guitar was a strat copy by some company that no longer exists back in '68. My third guitar was a Telecaster (parts caster - tele body with a strat neck) I bought off a GI. I used that for about 20 years. I have two strats by Donner and Glarry now.
All Darrell's points noted, I'm still happily playing my '86 Squier Strat, purchased new in '86. Leo Fender answered virtually all the necessary questions in 1954, and Darrell's last (#10) point is well-taken.
I've never bonded with a strat but have to say some of my favourite guitar tones came from strats. Leo got so much right from the get go. What a genius
YES! This is the vid I was waiting for man! The Tele was the first and very cool, but the Stratocaster is the greatest electric guitar ever made! That tone, body, and versatility is something special. I would put my HSH Classic Vibe Deluxe on par with any American or Mexican model too. Lightning struck twice for Leo but the second bolt was perfection in 1954! Thanks for posting Darrell!
I would like to hear your opinion on the Nashville Tele it's a mash up of the two legends you've done and has its own unique tones. Love the series so far keep it up!
Once again, I love this series and would love to see more! My Strat looks just like the one in your video btw (except for the maple neck). Keep being awesome Darrell 🎸
Another great video of Leo Fender's gifts to the world of music! What a man. Especially considering he didn't even play guitar. The Strat is a beautifully designed guitar, thus all the copy-strats made by nearly all makers. I can't help but wonder why Gibson never did?? Pride and arrogance I reckon. But what an iconic instrument. I love hearing them being played. Thanks for sharing your view points on the Stratocaster Darrell!
I used to be anti-Strat when I first started almost 10 years ago. These days, not only do I desire a top quality Strat but I know exactly what I want. Satin maple fingerboard, 22 fret, 9.5” radius, 2 point trem, bullet style saddles, and sculpted heel joint. If I can get a Sienna burst or rose gold it’d be a bonus but I’d even take a Tuxedo Strat.
I had a guitar made that I am amazed there are not dozens of makers offering it. To simplify, the Strat is as you say noticeably #1 for sheer numbers. The alternative has always been the Gibsons Nothing fills the middle ground. A Fender like body but the bolt on neck with Gibson length and shape. It would have the Strat mid and neck PU and cover the Tele by putting in a Tele bridge PU. No whammy as it is not in a Gibson guys mentality of a desirable thing. Having one Tele, several Strats and several Gibsons let me tell you this guitar sounds as Fender as you can get and passes as a Fender in looks. On a recording without others seeing it all the players I have played it for simply felt that they were hearing a Fender. I can switch from my SG to it with zero problem with it feeling anything but familiar.
Although they used other guitars as well, Strats were highly associated with Jimi Hendricks, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood. Beatles John and George frequently used Strats from "HELP! " through "Let It Be", while George used them extensively in his early solo career. And, of course, one of the most iconic and recognizable guitars of all time is George's Psychedelic painted Custom Stratocaster, as seen in "Magical Mystery Tour" film. I have a Rickenbacker 360/12 (for 1960s Byrds/Folk-Rock sound) but my next 6 string will likely be a Stat. It would be really cool if you could put a Sustainiac pickup on one.
My first strat was a 2017 fender stratocaster roadhouse dlx it was an amazing guitar from the day I got it to the day I sold it, and recently got a fender stratocaster american ultra mod with lambertones hss loaded pickguard and gotoh 510 bridge the American ultra is one of the best guitar ever
I love my Strats and it is truly the most iconic and copied shape of all time for good reason. That being said, 8/10 times if I have one of my Strats or Teles out on stands together, I am reaching for the Tele. There's something about the unique sound and sonic versatility of the Tele bridge pickup that make it my go to single coil guitar.
I think the Stratocaster has completely changed the way we look at modern music and guitars in general. For me, when you say "electric guitar", the first thing I see is a Stratocaster. And the greatest guitar legends in history played a Strat. Leo Fender was a genius and a visionary. Thank him for that!
I enjoyed this video! The Fender Stratocaster for me, has always been my main guitar and favorite overall. The body shape is not only comfortable, it is an attractive looking and versatile guitar.The stratocaster works well in Just about any style of music I can think of.I think it's also worth noting how many legendary player's have used the Stratocaster as their main guitar. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robin Trower, Rory Gallagher, and on and on. Thanks for this entertaining and informative video.
I have 3 Strats and all are great! Strats are are the best designed guitars out there. Everything is in just the right place and easy to get to. Love my Strats!
I'm relatively new to playing guitar but my first guitar was a strat. I've modded it, put in a 10 way switch, and refinished it in an awesome color and i know I'll never part with it.
I had a great Fender Japan Stratocaster which unfortunately I had to sell. It ended up being the Killer Guitar in an episode of the Vancouver shot Twilight Zone called Harsh Mistress. I plan to get another Stratocaster in the near future.😎👍🇨🇦
my first guitar was a stratocaster imitation and the last a custom shop, in the middle other brands but the stratocaster remains the best of all at least for me greetings from an Italian fan
I need your opinion about a guitar. I've been looking at a couple to start my collection again! Both are available at Sweetwater, one is an Epiphone DC Pro and the other is a Sire T Style, carved top with two humbuckers. I know what you think of Sires and T style. No Brainer! What is your opinion of the DC Pro? Gibson doesn't even list the style anymore, but Epiphone makes one now!
"And that's the thing that's so amazing about Leo Fender... is once he found a design that worked it remained almost unchanged.... The spirit of the design remained unchanged. It just worked." Does it work though?Why does Clapton plug his up? Why did Leo come up with something completely different for the Jazzmaster and Jaguar? How did the locking trem system come to be if this design works? Brian May came up with a better trem system working at home with his Dad with little more than three quid and a knitting needle and some bike springs.
First ever electric guitar I bought at Cash Converters was identical to this, colour, pick guard, switches etc - but an mid 80s MIK Squier. Paid NZ$120 and $50 for a 10 Watt Park Marshall. My guitar expert told me, No! Don’t mod it. You can get a lot of money for that. Look at the headstock logo Squier Stratocaster by Fender.
Next up, IMO, Les Paul. From there, on to the 335 and variants, and the SG. Many other great guitars, but is there anything else that is an absolute icon of the stature of the core 5 of Tele, Strat, LP, SG, 335? It'd be an interesting discussion. Love to hear people's opinions and reasons.
@@msc0573 Including me! I love mine. Not sure if they have developed one specific model that is as iconic as a Strat or a Tele or a Les Paul, though. It's more the whole company's approach, and how they solve some of the perceived problems/limitations of older models with more modern design. But it would be interesting to see if anyone wants to nominate a specific PRS model for icon status. Ditto an Ibanez.
My 2008 American Strat had never-ending tuning stability issues. It sat unplayed for ten years. I blocked the trem which helped. Then I discover PRS and haven’t looked back. I have a core cu24 and an SE standard 24-08, both with unrivaled build quality and exceptional playability out of the box, despite the vast difference in price. Unlike others in the guitar market, PRS is still run by the founder and remains focused on the customer experience.
Nice review and history of the Stratocaster and thank you for not playing a Stratocaster. Don't get me wrong, you're an incredible player but every time you play I become instantly depressed because I suck so bad. Love your videos. 😃☹ I just bought a new Fender, the Ultra Luxe in Mystic Black, it's beautiful and again, I suck playing it, if only...
Now i have a Fender Starcaster but is Strat body HSS, the bridge humbucker sound well for distorted and overdrive sounds, and the single coil i like more for clean on neck pickup or little overdrive, and if i want to play contry i turn the bridge humbucker to single coil on my amp boss katana and its sound twangy very well, but my question what neck pickup is better for soloing? The humbucker or the single coil?
The Strat is the Ak-47 of guitars. They are durable, well-made, simple, and engineering works of art. I own a California Fat Strat '85 (s/s/H) and a 95 Fender Mexicano, and , along with my Harley Benton TE-70, are my favorite guitars. Any Fender or Fender style guitar is a joy because they were MADE to work on. And if you play Electric guitar, you better learn how to work on them. Fender makes that easy.