The Fender Stratocaster: A Short History

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Let me first say that I am not sponsored by Fender in any way. I make these history videos for educational purposes, my own, and hopefully as a result, yours. I hope you enjoy it. You've been asking for this one...
This is my short history of the Fender Stratocaster,. You might think that "short" here in the title is something of a misnomer, but the history of about 30 years worth of guitars is packed in to this.
I am fully aware that I couldn't fit every single model here (I actually learned of many I'd NEVER heard of during the research) but tried to choose each guitar for its effect on the direction the model took as time went by.
I'm sure I can count on you to add those in the comments. :)
Two books in particular helped in pulling the video together. These are Amazon links and we get a small percentage from Amazon to help support the channel. Thanks
"The Stratocaster Chronicles" by Tom Wheeler
amzn.to/31kcmHC
"The Stratocaster Guitar Book" by Tony Bacon
amzn.to/2LrEC5A
I need to thank Perry McManis for reviewing the script and for his helpful additions/corrections from the deep well of his Stratocaster knowledge base.
Mr. McManis wrote and plays the Strat on the intro/outro music and if you want to know how much delay you can put on a track...he's the guy to listen to. The tune here is "If a Group of Crows is a Murder, Why Isn't a Group of Ravens a Massacre?" You can here it and others at his channel link below.
/ @tcmx3
And I need to thanks Dave Onorato of Dojo Guitar Repair in Atlanta, Georgia. Dave has been helped me from brainstorming to final fact checking scripts and for that I am grateful.
I'd add that some subscribers have commented on the seeming "duality" of the channel. Encouraging minimalism while posting histories of instruments that might, in some, inspire passing (or prolonged) moments of gear lust. This is not my intention. I have come the long way around to learning to think something is beautiful without feeling that I need to own it. It is perhaps a fine distinction but also one I believe we should take more time to ponder.
Thanks for watching.
Keith

Опубликовано:

29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 2,1 тыс.

@RickBeato 5 лет назад

Just watched the whole thing in my car parked in a parking lot drinking coffee. Fantastic Hypes!! Love it!

@fivewattworld 5 лет назад

Thanks Hypes!

@stratcat7162 5 лет назад

Very informative super cool video

@moonkef 5 лет назад

Rick any plans for WMTSG on zz top?

@tomp538 5 лет назад

@Jason Reding even for guys like me that just have ears to listen.

@sf-gl7tr 5 лет назад

Just watched the whole thing in my pool drinking cuba libre. Fantastic Hypes!! Love it!

@MiketheNerdRanger 2 года назад

*THE* electric guitar; I knew what a strat was before I knew what a strat was, and I've recently come to appreciate what it actually is.

@michaelweinman9051 11 месяцев назад

agreed

@jerrshreds5954 8 месяцев назад

Same here

@noaht6723 4 года назад

"Who'd want a coloured guitar? Especially a red one?" I looked over and saw my red Strat staring at me.

@derpderpington100 4 года назад

SAME I have my red 2002 Squier hanging across the wall from me. It's definitely getting played now

@captainalex8003 4 года назад

Who wouldn't want a coloured guitar? I'd go for a red one. I currently have a surf green LTD copy.

@SealedKiller 4 года назад

When he read that Mark Knopfler popped up in my head

@BrianVallotton 4 года назад

I have a red 97 Strat and I LOVE it! American made.

@SealedKiller 4 года назад

@@BrianVallotton I have a cheap start copy but I'm in between beginner and intermediate so i can make it sounds quite nice sometimes. I'm learning Sultans of Swing and I've gotten down half of the song, now just solos left haha

@AgentXPQ 4 года назад

I have one of the 1962 reissues, made in Japan. I have had it for years, but I still sometimes marvel at the thing. It's such a beautiful, perfectly designed object.

@MrCamarokid83 3 года назад

Me too.. just a magnificent guitar

@handle433 3 года назад

Hi brother, what year is your ‘62 reissue? Is it a T serial plate ? I just bought one, 2010 but it’s a Japanese domestic model not for export in Torino red and rosewood slab neck. It’s beautiful, but I can’t find much info on other versions because it’s a domestic model only.

@BeefheartLynch 3 года назад

I had a buddy who bought one of the Candy Apple Red Strat reissues of 1962 (64?) Can't remember which year, this was back in the 80's. But he let me play it, and I just remember that guitar being incredibly great to play. To this day that Strat reissue rivals anything I've ever played. There was just that unexplainable quality to it.

@NickRage. 3 года назад

I have an 86 to 87 Japan 62 reissue I got it when I was 15 its been 17 years still by far one of my favorite guitars I've played

@rob_in_stowmarket_uk 3 года назад

In 1985, when it seemed (bizarrely, looking back) that Fender might not survive, I bought a new 1957 ‘JV Series’ Japanese Strat Reissue, in black (fitted, as standard, with US manufactured pickups), that was made in 1983. I sold the guitar, back in the late 90s, to buy a Mexican 60s reissue Tele and (regardless of the massive increase in the value of the original JV Series, over time - they can now fetch around £1000.00!) have regretted it ever since. The guitar had so much more visual ‘presence’ than either of my current Strats due, significantly, to the beautifully executed and authentic 50s period shaping of the body and rim contours, as well as the neck to headstock transition and actual headstock shape (until quite recently many of the US reissues, and even Custom Shop so-called ‘replicas’ - including, remarkably, early Clapton Signature models - sported a slightly convex, rather than the ‘correct’ subtle concave, curve on the ‘blade’ portion of the headstock, that just looked... well, just ‘wrong’ - no idea why they did that!). None of the reissues I have played, or owned, since have managed to recapture the ‘magical beauty’ of that superb Japanese instrument.

@jonnorris4204 4 года назад

Back in 1997, I went into a guitar center (Arlington Heights) and played a Custom Shop Strat Relic. It was either Tahitian Coral or Shell Pink that was probably a 1960 to 1962 model. It was on sale at $1795 and was the sweetest guitar that I have ever had my hands on. When I went back a couple of weeks later, it was sold. Sad that I didn't buy it when I had the chance.

@SixtoLezcano1 4 года назад

In ‘99, I went into Guitar Center in Villa Park, and they had a ‘66 Sunburst Strat on the wall for $4,000. I played it and it was amazing, but I thought that was just a ridiculous price. They rep said I could get it if I offered $3,500 in cash. It was gone the next week when I went in, but I did get a used ‘96 Strat that day for $400, so not all was lost. Ah, the good old days. The 90’s... ahhhh!

@pensiveboogie 2 года назад

I’m glad you mentioned Hank Marvin of The Shadows, Cliff Richard’s backing band (note, it’s Cliff Richard not Cliff Richards). The Shadows were one of the most influential bands in the world. I’m in Australia, and in my teen years, just about every band was playing instrumentals in Shadows line-ups, using Fenders. The bands tried to colour match, two identical strats and a Precision bass. Some of the greatest strat sounds came from Hank. Listen in particular to The Shadows playing Apache, Kon-Tiki, Man Of Mystery, The Savage and Gonzales. The Shadows used Vox AC15 amps initially, and it was Hank who lobbied JMI, manufacturers of Vox amps, to come up with the Vox AC30, used by The Beatles, Brian May, and many others. I have three Strats, one is a 50th Anniversary model, and a 57 vintage red strat like Hanks with gold hardware. It barks

@TAM-gz5tc 2 года назад

The Shadows. The reason I became a guitar player at 12 ,pro by 16. Question for people interested in real music. How did the shadows come up with so many great tunes. ??

@AmericanConstellation 4 года назад

I was just given a Mex strat with Texas specials....I set it up....and I'm really impressed! It plays like butter....

@rdickinsondickinson 4 года назад

I just got a Vintera strat. One the best I’ve ever had.🤘50s modified

@joesteers1940 4 года назад

Such a beautiful product!! Well done Leo Fender and team.. thank you for everything!!

@LZcool 3 года назад

I watched it almost 6 months ago and i am rewatching it now. I love the explanation.

@johndiloreto3738 2 года назад

Another million views. Nicely done Keith. Keep the great videos coming.

@fivewattworld 2 года назад

Thanks John! I knew this was getting close but I missed the cross over.

@WeirdofMouth 5 лет назад

Finally one on the strat! Can't wait to watch it!

@ronbzoom8531 4 года назад

Man I love geeking out on these videos. Thank you. Great job. And keep 'em coming!

@flwolf2000 Год назад

Excellent video! I've been a Strat player all my adult live. Hank Marvin of the Shadows was my teacher and guitar hero. I actually got to spend time with him during a TV show recording in Germany. We compared recordings and talked about lots of things - except Cliff. 😅

@grantpederson3645 2 года назад

My grandfather bought a red Stratocaster and he gave it to me. I’ll never get rid of it even if one day is worse a lot of money. I need to fix the high E string as it’s broke, but once it’s fin ex I’ll be playing it. My grandfather also gave me his fender jazz master. He had a telecaster, but got rid of it a while ago.

@PsychicEmanation 4 года назад

Just the fact that the first gen strats till day are used as same mechanisms and engineering and the les pauls had to keep re changing everything proves that leo tailored it to the peak of perfection and had more passion rather than the fame and money

@BandanaManMonkey 5 лет назад

Hey Keith... Any chance of one of these history videos on Rickenbacker 4001 bass? Keep up the good work!

@ToppaliniTube Год назад

the rosewood on that 64 neck heel looks completely insane

@ammarnaeb 2 года назад

This is one of the few channels I truly enjoy and appreciate. Thank you Keith.

@zaz4667 2 года назад

2nd time watching this 3 years later! Just as awesome! Love Stratocasters!

@ftonebender 5 лет назад

the Strat has been part of my arsenal since 1968, and is still my go to axe. Excellent history lesson and the narrators' delivery is spot on. Frankie Tonebender

@fivewattworld 5 лет назад

Thanks Frankie

@MrPetter1000 4 года назад

To me, Hank Marvin is the quintessential strat player. He has the most iconic sound.

@gustlpomberger1643 4 года назад

Yes this is true - you are right !

@jamalabdul2009 5 лет назад

Love the series!!!!! As an owner of three Stratocasters , this video just reinforced my love for that guitar!!!!! I’m a left handed player but, like Jimi I play a right handed guitar and all three of my Strats are right handed. From the Custom Shop 69 to my MIM Monterey Pop Strat they are the best feeling and playing guitars for me. I love my two lefty Gibsons (LP Tribute and ‘18 Flying V), but I will always be a Strat guy and will definitely add to my collection!!! Great video!!!!🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

@allenmitchell09 5 лет назад

I too am a lefty player, but I have a left handed MIM tele which I love. This video made me want to get a right handed strat and play like Jimi too.

@jamalabdul2009 5 лет назад

Allen Mitchell Funny you say that because one day I am definitely going to buy a proper lefty Strat!!!! At this point, I don’t care where it’s made, I just love Strats!!!👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@prewettcr 3 года назад

My 62' was $125 in 1971 West Palm Beach FL piano store downtown - amazing it's still with me. Amazing history I never knew - many thanks!

@robertcaffrey6097 Год назад

Very enjoyable well detailed. Im a Buddy Holly fan and have always been preaching about how his enforcement of the Fender Strat was the very launch of that model of guitar into the Stratosphere., as I understand it it was Buddys older brother who loaned him the money to buy the Fender and a Gibson amp I think. Buddy was decades ahead of his time and is without doubt the Father of Rock music.

@pretorious700 Год назад

I own a battered sunburst '63. I have had probably a dozen others, but that one is the best I have ever played.

@steviiiii Год назад

I love the depth you go to - the level... yes I may want more history and on the spot compare-and-contrast (as you go) commentary. Because I admire your wealth of knowledge. You draw on the works of others which is which is a hallmark of good research. THANK YOU

@rickynazario1969 4 года назад

I don’t know how to play guitar... but all my favorite guitar player play Fender Strats... If I have the chance to buy a guitar ...that would be a Fender Stratocaster !!!!

@emilyadams3228 4 года назад

If you get a Strat, she'll turn you into a guitar player. Just get a good amp & a chord chart, go online & get the chords or tabs to a song you like, & join us on the Dark Side, moo-hahahaha!!

@romanlegion4282 5 лет назад

Yngwie was the first to have a signiture Fender Strat.Also, the longest production sig guitar.

@moonkef 5 лет назад

Clapton. Malmsteen may have been the first non custom shop 'artist' model. The first CS signature strat was Clapton then Hank Marvin and Possibly Beck at the same time.

@johnmoyle4195 Год назад

My granddad bought a Telecaster, Stratocaster and a Fender amp in 1955 and brought them back to Australia for his electronics magazine to study and review . The magazine published circuit diagrams for all three products. Granddad built his own amp and he preferred the Stratocaster. He hardly touched the Telecaster. He died in 1960. We still have both guitars in the family. The Stratocaster is comfortable, but very hard to keep in tune. Output jack is original but bloody hard to keep in working condition because of metal fatigue and rust. I changed the 3 way to a 5 way.

@srfgrn 3 года назад

I've read all the main books on fender history, and this "Short History" is a fantastic historical summary. Very good presentation.

@fivewattworld 3 года назад

Thank you

@craigkaschan4822 3 года назад

I love my old Strats. I bought a new 2010 standard to save wearing my old ones. I accidentally dropped it and it got a ding , the blue finish started pealing. I decided to remove the paint then underneath the finish was a surprise. I found it was 7 pieces of scrap wood glued together and ply on the top and back. It was a real kick in the guts so disappointed. I emailed Fender and was told that they didn’t expect their customers to refinish their instruments. Two and three piece bodies only come on high end and custom shop models. That was from Fender in Corona California. Since then I don’t trust the painted ones. I would only buy one with a clear finish. I’m glad I have some old ones the new Fender guitars are not what they used to be. G&L are a better choice now days.

@stefanthorpenberg887 3 года назад

My ”Strat” is a Godin Artisan from 1991, canadian limewood body with a thick birdseye maple top, birdseye maple neck with ebony fingerboard, a Kahler Floyd trem, and I have installed a set Dimarzio area pickups instead of the original Schaller rails. Perfect instruments for good prices used.

@shkyrbty 3 года назад

Wow!!! Awesome!!! I love how Leo Fender used his sincere devotion to create a guitar which was both elegant (reflecting the times) and so functionally amazing!!!! I like how the video connects the players/music to the instruments. I have 2 Mexican Strats from the mid-90s. At the time, I loved how I could buy a complete instrument for the price of single bridge for my main axe (double bass). I still have both those strats. Thank you for all the information and details about the Stratocasters!

@stepvanjoe3469 4 года назад

Man Keith I don't know how this short history got past me but glad I found it as it brightened up another day stuck in the current lock down situation going on. I have said it before but you really do a professional job with these videos. Stay safe and hope the best for you and your family as we go thru this crisis right now.

@fivewattworld 4 года назад

Thanks Stepvan Joe, you stay safe as well. Sitting here practicing!

@tonymarinelli7304 4 года назад

Superb job on this and the Gibson one I just watched.

@johnpick8336 4 года назад

Absolutely Extrodinary!!! Great Report and series. ...Thank you !!!!

@Scottocaster6668 4 года назад

As a Strat owner, this is a great documentary of the history of these awesome guitars. So many companies use the Strat body as a template for their own design. That's telling you something. Probably the most perfect shape for an electric guitar. I do prefer the larger headstock though. My perfect clean Strat tone is pos 4, backed off on the volume just a hair.( don't ask, felt like adding that😁) Again, great job guys, especially on the narration. No him-hawing, uhh, uuh, um.

@bb_lz9790 3 года назад

My '75 Strat was a wonderful guitar. I foolishly sold it in 1989 to fuel another hobby (even though my wife tried to talk me out of it). I still miss it! I laughed at your comment about really thick clear finishes in the '70s. My former '74 P-Bass had a natural finish that was so thick that I referred to it as "State Park Picnic Table Clear".

@fivewattworld 3 года назад

I came back here to chuckle again. “...picnic table clear.”

@russhicksart 5 лет назад

23:04 Who is "Ying-way"? Seriously though I loved the video and the channel.

@fortj3 5 лет назад

@Ben Hackett Nah, brah. It's Yingyang the Swedish Meatball. J/K. I'm a big Yngwie Malmsteen fan.

@alfalders3020 3 года назад

Beautiful documentary. So many thanks.

@pneumatic00 5 лет назад

Interesting little side note at the end re: The first Squires. A friend of mine, now passed, with whom I had played since 1974....asked to borrow his bosses' kids guitar. The Dad had bot the guitar for the kid and the kid lost interest. It was one of those early Squires, and it was a ringer of a guitar. This was in the mid-80's. At the time, I was an old Strat purist, I had a '60, a '57 gold plated, and a '64. And this Squire was about 95% as good as my '64, which was a good one. The time came for my pal to give back the borrowed guitar (uhhh...he got fired, LOL) and I BEGGED him to buy that guitar for cash or to lie and say it got stolen and just replace it with a new one. I will never understand why he didn't do it, everyone who played that guitar remarked what a nice axe it was. Not all of them, but very early squires are often excellent guitars.

@lysaarvideo Год назад

I got a Japanese Vintage '57 Squier Stratocaster (made in the fall of 1982) as payment for a job I did for someone I know. I thought, hey, this is going to be a nice guitar to have laying around for random use now and then. It's currently my most used electric, and I like playing it just as much as my 1986 American Standard Stratocaster.

@davidsommerville2213 3 года назад

Loved it! My first Strat was one of those Japanese Strats from the early 80’s. The video also reminds me of my awesome ‘95 American Standard I used to play Tuesday Bluesdays at with Dan P at The Dock in Ithaca a few years ago.

@rjo8500 Год назад

I believe It became what it is because in that golden era, real gigging guitar players had massive input on it’s functionality. It was at that time what guitar players wanted. Leo was a smart man. Thankfully he recognized his limitations. He was not a guitar player and suffered problems with his hearing.

@cravinbob 4 года назад

Years ago I had wanted to learn to build guitars but only in about the last 10 years have I been doing that, thanks to the internet for endless info and supplies. My first guitar I decided would be mine and I wanted to build it like the first Strats and why not? I was born in August 1954! Now I see Leo's first patent for the Strat is that same month. Swamp ash really is much of the sound and custom shop 54s pups make it sound like they did in the beginning. Then I saw that the first Strat sold was October '54 (he stated in this video), that was the month Stevie Ray Vaughn was born! Strats are easy to build if you have skills with tools and patience but acoustics are the devil, you cannot make a mistake. Taking my time is the key and put it down when tired... Great video

@fivewattworld 4 года назад

Thanks Bob! Keep on buildin’!

@pepperfjeld6223 3 года назад

Telling it like it is. Great work

@fyllingenoy131 2 года назад

Some other Metal guitarists who have used Fender Strats almost exclusively are Dave Murray and Janick Gers from Iron Maiden. Adrian Smith, also from Iron Maiden, has used Strats occasionally, but not as much as the other two.

@jimbokan9813 Год назад

Thanks for the awesome video and the knowledge! I have an American Origin 60s Strat. It’s cool to see where some of the throwback features came from.

@electroKrunch 3 года назад

Car paint is still a choice for finishing guitars. If you want the loudest yellow, try 1977 corvette yellow... I painted a custom van I had & it was awesome bright yellow!!!

@ricktherrien8235 3 года назад

Thanks I really enjoy your videos. Very informative and interesting. Cheers!!

@muscularviolist6734 2 года назад

You earned a new subscriber with that presentation. We’ll done.

@michaelstern864 4 года назад

Great video. I have a '66 Strat that I bought for $375 back in 1977. Way back then, I replaced the middle pickup with a DiMarzio SDS1 and installed a three-way selector switch. At some point (maybe in the early '80'), two of the Kluson tuners got bent and I replaced them with DiMarzio Low Mass tuners. I saved both the original tuners and the original middle pickup, although I've since lost the old tuners. I have a feeling that if I brought the guitar into a shop now and asked them to make those same changes, they would wrestle me to the ground to stop me.

@fivewattworld 4 года назад

I remember when ‘60’s Strats were $350. You just have to live long enough right?!

@michaelstern864 4 года назад

@@fivewattworld I keep meaning to take it in and get an appraisal so I can properly insure it. I don't know if I want it to be worth a lot or not...

@DANTHETUBEMAN 2 года назад

Les Paul and stratocaster are the two most famous and popular electric guitars. for me it's the access to the tines each instrument gives me. I like both.

@thealphabet79 4 года назад

thanks for all the great content. just ordered my mug.

@fivewattworld 4 года назад

Thanks Ari. That’s what helps pay the bills. Keith

@almoreno271 3 года назад

Superbly done. Thanks!

@curtnicholson7771 5 лет назад

Iconic and always will be!

@michaelc.1710 6 месяцев назад

I've been binge watching this series for past week or so, it's fantastic! I've played a Strat (2008 MIM) as my main guitar for the past 15 years. I've got a weird relationship with it. I never meant to buy one. I went with the intention of buying a Jaguar (I've always loved the look of offsets) but after embarrassingly not being able to work the controls I handed it back and moved on to other things. I tried a few others and nothing was quite working for me and eventually the salesman suggested a Strat. I wasn't super enthusiastic. My first guitar was one of those cheap

@ProfessorKenneth 3 месяца назад

Fender strat..👍🏻🎸💯my favourite guitar..I have a fender in all black and black and white. The lime green is nice colour. I've seen the 40th anniversary standard strat with hollow aluminum body.. absolutely brilliant, beautiful...for 4$ 😅 I can't afford that..one day 👍🏻

@ricklogan3328 5 лет назад

Really great Fender info! Thank you so much... I learned a lot.

@CIubDuck Год назад

My Uncle owns a 90's Fender Guitar, and the 90's Fender Bass to go with it. He bought them back then for super cheap since it was "Mexcan" made. Nowadays they're like triple the money he bought them for

@bnastali 4 года назад

25% of every day spent interfacing with musicians! Leo was one smart cookie. Today's guitar makers could learn from this deep diving approach!

@donk.5730 4 года назад

Brilliant video= No hype, no ego or extra chatter, 'just the facts, ma'am'- Thank you Keith. One request: I would love to see the circle completed by doing a history of the Jaguar/Jazzmaster Fender series, and how different they are to the Strat & Tele's . All the best to you and your diligent work! Cheers, D.K.

@fivewattworld 4 года назад

That’s on the list Don. :)

@ladysuperstardust8533 2 года назад

That was super enjoyable and super informative. Thanks Walter White. :)

@mindfield7 5 лет назад

Great video! Timely too - I recently got my 3rd ever Strat a few weeks ago to go with my Tele. A new Am Pro which I love. I’ve really tried to love Gibson, my dog is named Gibson who I do love- lol. But I’m definitely a Fender and Martin guy.

@ST-sv5gq 4 года назад

Congratulations and thank you for this excellent video on the history of the Fender Stratocaster :-)

@Mr.T711 2 года назад

Nice video. I just inherited an ‘84 Squier Bullet 1. Nice quality for a guitar built for the lower end of the market. It’s been interesting learning the history of these instruments.

@leftymadrid 5 лет назад

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, speaking was so very well done, making it 100% Understandable... I can understand the hype of the Stratocaster that is so well deserved. Funny how pretty much every guitar sounds different though. I had the opportunity to put in an order for an Elite USA made, and was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful build it sported, the sound was great but not what I wanted, I guess the s-switch and bells and whistles threw me a bit... What I can talk about is my mind blowing experience after having high end guitars... I had found a 10-year old Stratocaster, I found off a private sale where the playability and sound was just tops !!! It was mind blowing!!! New, had just been played 10-times!! The craftsmanship was wonderful, Just a Standard Stratocaster in black, with the original contour, rosewood and maple skunk line neck sounding like a million bucks!!!! To this day it is my "go to" favorite Stratocaster which is on its second re-fret Job... I was and am totally blown away by that particular MIM Stratocaster... Some may even look down on a MIM Stratocaster, I have not played or tried to buy another MIM Stratocaster since then so I couldn't say much there, but I guess the planets where aligned perfectly when my Stratocaster was made!!!

@fearpocalypse8062 4 года назад

Thank you for the quality videos. They’re interesting and very informative!

@angusorvid8840 Год назад

At heart I will always be a stratcat. My first electric was a Squire strat, my next guitar was a Kramer Baretta, basically, the Eddie Van Halen model, which was strat shaped in name only. My next guitar was a first run ESP Horizon I got in 1987, a superstrat-style guitar that had more in common with a Jackson Soloist than a Fender strat. My next guitar was a Gibson Explorer. Turned out not to be my style. But my next guitar was the greatest of all, a sunburst '61 Fender strat. No, it wasn't all stock as the previous owner replaced the tuners with Kluson locking tuners that only looked vintage from a distance. The pickups were a now discontinued DiMarzio Shockwave system, not as good as EMGs but fun if you wanted to make a strat metal, and they did cleans just fine. I sold it for a song a few years later and have regretted it ever since. No, it never could catch the money it would if it had been vintage, but I loved that guitar. I love how it played, how lot looked, scratches and all. If I still had it I would have replaced the active system with passives, either Duncan or DiMarzio stacked single coils. It was a very rewarding guitar to play. When you make a strat sing, nothing feels better to play. I've owned many strats since and will be getting another soon enough. I think it is simply the most versatile guitar ever made. It's easier to get a single coil to punch up with a humbucker than it is to get a humbucker to sing like a single coil. Just switching the pickup positions with a five-way switch and manipulating the tone knobs can give you radically different tones. You can go from sparkling clean to mean in a second with the stomp of a pedal, and you always punch through a mix.

@Shred_The_Weapon 3 года назад

This retrospective is definitely making me feel much better about the Squier brand (as if Justin Hayward playing an Olympic White Squier Stratocaster since the late 90s hadn’t already taken care of that). I’ve spent 25 years (up to 2020) generally frowning on the brand as “second class“, which it obviously isn’t. Because of my adoration for the synthesizer (I’ve got eight or nine of them in my current arsenal), I think I know the real catalyst for CBS acquiring Fender in 1965. It wasn’t to do with their guitars or amplifiers; it was as a reaction to the prototype 73-key electric piano built by Harold Rhodes which Leo Fender outright resisted building. (The only pre-CBS Fender Rhodes model to be marketed was the Piano Bass made famous by the Doors.)

@nathanrohrer3469 4 года назад

Please keep making short history's of! especially on fender amps! Or Marshall orange or vox honestly on any music gear hahah

@chrisbauman2562 4 года назад

Ive always loved the strat first guitar i ever got from my parents was a squire strat and ive never felt the need to change because leo got it right the first time and so no other guitar mattered, im now a very proud owner of an american strat 'Blackout'

@Synths-n-Guitar 11 месяцев назад

Strats & Superstrat are favourite guitars shapes. I own squier Strat & Ibanez RG350EX (Superstrat). Its great to understand the history behind the strat.

@dk2428 4 года назад

These video's are super informative! Selling my CIJ 62 strat was a huge mistake.

@roddygogo7772 4 года назад

The universe will provide you with another love.

@Left-Earth Год назад

*We are Five Watt World.* _He just makes the videos._

@fivewattworld Год назад

You got it

@obiem9319 4 года назад

Jimi Hendrix totally exploited the Stratocaster. 💯

@hopper1 Год назад

In 2006 as I was on my way home from a job I loved (shop closed) with my tool box in the back of my dear departed S-10 and headed to a new shop. Along the way I stopped to see a guy that had advertised some used guitars. Specific guitar that caused my visit was advertised as a Stratocaster but I saw "Squier" on the headstock when I arrived. The guy said "This is one of the Japanese Squiers...." and I called bullshit. These days I realize that dude knew what he had and I was too stupid to realize what I was looking at. I could have had that guitar for $200. I'm still kicking myself over that loss.

@LoadPast 3 года назад

My dad loved this video, thanks guys

@anthonyfinch550 4 года назад

So informative. Thank you.

@willieboy8798 11 месяцев назад

as always good job on the study and video!

@nobordersnoflags9905 4 года назад

Too much Clapton, not enough Hendrix.

@jstar1000 4 года назад

I've been playing guitar all my life since the early 70s and have never owned a strat. the few times I played one my hand would hit the volume control when strumming and turn the volume down not to mention it hurt so I never have bought one and played more then an hour on one in my life. Seems sad really but I love my les pauls, martins and all the other guitars I have owned over the years. Just never had an itch for a Fender.

@ellisscott9840 4 года назад

jstar1000 I'm quite the opposite, in my 12 years of playing and my brother working at a studio I've gotten the chance to play a lot of guitars, and so many were great guitars that sounded good and looked awesome but no matter what I always come back around to my strat. Dunno why, a combination of the sound, feel and I just think it looks cool as fuck. A fender strat and Martin dreadnought is all I ever need, and a decent amp of course.

@toddman26 2 года назад

I wish you would do a short history of G&L guitars...Leo Fender's final legacy. I love my 2000 American ASAT Classic Semi-hollow. I don't think they get the recognition they deserve.🙂

@hansgettheflammenwerfer69420 3 года назад

Underrated creator right here. Subbed!

@fivewattworld 3 года назад

Welcome to five watt world Emp!

@hansgettheflammenwerfer69420 3 года назад

@@fivewattworld just finished watching your history of the junior. Your line about spending money on lessons before gear really just hammered home what I need to do to improve myself. Thanks for that.

@JB-xo8sr 4 года назад

Well done, as always

@evieatarax 5 лет назад

Great video! I would have loved if you touched more on the effect of strats on funk - David Williams using the 4th "in-between" pickup position on classics like Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, and Nile Rodgers using 5th on classics like He's the Greatest Dancer.. continuing to this day with Get Lucky.

@ZigbertD 4 года назад

I got my first Strat in 1979, new out of a music store for $680. Rosewood fingerboard, black pickgaurd and pickup covers. But most naotably, a rosewood body. I can find nearly zero information about this option. Amazingly, the only other one I've seen belonged to my roommmate in the mid 90's, but his was a hardtail version (also, his had a maple fingerboard). It had a super bright tone and higher sustain compared to a regular Strat. Not better, but definitely different. Not long after I got it I replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan "Quarter Pounder". I gigged with it for years in the late 80's to mid 90's, It got pretty heavily worn during that time ( I'm a sweathog on stage, and went through a period of punk abandon and violent instrument abuse). I lost it to a pawn shop during my most drug infested years in the late 90's, an unfortunate turn of events that I painfully regret today, I can assure you.

@fivewattworld 4 года назад

Thanks for sharing that story. Interesting guitar. If your roommate hadn’t had one I might have thought the body was custom.

@pedromansadevi 5 лет назад

damn a jazzmaster episode would be so cool! great job!

@fivewattworld 5 лет назад

Coming in the future.

@fivewattworld 5 лет назад

Thanks!

@paulmearing9192 2 года назад

My 1987 USA standard i purchased when in was 17 is still my number 1 i'm 52 this year and 2 refrets and pickup changes later still does the job so well, I also love a nice tele though ;-0

@xx7secondsxx 6 месяцев назад

I have an American Strat from like '01 or '02.... It's a GEM!!!! I remember being "strats... mehhhh" after playing a few before. At this time I REALLY knew what FEEL was worth a guitar and when i played it!! I was OH MY GAWD!!! Beat the Ibanez I had at the time HEAVY!! even when I'd bought another Ibanez also. Lost the 1st inw ti baul8ng someone out of jail! They stiffed me in the bill! Lost the guitar. Did get a leather jacket from it though. Lived in that thing on tour years later!!

@davidpomella6786 4 года назад

This is the first time that I have listened to this history Report of the Stratocaster and I have to say it was excellent. Frontline beware

@stratosphere835 4 года назад

The Stratocaster is a Masterpiece from a Genius, Like the Stradivari! And the first Signature Strat is the YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Axe!

@ctcards2636 Год назад

Thanks for the video. 🙂 Ive been playing 30+ years and ive owned and tried sooooo many Fender guitars. Crazy expensive and cheaper like MIM. I never liked Fender guitars, i felt like i was giving up something to play one ? If that makes sense. So early on i got lucky and found G&L and for decades ive been using G&L and never had a complaint. During that time i still bought some Fender guitars and I never kept them. Just not up to par with G&L. For those of you who do not know G&L, it was founded by George Fulltron and Leo Fender, hence G&L. The company was started years after Leo had sold Fender and this was after he had already started Music Man. But these guitars took his ideas and innovated on them and to me perfected these designs. Not enough people know or have tried a G&L sadly as Fenders are just EVERYWHERE. But i did recently get a Fender that imho finally is up to par with my G&L guitars. 2023 American Pro II in a blue midnight finish (i think its called) with rosewood fb and HSS setup. First Fender to me solved one issue right off the bat, the tone knob can adjust the bridge pickup and you have a way of tapping the bucker and a 5 way switch. See G&L doesnt have tone knobs, they have Bass and Treble (PTB passive system). So to me its a lot easier to get the brittle out of a strat style guitar when they are setup like this new Fender i have or using a G&L. The frets were perfectly done and the setup etc was just top notch. I got mine thru Sweetwater. But i have to say after 30+ years, i found a Fender guitar that i like and im keeping. Def check one out the new pickups and electronics and the feel of the neck etc, just so much better than the Fenders ive owned or tried playing. Im not kidding ive tried hundreds of Fender guitars out easy, maybe closer to thousands. This new Fender is worthy ;-) But if you have not checked out G&L, i highly recommend you do.

@Apophis392 4 года назад

The fact that the strat got its design from the P bass and not the other way around surprised me

@MrGotmymojoworkin 4 года назад

Thanks man, very informative . ♥

@johnwriterpoet1783 4 года назад

The problem with early Strats was no tone control for the bridge pickup.

@Albrecht777 9 месяцев назад

A small correction. The (stage) name of the British singer who worked with Hank Marvin is "Cliff Richard", not "Cliff Richards".

@LamontRogers 5 лет назад

Fantastic....thank you

@JavaoftheLava 4 года назад

Can you give any more info on the first line of Squier guitars that were so great? Sounds fascinating.

@rodmcdonough6111 3 года назад

Best Strat history ever told!

@fivewattworld 3 года назад

Thanks Rod!

@randyallen4959 Год назад

I put off for decades buying a strat of after almost 60 years of playing music. I bought one this year and it's the most comfortable guitar I own hands down.