How would you characterize a Strat?

[Bonano]

How would you characterize/describe the traditional (SSS) Stratocaster sound? All the goods, bads, different music styles, paired with different amps, effects, etc.

I guess out of habit and other reasons I've been playing through my MIM '50s style Strat for a while now. I'm enjoying it through a Fuzz Face and various wattage Fender and Vox amps, nothing boutique.

Would like an outside view of this guitar I play all the time.

[GuitarBilly]

The way I see it is: fat rock/blues = LP (Gibson in general)
bright rock/blues = Fender, but particularly the strat.


Obviously you have HSS strats, Teles etc and they're important but these are the points of reference for me. Say Page in one end and Blackmore in the other. Or BB King vs SRV for blues.

[spawnofthesith]

I dunno, like a strat I think of all guitars a strat has the most instantly easily identifiable sound to it, not quite sure how I'd put that in words though

[VTM]

Fat rock?

[Chris Z]

For Cleans and light breakup. Only in right hands does it sound good for solos, imho.

[GuitarBilly]

Fat rock?

[Marc G]

It's not a Tele.... and while they get the ergonomics spot on with the double cut away, forearm and belly carves.... they put the volume knob is the most annoying place possible for anyone that likes to play with their hand planted by the bridge.....

It definitely has a sound that no one else was doing when released and no one really got close to for many many years

[Murdoch]

David Gilmour.

[Diddlybo]

Tele: Ass fucking
Les Paul: Pussy fucking
Stratocaster: Cunnilingus

[Dave]

They’re characterized as: good

[Zozobra]

Tele: Ass fucking
Les Paul: Pussy fucking
Stratocaster: Cunnilingus

Flying V: double anal
Explorer: bukakke
Fan fret 8 string: piss drinking

[linthat22]

How would you characterize/describe the traditional (SSS) Stratocaster sound? All the goods, bads, different music styles, paired with different amps, effects, etc.

I guess out of habit and other reasons I've been playing through my MIM '50s style Strat for a while now. I'm enjoying it through a Fuzz Face and various wattage Fender and Vox amps, nothing boutique.

Would like an outside view of this guitar I play all the time.

For me; since I connected with my strat last year; it's just a guitar with a different sound. Bout it.

I took the pick guard off and it's a pool route, so I can do whatever I want if I would like something different

[Ostinato Rubato]

Broad stroke: glassy and airy, snappy and bright.

[Ostinato Rubato]

they put the volume knob is the most annoying place possible for anyone that likes to play with their hand planted by the bridge.....

oh GROW UP

[fretless]

A little bit he and a little bit she.

[Marc G]

they put the volume knob is the most annoying place possible for anyone that likes to play with their hand planted by the bridge.....

oh GROW UP

[ajaxlepinski]

Mark G, Dick Dale and I agree!!!!!!!!!!! Bad spot for a volume knob!!!!!!!!!!!
After playing SGs and LP Jrs for over 30 years (with the knobs well out of the way) that top volume knob on a Strat is just way too annoying!
I have a Strat and I got used to it but, I have to constantly be conscious of that knob while playing.

[Ostinato Rubato]

After a while you get used to it.

[ajaxlepinski]

The funny thing about that top volume knob is that, it it forces me to play a bit differently... which is a good thing.
The whammy bar is also a good thing.
After 40+ years of only playing an SG and a LP Jr, my Strat is a curve ball... a sexy girl that stands out simply because she's different.
I wonder how I would feel about SG's and LP Jr's if a Strat been my first guitar?

[Marc G]

The funny thing about that top volume knob is that, it it forces me to play a bit differently... which is a good thing.

agreed..... if I'm playing more open strumming songs and not muting with my palm or need to do nice swells, strats are great.... but I don't do enough of either of those things to make me add a strat to my rig full time, P90s give me enough single coil bite and vibe to cut the gig and if I need a trem I have my Ernie Ball

[GuitarBilly]

Mark G, Dick Dale and I agree!!!!!!!!!!! Bad spot for a volume knob!!!!!!!!!!!
After playing SGs and LP Jrs for over 30 years (with the knobs well out of the way) that top volume knob on a Strat is just way too annoying!
I have a Strat and I got used to it but, I have to constantly be conscious of that knob while playing.

Looks like Dale plugged every knob BUT the standard volume knob. So maybe he's fine with it

But I agree with Mike that is just a matter of getting used to it.

Like you, I play Gibson LPs, SGs etc most of the time so when I pick up a strat I have to be conscious of my hand position for a while. But usually, 2-3 songs in I'm acclimated and don't have to think about it anymore.

[ajaxlepinski]

Busted!!!

He cut the post down to get used to it easier!

[greatmutah]

Touch sensitivity. More vocal pickup combinations. A Strat feels different than a Les Paul, even with a similar radius neck. There’s a snap to the scale and a brightness that comes with bent steel saddles. They feel more dynamic than other guitars. That being said the top end can get away from you. I like my bridge pickup set to a tone control to help that). Strats can have a great jangle and chime or they can snarl like nobodies business