It is true that Strats from the 50s sound better than those from the early 70s. The difference? Two-tone sunburst on the early models versus three-tone sunburst on the later ones. Therefore, less paint means better tone. Q.E.D.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

Various rock stars of the late sixties started stripping/sanding the finish off of their guitars. Jeff Beck for one. Mick Ronson for another in the early '70s.

Did it really give Jeff "better" tone? Well, does he still do that to his guitars?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Life by the Drop - Emotional, not a long song
Scuttle Buttin - Quick one, high energy
Empty Arms - Catchy, but may be getting into the longer songs you said you didn't like
Life Without You - Soulful..kind of a hendrixy vibe and the long solo is at the end if you want to skip it [/quote]

Some of my favorite all-time SRV songs here.

If these don't move you... Then you are OFFICIALLY not an SRV fan, and although I respect yours, or anyone's opinion... I pity you. This stuff is UNREAL to me. I also recommend the cover of Buddy Guy's 'Leave My Girl Alone', specifically the live version that is found on 'The Essential Stevie Ray Vauhgan And Double Trouble'. Some particularly awesome playing and singing there.

Cheers! And I hope you find something you like in there!
(If Little Wing and Texas Flood didn't work for you though...sigh)

Good Luck though! And of course, it's ALL subjective!

Nobody really knows why different guitars in the same family sound different. Somebody does something to a guitar and convinces himself that it sounds better. He then assumes that doing the same thing to other guitars willl have the same effect. He may be talking himself into believing it sounds better. It's all voodoo.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

SlapChop, you got it. And Frank Zappa had all the advice we need.

"Shut up and play your guitar."

The term I like is "snake oil."

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I did all of the mods mentioned and I don't think it improved the tone much. Maybe a little, but hardly noticable.

Did you notice a difference by removing the trem cavity cover?

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No no and no

IDK. The result would be subtle if anything. You might as well remove it because i certainly won't help the sound. I would tend to think that bare wood on bare wood (such as at the neck joint) couldn't do anything but help. It is certainly not going to hurt.

LP equals better tone ooooopppppsssss That's less paint sorry

I just had to

.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I always thought you were an LP kind of guy!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Actually, more practice equals ebtetr tone.

But nobody wants to hear that answer.

I think confidence (which is a result of practice too,) results n better tone too.

How you attack the strings can make or break your sound.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

In the american standard strat specs it mentions "Thinner finish undercoat lets the body breathe and improves resonance"; opinions?

Mosltly voodoo.

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.