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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:15 am
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ZZDoc was talking about a Buddy Guy signature prototype with the 12dB boost and modified single-coils which became the Powerhouse in 1999.

The final design, introduced in 1995, boasted the Gold Laces and 25dB Elite circuitry; it was initially offered in honey blonde transparent with a tort guard but later Buddy opted for a 2-tone burst finish and an aged white pearloid pickguard.


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 1:01 pm
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chromeface wrote:
ZZDoc was talking about a Buddy Guy signature prototype with the 12dB boost and modified single-coils which became the Powerhouse in 1999.

The final design, introduced in 1995, boasted the Gold Laces and 25dB Elite circuitry; it was initially offered in honey blonde transparent with a tort guard but later Buddy opted for a 2-tone burst finish and an aged white pearloid pickguard.

The ad posted is greatly appreciated. I know what I saw though, and it is as Chromeface reitterates. It was not honey blond but more like a Mary Kaye finish with a tortoise guard. It was pictured in a vertical position. I remember it distinctly as having a 12db midboost. It didn't last long in that incarnation. When the Powerhouse Strat was released, my first thought was something like:
"Aha!!" "The old Buddy Guy model".

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:42 pm
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danagos wrote:
ZZDoc wrote:
Blertles wrote:
Yeah Chromeface is right Doc, the Buddy Guy Strat isn't on this catalogue, would've appeared in frontline the year after or 1995 :)

Thanks. I'm looking for an example of that short-lived model they produced which I've referenced often in previous dicussions. Thought it might be found there. If, in your ramblings through vintage Frontlines, you find one spec'd with a 12db midboost, let us know. No back to your local station.

P.S. Welcome back, Jeff. :D No worse for wear, we see. :wink:

FWIW, this picture is from the Fall 1997, Vol 23 issue. The Buddy Guy is listed as having a 25db Boost Preamp.

Note of Warning: this is advertising, it has only a superficial relationship to reality! :lol:

It's right under the Eric Clapton ad which only mentions an "active mid-boost circuit".
Again, it's advertising and they don't want to admit that they're using the same electronics. :)

Image

According to Tony Bacon in "The Stratocaster Book": The model ran from 1995 to 2009 as a US issue in Sunburst or Blonde (see color codes in ad).

From 2002 to current? as a Mexican Revised in Polka Dot.

Active circuits are mentioned in both descriptions, but no specifics on boost level.

Hope that helps ZZDoc.



There is a shop down the road from me that had one of these in honey blonde on their wall second hand... Not sure if it's still there but it's a great model :)

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:58 pm
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ZZDoc wrote:
chromeface wrote:
ZZDoc was talking about a Buddy Guy signature prototype with the 12dB boost and modified single-coils which became the Powerhouse in 1999.

The final design, introduced in 1995, boasted the Gold Laces and 25dB Elite circuitry; it was initially offered in honey blonde transparent with a tort guard but later Buddy opted for a 2-tone burst finish and an aged white pearloid pickguard.

The ad posted is greatly appreciated. I know what I saw though, and it is as Chromeface reitterates. It was not honey blond but more like a Mary Kaye finish with a tortoise guard. It was pictured in a vertical position. I remember it distinctly as having a 12db midboost. It didn't last long in that incarnation. When the Powerhouse Strat was released, my first thought was something like:
"Aha!!" "The old Buddy Guy model".


Chromeface, I surrender, 75% of all articles and pictures about the Honey Blonde Buddy Guy Strat on the internet are by you! :lol:

Like this one with a good pic: http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=76639


I did find one other, this is what totnesdave on Strat Talk had to say (it's worth noting that he attempted to start a Buddy Guy Strat Club and there were NO other members) and no mention of his db rating:

There don't seem to be so many of these around, especially the USA Artist version, certainly compared to the Eric Clapton model which it compares closely to in spec. I fell in love with the translucent honey ash blonde, and the neck profile is gorgeous, a little slimmer than the EC I reckon. The active mid boost is wonderfully versatile and the lace sensors, while controversial, have a very sustaining character, sensitive to every tiny nuance of play.

I've only ever seen one with my own eyes and that's the one I own, the few pics of seen of the tobacco sunburst variant look yummy too.

I had issues with mine, the fingerboard lacquer started flaking off badly after a few years so I had the neck professionally re-finished by Mansons, the result being even better than the original, any similar experiences ?

Over to you other Buddy Guy Strat owners hiding out there, and here's a couple of pics .. I may pose one with some tweed when I have time


His pictures:

Image

Image

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 5:08 pm
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[quote="danagos]Chromeface, I surrender, 75% of all articles and pictures about the Honey Blonde Buddy Guy Strat on the internet are by you! :lol:
Image[/quote]
Now that's the finish of the guitar I've been speaking of. When Guitar Player did a cover article on BG waaaay back when, the finish of the guitar was more like the catalog photo though we have to allow for aging in this case. As far as the neck, my impressions of that neck were that it was more the standard Fender V-neck rather than the slimmer Clapton.

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 6:50 pm
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ZZDoc wrote:
[quote="danagos]Chromeface, I surrender, 75% of all articles and pictures about the Honey Blonde Buddy Guy Strat on the internet are by you! :lol: [/quote]
Now that's the finish of the guitar I've been speaking of. When Guitar Player did a cover article on BG waaaay back when, the finish of the guitar was more like the catalog photo though we have to allow for aging in this case. As far as the neck, my impressions of that neck were that it was more the standard Fender V-neck rather than the slimmer Clapton.[/quote][/quote]

Doc, how would you describe the difference between the Clapton and a Deluxe V-neck?

As I delved further into the "Buddy Guy", I started liking that guitar more and more. Seems they're more rare than pre-CBS Strats! :shock:

Well, maybe not that rare. :)

Chromeface has recommended several times that I give my Strat Plus a mid-boost circuit and maybe it's time! :!:

I had owned a Powerhouse Strat, MIM, at one time. Clipped the resistors, added a TBX master tone, new plastic, then sold it. Then started missing it.

Looking at this picture, the white knobs make me shudder! :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:09 pm
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danagos wrote:

Looking at this picture, the white knobs make me shudder! :lol:

Image

I saw the white knobs and scratched my head....yes, even shuttered!!! :shock:

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:31 pm
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Xhefri wrote:
danagos wrote:

Looking at this picture, the white knobs make me shudder! :lol:

I saw the white knobs and scratched my head....yes, even shuttered!!! :shock:

Ha, good pun Jeff, and I resemble that remark! :D

Actually, that was my first Fender Strat after a succession of Electra & Matsumoku, all early to mid 80's MIJ stuff, and a couple of Squires. :?

I was learning to reconstruct the electric guitar.

When you start to think seriously in those terms, you need to work with Fender Strats. 'Cause that's where all the parts are. 8)

I know, I know, there are no excuses. I could have afforded black knobs at the very least. :oops:

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 10:36 pm
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danagos wrote:
Chromeface has recommended several times that I give my Strat Plus a mid-boost circuit and maybe it's time! :!:


Combine the "Clapton" circuit with the humbucking Red/Red dually and get a screaming fat lead sound out from the guitar!

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 2:00 am
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danagos wrote:
[Doc, how would you describe the difference between the Clapton and a Deluxe V-neck?

The neck on the Clapton is and has always felt sleeker and slimmer. It fits better into the web area between my thumb and index finger. It hasn't seem to have changed since inception. It is pretty much my 'go to' guitar. The only difference I can draw for you is that the neck on my prototype has a tad less 'spine' on it but the same overall feel. The neck on my Deluxe V is a chunkier neck and the same as the one which was on my MIM Buddy Guy Polka Dot, a JV guitar I once played and the new 60th Anniversary Classic Player '50's. I remember playing an EJ once and don't remember that neck as being any different, either. They are not as hefty as the 10/56 V-neck on the '56 American Vintage. The 'modified' V-neck on the '57 VHR I just swapped out had a tad less 'spine' than the Deluxe, but a chunky feel. Remarkably close to the neck on the '54 it replaced.

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:38 am
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ZZDoc wrote:
danagos wrote:
[Doc, how would you describe the difference between the Clapton and a Deluxe V-neck?

The neck on the Clapton is and has always felt sleeker and slimmer. It fits better into the web area between my thumb and index finger. It hasn't seem to have changed since inception. It is pretty much my 'go to' guitar. The only difference I can draw for you is that the neck on my prototype has a tad less 'spine' on it but the same overall feel. The neck on my Deluxe V is a chunkier neck and the same as the one which was on my MIM Buddy Guy Polka Dot, a JV guitar I once played and the new 60th Anniversary Classic Player '50's. I remember playing an EJ once and don't remember that neck as being any different, either. They are not as hefty as the 10/56 V-neck on the '56 American Vintage. The 'modified' V-neck on the '57 VHR I just swapped out had a tad less 'spine' than the Deluxe, but a chunky feel. Remarkably close to the neck on the '54 it replaced.

Woah, thanks Doc, excellent comparisons, a primer on Fender soft V Necks. That should be the leading archive answer for searches on the subject. 8)

I've got it copied and stored for reference. My hunger for a Clapton Neck grows. :twisted:

Two questions: First, the prototype you refer to, is that the Clapton?

Second, I'd expect the '57 VHR (Vintage Hot Rod?) to be chunkier, maybe thicker shoulders? But what is the '54 it replaced? Did you mean the 10/56 V-neck on the '56 American Vintage?

It was pretty early in the morning. :)

I find the two soft V Necks I own (Dec. '03 Am Dlx & MIM Jimmie Vaughan) to be as similar as you describe, both symmetrical, the Vaughan might have a tad less shoulder. Gotta take some measurements for future reference.

Thanks again. :D

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:50 am
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chromeface wrote:
danagos wrote:
Chromeface has recommended several times that I give my Strat Plus a mid-boost circuit and maybe it's time! :!:


Combine the "Clapton" circuit with the humbucking Red/Red dually and get a screaming fat lead sound out from the guitar!

Thanks Chromey, what I disliked about the Powerhouse guitar were the stock Pickups. I swapped them out, but the noise generated from my Amalfitano alnico 5 Pups was not kind to my ears. :(

The Fender Lace Sensor may react better with the Mid-Boost! 8)

And who doesn't need screaming fat lead sound out from the guitar! :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:21 am
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[quote="danagos"] Woah, thanks Doc, excellent comparisons, a primer on Fender soft V Necks. That should be the leading archive answer for searches on the subject. 8)
Cudos appreciated but its not the first run through on this during the past nearly 7 years now. :wink:

Two questions: First, the prototype you refer to, is that the Clapton?
Yes. The '87 Clapton prototype I acquired last fall.

Second, I'd expect the '57 VHR (Vintage Hot Rod?) to be chunkier, maybe thicker shoulders? But what is the '54 it replaced? Did you mean the 10/56 V-neck on the '56 American Vintage?
No. Yesterday I swapped out the '57VHR guitar for the new 60th Anniversary American Vintage '54 Stratocaster. I found one with the '1of54' neck plate so it was a 'must have'. I have a limited amount of room to stow gear and, with a new Mesa Boogie King Snake amp due this week, something had to go, so the VHR was the lowest rung on the 'must keep' list:wink: It was pretty early in the morning. :)

As an afterthought, I wanted something in my stable which reflected the vibe of the Fender guitar which came into our band in '58 in the hands of my long time friend Gary. That was a '58 Strat which passed to me when Gary acquired a new Jaguar in '62. The '57VHR fit that bill until this new issue. In that it was the guitar pictured on their album cover, in the hands of Buddy Holly and The Crickets which fired our imaginations for the Stratocaster, the '54 is closer has a better 'vibe' for great memories. The '58 is long gone but never forgotten. A story which I've told in these pages often in the past.

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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 5:58 am
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If the Amalfitano SPs are noisy with the boost, replace them with a set of Vintage Noiseless pickups.

Buy and install the 25dB "Elite" kit for the CAR Ultra and insert the PCB in the cavity control!

In order to use the Elite circuit you must rewire the TBX as a master tone control. You'll need to remove the standard tone affecting the neck pickup and relocate the TBX pot which affects the middle & bridge pickups. The second tone pot then will be the master MDX control which increases the overall amount of gain.


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Post subject: Re: Fans of Strat Plus and Strat Ultra
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:19 pm
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Seems like we have deviated from the "Strat Plus" topic to some sister-related Lace loaded guitars! :shock: :lol: .... But since we are on the subject of necks and Buddy Guy and Clapton Strats, I have had the wonderful opportunity to personally wrap my hands around the neck of ZZDoc's Clapton Version 1 Strat. Wow! Rare find and a great investment. I recently picked up a NOS 2000 Jeff Beck Strat (Also loaded with Lace Sensors!) And since we are talking neck, WOW, the JB Strat has that FAT bass ball bat neck. Only thing that I have played (and owned) that comes close to this neck is a old Gibson Firebird. The neck is comfortable for a while then my wrist starts to hurt. While I love the modern C of a Strat Plus, I am with ZZdoc about the EC necks. They have the 57 V profile that is so comfy and sweet. THEE most comfortable neck in my collection.

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