That EC quote from the excellent 1988 Duchoissoir "The Fender Stratocaster" book is rather haunting., "...always come back to...."

The truly "disgusting" thing about Stratocasters right now is the range of them. Take arguably the world's most perfect guitar and make it available in such a stupid-excellent ultra double-wide range of models and colours and woods and electronics and prices, and it's really tough not to love them in ways beyond the normal ways to love a guitar. And such an easy guitar to have more than one of.

Want one that's an all but a perfect 1957? Okay, You want that in USA or MIM? Beat up or mint? How about a modern Deluxe that's so nice it shouldn't oughta even be a Fender, let alone a Stratocaster.

Want a hotshot player guitar right out of the box? 'Got you an AS, right here. Something funky? Here's a polka dot Buddy Guy. Something fussy in every detail? Strap on this Eric Johnson.

The list of Strat options and players and musical styles...it just goes on and on, it's nuts! Burger King's "Have it your way was small change compared with the big bank of Strat flavours.

Thanks, Fender!

I find that playing any good guitar fuels the love of the guitar in general, and from there I want to try out other types.

I love variety, and no one guitar can cover all the bases--I have a classical, an acoustic 12 string, and a hollowbody archtop in addition to solid bodies with humbuckers & single coils.

Also the different sizes & shapes mean I play each one a bit differently.

I'd like a Strat, but mostly for what it would add to that mix. But a Strat isn't a 12 string (although there are 12 string Strats--and I'd love one), or a classical or an archtop.

Different guitars for different moods.
That's what I like.



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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

PaulPC, I couldn't agree more. I have one electric (MIA Strat) and one acoustic (Taylor 310) and can't imagine needing anything else. I had an LP and while I love the looks (and the sound) it just didn't "fit" me very well, ergonomically speaking. At the risk of sounding like a cliche, my Strat just feels like an extension of me. YMMV.

Its very true that different guitars do work well for different playing situations. I have a pretty decent collection with 36 pieces, in many styles and shapes. I just love guitars, and hope to be able to continue to add pieces in the future. I have 5 Strats, and the Am Deluxe (montego black / maple) is my daily player. I have several Les Pauls, 335's, 175's, several Ibanez Prestige models, Taylor acoustics, etc. I love all of them, and they all get some air time as well. But bottom line....the Strat is absolutely my "go to" daily player. Everything about it is just perfect for me. The fit, feel, weight, position of the fretboard, just perfect. I hope that my next acquisition will be the Am Deluxe in chrome / maple, followed by the vintage white / maple. Adding those would put "the big grin" on my face. So love lots of guitars, own lots of guitars, but play that Strat daily.

It's true, any guitarist should have a bag of tricks, and I have a few, but there is always that one which is part of you. For me, it's my Jaguar. That thing feels perfect in my hands.

actually i think in fact what it is with me is due to financial constraints i have picked the one quality guitar that covers all bases intrestingly keef richards once said that give him ten minuetes with any guitar and hed make it sound the same and my son said to me once why have so many guitars (i had 7 at the time) when they all sound the same (could have been my style of playing)...i think in a way he was right and really we own (if we can)lots of guitars cos we like the have them as material possessions and justify our ownership by saying we need them for different sounds Hmmm however my opinion would change overnight if i won the lottery then of course id need errrr lets think...one of everything LOL