I've heard a lot of people talking about dead Strats. Is that when your guitar doesn't sustain well? My brand new Strat has a bad sustain it is the latest edition of American standard. I need help solving this problem.

And the helpful advice is...?

1) Change the strings

2) Check truss rod relief

3) Consider blocking-out the trem

4) Ask Nikininja or Ceri!

If none of the above work, flog it!

Very strange for a new Strat to sound dead although it's possible that it was shipped with a set of dead strings.The cheapest fix would be to as adriandavidb suggested try a fresh set of strings-the brighter the better.If the strings don't do the trick bring it back as there could be some fault in the guitar.If however you really want to keep it try brass saddles and/or nut and as a last resort a better bridge block.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Good setup is the key.

It will do more to enhance the sound of your guitar than a million mods. Start off with new strings, decent amount of bow on the neck, medium to low action, low to medium pickup height.

Or just set it to the dimensions given in the handbook. Their a pretty decent all round set of measurements. Then work around them to find a point where you're happy with comfort and sound.

Don't rely on the fact that because the guitar is new to you it will have good strings or a good setup. Some shop assistant could have set it up, a million grubby fingered kids could have played it prior to you taking it off the wall.

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No no and no

I'd never walked away from a store without it being set up!

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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In most cases the store should set up the guitar for free if brand new. Also, if it is a "dead strat", and you are not satisfied, return it and get your money back, or get another. There should be no reason for a dealer to sell a bad Fender Strat. Fender has one of the greatest warranties in the buisness (5 year).