Hi, I'm quite new to all this terminology about strats, and guitars in general so I've got a few questions that i would like answered I've been doing my own research but I thaught it best to take advice from you, the fender fanatics themselves Anyway, here they are (and I would be grateful if you could put them into layman's terms as I haven't quite grasped all the terminology yet...)

1. What actually is the Greasebucket Tone Circuit?
2. Can the HSS setup get you good 'Les Paul' tone?
3. What's the deal with all the wood's that are around?
4. What are the advantages of high fret's and Low fret's?
5. Can someone give me a link to the cheapest legit floyd rose trem possible? And on the topic of tremolo's, would a floyd rose fit onto a strat? And the final question: What's the difference between a floating and a regular tremolo?


I know i have a lot of questions but the answer (or even a 'I think') would be greatly helpful!


Thanks,
Tobias

I'll try to chime in on the one's I know about.

2. A Humbucker in a strat sounds nothing like a Humbucker in a Les paul. A Les Paul uses different body construction, wood, and has way more Mass. Even with the exact same pickups a Strat just can't replicate what a good les Paul does and vice verse.

3. At different times strats have been made of different body woods for several different reasons. Availability, cost, differing tone etc. Alder, Ash, Poplar, Mahogany, Basswood etc have all been used to make Fender strats. Alder is the main body wood, with less being offered in Ash. Some people prefer some woods to others due to their different tone characteristics. I can't tell you which is better, because it is a personal preference thing. Also no two wood blanks are alike. One Alder guitar may sound like complete crap next to a similar spec'd guitar.

Hahah, thanks for the speedy reply

Greasebucket - This lets you dial out some of the high end with out adding bass...just something a little different than the average tone circuit which adds a bass component.

Frets - These are a matter of taste, but higher frets seam to be the trend these days and the are suppossed to allow for easier bending.

Floyd Rose - In a strat you would need to rout out an area to make the Floyd Rose fit both for the bridge and to insert a locking nut on the neck. A floating trem means that when you manipulate it it can go both up and down...it is also considered by most more difficult to keep in tune.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

Cheers nicholsoni

Floyd Rose has a web site:

www.floydrose.com

Or just google Floyd Rose and it should come up. Unless you are wood savvy unwound not recommend this kind of work on your own.

Fret height is a personal choice. I have 2 guitars with jumbo frets and for me it allows me to bend strings easier and I do not have press down so hard on the frets to let the tone ring out.

Body wood type allows for different tonal qualities. It usually takes a seasoned player to actually hear the differences. Generally the more dense the wood is, the more growl and sustain you could have.

Unless you plan on doing extreme dives and pulls with a tremolo, I would recommend a standard or vintage tremolo. Less fuss with them.

A Stratocaster will never sound like a Les Paul and viseversa. If you want a Les Paul sound, get a Les Paul.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Thanks rkerisher

Theres only one thing I have left to ask, which has come out of this discussion. What are the cons of jumbo frets? It sounds as if its great, but sureley there are some downsides?

The downside of jumbo frets is if your playing style is too heavy on the fretboard. The jumbo frets require a more soft style playing, cause if you push it hard it will bend down the string and getting a off-tune note.
I got a Highway Strat with jumbo frets, they´re awesome for bending, just flawless.

Cheers Joaokorb

This is what I experienced in the beginning with my HWY 1, but adjusted really quickly.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Fender makes (or made) a Floyd Rose Strat, with a humbucker and two single coils, jumbo frets - that might be right up your alley. Try searching for one on eBay, etc. Nothing stays in tune like a Floyd equipped guitar!

I love big frets - easy to bend on, easier to play on !

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'10 American Special Strat
'02 Les Paul R8
'08 Charvel US San Dimas
'85 Jackson Soloist

Splawn Quick Rod

Ooooh. Andy Thank you, let me take a look, thank you very much! And thank you too rkreisher, I think it sounds like the benifits of jumbo frets are far more than regular

Hmmm. I've got a problem. I've fallen in love with this guitar :/ http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/search.php?partno=0111760306

I even get a cool delux gig bag with it :3

I personally love jumbo frets. It's really good if you're into shredding etc. and don't wanna go all the way and get it scalloped (and possibly ruin an allready perfect neck and fretboard). And yes; it makes bending and vibrato feel smooth and nice (imo).

A downside is that it takes a while to get used to, especially if you are already used to applying a lot of pressure. Another downside is that a lot of people think chords etc. are harder to do, which I partly agree with.

And I agee with a previous poster regarding the tremolo; unless you really need a floyd rose, go for a standard or vintage tremolo (<3 vintage, but that's just me).

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2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX

Hw1's are nice guitars, if you like it; go for it. But before you do that I advise you to go and play a few, both hw1's and other strats, and compare them (or w/e you wanna compare w/ ). If it still speaks to you then; go for it and you might of got yourself a life-long relationship.

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2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX