We in the stratocaster forum (well, I'm sure most of us, at least) chose strats over other guitars.
Of course, there are other great electric guitars; some completely different from strats, others a bit more similar. So... in your (everyone in the forum) opinion, what makes a strat "a Strat?"

Trick question? It's the same thing that makes a Tele a Tele!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Answer: a Strat......

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Check this thread.

When is a Strat not a Strat

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

i might be being snobby, but it has to say fender on the headstock for me. if i want a guitar that looks like a strat, there is almost definitely a model out there to suit that has fender on the headstock. i know the squiers are very, very good now, but i cant bring myself to 'downgrade' - even though i know the best squiers are an easy match to a MIM std strat, if not better. they just arent fenders.

part of the reason i dont have any epi/gibson guitars. i cant afford a gibson, and have no need to save up for one or any real burning desire to have one. but getting an epiphone would, to me, be like buying a squier. except every epi ive played was crap.

Other than the obvious that " Stratocaster" is Fender's registered trade name/mark then any guitar not by Fender is not a Strat period...For the sake of argument we do call em Strat's but Strat Copy(ies) would be more appropriate.
On the other hand Fender has come out with variations that are not original Stratocaster's as we know them but...

The simple answer is really a Reverse " F " followed by the following letters " ender "
Everything else is a copy...

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Not a trick question

I was wondering what made some people choose strats over other options, what makes a strat unique from other similar (dare I say, copies?) guitars, etc.

leo fender, freddie tavaras, george fullerton also jimi hendrix, eric clapton, s.r.v., rory gallagher, e.j., hank marvin......i bet that at least one of those people are why you have a strat. the history, the sound, the feel. oh yeh.....you and me. that's what makes a strat a strat.

What makes a Strat a Strat? The body style of course. A tummy/arm contours and off set "horns". Only Fender and Squier have the privilege of sporting the Stratocaster name, but other brands can make Stat copies.

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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

+1 on the body style, comfort and weight.

But it is hard to come by any other guitar, even copycats, that have that wonderful 2 and 4 position chirp, as well as the neck position bluesy feel. Put those together with a maple fretboard and you can't beat a Strat.

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Bobby
Coming again soon to a club near you
... or at least one near me. Hopefully.

Okay then, I'll say versatility.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

YES!!!! Enough said. You can all go home now.