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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 3:46 pm
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ras1500 wrote:
I agree with everything previously said. Just to add one more thing; if you are a tinkerer a Strat is an easy guitar to disassemble, change parts and modify. Plus the aftermarket is full of Strat parts.


+1

The Stratocaster is akin to a '69 Camaro!

8)

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:32 am
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You could probably sum it up in one word - Versatility.

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:26 pm
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Good enough for Cobain? Good enough for anyone.


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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 7:42 am
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timeless, simple and beautiful. not more to say.

cheers :D

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:35 am
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The Stratocaster was developed from the Telecaster... Improved body design to be more comfortable pressed against you, contoured neck access for easier fretting, additional pickups for improved tonal variety, and a tremolo system to add a distinct flavor to your music. In essence, Leo Fender took a great design and made it darn near perfect....

Not to mention the nostalgic appearances of a guitar played by so many great artists from the 50's to today...

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:42 pm
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The telecaster was an awesome guitar, and proved that Mr. Fenders approach to making mass-produceable, easily serviceable, yet high quality instruments was a great idea. Much easier, as has been pointed out, to swap out parts and customize. The Stratocaster took it to the next level with the strat... adding the third pickup (and eventually the 5-way switch) gave the players a lot more options in finessing their tone. The double cutaway improved access to higher frets, and (personal opinion) the aesthetics were better.

I don't know if this holds true for all strats, but I think they're lighter than Teles , and much lighter for sure than the Les Pauls. I've played Telecasters and Les Pauls
for years, but the strats feel more comfortable than either.

The stratocaster "sound" is definately a big factor. Neck or Neck/middle is such a great warm but punchy tone. Lots of shimmer at the bridge.


*** does anybody know about the availability of the stratocasters overseas "back in the day"? They seemed to grow in popularity very rapidly in Great Britain, even though I've heard they were hard to come by. Were they more or less available then other brands and models? Cuz it seems like the British rock wave of the late 60's really helped push the guitar into the mainstream, though I could be wrong.*****


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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 3:20 pm
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Quote:
Why is the Stratocaster so popular??


We're all lemmings.


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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:14 pm
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Looks like the future, plays like the past (and the future). Unlike some axes out there, Strats are not locked into one or two genres. When the music changes or evolves . . . a Strat is more likely to be there. Oh yeh, and it will still look cool. :P


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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:23 pm
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Good enough for Cobain? Good enough for anyone.


cobain played a jaguar, no?

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:27 pm
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DetroitBlues wrote:
The Stratocaster was developed from the Telecaster... Improved body design to be more comfortable pressed against you, contoured neck access for easier fretting, additional pickups for improved tonal variety, and a tremolo system to add a distinct flavor to your music. In essence, Leo Fender took a great design and made it darn near perfect....

Not to mention the nostalgic appearances of a guitar played by so many great artists from the 50's to today...


Agreed. Its the design and its the history of the instrument. The Taylor guitars guy summed it up best in an interview, he said Fender is history and they can fall back on a long line of players who played Strats and hence are able to market the $@!& out of their guitars and makers with little history or mythology to the instrument (such as Taylor guitars) have to look at other ways to sell the market their products.

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:22 pm
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It's the sound, man! Nothing like the glassy and/or punchy sounds you can get out of em- esp when plugged into a Fender amp!

I also agree with the playability comments, and the comfort. It's just a player's guitar.

Grab your slide and dial up some drive- instant sonic bliss!! It just sounds so vintagey- almost like an electric dobro. Listen to Ed King's slide on Skynyrd's " Mr Banker" or "Take Your Time".

A few of my guitar heroes are Strat players: Ed King, Buddy Guy, SRV, Hughie Thomasson.


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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:44 am
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How timely...I was just having this conversation with someone at work...

Incomparably stunning design, perhaps most often copied,

Comfort and ease of playing,

You can get just about any sound you want from it,

Built to last.

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Post subject: Re: Why is the Stratocaster so popular??
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 3:45 am
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Lots of reasons besides those already mentioned...

The strat was released in spring 1954 - just 9 years after WWII and the same year that rationing ended in Britain. That same year Seven Samuraii hit cinemas, the first ever Toyota Landcruiser took to the hills, TV dinners became normal, Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four minute mile, Marlon Brando coulda been a contendah, Elvis cut his first commercial record. The USA was treated to the first ever colour TV broadcast and DIY became fashionable.

It was a time of invention and hope, but with an eye on practicality and austerity.

I think Leo Fender caught that mood and made a guitar out of it.

Other, less romantic reasons? They wear well - and even when they don't, they look good. The shape is unmistakable. The fundamental design has never really changed - can you think of much else where a part for a new item made yesterday would slot into an item made 60 years ago? The only thing I can think of that even comes close is the VW beetle, and they stopped making those in Mexico in 2003/4.

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