FENDER STRATOCASTER

The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as a Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed by George Fullerton, Leo Fender and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously to the present. The Stratocaster has been used by many leading guitarists, and thus can be heard on many historic recordings. Along with the Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG, and the Fender Telecaster, it is one of the most common and enduring models of electric guitar in the world. The design of the Stratocaster has transcended the field of music to rank among the classic industrial designs of all time; examples have been exhibited at major museums around the world.
The Stratocaster has been widely copied; as a result, the term "Strat" is often used generically when referring to any guitar that has the same general features as the original, regardless of manufacturer.
From 1959 to 1967, the Stratocaster was refitted with a rosewood fretboard, as well as color choices other than sunburst, including a variety of colorful car-like paint jobs that appealed to the nascent surfer and hot-rod culture, pioneered by such bands as the Surfaris, the Ventures and the Beach Boys. Dick Dale is a prominent Stratocaster player who also collaborated with Leo Fender in developing the Fender Showman amplifier. In the early 1960s, the instrument was also championed by Hank Marvin - guitarist of the Shadows, a band which originally backed Cliff Richard and then produced instrumentals of its own. So distinctive was the Hank Marvin sound that many musicians - including the Beatles - initially deliberately avoided the Stratocaster and chose other marques. However, by 1965, George Harrison and John Lennon of the Beatles both acquired Stratocasters at about the time of the Rubber Soul recording sessions. The one-piece maple neck was discontinued in 1959. However, a maple neck with a glued-on maple fretboard was offered as an option in 1967. In 1965 the Stratocaster was given a broader headstock, matching the size of the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. Since the introduction of the Ultra series in 1989, ebony was selected as a fretboard material. Guitar models with such fingerboards include the American Deluxe FMT/QMT Stratocasters and Telecasters, introduced in 2004, sporting a solid select alder body with quilted or flamed maple top, HSS (Strat) and HH (Tele) pickup configurations with S-1 switching.
As of 2007, Fender offers a wide line of Stratocasters alongside vintage reissues, as well as maintaining a "Custom Shop" service that builds guitars to order. Those who wish period-accurate replicas can request Stratocasters with original cloth-coated wiring, pickup and electronics designs, wood routing patterns, and even artificial aging and oxidizing of components using the Custom Shop "relic" process.


Fender VG Stratocaster Review:

Features : 8 Bought new in December 2007. You probably already know the features and the reason you're here is to find an opinion or two to help you decide if you want one of these. That's what I did. The difference here is that this is not opinion but the facts. Single coil pickups are noisy(fact). Before I picked up the Vg I had Lace Sensors installed knowing that even if the modeled sounds were unuseable I would still have a usable strat. This is a sunburst that is lightweight with the typical strat appointments. Molded hard case included.
Sound : 8 In it's "normal" mode the Lace pickups(blue-silver-red) provide their sound which is warmer than traditional single coils with NO NOISE. I play weekend gigs, mostly 60's 70's rock. Various solid state amps. Regarding the modeled sounds, I find myself going to the Tele middle setting frequently, that is one sound you cannot get on the traditional strat no matter how it's wired. Switching to the humbucker sound provides a typical fatter sound especially the bridge pickup setting. I use the acoustic sounds minimally including the 12 string which is passable. I do not use any dropped tunings.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 9 Everything was as it should be. Again, I had different pickups installed b4 I picked it up and the local dealer did a good job. This is one of the prettier finishes if that matters.
Reliability/Durability : 8 I did put on straplocks as I do on all guitars. The hardware appears to be typical Fender and I have never had any issues with hardware, pickups etc. on any of the previous Fenders I've owned over the last 25 years. This guitar has been used on gigs for 2 months now and stays in tune although I do not use the whammy bar. Based on what I've read here, I am the exception to the rule and typically do not take a backup unless it's a "big" job. I have enough junk to carry as it is. And if you don't break strings, there's no need.
Overall Rating : 8 I've been playing weekend gigs for 35 years and have always wanted one guitar that would provide all the top sounds. Contrary to other opinions here, it is not necessary to have an actual Les Paul(I do) or a Telecaster(I do) for the "feel". There is no more comfortable guitar to play than a Strat and if it can mimic most of the sounds you want, great. While the batteries do not last 10-14 hours, do what they recommend and buy the NiMH rechargeables. If you have the money and want one, buy it. 70% chance I'd buy one again. Lastly, while the modeled guitars don't exactly sound like the originals;