The first Stratocaster (Strat for short) was produced in 1954 and was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in close collaboration with some guitarists (including Bill Carson). It was the first electric guitar to feature three pickups and a contoured body, which, with its rounded cuts, better fits the player’s body, although Bill Carson was reportedly dissatisfied with the telecaster’s blocky shape, which constantly stabbed into his ribs.
Why Did the Fender Stratocaster Become so Popular?
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Nowadays, the Fender electric Stratocaster guitar is widely acknowledged as the world’s best guitar and the hardest to beat on the market. But why did it become so world-beatingly popular? The hype Hendrix created around the guitar couldn’t fully outlast the musical trend he started. The early 1970s saw several high-profile, Hendrix-influenced guitarists use Fender Stratocasters, but Gibson or Gibson-derivative guitars remained the standard rock instrument.
Through the 1970s, the Fender Stratocaster began to establish itself as an important piece of gear. More and more guitarists, particularly in those genres, discovered that if you jammed the Strat’s three-way switch between its click stops, allowing two pickups to operate simultaneously, you could achieve a distinctive tone that no other big commercial instrument could provide at that time.
In the 1980s, when clean and shining, yet full-bodied and characterful guitar sounds became popular in pop music, there was no substitute for the Fender Strat. Close-set, ‘out-of-phase’ pickup selections characterised the 1980s pop guitar sound. The Les Paul, the ES-335, the Rick 330, and even Fender’s own Telecaster were unable to make them. It has to be a start.
Many of the main players in the 90’s revival were utilising Strats. Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmie Vaughan, and Otis Rush. And they weren’t just using Strats; they were using Fender Strats that were either vintage or closely modelled after the original. Interestingly, the Strat’s in-between, ‘out-of-phase’ sound was prominently used in that rebirth. It was excellent not only for funk, disco, and ’80s pop but also for earthy, roots-flavoured blues.
Interesting Facts about the Fender Stratocaster
If you’re a real fan of the Fender electric Stratocaster guitar, you should be familiar with some interesting facts that you won’t come across as simple as ABC.
Starting Price
Fender electric Stratocaster guitars weren’t initially bestsellers; a total of 720 items were sold in the first two years. This is due to the high price – taking into consideration the average monthly income in the mid-1950s, the guitar wasn’t an affordable purchase.
The First Strat with a Serial Number
David Gilmour is the fortunate owner of the Strat with serial number 0001; however, this is not the first Strat ever produced in the Fender shop. According to vintage specialist George Gruhn, the first Stratocaster was constructed in April 1954 under the name “0100”. Sure, there have been a few prototypes, but this is the first with a serial number.
The Secret of Clapton’s “Blackie” Strat
Eric Clapton’s famed “Blackie” Stratocaster is built up of pieces from other guitars. Eric Clapton purchased a few secondhand starts, combining the body of a 56, the neck of a 57, and the pickups of a third instrument. The Fender Custom Shop created an exact copy of this instrument.
Popular Strat Sounds Were Unplanned
Leo Fender equipped his earliest Strats with a three-way switch that allowed you to select each pickup individually. However, several guitarists discovered very quickly that the sound in the intermediate position, when tuned with fingertip precision, is unique and produces a bell-like tone. That was the tone that defined the Stratocasters and contributed to their reputation. Since 1977, Fender has included 5-way switches in their Strats.
Small and Large Tremolo Springs
Unlike the strings of regular electric guitars, many Strats have a little spring in the socket for the tremolo lever. The tremolo springs are located in the socket in front of the lever and serve to stabilise the tremolo arms. Many guitarists ignore this modest but practical tool.
The enormous springs on the back of the tremolo mechanism vibrate when played, causing irritating ringing noises, especially when the strings are strummed and then abruptly halted. A good trick is to cut a thin piece of foam and push it beneath the springs with a screwdriver; this will reduce the ringing sounds. Then kick back and relax.
Popular Models
Besides their unbeatable popularity, some Starts are more popular than others.
Fender Vintera
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The first three decades of Fender Strat history serve as inspiration for Vintera guitars. They have trendy retro fittings, finishes, hardware, and pickups, so to speak. The frets are tall and slim, the single coils produce less output, and the necks are thicker.
Their smooth tone and wide frequency range make them perfect for genres such as classic rock, country, folk, and pop. You can choose from a range of ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, or bespoke specifications. And, if you like a broad, 1950s-style U-shaped neck or a later, more modern, slimmer version, then check out the sleek and highly hip Vintera collection.
Fender Ultra
Fender’s top production guitars are American Ultra Strats. The Californian business improves on the preceding American Elite series by making reasonable upgrades. The rolled fretboard edges, contoured neck heel, and latest noiseless pickups demonstrate once again why Fender is at the top of its game.
The superbly made new ‘C’ neck now boasts a compound fingerboard with a radius of 9.5 to 14 inches, allowing for more comfortable rhythm fretting and improved lead control. Its pickups have been adjusted to provide a midrange tone that is softer and crisper in the higher frequencies. Furthermore, cutting-edge noiseless technology ensures that there is no additional hum.