The Stratocaster

Leo Fender changed the face of modern music in 1950 (arguably sooner) when he produced the instrument we now know as the Telecaster. Also in 1950, Leo Fender sought to outdo even his first accomplishment, he set out to create the perfect instrument. By many's opinion, he succeeded. That effort yielded none other than the Stratocaster.

   Fender's first success was the Telecaster. The Telecaster, among other things (like being great), was unrefined. By some accounts, the Telecaster is a slab of wood with the right parts to make a guitar. On some level that account is correct. If that is the case then the Telecaster is the roadster and the Stratocaster plays the role of the high powered luxury super-car. To take a look at the stats, the Strat walks away with a win. Three single-coil pickups, two tone knobs, double cut-away design, recessed input jack, and a shape more than a little reminiscent of the Stradivarius violins make it a master piece. If the Telecaster was proof of concept then the Stratocaster was Leo Fenders signature piece.

The Stratocaster has seen several innovations. The very first additions had a three-way switch that only let you select one pickup at a time. Many players would stick the selector between the first and second position to select the first and second pickups. This trend actually caused the now standard five-way selector to be added. The shape of the Stratocaster is as close to perfect one could image a guitar being. The curves and bevels hug one's body. The weight and balance do delicate dance, being heavy enough to feel substantial but balanced so that the weight sits on the players shoulders.

Leo Fender knew what made a instrument great, three single-coil pickups. Many people love the sound made by humbucker pickups (myself included). These pickups combined high output with noise cancelling, reverse wound coils. In a time were the popular music would mellow and jazz and classical influenced, Leo Fender knew that musicians of the time need presence and clarity to standout from the musical mix. If the sound of the single-coil was too sharp, then the player could adjust either of the tone knobs to cut some of the high-frequencies from the guitar's single, or by adding the second pickup to imitate the sound of a humbucker. So Leo Fender made a guitar feels good, sounds good, and looks good. Perhaps that is why many of the greatest guitarist have chosen to associate themselves with this particular instrument.

Notable Players Include:

Eric Clapton
Buddy Guy
Jimi Hendrix
Buddy Holly
Yngwie J. Malmsteen
John Mayer
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Pete Townshend

Such a great design has inspired countless imitators, in fact my first electric guitar was a copy of a statocaster. I can't say that I favor the Stratocaster. I am a Telecaster player, but I do appreciate the accomplishment made by the greatest innovator of the greatest instrument in the world.