The Guitar Sherpa

Design/Features                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Originally the Stratocaster’s three pickups were identical in their construction with each producing its own sound. The neck pickup’s sound is described as mellower, fuller, and louder than the brighter and sharper tone of the bridge pickup. The middle pickup’s sound is somewhere between the two.

The neck and middle pickups are each wired to a tone adjustment knob, while the bridge pickup has no tone control allowing for maximum brightness. All three pickups' volume levels are controlled by one common volume knob. The placement of the tone and volume knobs allows a guitarist to adjust each knob with their right hand while playing.

Initially pickup selection was achieved using a 3-way pickup switch. However, guitarists discovered that by jamming the switch in between the first and second position both the bridge and middle pickups could be selected, thus creating a new sound. Similarly a guitarist could jam the switch between the second and third position, so that the middle and neck pickups were both selected.

As this switch-jamming trick became more widely used, Fender responded with a 5-way pickup selector that allowed tonal combinations and provided better switching. The 5-way pickup selector has been a standard feature of Stratocasters since 1977. Along with the 5-position switch, Fender introduced a new reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup that provided a hum-canceling effect.

In the 1970s and 1980s, some guitarists began modifying their Stratocasters with humbucking pickups to create what became known as a “Fat Strat.” The addition of humbucking pickups was intended to provide a thicker tone for hard rock and heavy metal. In response to the popularity of this modification, Fender began manufacturing models with a bridge humbucker option.

Credited with dramatically improving the playability of a guitar, the Stratocaster’s “Comfort Contour Body,” represented a significant difference in guitar body design when compared to the flat, slab-like design of the Telecaster. The Stratocaster’s body features a unique curve on the upper back and a gradual curve at the front bottom, where the player's right arm rests. Originally the Stratocaster’s body was offered in a 2-color sunburst finish, together with a solid deeply contoured ash body. As time passed color choices other than sunburst, including a variety of colorful car-like paint jobs and custom colors, became available.

Similar to its contour guitar body, the Stratocaster’s single-ply, 8-screw hole white pickguard was a unique concept that allowed all of the guitar's electronic components to be mounted on one removable surface.

Typically comprised of 21 frets, the Stratocaster’s neck - similar to the Telecaster - was originally made of maple with either a rosewood or maple fretboard. The one-piece maple neck's wide, "dogleg"-style headstock contrasted to the very narrow Fender Telecaster's headstock shape. After the one-piece maple neck was discontinued in 1959, the Stratocaster was refitted with a rosewood fretboard.
Because of the Stratocaster’s removal backplate, which covered the bridge, players were able to remove several springs that anchored the bridge flat against the guitar’s body. By removing the strings and tightening the guitar’s claw screws a guitarist could put the bridge in a “floating” position. Putting the bridge in a floating position allowed a guitarist to move the tremolo arm, also known as a whammy bar, up or down to change the pitch of a note. Stratocaster players such as Eric Clapton, who disliked the tuning instability of floating bridge Stratocasters, blocked the tremolo bridge by inserting a small wedge of wood in against a gap towards the bottom of the guitar body. Inserting the wood locked the bridge in a fixed position.

Stratocaster Guitarists                                                                                                                           

Besides Eric Clapton, a number of famous guitarists have pioneered or played a Stratocaster dating back to Dick Dale, Buddy Holly, and Hank Marvin. Surf bands like the Surfaris, the Ventures, and the Beach Boys also championed the Stratocaster. Bands such as the Beatles and the Monkeys utilized the Stratocaster’s sound, however the guitar is most commonly associated with the work of Jimi Hendrix. Other artists known for playing Stratocasters include: Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Billy Corgan, Tom Delonge, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Dave Murray, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Richie Sambora.

Stratocaster Models                                                                                                                           

According to Fender’s website there are 50 models of Stratocaster available. The various series of Stratocasters includes: American Deluxe, American Special, American Standard, American Vintage, Artist, Classic, Classic Player, Deluxe, Highway One, Road Worn, Standard, and Vintage Hot Rod. Fender also maintains a custom shop that builds guitars to order.

The American Standard Series Stratocasters come with alder or ash bodies, rolled fingerboard edges, three custom "modern" staggered single-coils, and the DeltaTone system. As of 2008, all American Standard’s come with a redesigned bridge.

The American Deluxe Series Stratocasters originally came with a variety of high-end options such as a Fender DH-1 humbucker and an American 2-point locking vibrato bridge. Guitars produced before 2004 featured vintage noiseless pickups and 4-bolt neck fixing.

The American Special Series originally featured a Floyd Rose locking tremolo bridge, and came in HSS (Fender DH-1 humbucker and 2 DeltaTone single-coils) and HH (dual Fender DH-1 humbuckers) configurations. New for 2010, the American Special includes many of the features found on the Highway One and American Standard Series guitars.

The VG Stratocaster is an American Series virtual modeling guitar with a Roland VG pickup and two extra knobs for tuning and mode control. The tuning knob allowed a guitarist to switch between standard, Drop D, D Modal, open G, baritone, and twelve-string tunings. The VG Stratocaster was introduced in 2007 and discontinued in April 2009.

The Vintage Hot-Rod Series features ’50s and early ’60s designs paired with some modifications including flatter fretboards and larger frets.

The Road Worn Series combines a '60s Stratocaster and a '50s Stratocaster, Tex-Mex pickups, a C-shape neck, and alder body. The guitars are deliberately aged to produce the "road worn" look of a vintage Stratocaster.

The Highway One Series, originally introduced in 2002 and re-designed in 2007, is an affordable "reissue" meant to resemble Stratocasters from the 60's and 70's. The guitar is basically a mix between an American Series and Standard Series.

Fender Japan produced the less expensive "Squier Stratocasters” starting in 1982 for the European and American markets. Today, Japanese models are only available in Japan.

The design and features of various Stratocaster series have been widely copied by other guitar manufactures, although the term "Strat," is a trademark of Fender. It is estimated that the Stratocaster is one of the most replicated guitar designs.

The Legacy Continues                                                                                                                                 

The popularity of the Stratocaster and the influence it has had on the music industry are still evident, as the guitar’s look and features have been applied to video games and phones.

Compatible with Rock Band, Rock Band 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, Guitar Hero World Tour, and Guitar Hero 5, the Wireless Fender Stratocaster replica is a full-size guitar replica that includes premium fret buttons and strut bar. The replica includes tuning keys and a bridge that feature genuine metal parts and fittings.

On January 20 of this year T-Mobile released the Fender Stratocaster-inspired Android phone, the myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition. According to a T-Mobile document, the phone features a Fender Stratocaster inspired design for finish and case.