What's everyone's favorite strat type/era ?

[Tone Slinger]

You know, I'm well aware of the 54-62 era, but I prefer the 68-82 era.Specifically the 68-early 71 ones with the round lam maple boards like Hendrix used. Those necks felt sorta thin, but shaped right. I think that particular neck structure has a distinctive sound. I know everyone here will probably disagree. I, since seeing them all the time in my childhood, like the large style headstock too. I associate that to a "guitar'.

[fillmore nyc]

You know, I'm well aware of the 54-62 era, but I prefer the 68-82 era.Specifically the 68-early 71 ones with the round lam maple boards like Hendrix used. Those necks felt sorta thin, but shaped right. I think that particular neck structure has a distinctive sound. I know everyone here will probably disagree. I, since seeing them all the time in my childhood, like the large style headstock too. I associate that to a "guitar'.

Hey, TS, thats why some guys prefer Jennifer Aniston, and some guys prefer Brad Pitt. (well, something like that). Seriously, its obviously what tickles your brain stem, and gets those neurotransmitters firing. I LOVE old Gibson Firebirds, but my bands ex-rhythm guitar player used to call them an "end table with a neck and strings". Which is why he's the ex-rhythm player. (just kidding). I remember first becoming aware of how cool Strats looked, somewhere around the mid '70's, and its just like you said... that big headstock, and a white finish just knocked me out, but I like 'em all. Big head, pre-cbs head, whatever. If it sounds good, it must BE good!!

[Flames1950]

I'm partial to the big headstock as well..........don't have a Strat with the biggie though. Need a thick neck too.

[Tone Slinger]

Yeah, I have alway's liked the Firebird that Paul Chapman used with UFO after filling in and ultimately replacing Michael Schenker. It was striped down to bare, and had what looked to be a creme colored humbucker (probably the 70's infamous Dimarzio Super Distortion) in the bridge, along with the stock neck 'mini' humbucker. He tracked that whole "No Place To Run" album in '79 with that guitar. I read that it got broken on that tour. That guitar had a great sound, that he was to never get again, as he started using a B.C Rich "Bitch", I think they called it.

I too currently do not own a large headstock strat (though many have come and gone) Flames, those big necks sure do change the sound of a strat. They can make a set of pick ups sound beefier, as compared to a thin neck.

[ohmygodtheykilledkenny]

I love the Big headstock era, anything from 66'-69'ish, I don't like the bullet truss rod thing though, it seems cheezy to me. After that it would be a 61' with the thick rosewood slab board. I also like the 65' Transition thing with the first of the Underwound pickups and bigger logo.

I'll go with my Warmoth 66' replica on this one, once I start playing it I can't put it down.

Travis

[yngwie308]

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[Tone Slinger]

Sounds like a great 'In the future guitar' Dave. I too am fond of the late 65 to mid 68 strats.I've had a few in my hands (at guitar shows that is, not owned ) They all had that bigger transistion style logo, and all had round lam rosewood boards. I think the first maple round lam board I ever seen was on the strat that Pete Townsend played at the Monterey Pop Festival. That must have been rare or a custom order ? Anyway's the First "Big Headstock" strat of Jimi's, the white one with rosewood board, has alway's been a favorite. He started using it in '67, so it was probably a '66 or '67. He tracked much of Electric Ladyland with that guitar. I must admit though, that I like when Fender changed the logo in '69 I think, to include "Stratocaster w/ synchronized tremelo, etc". It just made that large headstock look that much cooler.

[Tone Slinger]

The new Fender "Robin Trower" strat looks good. Perfect except for the unorigional 9 1/2 fretboard radius.

[worldoftone]

Here are a few of mine:



The 70s headstocks are cool, and as far as "looks" they really kick ass. My '63 is my favorite though.

- WOT

[Tone Slinger]

Great collection. Which one sounds the best ?

[Tone Slinger]

Oh the '63. Thats the second from the left huh ? I have noticed fairly inconsistant neck contours on 70's strats. Some bigger than others. How do yours fare. And what would you call the back contour on these. I would call it a cross between a c and u. What do you think ? I played a '74 sunburst strat that had a much more muscular neck than normal, and it was great.

[worldoftone]

They all sound good in different ways. That is why I kept them. '63 basically plays itself. That is why I like it so much. All my 70s necks are the same profile. The '81 Sienna Burst on the right has a flatter radius and a bit thinner neck. That is the profile that the early 90s Japanese '72 RI models were patterned after. I have a '73, '74 and two '75s. All slightly chunky, and basically the same profile as a '70 and '71 I once had.

- WOT

[MacGaden]

They all sound good in different ways. That is why I kept them. '63 basically plays itself. That is why I like it so much. All my 70s necks are the same profile. The '81 Sienna Burst on the right has a flatter radius and a bit thinner neck. That is the profile that the early 90s Japanese '72 RI models were patterned after. I have a '73, '74 and two '75s. All slightly chunky, and basically the same profile as a '70 and '71 I once had.

- WOT

And the "250$ worth of wear every time you pick it up"

[worldoftone]

Yeah, I have a '64 too. That guitar I'm not so fond of. It will be going on Craigslist next month. The finish still keeps getting worse on that '58. I really don;t play it a lot anymore because of that unfortunately.

- WOT

[MacGaden]

Yeah, I have a '64 too. That guitar I'm not so fond of. It will be going on Craigslist next month. The finish still keeps getting worse on that '58. I really don;t play it a lot anymore because of that unfortunately.

- WOT

That