I Hate My Strat

winnard · Post by **winnard** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:05 pm

BashCoder wrote:
winnard wrote:It sounds dull, no soul at all, no matter what pickup selection I use it on.

winnard wrote:I had a MIM Strat a couple of years ago that was actually pretty darn good. I'm going to have to do some pickup mods to this one. I'll probably build a whole pick guard with different pups in it, and I'm open for suggestions.
I wholeheartedly recommend: http://fralinpickups.com/stratstyle.asp

Go through the different models down the left side of the page. Start with the neck only, if you want, and see what a difference it makes for only $75. If you do, I predict you'll replace the other two as well. Vintage Hots are great. I typically go 5% or so overwound, but if you're mostly into clarity and high end response you could go stock or 5% under.

I noticed the guitar shop down the street stocks them. I'll save up and take a chance on them, they appear to be what I need.

winnard

Flames1950 · Post by **Flames1950** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:06 pm

Pickups will only help if the Strat sounds good to you acoustically but not right plugged in........make sure you like the guitar unplugged and it sounds lively acoustically or IMHO pickups won't be the answer.

winnard · Post by **winnard** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:10 pm

Flames1950 wrote:Pickups will only help if the Strat sounds good to you acoustically but not right plugged in........make sure you like the guitar unplugged and it sounds lively acoustically or IMHO pickups won't be the answer.

It sounds great unplugged, that's one of the reasons I bought it.
I played it thru a Mesa Boogie, and it sounded good thru it on clean.

winnard

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:39 pm

Billy Batz wrote:I use both. I feel like gibsons are easier. To play and to get a great marshall tone out of. Strats fight more tonewise. I like that about them. They feel cheap. They sound more in your face.

That happens to be almost a direct Jeff Beck qoute ya know there, Dan.

Bainzy · Post by **Bainzy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:46 pm

After building a ('boutique') TS-808 I plugged in my Fender USA Strat and I'm in love with the guitar again. I've been frustrated that I couldn't get a decent sound out of it, but now that I can I'm really appreciating what a great guitar it is to play. The neck feels absolutely perfect, more comfy than any Gibson I've played, and even my Warmoth compound radius neck.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:57 pm

NY Chief wrote:
Billy Batz wrote:I use both. I feel like gibsons are easier. To play and to get a great marshall tone out of. Strats fight more tonewise. I like that about them. They feel cheap. They sound more in your face.
That happens to be almost a direct Jeff Beck qoute ya know there, Dan.

Not on purpose

. I thoguht I was rippin Blackmore off a bit saying the strat fights you more but its true! Im not even a Beck fan. (sorry, I dont know why)

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:37 pm

Billy Batz wrote:
Country Boy Shane wrote:Don't get me wrong, I love the Strat sound, but I've never found one with a neck that feels so beefy and has really nice high-narrow frets. I'd proabably have to get a custom neck made for me for one to ever work out for me.
I had to

How is it working for ya? I'm really interested in hearing this! Did you get something made from Warmoth?

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:16 pm

Hell yeah. Best playing strat neck Ive ever played. They dont finish the frets but I swear its perfect as it comes. They do the nut, and finish if you want. Their not cheap but hell for $900 a warmoth could take any fender custom shop strat. I got a boat neck shape. Its huge.

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:23 pm

Billy Batz wrote:
NY Chief wrote:
Billy Batz wrote:I use both. I feel like gibsons are easier. To play and to get a great marshall tone out of. Strats fight more tonewise. I like that about them. They feel cheap. They sound more in your face.
That happens to be almost a direct Jeff Beck qoute ya know there, Dan.
Not on purpose . I thoguht I was rippin Blackmore off a bit saying the strat fights you more but its true! Im not even a Beck fan. (sorry, I dont know why)

You're right. I've heard Blackmore make similar comments.

It's OK, Dan. You don't have to appreciate a master. We love you anyway!

marshman · Post by **marshman** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:58 pm

I've always been amazed at the variation in Strat necks. I'm in the sad state now that I've managed to get a pair of strats that I really like acoustically, but I prefer the neck on one and am considering dismantling the pair and cross-mojinatin' the two into one.

I'm using a set of Rio Grande Tall Boys. I'm diggin' them, though I'm still thinkin I could find something a bit more useful for the bridge p'up (waaaay better than the stock p'up, mind you). Perhaps the Stelly (a strat/tele hybrid) would be the ticket. Never played any Fralins, but have heard nothing bad about them.

I have played Lace sensors, and they are not bad p'ups. They seem ultra-clean (some would say sterile) and crisp. They're not bad, just don't seem to do the middle-level grind as well as the ultra clean and the heavy, high gain stuff. Very detailed in those situations, though.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:03 am

Call me crazy but I think the best strat necks are the ones that are thicker and fatter then LP necks. It just works out well with the strat radius and scale. Maybe I just like baseball bat necks?

kimbo5150 · Post by **kimbo5150** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:13 am

Billy Batz wrote: I got a boat neck shape. Its huge.

Me too - bloody awesome neck!!!!

Makes my SRV strat neck seem like a modern thinline neck!

Kimbo

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:49 am

Shit man, that's an inch all the way down. I thought my 50's neck on my LP was pretty beefy!

dino rico · Post by **dino rico** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:05 pm

I hate your strat too !!

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:29 am

A man who is tired of Strats,is tired of life itself..to quote a famous saying.
That's why it's great to have OFR Strats vintage Strat's,Scalloped Strats,plus unique Les Pauls,two Gary Moore modified LP's and a my '52-'56 Goldtop conversion.
To get tired of a Strat,change off and you will love it again,as it would be my desert island guitar!!!

yngwie308