Thanks for watching everyone! Please remember to share your favorite Stratocaster players & albums. Also I hear there are some great Strat tones on this album ;-) jackfossett.bandcamp.com/album/shoreline
I’ve played an SG and a Les Paul for the last 30 years. Last year I got an American Original 50’s reissue Stratocaster. I waited too long and wasted many years! I love it so much and has inspired my playing to go to new heights. Enjoyed your video very much. Good work.
A few other unique tidbits - Strats were also available in hardtail (non-trem) models, one of the first ever custom strats in transparent blonde with gold hardware is referred to as a “Mary Kay” Strat, most of the original custom colors were based on automobile colors, and Stratocaster serial #0001 belonged to David Gilmour!
A good Strat is a nearly Holy thing. I love Les Pauls, SGs, I really miss my Korina V, I love Teles (ESPECIALLY a '72 Custom)... there are lots of great electrics. But at the end of the day, I am a Strat man. I'd say it took decades to learn that, but I kinda knew right away. Specifically, HSS Fat Strats are my poison. Even when I had 14 guitars, a Fat Strat was taking 80% of the workload. When you find and bond with a good Strat it's... magic. There are more expensive guitars, but there aren't _better_ guitars. Everyone has their preference, but there is no denying that the Stratocaster has a cast iron place in guitar history as one of the greatest models of guitar ever created by mortals. Some legends are legends for damned good reason. There is so much love for Strats out their it's almost a cliche... but damn... you ever play a really good one?!?!? Magic, I'm telling you... pure magic. Not to romanticize it too much, but it's like 'the right girl' (or boy as the case may be). When it clicks with a good Strat, you'll always need a good a Strat in your arsenal, even if it's your absolute last, 'desert island' guitar. Strat Addiction is real. ;)
the surf green is amazing specially for blues /jazz clear tone like a crystal actually this sound is like play on cave ! and David Gilmour too both tones are very relaxing and the another night i hear " Signs of Life " from the Pink Floyd album " A momentary lapse of reason " , very relaxing !!!
Thank you! Appreciate you listening and commenting - if I may be so indulgent as to share something, if you like those lipstick pickups, I’ve used them in an original instrumental ua-cam.com/video/Ti12PmitoYA/v-deo.html
Great episode. I’m in the market for a player series. P.S. I got to see SRV 4 times in the 80’s in boston when I was in high school. Best 4 shows I’ve ever seen. The man was a monster
Oh wow! I would have loved to have seen him. The big concerts I've been to down there in Beantown are Clapton at the "whatever its called now" Center. Formerly Fleet Center - McCartney at Fenway, Knopfler at some big outdoor theater on the East end by the water, and Nick Mason in a theater by the Commons.
Ok Jack. I’ve been following your channel for some months. I know your playing, I think you’re very good. You’ got a good sensibility and a great feel. So, knowing the knowledge behind your work, and the dedication on the instrument, I’m really entertained by the way you talk about modern music history. The Stratocaster I bought in 2010 is a great music companion, I really played the hell out of it , she got refretted two times, recorded two records with it. Live performed, been in different states in Europe. Played in Berlin, Paris, Cork, and who knows how many small venues in Italy. She was in tune, cut the mix, eat pedals like crazy, looked good. Olympic white turned on yellowish, because of the pubs, the cigarettes and the sun. I learned the techniques of the masters on her rosewood fingerboard, and I was listening every record I could. So, I’m really into what you’re saying, envolved as f***. And I confirm everything you have said. Thank you
This is an awesome video and it is definitely a Strat 101 talk. As a guitar player myself, I have always loved and preferred Fender Stratocaster electric guitars over any other makes and models of electric guitars. I have some Fender Stratocasters myself and they are incredibly versatile especially with the three single coil pickups set. A lot of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar players of all types that had gotten me into playing the Fender Stratocasters were Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, Jimi Hendrix, Richie Sambora, Bruce Kulick, Hank Marvin, Dick Dale, John Mayer, David Gilmour, Steve Winwood, George Harrison, John Lennon, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler, The Edge, Pete Townshend, Robbie Robertson, Eric Johnson, Buddy Holly, Brad Paisley, John Frusciante and so many among others. I mean, the list goes on and on because almost everyone had played those Fender Stratocasters however different their musical styles had seemed. All of these artists that I had mentioned above are the ones that influenced me to play what I play and that is of course the Fender Stratocasters. I love just about everything that those Fender Stratocaster players had done but my most favorite album of all time to listen to is Eric Clapton's fifth solo studio album from 1977 titled "Slowhand". If you listen closely to that record, Eric Clapton had combined country music to the blues and rock music elements. So the Slowhand album was more country infused even though blues and rock were still included in there. Otherwise, this is my story about the Fender Stratocasters that I love to play and so on. To me, the Fender Stratocaster electric guitars will always be number one for everything music. Otherwise, great stuff.
Good job, Jack! One of the most interesting and comprehensive introduction to this most famous electric guitar of all time! Great examples giving soundchecks which emphasize the unique sound of the strat. Brilliant stuff!👏
@@JackFossett I always look forward to your videos. I'm currently melting in my chair to your white strat with the Uni-vibe. Would you mind adding your pickups to the description? I know you mention them but I'm too busy getting goosebumps to find where you did...
Thank-you Jack! Great video for Strat enthusiasts. I have owned a couple of strats in the past and I finally stepped up to a Custom Shop Strat. I pick it up on Friday. Listening to you I got even more excited about the change it's going to make in my life.
Right On! Well done my friend, really. Your presentation & knowledge on the Stratocaster is one of the best pieces of information on the history of Fender guitars. Thanks! On a side note, the first 2 original Ibanez Tube Screamer series TS808 & TS9 back in the day were & still are today IMO to cool for school no doubt. +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+
I like you man. I like your calm demeanor, your passion, your knowledge and the way you explain everything, to give us these tones. I just bought a Black Fender Player Strat, but with a humbucker in the bridge.
My favorite Strat artists are Hank Marvin, Eric Clapton, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Doug Fieger of The Knack, and of course, John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles. John and George both played Sonic Blue Fender Stratocasters, but John first played his Sonic Blue Strat on The Beatles’s 1965 hit single, “Ticket to Ride”, but most notably on “Nowhere Man”, which both John and George played the lead guitar fills and solo in unison. Doug Fieger played a sunburst maple fretboard 1972 Fender Stratocaster on The Knack’s 1979 single “My Sharona”.
Robin, Smokes, Many if the So Called Greats on Strats. And yes, I'm a Trower snob. Been lucky enough to see him live about 18-20 times and sure some have been more fortunate to have seen him more often. Oddly enough he has never made the super big time, and that might be one reason he is in such a unique place in Rock history and Strat history combined, I don't know. But his 'Sound' his 'Sounds', are second to none. (and for those of us who love Acid & Shooms, he is King, you Know what I mean) God Bless Robin.
I got my first ever guitar on Christmas Day, 1963 ... a 1954 Stratocaster (I started seriously playing, on my brother's 1960 Jazzmaster, in 1961). So I was ahead of most of those players except maybe Holly, Marvin and Guy ... I have probably played a Stratocaster longer than Jimi and Stevie, put together, some 57 years ... Every Stratocaster sounds a little different ...
Great new Strat player to check out is Nicole Damoff of The Surfrajettes. Shermy Freeman is the other guitarist in this top notch surf band. Shermy plays a Creston Creature. Get the album Roller Fink. Great Surf instrumentals. @The Surfrajettes
Buddy Guy is my favorite guitarist of all time! His polka-dot strat is iconic. One of my favorite albums of his is the live performance with G.E. & The Saturday Night Live Band!!! His tone was absolutely crazy!!!!
Got to meet Buddy once. It was as cool as you'd hope. FWIW, whomever said never meet your heroes needed to choose better heroes. Now I want to listen to Damned Right I Got The Blues... suits my mood. Thanks for making think of Buddy reading your comment Also, GE is no slouch on guitar himself. Check out his jam with EVH 'Stompin 8h'
Jack,I realize your video is 2 years old. But one great strat that I believe you have over looked is the ‘80’s Elite. The main reason I absolutely love this strat is because it featured push button pickup selectors and that gave you seven tones. All three pickups or the neck and bridge (6 &7). The neck/bridge became one of my favorite tones. Also the jack was on the heel like the tele, which I preferred.
I can tell by the way you hold your Strat and talk about them that you love Strats as much as I do. You even call then Stratocasters every time. Great video and I like your finger picking style ( I can see how Knopfler influences you).... side note, I'm not crazy about upside down headstocks. They don't look traditional and they're not ergonomic when it comes to tuning them. I never understood that.
Thank you, I appreciate that very much! Those are Seymour Duncan Strat Lipstick pickups, should be able to find them pretty easy at most guitar retailers that carry Seymour Duncan
@@JackFossett I have just started out on my strat journey... I love settings 4 and 2 so that's been my focus... your explanation of the reverse wiring and polarity of the middle pick up for hum cancellation was spot on... I like it without but i need to get to a store to really hear it... thanks again!
finally Hendrix choose the big headstock fender stratocaster ! and he started with the 60´s white stratocaster and later he fund something cool on the 66-9 models !
Hello, Jack. I guess my favourite Strat album is "Layla and other Love Songs" by Derek and the Dominoes (Eric Clapton). However I mostly liked the tone that Eric seemed to reserve for when he covered Otis Rush! Kind of quacky and stinging at the same time. Yes, also those Japanese live recordings (I can never remember their names) but including the famous one you mentioned when he thought the band were cruising too much and started calling out a change of key every other bar (or less). They soon tightened up again! And then Knopfler on Telegraph Road....and I haven't even started on Henrdrix.. Best, Pete. PS I once had a beer with David Gilmour in the bar at Abbey Road - it took me ten minutes to realize who he was... his hands were covered in grease and road grime. It turned out that that morning his Ferrari had broken down in the middle of Tower Bridge crossing the Thames. He had made it on to morning tv in the worst possible way. I only just remembered that! P.
I’d love to see a ‘Tele 101’ video from you, Jack. That green Strat with the lipstick pickups is very striking. Did Fender release it like that? Thank you.
I've thought about that! I've actually been pondering the idea of doing a 101 for several of the classics -- Tele, Les Paul, SG, ES, etc. These take alot of time to research and plan though and I'm just at the starting point. Thats an FSR that was modified -- they've done several runs similar but none just like it. Originally it was a straight up American Standard in the custom color with matching headstock from 2009, they came in Seafoam, Daphne Blue or Fiesta Red. I modified it with the lipstick pickups, chrome knobs, a custom wiring harness and vintage style tuners.
I have a 2017 FSR American Special Strat in surf pearl with matching headstock, and the Tele version, too. It’s clear that this video was a lot of work. You presented it with great skill. If you continue in this vein I will be eager to see it. Meanwhile, having just discovered your channel, I will catch up on older videos. Thanks for the reply. -Mark
Hi, Jack !! The Strats always brings great storys !!!! What do you know, and can tell us, about the "Southern Cross Project", in joint whit brazilian company GIANNINI, in the middle nineties ??? The line was made by the Strat, one JazzBass and an acoustic dreadnought guitar, like Martin D28. It's a nice story, wiht too few trully information about. But nor teh Fender Co., nor the Strats enthusiasts know it at all...
I may have missed (it's late and I have a raging headache) but I'm trying to learn about each of the strats you used. Which year/model where the black and the red strat? Thanks!
For a nice strat tone listen to nights in white satin by the shadows and the Indian flute effect hank plays on a track called variations, what a versatile guitar
Hello, Congratulations on the beautiful tutorials on guitars and amps. I wanted to ask you for advice: I am fond of the Stratocaster sounds of Clapton, Knoffler and Gilmour. I wanted to buy a Stratocaster with a price between 400 and 1100 euros. (CLASSIC VIBE 50/60 - PLAYER 50/60 - PLAYER 50/60 MOD - VINTERA 50/60 - VINTERA 50/60 MOD. - VINTERA 50/60 ROD WORN - AMERICAN PERFORMER). Which of these models are closest to the timbres of Clapton, Knoffler and Gilmour. I also like the idea of the humbuker in the bridge, since I get the clean sounds with the center and the neck. I always follow you. Best regards and happy holidays.
If you want a humbucker in the bridge and can afford it I’d go right up to the American Performer. But those players you mentioned all used classic SSS strats, in which a 50s Vintera is probably your best bet.
I just found this video. I know it's 3 years old, but, oh well, here goes: Robin Trower and Richard Thompson definitely deserve mention if they are not already on your list.
Interesting, good work! My favourite is still Hendrix... The Little Wing Sound is just so nice. Maybe im to young for the Dire Straits :D Didnt know all of their Work except Telegraph Road and Communiqe...But still like the Vibe of Follow me Home to this Day and of course Sultans of Swing.
For me, big part of the Strat tone comes from the nut and nitro finish, I have 3 Strats and definitely the paint finish makes an important difference. This made me choose for all my guitars that only nitro finish will be my option. Great video and congratulations.
Question about the color of the Strat on the left, of the 5 you show, is it considered white as it looks like a faded buttercream to me and I want it. Great video as usual Jack. Love digging into the back catalog.
Very thorough educational video of the strats. Awesome! My favorite strat artist has to be John Mayer. His album, Continuum, has launched me to get a strat. From then ‘til today, I’m still continuing to chase his tones from various albums/ songs.
That’s always the great thing about artists like that, they really bring a new audience to their own influences. BB King even attributed the blues staying alive to the British bluesrockers (like Clapton) in the 60s. He said that without them they wouldn’t have continued to have places to play.
Can't name specific artist. I just decided to build a strat 1 day and fell in love(except the original placement of volume knob-hate that- since changed pickguard). I own 6 Strats and love them all
Great Video. While I do agree the tone change from Maple to Rosewood on a Strat is nominal, the feel that you get playing the two different ones is striking to me. The Maple seems to want to play more delicate and actually more precise. I find myself playing a LOT of either simple blues or ambient tones on a maple Strat. Rosewood seems to want the more down and dirty. Digging in and getting more aggressive tones just seem easier on a Rosewood Strat. I am not saying both are not able to GET each others tones, I am simply saying the guitars almost prompt you in those directions. Compare Clapton and Gilmour and SRV and Kenny Wayne Shepard. Of course you have those who buck the trend like Hendrix, Mayer and Knophler. Hendrix dug into that maple Strat and Knophler got some of the most gorgeous cleans on his rosewood that you ever heard. The one thing I can say for sure is, when I see a Maple Strat I think 50s. A Rosewood? 60s. A FAT Strat? 70 and 80s and EVH all day and night.
Love the green one, it’s lush. But I do have a love/hate thing for strats. They are either really awesome or really boring for me, depending. I feel differently about the tele. Do something on the jazzmaster!!! What, something I said? Seriously, love your playing and your guitar talk. Cheers for the video
Thank you kindly! I don't disagree there. The strangled strat blues tone is one I've grown tired of over the years. Great players and objectively a great tone, but used beyond its scope IMO. I'll probably get in trouble for saying that.
I would say the rosewood can be very important for some because bending and playing fast on a maple board can be difficult for some peoples fingers for whatever reason, mine stick bad on a maple board because of the gloss, so I play rosewood only just because of that
One thing to note about the transition from pre-CBS to CBS strats is a 1966 Strat. Fender may have been under the direction of CBS ownership. But in 1966 they were still using pre-CBS parts that were leftover parts inventory. I know because I used to own a 1966 Strat. I had the guitar tech remove the neck to check the date to determine how old it was, and that's when we both saw that it had 1966 stamped on the back side of the neck joint. So the strat that's more famous for being CBS with the big headstock and all obviously came a few years later once they exhausted all the inventory of parts that were still left over prior to the CBS buyout.
@@JackFossett so Leo might have sold the company. But he probably was kept on as a consultant. What would CBS know about building guitars? Right? The CBS strats were both loved and hated depending on who you ask. But it was the same people that had the reaction to the first Squire Strats during the '80s. Both areas have produced some pretty cool guitars. The The era I wasn't happy with was when there was a shortage on alderwood so Fender was using laminated alder to cover up poplar wood that was being substituted for their bodies. And then on the sunburst models they would overspray across the back so you wouldn't see the difference between the two woods on the belly cut. I didn't know that's what they did. All I know is that my Lonestar Strat from the late '90s sounded nothing like my American standard strat from the late '80s. I hated that lone Star Strat. The neck was much fatter and the sound just didn't set right with me. So I ditched and bought an American Deluxe Strat. Now I just play a Warmoth. It has everything none of the Fender strats never had.
great video! i recommend you check out michael landau, an amazing session guitarist. his signature stratocaster dropped just recently and oh is it a tone candy!
When did Fender first offer the Stratocaster in the Natural body finish? I have seen a number of people playing pre-CBS Strats with a natural body, but I am guessing most, if not all of those were actually refinished. I know Natural does not show up in the custom color chart put out by Fender, and my understanding is Natural was not an official offering until the early 70's. Can you shed any information on this? Thanks.
The best stratocaster tones are Rubber Soul (George Harrison), Big Star, The Shadows and Bobby Fuller Four records. I swear hearing that sounds was unlike all others
You do realize having a rosewood, ebony, etc fretboard is purely cosmetic? Back in the day it was a marketing tool to help sell more guitars. Just like matching the headstock.
Playing volume is a bit high and talking volume is a bit low. Found myself having to turn the volume up during the talking and down during the Playing trying to stay at a decent average volume. But the information and Playing with fantastic. Just a little constructive criticism. Love the content.
Hello Jack....easy enough to replicate the dirty sounds of all the Strat artists you mentioned........SRV, Hendrix, Clapton ,etc......try Hank Marvin's clean sound....many have tried and some were successful although an expensive solution and not an easy job.....good luck
I think, these days, you can buy better strats and better value strats from makers that aren't Fender. Clearly that's a personal opinion but there's just so many other options now. It's great 👍🏻
Well, you're not wrong -- many private companies also dedicate more to building them like Leo and the original team did. "Fender" is a brand name thats now owned by whomever. But a properly built Fender Stratocaster IMO goes beyond who happens to have corporate ownership at any given moment.
Hard to say - currently yes, historically no. He doesnt get the credit he deserves currently but he was front of one of the most successful bands of all time.
@@bradleyclosson5042 He plays creatively in a way that requires extreme precision in one of the most successful rock bands in history. I’d say he counts!
Thanks for watching everyone! Please remember to share your favorite Stratocaster players & albums. Also I hear there are some great Strat tones on this album ;-) jackfossett.bandcamp.com/album/shoreline
Stopped watching don't feel like having my eyes fucked with
Fuck this.
I’ve played an SG and a Les Paul for the last 30 years. Last year I got an American Original 50’s reissue Stratocaster. I waited too long and wasted many years! I love it so much and has inspired my playing to go to new heights. Enjoyed your video very much. Good work.
A few other unique tidbits - Strats were also available in hardtail (non-trem) models, one of the first ever custom strats in transparent blonde with gold hardware is referred to as a “Mary Kay” Strat, most of the original custom colors were based on automobile colors, and Stratocaster serial #0001 belonged to David Gilmour!
I can’t play any other strat than a hard tail
I'd've thought the Lipstick Pickup Strat would be called Mary Kay.
tee hee
They worth a fortune early 50s them ones one piece body
@@mikefromusa6902 year I hear ya but the var is handy and another sound you can wobble I used to unscrew my one years ago but now I use often
Leo's final iteration of the Strat was the G&L strat. This was the best, and still is, period.
A good Strat is a nearly Holy thing. I love Les Pauls, SGs, I really miss my Korina V, I love Teles (ESPECIALLY a '72 Custom)... there are lots of great electrics.
But at the end of the day, I am a Strat man. I'd say it took decades to learn that, but I kinda knew right away. Specifically, HSS Fat Strats are my poison. Even when I had 14 guitars, a Fat Strat was taking 80% of the workload.
When you find and bond with a good Strat it's... magic. There are more expensive guitars, but there aren't _better_ guitars. Everyone has their preference, but there is no denying that the Stratocaster has a cast iron place in guitar history as one of the greatest models of guitar ever created by mortals. Some legends are legends for damned good reason.
There is so much love for Strats out their it's almost a cliche... but damn... you ever play a really good one?!?!? Magic, I'm telling you... pure magic.
Not to romanticize it too much, but it's like 'the right girl' (or boy as the case may be). When it clicks with a good Strat, you'll always need a good a Strat in your arsenal, even if it's your absolute last, 'desert island' guitar. Strat Addiction is real. ;)
the surf green is amazing specially for blues /jazz clear tone like a crystal actually this sound is like play on cave !
and David Gilmour too both tones are very relaxing and the another night i hear " Signs of Life " from the Pink Floyd album " A momentary lapse of reason " , very relaxing !!!
great content Jack. im old (52) been playing for over 35 years and i am loving the tones and beautiful guitars
Thank you! Appreciate you listening and commenting - if I may be so indulgent as to share something, if you like those lipstick pickups, I’ve used them in an original instrumental ua-cam.com/video/Ti12PmitoYA/v-deo.html
I like that you have white Strats- That's my favorite color of a Strat. I wish I had a white one. That green Strat looks awesome as well.
Great episode. I’m in the market for a player series.
P.S. I got to see SRV 4 times in the 80’s in boston when I was in high school. Best 4 shows I’ve ever seen. The man was a monster
Oh wow! I would have loved to have seen him. The big concerts I've been to down there in Beantown are Clapton at the "whatever its called now" Center. Formerly Fleet Center - McCartney at Fenway, Knopfler at some big outdoor theater on the East end by the water, and Nick Mason in a theater by the Commons.
@@JackFossett "whatever it's called now" theater
Based
Ok Jack. I’ve been following your channel for some months. I know your playing, I think you’re very good. You’ got a good sensibility and a great feel. So, knowing the knowledge behind your work, and the dedication on the instrument, I’m really entertained by the way you talk about modern music history. The Stratocaster I bought in 2010 is a great music companion, I really played the hell out of it , she got refretted two times, recorded two records with it. Live performed, been in different states in Europe. Played in Berlin, Paris, Cork, and who knows how many small venues in Italy. She was in tune, cut the mix, eat pedals like crazy, looked good. Olympic white turned on yellowish, because of the pubs, the cigarettes and the sun. I learned the techniques of the masters on her rosewood fingerboard, and I was listening every record I could. So, I’m really into what you’re saying, envolved as f***. And I confirm everything you have said. Thank you
This is an awesome video and it is definitely a Strat 101 talk. As a guitar player myself, I have always loved and preferred Fender Stratocaster electric guitars over any other makes and models of electric guitars. I have some Fender Stratocasters myself and they are incredibly versatile especially with the three single coil pickups set. A lot of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar players of all types that had gotten me into playing the Fender Stratocasters were Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, Jimi Hendrix, Richie Sambora, Bruce Kulick, Hank Marvin, Dick Dale, John Mayer, David Gilmour, Steve Winwood, George Harrison, John Lennon, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler, The Edge, Pete Townshend, Robbie Robertson, Eric Johnson, Buddy Holly, Brad Paisley, John Frusciante and so many among others. I mean, the list goes on and on because almost everyone had played those Fender Stratocasters however different their musical styles had seemed. All of these artists that I had mentioned above are the ones that influenced me to play what I play and that is of course the Fender Stratocasters. I love just about everything that those Fender Stratocaster players had done but my most favorite album of all time to listen to is Eric Clapton's fifth solo studio album from 1977 titled "Slowhand". If you listen closely to that record, Eric Clapton had combined country music to the blues and rock music elements. So the Slowhand album was more country infused even though blues and rock were still included in there. Otherwise, this is my story about the Fender Stratocasters that I love to play and so on. To me, the Fender Stratocaster electric guitars will always be number one for everything music. Otherwise, great stuff.
Great video, I'm surprised there was no mention of Rory Gallagher. He might be my favorite Strat player along with Mark Knopfler.
Good job, Jack! One of the most interesting and comprehensive introduction to this most famous electric guitar of all time! Great examples giving soundchecks which emphasize the unique sound of the strat. Brilliant stuff!👏
I'm only a few minutes into this, but I have to comment on the lovely sounds and tremendous playing.
Thank you again! Appreciate you taking the time to watch.
@@JackFossett I always look forward to your videos. I'm currently melting in my chair to your white strat with the Uni-vibe. Would you mind adding your pickups to the description? I know you mention them but I'm too busy getting goosebumps to find where you did...
Sure thing! Well here are those pickups, Righteous Sound Pickups "Opals," to start: www.righteoussoundpickups.com/product-page/opal-complete-set
Thank-you Jack! Great video for Strat enthusiasts. I have owned a couple of strats in the past and I finally stepped up to a Custom Shop Strat. I pick it up on Friday. Listening to you I got even more excited about the change it's going to make in my life.
Incredible, in depth video Sir. Watched from first to last minute!
Right On! Well done my friend, really. Your presentation & knowledge on the Stratocaster is one of the best pieces of information on the history of Fender guitars. Thanks! On a side note, the first 2 original Ibanez Tube Screamer series TS808 & TS9 back in the day were & still are today IMO to cool for school no doubt. +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+
Very elaborate video. I highly appreciate the effort that went into this. Nice work man.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to Stratocaster 102, 201 etc.
I like you man. I like your calm demeanor, your passion, your knowledge and the way you explain everything, to give us these tones. I just bought a Black Fender Player Strat, but with a humbucker in the bridge.
My favorite Strat artists are Hank Marvin, Eric Clapton, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Doug Fieger of The Knack, and of course, John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles. John and George both played Sonic Blue Fender Stratocasters, but John first played his Sonic Blue Strat on The Beatles’s 1965 hit single, “Ticket to Ride”, but most notably on “Nowhere Man”, which both John and George played the lead guitar fills and solo in unison. Doug Fieger played a sunburst maple fretboard 1972 Fender Stratocaster on The Knack’s 1979 single “My Sharona”.
You really earn my suscription, thanks for this content!
One of my favorite strat artists is Robin Trower. His strat tone is very unique
Robin, Smokes, Many if the So Called Greats on Strats. And yes, I'm a Trower snob. Been lucky enough to see him live about 18-20 times and sure some have been more fortunate to have seen him more often. Oddly enough he has never made the super big time, and that might be one reason he is in such a unique place in Rock history and Strat history combined, I don't know. But his 'Sound' his 'Sounds', are second to none. (and for those of us who love Acid & Shooms, he is King, you Know what I mean) God Bless Robin.
Man... you have some great looking Strats! 😎👍
I got my first ever guitar on Christmas Day, 1963 ... a 1954 Stratocaster (I started seriously playing, on my brother's 1960 Jazzmaster, in 1961). So I was ahead of most of those players except maybe Holly, Marvin and Guy ... I have probably played a Stratocaster longer than Jimi and Stevie, put together, some 57 years ... Every Stratocaster sounds a little different ...
Wow that’s awesome! Do you still have your 54?
800000% effort put into this video. U deserve likes views and subscribtion!!!!
Thank you, appreciate that!
This was pretty dope - thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
As a teenager back in the 70's I loved the Strat sound on Deep Purples Machine Head!
Deep Purple had some seriously underrated Strat tunes!
Thanks for all the album recommendations!
Sure thing!
Great new Strat player to check out is Nicole Damoff of The Surfrajettes. Shermy Freeman is the other guitarist in this top notch surf band. Shermy plays a Creston Creature. Get the album Roller Fink. Great Surf instrumentals. @The Surfrajettes
Lov e the video. Wanted to know the year and pickups with each strat you played!
Buddy Guy is my favorite guitarist of all time! His polka-dot strat is iconic. One of my favorite albums of his is the live performance with G.E. & The Saturday Night Live Band!!! His tone was absolutely crazy!!!!
Which one was that? I used to constantly jam along to one of Buddy’s live in Chicago albums when I was getting into blues.
This album was called LIVE. THE REAL DEAL!!!!
Got to meet Buddy once. It was as cool as you'd hope. FWIW, whomever said never meet your heroes needed to choose better heroes. Now I want to listen to Damned Right I Got The Blues... suits my mood. Thanks for making think of Buddy reading your comment
Also, GE is no slouch on guitar himself. Check out his jam with EVH 'Stompin 8h'
Jack,I realize your video is 2 years old. But one great strat that I believe you have over looked is the ‘80’s Elite. The main reason I absolutely love this strat is because it featured push button pickup selectors and that gave you seven tones. All three pickups or the neck and bridge (6 &7). The neck/bridge became one of my favorite tones. Also the jack was on the heel like the tele, which I preferred.
Great video 🤙
I love Gibbies and Fenders as well....
The best!
Yes they are!
Beautiful tones.
Thanks for listening!
I can tell by the way you hold your Strat and talk about them that you love Strats as much as I do. You even call then Stratocasters every time. Great video and I like your finger picking style ( I can see how Knopfler influences you).... side note, I'm not crazy about upside down headstocks. They don't look traditional and they're not ergonomic when it comes to tuning them. I never understood that.
that was great! 5 watt world has its moments... i get your reference but this was better, imo... and where do i get those lipstick pickup strats??
Thank you, I appreciate that very much! Those are Seymour Duncan Strat Lipstick pickups, should be able to find them pretty easy at most guitar retailers that carry Seymour Duncan
@@JackFossett I have just started out on my strat journey... I love settings 4 and 2 so that's been my focus... your explanation of the reverse wiring and polarity of the middle pick up for hum cancellation was spot on... I like it without but i need to get to a store to really hear it... thanks again!
finally Hendrix choose the big headstock fender stratocaster !
and he started with the 60´s white stratocaster and later he fund something cool on the 66-9 models !
Hello, Jack. I guess my favourite Strat album is "Layla and other Love Songs" by Derek and the Dominoes (Eric Clapton). However I mostly liked the tone that Eric seemed to reserve for when he covered Otis Rush! Kind of quacky and stinging at the same time.
Yes, also those Japanese live recordings (I can never remember their names) but including the famous one you mentioned when he thought the band were cruising too much and started calling out a change of key every other bar (or less). They soon tightened up again!
And then Knopfler on Telegraph Road....and I haven't even started on Henrdrix..
Best, Pete.
PS I once had a beer with David Gilmour in the bar at Abbey Road - it took me ten minutes to realize who he was... his hands were covered in grease and road grime. It turned out that that morning his Ferrari had broken down in the middle of Tower Bridge crossing the Thames. He had made it on to morning tv in the worst possible way. I only just remembered that! P.
I’d love to see a ‘Tele 101’ video from you, Jack.
That green Strat with the lipstick pickups is very striking. Did Fender release it like that? Thank you.
I've thought about that! I've actually been pondering the idea of doing a 101 for several of the classics -- Tele, Les Paul, SG, ES, etc. These take alot of time to research and plan though and I'm just at the starting point.
Thats an FSR that was modified -- they've done several runs similar but none just like it. Originally it was a straight up American Standard in the custom color with matching headstock from 2009, they came in Seafoam, Daphne Blue or Fiesta Red. I modified it with the lipstick pickups, chrome knobs, a custom wiring harness and vintage style tuners.
I have a 2017 FSR American Special Strat in surf pearl with matching headstock, and the Tele version, too.
It’s clear that this video was a lot of work. You presented it with great skill. If you continue in this vein I will be eager to see it. Meanwhile, having just discovered your channel, I will catch up on older videos. Thanks for the reply. -Mark
I've seen those! Look like great guitars. And thank you, appreciate the support!
Hi, Jack !!
The Strats always brings great storys !!!!
What do you know, and can tell us, about the "Southern Cross Project", in joint whit brazilian company GIANNINI, in the middle nineties ???
The line was made by the Strat, one JazzBass and an acoustic dreadnought guitar, like Martin D28.
It's a nice story, wiht too few trully information about.
But nor teh Fender Co., nor the Strats enthusiasts know it at all...
I would like to see your review of JV Squier Strat!
I may have missed (it's late and I have a raging headache) but I'm trying to learn about each of the strats you used. Which year/model where the black and the red strat? Thanks!
Eric Clapton on journeyman the intro to "before you accuse me" is a favorite sound of mine followed by Eric Johnson ah via musicom "cliffs of dover"
You had me at "Tin Pan Alley"!
Please don't forget Yngwie Malmsteen , Robin Trower , Ron Wood . Favourite : Trower 1975 at Winterland . 🇺🇸🎸☮️🌟🌟🌟🌟🪐
For a nice strat tone listen to nights in white satin by the shadows and the Indian flute effect hank plays on a track called variations, what a versatile guitar
Hello,
Congratulations on the beautiful tutorials on guitars and amps.
I wanted to ask you for advice:
I am fond of the Stratocaster sounds of Clapton, Knoffler and Gilmour.
I wanted to buy a Stratocaster with a price between 400 and 1100 euros. (CLASSIC VIBE 50/60 - PLAYER 50/60 - PLAYER 50/60 MOD - VINTERA 50/60 - VINTERA 50/60 MOD. - VINTERA 50/60 ROD WORN - AMERICAN PERFORMER).
Which of these models are closest to the timbres of Clapton, Knoffler and Gilmour.
I also like the idea of the humbuker in the bridge, since I get the clean sounds with the center and the neck.
I always follow you.
Best regards and happy holidays.
If you want a humbucker in the bridge and can afford it I’d go right up to the American Performer. But those players you mentioned all used classic SSS strats, in which a 50s Vintera is probably your best bet.
I just found this video. I know it's 3 years old, but, oh well, here goes: Robin Trower and Richard Thompson definitely deserve mention if they are not already on your list.
Great bio my man! Do the big muff, Jimi story too.
Interesting, good work! My favourite is still Hendrix... The Little Wing Sound is just so nice. Maybe im to young for the Dire Straits :D Didnt know all of their Work except Telegraph Road and Communiqe...But still like the Vibe of Follow me Home to this Day and of course Sultans of Swing.
2 of my fav strat players are Bonnie Rait and Leroy Parnell!
For me, big part of the Strat tone comes from the nut and nitro finish, I have 3 Strats and definitely the paint finish makes an important difference. This made me choose for all my guitars that only nitro finish will be my option. Great video and congratulations.
Question about the color of the Strat on the left, of the 5 you show, is it considered white as it looks like a faded buttercream to me and I want it. Great video as usual Jack. Love digging into the back catalog.
Thanks! That one is Classic white, which pops a little more with the lighter pickguard. The more stark white finish is called Olympic white.
Very thorough educational video of the strats. Awesome!
My favorite strat artist has to be John Mayer. His album, Continuum, has launched me to get a strat. From then ‘til today, I’m still continuing to chase his tones from various albums/ songs.
I definitely think Mayer revitalized the Stratocaster in modern times. He’s a great player and has an excellent ear for tone.
Jack Fossett I agree! He’s definitely opened the doors for me to listen to his idols such as SRV, Hendrix, and Clapton. The great circle of strats.
That’s always the great thing about artists like that, they really bring a new audience to their own influences. BB King even attributed the blues staying alive to the British bluesrockers (like Clapton) in the 60s. He said that without them they wouldn’t have continued to have places to play.
Well done!
Great video !!
Stevie Ray Vaughan on Texas Flood is my favorite
Can't name specific artist. I just decided to build a strat 1 day and fell in love(except the original placement of volume knob-hate that- since changed pickguard). I own 6 Strats and love them all
Great Video. While I do agree the tone change from Maple to Rosewood on a Strat is nominal, the feel that you get playing the two different ones is striking to me. The Maple seems to want to play more delicate and actually more precise. I find myself playing a LOT of either simple blues or ambient tones on a maple Strat. Rosewood seems to want the more down and dirty. Digging in and getting more aggressive tones just seem easier on a Rosewood Strat.
I am not saying both are not able to GET each others tones, I am simply saying the guitars almost prompt you in those directions. Compare Clapton and Gilmour and SRV and Kenny Wayne Shepard. Of course you have those who buck the trend like Hendrix, Mayer and Knophler. Hendrix dug into that maple Strat and Knophler got some of the most gorgeous cleans on his rosewood that you ever heard.
The one thing I can say for sure is, when I see a Maple Strat I think 50s. A Rosewood? 60s. A FAT Strat? 70 and 80s and EVH all day and night.
Love the green one, it’s lush. But I do have a love/hate thing for strats. They are either really awesome or really boring for me, depending. I feel differently about the tele. Do something on the jazzmaster!!! What, something I said? Seriously, love your playing and your guitar talk. Cheers for the video
Thank you kindly! I don't disagree there. The strangled strat blues tone is one I've grown tired of over the years. Great players and objectively a great tone, but used beyond its scope IMO. I'll probably get in trouble for saying that.
Interesting video.
I would say the rosewood can be very important for some because bending and playing fast on a maple board can be difficult for some peoples fingers for whatever reason, mine stick bad on a maple board because of the gloss, so I play rosewood only just because of that
Clapton plays the middle pickup a lot on Stratocasters. He used to play the second position in the 70s but since the 80s, middle pickup mostly.
Honorable mention... Robert Cray. Pristine clean tones on a Hardtail Stratocaster.
I wish this were a 5-part miniseries
One thing to note about the transition from pre-CBS to CBS strats is a 1966 Strat. Fender may have been under the direction of CBS ownership. But in 1966 they were still using pre-CBS parts that were leftover parts inventory. I know because I used to own a 1966 Strat. I had the guitar tech remove the neck to check the date to determine how old it was, and that's when we both saw that it had 1966 stamped on the back side of the neck joint. So the strat that's more famous for being CBS with the big headstock and all obviously came a few years later once they exhausted all the inventory of parts that were still left over prior to the CBS buyout.
Its also my understanding that Leo designed the big headstock himself.
@@JackFossett so Leo might have sold the company. But he probably was kept on as a consultant. What would CBS know about building guitars? Right?
The CBS strats were both loved and hated depending on who you ask.
But it was the same people that had the reaction to the first Squire Strats during the '80s. Both areas have produced some pretty cool guitars. The The era I wasn't happy with was when there was a shortage on alderwood so Fender was using laminated alder to cover up poplar wood that was being substituted for their bodies. And then on the sunburst models they would overspray across the back so you wouldn't see the difference between the two woods on the belly cut.
I didn't know that's what they did. All I know is that my Lonestar Strat from the late '90s sounded nothing like my American standard strat from the late '80s. I hated that lone Star Strat. The neck was much fatter and the sound just didn't set right with me.
So I ditched and bought an American Deluxe Strat. Now I just play a Warmoth. It has everything none of the Fender strats never had.
great video! i recommend you check out michael landau, an amazing session guitarist. his signature stratocaster dropped just recently and oh is it a tone candy!
What's the price if a run of the mil strat in america 3 grand in new Zealand that's about 2300 American
When did Fender first offer the Stratocaster in the Natural body finish? I have seen a number of people playing pre-CBS Strats with a natural body, but I am guessing most, if not all of those were actually refinished. I know Natural does not show up in the custom color chart put out by Fender, and my understanding is Natural was not an official offering until the early 70's. Can you shed any information on this? Thanks.
You're right. It wasn't.
Fav Strat Artists ?
Hendrix, Rory Gallagher & Phillip Sayce.
The best stratocaster tones are Rubber Soul (George Harrison), Big Star, The Shadows and Bobby Fuller Four records. I swear hearing that sounds was unlike all others
I think alot of people don't realize that many classic Beatles tones were on a Stratocaster.
Alright, school of Rock baby.
thanks so much ;)
YOu should listen to Dan Patlansky,. A South African artist. He's got a great strat tone, a King of hard blues style.
I’ve heard him, great player!
anything from Eric Johnson, and the first 6 records of YJM, and of course Rainbow and MAde in Japan sound
wait how do I make my strat sound like the second guitar you played ?
holy crap those lipstick pickups are as strat sounding as anything
Yeah they’re very “stratty strat” sounding. Superb pickups, they don’t get enough love.
Completely agree. I just shot my Strats a disappointed glance.
The real question is maple or rosewood for strats and why?
You do realize having a rosewood, ebony, etc fretboard is purely cosmetic? Back in the day it was a marketing tool to help sell more guitars. Just like matching the headstock.
David Gilmore, Jeff Beck and of course Hendrix
Dang.. I feel like I just attended the Stratocaster University... The amount of knowledge Jack has (and can clearly transmit) is amazing..
Playing volume is a bit high and talking volume is a bit low. Found myself having to turn the volume up during the talking and down during the Playing trying to stay at a decent average volume. But the information and Playing with fantastic. Just a little constructive criticism. Love the content.
Thanks for the feedback!
Hello Jack....easy enough to replicate the dirty sounds of all the Strat artists you mentioned........SRV, Hendrix, Clapton ,etc......try Hank Marvin's clean sound....many have tried and some were successful although an expensive solution and not an easy job.....good luck
Jerry played at strat for a year or two.
Alligator 😊
If you want clasic strat tone. Get tone rider pure vintage pickups. Wow for 100.00........
I hardtail my Strats. The trem makes it virtually impossible to intonate.
That’s pretty common. Sometimes I want to be a trem user more than I actually am - I find them more enjoyable to play with the trem pressed down.
I hardtailed all my strats and I will never go back
Dark side of the moon
CHRIS DUARTE.....
IT'S not THE ARROW ,, it's the ARCHER
...Legolas?
Please look up the word "iconic'. It's a VISUAL symbol
Nobody's a Robert Cray fan?
I am! Not enough time to mention everyone but I love him. I saw him open for Clapton in 06.
I think, these days, you can buy better strats and better value strats from makers that aren't Fender. Clearly that's a personal opinion but there's just so many other options now. It's great 👍🏻
Well, you're not wrong -- many private companies also dedicate more to building them like Leo and the original team did. "Fender" is a brand name thats now owned by whomever. But a properly built Fender Stratocaster IMO goes beyond who happens to have corporate ownership at any given moment.
The Edge? Jack you’re better than the Edge. Take his name out chore mouth.
Q: is Mark Knophler underrated IYO?
Hard to say - currently yes, historically no. He doesnt get the credit he deserves currently but he was front of one of the most successful bands of all time.
The Edge does not belong on that list. 😐
Sure he does!
@JackFossett He might play a strat but I wouldn't call him a guitar player.
@@bradleyclosson5042 He plays creatively in a way that requires extreme precision in one of the most successful rock bands in history. I’d say he counts!
@@JackFossett fart sound
Ok pal @@bradleyclosson5042
first learn to play the guitar octavia, maestro-fuzz, uni-vibe you are a collector not a player
?
what is that sonic blue strat? american professional II?
MIM - it's a Classic Player guitar. What turned into the Vintera line.
Lovely video. What about Jeff...?