I know this is irrelevant to this particular UA-cam post but I just gotta say: Last night at the Iridium? You totally blew us all away. That was the most amazing solo I think I've ever heard. You went from bizarre and cool slow harmonics to rocking Hendrix-like spaces that are just not possible to imagine. Space time! Of course, Matt and his trio killed it for the whole show. Most excellent, thanks so much for jumping in there!
Thanks Jeff, so nice to see good tastes in guitars runs in the family. A big thanks to Steve for loaning his '64 to you for this comparison. I love them both, both when played like a Strat sound fantastic.
I have listened to this twice, and to my ears Steve’s guitar is breaking up more than Jeff’s. I will joyfully take either one. Let me know if you need my shipping address Jeff 😉. This was a fun video, perfect for Sunday morning.
Man, you might be the coolest cat on utube. It's your demeanor...u should do guided meditations. It's so obvious why Keith loves you. What a great fun comparison of 2 amazing instruments. Just having them in the same room is WOW. Thanks for all the great honest sincere content and for the inspiration to get my strat out of its case. Ur the Man...4sure..
haa...it's been a while Jeff...and then a double wammy strat....very nice.....what luxury.....my brother doesn't play guitar (don't even talk to him anymore...🤔)...but my son does....and his got some strats too..haha...enjoyed your video.....thanks and cheers again...
Beautiful guitars man. I can only wish to have a original 60s one some day. I saw a original 65 Strat in sunburst the other day for $28k in a local shop. They have really went up in price!
Hi Jeff,I just bought a Boss GX100 multi effects unit,it sounds good but finding it too complicated,I have a few amps,bedroom player,do you think a few pedals would serve me better,thanks
Both are great. Jeff's, to me, sounds brighter with more potential for highlights and leans more toward the SRV type tone. This one could really go into sting and ring in a solo when desired. Can't go wrong with either.
Do they both feel the same (playability-wise)? And do you have to adjust the truss rod very often? Seems like such a pain in the colon to have to loosen the neck. BEAUTIFUL guitars, of course!
I have a 1965 Strat, and it used to be my best sounding Strat compared to modern versions. A while back, I found Kinman pickups and installed a set in a Mexican Strat to avoid the hum in a studio environment. The Kinman pickups eliminated the hum, but to my surprise, they sounded better than the 1965 Strat. So now, I'm planning to remove and preserve the 1965 pickguard and electronics, and then install new components with a Kinman pickup set.
Question for your Bloomfield settings. Do you find much difference between running into the OX vs the same settings through a cab live? I find the way my Two-Rocks break up into the OX to be quite a bit different from playing at volume, but it's also pretty hard to AB the differences.
There's a very interesting video on UA-cam by Andreas Kloppmann, one of the absolute best PU builders, called "Kloppmann Pickups: The history of the Stratocaster sound" In this Video he demonstrates the different Stratocaster pick up sounds from 1954 to the late 1960s. I highly recommend this video. He says that especially in 1964 there were quite a lot of changes to the PUs wich make a tonal difference. So this would be interesting to compare to these two original 1964 Strats. Thank you, Jeff, for your great videos, they are always gems 🙂
Hey man, really liked the comparison. Are you into any Rory Gallagher by any chance? If so could there be a lesson about his playing any time in the future?
;really enjoy the front of the note presence on Steve's strat for the 2&4 position,...but many peeps prefer a slightly squishier,warmer attack on they're in-between sounds anyways, so a classic example of subjectivity on that one:) No notes for the rest of the tones, absolutely exquisite fenders with plenty of warmth & clarity, every position absolutely usable and inspiring to say the least:)
Jeff both are fantastic guitars, if it was life or death and I had to choose one I think Steve's would be the one I would take. Now with that said if I walked into a shop that had yours on the wall I would be very happy with that.
Wow, very nice, distinct tones between one and the next, perhaps just slightly more bite out of your brothers, but just beautiful tone out of both. Whats not to love eh, an embarrassment of riches to be sure. Darn it, now I gotta get out my custom shop 60 and play along, and compare that too ! Happy Sunday Jeff and thanks !
The Bridge pickup seems brighter on steeve ´s guitar. On yours it was middle pickup. Has your brother have the second tone wired to middle pickup? And I believe you said earlier you had it wired to the bridge on your strat. That would make sense to my ears... Otherwise I found both guitars sound pretty much identical. Both sound great. Those guitars sound pretty epic theough your rig and hands. :)
I sub to many guitar channels😢lol, and I have to admit this is one if if not the most impressive Ive seen/heard! You earned a new subscriber. Thanks for sharing!
I paid off my local music store layaway price of $265.00 on my then new 1963 Stratocaster. I know many think they have some special sound or feel. I still play it occasionally, but don't fully get the idea they are all that special. I have a 2018 MIM Player. Strat that is my goto guitar and a 2022 Les Paul Tribute that I've customized a bit. It's a nice no frills guitar. Tone and nostalgia makes good conversation. But nothing replaces hard work learning chords and professional playing ability. That's my take at age 67. Yes, I've played almost daily for over 60 years.
Sure, playing it king. And not all vintage guitars are great, but as my buddy Matt Schofield put it, "Not all vintage guitars are great, but the best guitars I have ever played happen to have ben vintage."
I imagine if yours has the purple wire in the pickups they might sound more mid scooped and great for playing things like Lenny and Dire Straits, I don't know what black wire is in your brothers but if it's standard Formvar I imagine more mids which can give a woody thing, great for playing Texas Flood or more aggressive tones. I imagine they are both early/mid 64's as the later 64's often have the transition logo positioned down lower closer to the nut (but obviously with old strats lots of exceptions to the rule). I also own a 64 strat and a Two Rock Bloomfield Drive and found it interesting you ran the tone knobs so low and the lead gain so high, I'll have to give that a try, so many amazing tones in that amp, I keep finding new great tones in it and have owned it since they were first released. I like an RFT 12AX7 in V4 running lead gain low but hitting it with a clean boost for great tones at lower volumes. I also love my 64 strat my favourite guitar, it is so big and woody and notes sustain like a Les Paul while still sounding like a Strat, it's just magic.
Thanks for this. I have heard similarly about the wire differences as you described. Mine is definitely more mid scooped. I also agree Steve’s is more aggressive in that Texas Flood kind of way. Thanks for this great info. As for the two rock settings, that has more to do with running it through the Ox. I have to dial in the amp for that, live or not into the ox the tone controls are more in the middle give it take. I can’t remember what the date is in mine. I have the pics somewhere! I guess I should know that! I love this eta of Strat as you do. Nice and warm. Thanks again for the post!
Both guitars and the amp are great instruments! Setup and amp settings can change a lot, but they both have that piano-wirery Strat sound…NICE 😊 Levels sounded a bit pushed into the Red on the recording? Treat to hear such fine instruments played by a real Player!
I could even the sound out with the amp for sure and setup. As for the levels, I try not to record to hot, but I'm not sure. So much compression going on in YT as well.
Well, Jeff, your strat is great, but the pickups in your brother's guitar just have the edge in my opinion. The have a bit of clarity that is missing from your strat. Granted, this is like comparing excellent or fantastic with great or phenomenal. Its just a subtle difference that others may feel the opposite about and have just as valid an opinion. You and your brother are blessed to have such fine instruments to ply your craft upon. Great playing as always! All the best!
It’d be interesting to A/B tweaking the amp too. I think the pickup height is a major factor here too. Steve’s are closer to the stings. For me mine seems to have a larger dynamic range, less compressed and a bit more complex. I’ve sat with both for a long time and still come back to mine. But I’d be happy with either.
@@JeffMcErlain I hadn't even considered differences in pickup height. You are probably right on with that. I have an American Standard that had a horrible neck pickup sound compared to other strats I've owned. I've improved it greatly by playing with the pickup height. I'll end up replacing anyway, but its an improvement. Any pickup suggestions? Too close and the pickup sounds wooly (not to mention intonation issues), but too far away and it can sound anemic and flat. I would say for your playing a little more dynamic range is preferred and that's why you've set your strat that way. This was a great opportunity to hear great guitars and get the perspective of a pro on the subtleties of pickup setup. Thanks!
Thanks! As for pickups Lollars are excellent, if you want a slightly lees expensive option, Duncan makes great pickups. I don’t particularly know the specific models but both solid choices.
As they are, yours has more clarity but with no less body. I would struggle with the midrange fog your brother’s has. I would have to lower the bass side of the pickups and disconnect the tone controls altogether. Yours is prettier in every way imho.
Super fun video, Jeff!!! Totally dig it. For me, I mostly preferred your brother’s Strat. The tones had a certain thing to them that always speaks to me. This is a fantastic example of why each and every guitar is a different instrument. Laughably, my favorite Strat tones come from my Vintera mod 50s and it’s all the pickups (and your brother’s Strat has some of that particular mojo). I have USA Strats that cost 2.5 times the Vintera, but they just don’t sound quite as good. 1000% subjective stuff, but there it is.
Good Lord. You’ve put the universe at risk of a spontaneous “cool factor black hole” by putting two ‘64 Strats, two Two-Rock amplifiers, your playing and that fedora in the same room at the same time.
Hi, please have a word with Teachable. I ordered 2 of your courses, then realised they were too basic for me, so I contacted Teachable straightaway with a view to cancelling them and going for something else. This was on June 8th andf have still not had a refund! They have my money!
by my ears, Steve's pickups seem a bit hotter, i.e harsher. Whereas Jeff's seems nicely mellowed. Could very well be based on the amount of play each guitar received. I wouldn't dream of taking yours Jeff, but you could send me your brother's.
It does to my ear as well. Hard to quantify, mine is a little mellower which I think suits my playing more. But I would not be unhappy with his guitar!
The man makes no apologies for his testing method and I like it.
Ha!! Not my first UA-cam rodeo! lol. Just for fun.
I know this is irrelevant to this particular UA-cam post but I just gotta say: Last night at the Iridium? You totally blew us all away. That was the most amazing solo I think I've ever heard. You went from bizarre and cool slow harmonics to rocking Hendrix-like spaces that are just not possible to imagine. Space time! Of course, Matt and his trio killed it for the whole show. Most excellent, thanks so much for jumping in there!
Well thank you very much man!!! I really appreciate that. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Thanks Jeff, so nice to see good tastes in guitars runs in the family.
A big thanks to Steve for loaning his '64 to you for this comparison.
I love them both, both when played like a Strat sound fantastic.
🙌🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻
Both are great guitars, nice of your brother to let you borrow his Strat
He’s the man!
I have listened to this twice, and to my ears Steve’s guitar is breaking up more than Jeff’s. I will joyfully take either one. Let me know if you need my shipping address Jeff 😉. This was a fun video, perfect for Sunday morning.
lol! Thanks for watching!
Cool vid .. it would be good to know the Wright difference if any??
Man, you might be the coolest cat on utube. It's your demeanor...u should do guided meditations. It's so obvious why Keith loves you. What a great fun comparison of 2 amazing instruments. Just having them in the same room is WOW. Thanks for all the great honest sincere content and for the inspiration to get my strat out of its case. Ur the Man...4sure..
Thank you Andrew, I really appreciate the compliments and you taking the time to let me know. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Jeff, what are your Ox settings? (Cab, mics, effects, etc).
Your guitar’s middle pickup is pretty magical. My favorite sound in the comparison.
Yeah, it's very nice!
I thought the same thing. Jeff’s middle pick up is spicy!
haa...it's been a while Jeff...and then a double wammy strat....very nice.....what luxury.....my brother doesn't play guitar (don't even talk to him anymore...🤔)...but my son does....and his got some strats too..haha...enjoyed your video.....thanks and cheers again...
Beautiful guitars man. I can only wish to have a original 60s one some day. I saw a original 65 Strat in sunburst the other day for $28k in a local shop. They have really went up in price!
These were both acquired before the prices really went crazy. It was crazy when I got mine, now it's insane.
Hi Jeff,I just bought a Boss GX100 multi effects unit,it sounds good but finding it too complicated,I have a few amps,bedroom player,do you think a few pedals would serve me better,thanks
Both are great. Jeff's, to me, sounds brighter with more potential for highlights and leans more toward the SRV type tone. This one could really go into sting and ring in a solo when desired. Can't go wrong with either.
Do they both feel the same (playability-wise)? And do you have to adjust the truss rod very often? Seems like such a pain in the colon to have to loosen the neck. BEAUTIFUL guitars, of course!
They are both superb. I got a '63....but it is a Custom Shop!
And I’m sure it’s great!!
She is great! But I'm not...😢 Anyways it is a pleasure every time I play her, I feel at home. Nice video, like always
I have a ‘63 CS as well. Love the neck profile of it. The “modern C” isn’t good. Not a fan.
Is this using the OD channel on the amp or the clean?
Od side gain kinda low.
A refreshing comparison.........Thanks.
I have a 1965 Strat, and it used to be my best sounding Strat compared to modern versions. A while back, I found Kinman pickups and installed a set in a Mexican Strat to avoid the hum in a studio environment. The Kinman pickups eliminated the hum, but to my surprise, they sounded better than the 1965 Strat. So now, I'm planning to remove and preserve the 1965 pickguard and electronics, and then install new components with a Kinman pickup set.
So many variables in the pickups. So I’m for whatever works for you. If I weren’t happy worth them I’d do the same!
Question for your Bloomfield settings. Do you find much difference between running into the OX vs the same settings through a cab live? I find the way my Two-Rocks break up into the OX to be quite a bit different from playing at volume, but it's also pretty hard to AB the differences.
Yes totally different. I have to back all the tone controls way back.
There's a very interesting video on UA-cam by Andreas Kloppmann, one of the absolute best PU builders, called "Kloppmann Pickups: The history of the Stratocaster sound"
In this Video he demonstrates the different Stratocaster pick up sounds from 1954 to the late 1960s.
I highly recommend this video. He says that especially in 1964 there were quite a lot of changes to the PUs wich make a tonal difference.
So this would be interesting to compare to these two original 1964 Strats.
Thank you, Jeff, for your great videos, they are always gems 🙂
both sound awesome. i've really enjoyed your playing, as always. cheers.
Thank you.
I guess Jeff could name his guitar Steve and Steve could name his guitar Jeff? Brotherly love of two iconic starts!!!
Hey man, really liked the comparison. Are you into any Rory Gallagher by any chance? If so could there be a lesson about his playing any time in the future?
Love the phrasing. Grail guitars.
THank you!
Maybe the pickup heights and setup are the only difference. Both sound in the same ballpark.
Agreed
;really enjoy the front of the note presence on Steve's strat for the 2&4 position,...but many peeps prefer a slightly squishier,warmer attack on they're in-between sounds anyways, so a classic example of subjectivity on that one:) No notes for the rest of the tones, absolutely exquisite fenders with plenty of warmth & clarity, every position absolutely usable and inspiring to say the least:)
Sounds like either Steve's has thicker strings or the pickups are closer, or both.
Both have a new set of 10’s on them. His pickups are closer.
It’s like a night and day difference Jeff. I can see why you need two 😂
Ha! I wish I had both!
Jeff both are fantastic guitars, if it was life or death and I had to choose one I think Steve's would be the one I would take. Now with that said if I walked into a shop that had yours on the wall I would be very happy with that.
What a fantastic video have a good weekend also today is my sister's friends birthday
Well happy birthday to her!
Wow, very nice, distinct tones between one and the next, perhaps just slightly more bite out of your brothers, but just beautiful tone out of both. Whats not to love eh, an embarrassment of riches to be sure. Darn it, now I gotta get out my custom shop 60 and play along, and compare that too ! Happy Sunday Jeff and thanks !
Yup. I see them the same way. Mine is a bit rounder, both fantastic.
They both sound great. Your brothers guitar seems brighter. Is it like that unplugged or is that just a pickup height thing?
Mine is darker acoustically as well. But I imagine it’s more pickup related.
The Bridge pickup seems brighter on steeve ´s guitar. On yours it was middle pickup. Has your brother have the second tone wired to middle pickup? And I believe you said earlier you had it wired to the bridge on your strat. That would make sense to my ears... Otherwise I found both guitars sound pretty much identical. Both sound great. Those guitars sound pretty epic theough your rig and hands. :)
If I had to make a choice yours wins in my opinion smoother less shrill tones
I sub to many guitar channels😢lol, and I have to admit this is one if if not the most impressive Ive seen/heard! You earned a new subscriber. Thanks for sharing!
Well thank you very much! Thanks for letting me know and for subscribing!
@@JeffMcErlain thank YOU! 🤘🎸
I paid off my local music store layaway price of $265.00 on my then new 1963 Stratocaster.
I know many think they have some special sound or feel.
I still play it occasionally, but don't fully get the idea they are all that special.
I have a 2018 MIM Player. Strat that is my goto guitar and a 2022 Les Paul Tribute that I've customized a bit. It's a nice no frills guitar.
Tone and nostalgia makes good conversation. But nothing replaces hard work learning chords and professional playing ability. That's my take at age 67.
Yes, I've played almost daily for over 60 years.
Sure, playing it king. And not all vintage guitars are great, but as my buddy Matt Schofield put it, "Not all vintage guitars are great, but the best guitars I have ever played happen to have ben vintage."
Both sound amazing, if I had to pick, your brother's edges it out for me, but that could very well be due to the setup.
That’s an outrage!! 😂
Both are nice
We’ll just goes to show that good hands make guitars sound awesome whatever the difference wow two beautiful guitars one awesome player that is epic !
Thank you. 🙏🏻
A Squire classic vibe would sound amazing though that amp ❤ great playing 👏👏❤️🔥
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Came for Jeff, stayed for Steve 😁
Ha!
I imagine if yours has the purple wire in the pickups they might sound more mid scooped and great for playing things like Lenny and Dire Straits, I don't know what black wire is in your brothers but if it's standard Formvar I imagine more mids which can give a woody thing, great for playing Texas Flood or more aggressive tones. I imagine they are both early/mid 64's as the later 64's often have the transition logo positioned down lower closer to the nut (but obviously with old strats lots of exceptions to the rule).
I also own a 64 strat and a Two Rock Bloomfield Drive and found it interesting you ran the tone knobs so low and the lead gain so high, I'll have to give that a try, so many amazing tones in that amp, I keep finding new great tones in it and have owned it since they were first released. I like an RFT 12AX7 in V4 running lead gain low but hitting it with a clean boost for great tones at lower volumes. I also love my 64 strat my favourite guitar, it is so big and woody and notes sustain like a Les Paul while still sounding like a Strat, it's just magic.
Thanks for this. I have heard similarly about the wire differences as you described. Mine is definitely more mid scooped. I also agree Steve’s is more aggressive in that Texas Flood kind of way. Thanks for this great info.
As for the two rock settings, that has more to do with running it through the Ox. I have to dial in the amp for that, live or not into the ox the tone controls are more in the middle give it take. I can’t remember what the date is in mine. I have the pics somewhere! I guess I should know that! I love this eta of Strat as you do. Nice and warm.
Thanks again for the post!
Both sound awesome!!! Steve may be a bit brighter, or Jeff may be a bit darker.
Yes. 😉
Steve's push the amps more than Jeff's, I don't know if it's the pups or the pups height.
Both sounds great though, and have it own vibes.
Yes! I’m sure I could get closer by tweaking the amps. And yes both great and have their own thing.
Both guitars and the amp are great instruments! Setup and amp settings can change a lot, but they both have that piano-wirery Strat sound…NICE 😊
Levels sounded a bit pushed into the Red on the recording? Treat to hear such fine instruments played by a real Player!
I could even the sound out with the amp for sure and setup. As for the levels, I try not to record to hot, but I'm not sure. So much compression going on in YT as well.
This is a really useful video if ever I’m trying to decide between a ‘64 Strat or a ‘64 Strat. 😂
Hey Jeff.. I’m watching this again cause you haven’t posted anything in a while… Hope you’re doing well..?👍🏼❤️
Thanks Joe.
Well, Jeff, your strat is great, but the pickups in your brother's guitar just have the edge in my opinion. The have a bit of clarity that is missing from your strat. Granted, this is like comparing excellent or fantastic with great or phenomenal. Its just a subtle difference that others may feel the opposite about and have just as valid an opinion. You and your brother are blessed to have such fine instruments to ply your craft upon. Great playing as always! All the best!
It’d be interesting to A/B tweaking the amp too. I think the pickup height is a major factor here too. Steve’s are closer to the stings. For me mine seems to have a larger dynamic range, less compressed and a bit more complex. I’ve sat with both for a long time and still come back to mine. But I’d be happy with either.
@@JeffMcErlain I hadn't even considered differences in pickup height. You are probably right on with that. I have an American Standard that had a horrible neck pickup sound compared to other strats I've owned. I've improved it greatly by playing with the pickup height. I'll end up replacing anyway, but its an improvement. Any pickup suggestions?
Too close and the pickup sounds wooly (not to mention intonation issues), but too far away and it can sound anemic and flat. I would say for your playing a little more dynamic range is preferred and that's why you've set your strat that way. This was a great opportunity to hear great guitars and get the perspective of a pro on the subtleties of pickup setup. Thanks!
Thanks! As for pickups Lollars are excellent, if you want a slightly lees expensive option, Duncan makes great pickups. I don’t particularly know the specific models but both solid choices.
Give me Steve's neck and bridge pick-ups with Jeff's middle pick-up, and I would be set to go! Both sound great!
Maybe he'd never know if I did that....
@@JeffMcErlain I promise I wouldn't tell, ha!
If I was Laying Lots of Dollars down to Buy One ..I would walk out the Store With Steve's though it is So Close
As they are, yours has more clarity but with no less body. I would struggle with the midrange fog your brother’s has. I would have to lower the bass side of the pickups and disconnect the tone controls altogether.
Yours is prettier in every way imho.
Loving these comments!! It’s so interesting what people prefer. I’m with you on this one!! 😉
Super fun video, Jeff!!! Totally dig it. For me, I mostly preferred your brother’s Strat. The tones had a certain thing to them that always speaks to me. This is a fantastic example of why each and every guitar is a different instrument. Laughably, my favorite Strat tones come from my Vintera mod 50s and it’s all the pickups (and your brother’s Strat has some of that particular mojo). I have USA Strats that cost 2.5 times the Vintera, but they just don’t sound quite as good. 1000% subjective stuff, but there it is.
This is outrageous!!!!
Yup totally subjective when you get to these things!
Good Lord. You’ve put the universe at risk of a spontaneous “cool factor black hole” by putting two ‘64 Strats, two Two-Rock amplifiers, your playing and that fedora in the same room at the same time.
ha!
I'll have one of each thanks 🤣🤣
Ha! Me too!
Wait, both you and your brother have vintage 60’s Strats? That kind of blows my mind. Who’s the better guitarist? :)
I’ll let him answer that. 😉
👍
Hi, please have a word with Teachable. I ordered 2 of your courses, then realised they were too basic for me, so I contacted Teachable straightaway with a view to cancelling them and going for something else. This was on June 8th andf have still not had a refund! They have my money!
Thanks for letting me know! I’m sorry for any inconvenience and I’ve emailed you !
cant afford those old vintage guitars. Will have to suffer with my PRS. I need to practice more than playing lots of different guitars.
PRS are great guitars. I love mine. A vintage guitar isn’t necessarily better nor is it necessary. Practice is king.
by my ears, Steve's pickups seem a bit hotter, i.e harsher. Whereas Jeff's seems nicely mellowed. Could very well be based on the amount of play each guitar received. I wouldn't dream of taking yours Jeff, but you could send me your brother's.
Clearly a man of taste.
64' sounds a touch better, but I'm partial to the 65' my birth year.
Intrapersonal scientific measurements ❤
Ha!!
Jeff's sounds better to my ear... would be hard pressed to give a concrete reason why.
It does to my ear as well. Hard to quantify, mine is a little mellower which I think suits my playing more. But I would not be unhappy with his guitar!
God i hate cheap guitar day 😂
😂
To my ears Steve's is a little more trebly
Omg they sound horrible you should get rid of them. I'll take then off your hands....😂
I know, right? Best I just use them as firewood. Nobody would want them. 😂
I hear that! I picked up a gold klon awhile back it makes a great doorstop...👍🏾
@@jessejacobs3792 😂