Stratocaster Pioneers Of The 1950s - Ask Zac 178

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Introduced in 1954, the Fender Stratocaster could have died a quick death if it had not caught on with key players on the music scene of the day. The guitarists who put it on the map, Ike Turner, Otis Rush, Pee Wee Crayton, Buddy Guy, Buddy Holly, Johnny Meeks, Eldon Shamblin, Buddy Merrill, and Neil LeVang, deserve credit for their important role in the success story of the Strat. Bill Carson & Rex Gallion also get special mention as the guys who pushed Leo Fender to create the Stratocaster because of their desire for an instrument with a built-in vibrato, a 6-piece bridge, 3 pickups, and a contoured body.
Playlist
open.spotify.c...
Doye O'Dell with Bill Carson
• Doyle O'Dell - Diesel ...
Deke's article on Rex Gallion and Strat 001
dekedickerson....
Gear used:
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps...
1955 Stratocaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 50/60 middle and neck, Duncan Twang banger in the bridge.
www.ronellispi...
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10-46
Affiliate link
amzn.to/494qQ1y
Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm
Effects: Amp reverb
#askzac #zacchilds #stratocaster

[@Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

You know you're in for real talk when Zac starts calling people "cats".

[@820hurleyj]

I noticed that. 😅

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Strat 🐱 cats! Don’tchu know nothin’!?

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I love it. Zac grabs a Strat and the first thing he does is make it sound like a Tele. 😂❤

[@AskZac]

Tears......I'm ok

[@solidsender11]

Thanks for this video, Zac. Great presentation. I love Gibsons but my core is Strats & Teles. Good to know more about the pioneers of these guitars. Keep the music coming, buddy!

[@christmasmusicukulele8318]

The Duncan Twang Banger is basically a tele pickup that fits in a strat. Makes every strat sound better😀. By the way, another great episode, thanks Zac!

[@30smsuperstrat]

​@christmasmusicukulele8318 I'd seen guys with tele bridge pickups in a strat, but this guy got me to finally try it myself. I loved it until a couple of the magnets went dead. Come on, Seymour! 😆😑 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2bYc2d7mJ17kNksi=EYSXkwoEzjkQmoGJ

[@jorgefernandes6915]

Amazing video. Could you do a similar video on Gibson or Gretsch?

[@RobinBassett]

This is what we appreciate. Not click bait "250" lists. Time well spent learning from Zac.

[@gavinsolomon2711]

Plus one on that!

[@clarkrichardson949]

When Jimmie Vaughn mentions an influence in an interview, I listen! Great show and thanks for shining a light on these players!

[@gvrussell9230]

I watched the Lawrence Welk Show every Saturday night when I was a kid just to see Buddy Merrill. That was after watching The Rhodes show out of Memphis, The Wilburn Brothers and Porter Wagoner. All to see the guitar players.

[@mjt5576]

Sounds like we had the same childhood!

[@bobhewitt5047]

One of the most important videos you’ve created Zac … full of important - and often overlooked information on the Stratocaster. So pleased you mentioned Buddy Merrill. I had the pleasure to spend a day at Buddy’s home in Southern California a few years back … the poor guy didn’t even own a guitar let alone a Fender! Richard McDonald allowed me to take a 50’s Custom Shop Strat to film with Buddy. He told me how Leo made a dulled aluminium scratchplate for one of Buddy’s Strats - because Welk’s tv lighting people complained about the ‘bounce back’ reflection from the gold anodised or white scratchplates. Thanks again Zac for another great KZbin post…

[@AskZac]

Dulled aluminum pick guard. I want one. Thanks Bob!

[@briguylor]

Excellent as always Zac and thanks for putting names to those L Welk players which us kids from the 50's were forced to watch by our parents! PBS keeps the tradition alive! :)

[@mlwilliam213]

This is super convenient for me. I recently went back to Strats after several years of Les Pauls and then Teles. Zac getting a Strat and making these videos about them is something I wouldn’t have even thought to hope for. It’s like the universe decided to throw me a bone.

[@TheHamebusk]

Super informative! And great plug for Buddy Merrill. Been a big fan ever since paying attention and respect for all the top-flight musicians in Lawrence Welk's orbit over many decades. What a stable of talent...

[@dugfalsetti9448]

That is one beautiful "Hunk of Junk" there Mr. Zac. You chose well.

[@valcoman5593]

Great show. thank you for not shying away from Ike Tuner a big time influence on my Strat sound. I'm also one of the 100 owners of the custom shop Ike Turner personally autographed guitars. I must point out one glaring omission and another big influence on me is Johnny Guitar Watson's 50's Strat work.

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@jasoncarlson7867]

Great video and love that Strat of yours. The wood grain on the body is so striking.

[@gavinsolomon2711]

Excellent, very informative and interesting. Really enjoyed this!

[@AskZac]

Awesome, thank you!

[@105Gunner]

“The Lawrence Welk Show was leaning old when it was first introduced.” Memories of Saturday nights at my Grandparents’ homes come flooding back. Thanks for the trip back to happier times Zac.

[@michaelshearer3559]

Ike Turner, Bobby Womack, and so many other greats, stories get overshadowed by their personal lives. These guy were beyond influential (especially Bobby)

[@BigBobbyBoLo]

Im on the young side age wise, and grew up listening to my parents and grandparents music.. Always loved bobby but didnt realize he was playing guitar on those tracks til years later.. He us super underrated

[@NickRatnieks]

Hank Marvin got his first Strat very late 1959- they had assumed having got hold of the Fender catalogue that as the most expensive guitar- it must be the guitar played by James Burton! His playing was very influential in the UK- Apache from 1960 being the key recording.

[@AskZac]

Which is why he will be in the 60s episode

[@garyssimo]

Which is why I subscribed to not miss the 60s episode. Prolly will have that whats his name Jimi sumpthn? cat on it.

[@Dragon_rls]

Excellent video Zach. Thanks for posting 👍

[@BlackMarketYoga]

I thought I heard in Curves, Contours and Body Horns - The TV Documentary that Bill Carson was told by Leo to "do something about it" so Bill chopped up a tele and Leo said, OK. Great episode thank you.

[@BlackMarketYoga]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eny9mImQhqp9g7s

[@fernandes5986]

My God Zac, what a sound. Great video.

[@telecasterbear]

Thanks for the quality content, Zac.

[@portsideguitar1981]

Glad Eldon Shamblin got a mention! Love to hear more about you getting to play his Strat.

[@Nowandthen-zen]

Diggin these strat shows , good stuff🎸✌🏻

[@robertmitchell2178]

Excellent one Zac! These great pioneers broke the trails that we follow today. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@iamgcase]

Thanks for bringing up Ike Turner! His album “Blues Roots” is amazing! His personal life with Tina was a disaster, but his playing really was a great example of style with a Strat.

[@rogertruesdale664]

Hey Zac Old guy here who grew up watching the Champagne Orchestra from 50s on... That said and I know I didn't dream this...there was an episode when Lawrence presented Buddy with and again almost chanelling a Strat. My Mom never missed that show. Hate to admit it.. I was a Pete Fountain fan😂😂😂

[@stratjed]

Two Stratocaster videos in one week! Wow thanks.

[@Bryanpjc]

Thank you and long live the Strat arc on this channel! I have been obsessing over 1950s Strat guys for the last few months and this video delivers BIG TIME on getting the viewer hip to some of those overlooked legends. You're the best.

[@portsideguitar1981]

A wonderful and interesting history. Thanks Zac!

[@chrislute1211]

Man that strat is killing me since the last bridge float episode..

[@robamaral9089]

The first time I saw a Strat was on the Lawrence Welk show back in the 50s it lookend so futuristic

[@BigBobbyBoLo]

great series! I'd love to see more of these. Different guitars and different decades

[@joshporter08]

This was a great episode. Keep up the good work Zac!

[@mikemiller6628]

Great job on this and I remember Buddy from the Lawerence Welk show.

[@StratsRUs]

That was a great précis of a fantastic instrument/company. You make it look easy and your playing is sweet as a nut.Thanks.

[@guitareveryone]

Great episode! A lot of great players mentioned there and I loved Buddy Merrill’s playing. Very versatile guitarist. And I Love your Strat!

[@drgarlandglenn]

While I'm primarily a Tele player, there's something about a strat. They are just so cool. And, they do make you play differently. Thanks for another great "lesson".

[@JavierTijuana]

Pretty cool chapter Zac! I missed maybe to mention the short career of Magic Sam, one of the most talented of the late 50s Chicago blues players along with Buddy Guy and Otis Rush.

[@AskZac]

Good call!

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

My weekly ray of guitar sunshine. I appreciate ya, Zac!

[@BobP99]

Buddy Merrill's hybrid Travis style was next level.

[@marklarkinsmusic5543]

Zach. I just bought a reissue deluxe reverb, i like the the sound of it..Your comments please.

[@AskZac]

I like them too!

[@craighos2571]

Thank you for adding strat videos Zack. 🎸

[@mattosmechanics]

Wow! Doye O’Dell-I always thought Red Simpson was the first to do that song (electric anyway). Awesome video as always, many thanks

[@scotthd2841]

Ah, the Lawrence Welk show. Watched it many times growing up. The guitars didn’t stand a chance with Myron Floren on lead accordion.

[@scottyeager539]

Loved the episode. Thanks, as always. Must admit, I was kinda expecting to see Roland Janes mentioned. Didn't he play a Strat quite often while working at Sun Records?

[@kylemoran4343]

Buddy Holly had a very close friend named Sonny Curtis, and Sonny purchased a Stratocaster same year Buddy did. Sonny went on the road with Slim Whitman, but later wrote classic rock songs, like "I fought the Law" and "Walk Right Back", "I'm No Stranger to the Rain". I guess Sonny's about 86 and I bet still strumming is guitars. Sláinte Zac

[@TheWGLOVER]

I thought Sonny was a Telecaster guy. Photos exist showing him playing Buddy’s Stratocaster.

[@kylemoran4343]

@@TheWGLOVER I believe the guitar Sonny used in Nashville at Bradley's barn, for Buddy's first recordings was Buddy's Strat, and Sonny played lead on it. They were called the "Three Tunes" at that time.

[@Southern.child86]

I’m liking the strat love lately Zac! Great playing and that’s a sweet lookin 2 tone you’ve got on your lap sir…..

[@henryb160]

Big fan of Neil Le Vang. He did a ton of session work and was often called to play on the Elvis movies in the mid/late 60s. Another great player who was similar to Neil Le Vang and Buddy Merrell, was Speedy Haworth.

[@EastCoastDave]

I'd just like to try and hip folks to the early work of Johnny Guitar Watson. Especially the song "Space Guitar" (1954). Some really wild strat playing on that one, especially for the era!

[@duster413]

Interesting note on Pee Wee Crayton- Allegedly, his song "Do Unto Others" from 1954 is the first recording of a Fender Strat. I recommend you check it out. You'll probably find that the opening riff sounds quite familiar!

[@AdamLevyGuitarTips]

Hats off to Otis Rush and Earl Hooker!

[@handle433]

Hey Zach, can you tell me more about Neil LeVangs Stratocaster? I’ve always loved the paint on that, even though it was in black and white😹 the pattern on the top horn looked so attractive. I heard it was stolen years ago? Neil said it had special wood on the body or neck, I can’t remember which.

[@AskZac]

In a VGM article years ago, he only mentioned the pickups being different.

[@cmaddox1020]

Nice video, Zac. Could you tell us more about the Strat you are playing? It looks like a '54 or '55 or a CS version.

[@CBGypsy03]

It's a 55 strat built by his college buddy from parts... Ron Ellis pickups... check the description, everything is in there :). Nice looking axe :)

[@cmaddox1020]

Thanks for the reply. Initially I didn't see the guitar's description. Lovely guitar.

[@david25876]

Dig that funky guitar your playin there.

[@sgholt]

I used to see Laurence Welk show back in the day, my parents liked to watch...not my cup of tea. My dad had a very foul name for what we kids liked to listen too (can't be repeated sorry) Austin City Limits is something everyone should watch. Thanks Zac

[@roberthdahlquist]

Zac, I appreciate the nod to Ike Turner - not that he was such an upstanding citizen! (hello, Chuck Berry!?) - but also that Miles himself was a known wife beater, and Picasso was also long-known for chewing them up and spitting them out. So be it; it’s important for us all to separate the artist from their art. Tele guy here, new to the Strat - two different animals for sure! (I had no idea....)

[@michaelclemmons8114]

Blues after Midnight- Crayton

[@CBGypsy03]

Cats, strats, and Zac. Count me in.... give me some skin. Boom peace !! ✌️

[@Tonetwisters]

Bill Carson ... COULD COOK! Yeh. Holly. I used to sit and stare at that record cover and stare and stare. I had never seen a guitar like that one. Yeh. Buddy and Neal were the best thing old Lawrence ever did. I began my Stratocaster career Christmas morning, 1963, with a 1954 Strat. Still play Stratocasters.

[@Sunset1997]

Zac, what is your suggestion for a Deluxe Reverb speaker?

[@craigthomson3621]

If you don’t like the stock Jenson, then a Celestion G12H (8ohm version) sounds great in a Deluxe Reverb. This is not Zac speaking so he may have other suggestions.

[@AskZac]

I like the WGS ET65 or Vet 30. Or the Eminence Alessandro for a more American sound.

[@Sunset1997]

@@AskZacthanks!

[@paulhicks3595]

Buddy Holly also toured Australia in 1958 and even played a special gig in a hospital cafeteria, much appreciated by patients and nurses! A little off topic but I’m so glad there’s no dirty great big ugly Shure mic and support arm dominating your visuals and yet your sound is perfect! In fact, it’s far better than that awful close mic’d Rogan/ Stern, ‘eating the microphone’ sound.

[@danielrose3172]

I love the gold ano' pickguard but i discovered it was wearing my little fingernail down on my picking hand in a weird way... I had to keep clipping that nail to not make it look weird. Ha.

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Zak! Nice hunk of junk! All these ad's and people you mentioned I have seen pictures of or on TV ECT.... My reason for buying a Strat comes from the player of the sixties. Maybe sixties version of Strat show and even seventies?

[@AskZac]

Sixties and seventies

[@TheGreensideProject]

Hey Zac, have I missed an eposode where you talked about this particular strat? I seem to remember you having another (blue or green?) One in the past...

[@CBGypsy03]

It's a 55 strat built by his college buddy with random parts..... Ron Ellis pickups.... everything is in the description. Hope that helps :).

[@vayabroder729]

Howard Reed was one of the first with a custom color black Strat and he played with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps.

[@AskZac]

Reed did not influence many players at the time. It was photos of it in Guitar World in 1987 that set guys on it.

[@brucehines2179]

I too love a strat, have 2. Want a tele, I also have a les paul jr I am a fender person at heart also have a california redondo player acustic/electric. Love your show

[@THEItchybruddah]

As always… Concise excellent data and theft worthy licks populate the whole shebang!

[@AskZac]

THANKS!

[@rob10ddp25]

Man, Rex Gallion is one of the greatest unrecognized guitarists in history

[@michaelclemmons8114]

Buddy Guy “Fever” 🎵

[@johnreilly9748]

I have a 64-65 Fender catalogue and the illustrations are awesome all the guys are smoking! I don't own a 50s strat just a Tele and like you were mentioning Tele bass from 1968 but it seems way older supposedly the early 68 are old stock P bass necks bodies and stuff being sold off any intel on that?

[@AskZac]

Leo was not known to leave anything lying around, but it’s possible

[@snuffelsuf]

that otis rush lick...its on the erick clapron blues breakers record

[@To.Si.Ma.]

You need a 2nd channel called Ask Zic - All about the strat.

[@snuffelsuf]

buddy merril is amazing

[@christophergallagher531]

Hey, you make strat work, but you sound natural with a tele.

[@anthonymcgill8035]

Terrific list…someone else to consider is Johnny “Guitar” Watson.

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

Cool 😎

[@jltrem]

Zac, who was the player who had a black Strat with mailbox letters with his initials that Joe Bonamassa now owns? Joe said he used to have a poster of that guitar on his bedroom wall and used to drool over it and is astounded that he now owns it. I believe he was a 50's player.

[@vayabroder729]

Maybe Roland Janes? He was a Sun studio session player.

[@AskZac]

Howard Reed. The Strat is more famous than he was

[@vayabroder729]

@@AskZac Yes! He played with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps. One of the first custom color Strats.

[@jltrem]

@@AskZac Yes! That's it! I found it again- kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqqsdJ6idpppkNE&ab_channel=PremierGuitar

[@Gambler56]

Had fender mustang and a peavy duce amp

[@patvidal8932]

'What about Hank Marvin from The Shadows and his late 50´s Red strat , the first strat in Europe ?

[@michaelclemmons8114]

I think Buddy Merle did Apache on Lawrence Welk

[@insulartomb]

Couldn’t click this video fast enough. And it didn’t disappoint - thank you for such wonderful work!

[@AskZac]

You are so welcome!

[@michaelclemmons8114]

Pee Wee Crayton was great and a finger tapper

[@StandbyCymbalist]

Otis Rush

[@valleyboy485]

loved the show Zac, what about Hank Marvin?

[@AskZac]

60s

[@valleyboy485]

Hank Marvin got his strat in 1959 - I think I’m right - this is such fun !

[@AskZac]

You are right. I meant that he will be in the 60s episode.

[@snuffelsuf]

i really like your videos... Did KZbinrs ever think of videoing together? There's two down there besides you! Near Nashville! Marty Schwartz! And the guitoligist! Marty isn't Southern like you guys but . he's still really good. anyways... im just throwing it out there..

[@GregoryTanner-ut8zk]

IM A STRAT CAT FOREVER ALSO TELE MAN THANKS ZAC AWESOME

[@chiefkikyerass7188]

Rockabilly invented Rock n Roll..that's fact..despite what your told..lot of them Rollers used strats..just listen to the old first Rockabilly tunes..CARL PERKINS..nuff said..and yes Ike Turner..was also a Pioneer..and much underated..and I think Buddy GUY was one of the pioneer bluesman..Buddy was jamming with Howlin Wolf..Lightning Slim..Muddy before Muddy was famous.. Sid King and the 5 strings rocked on strats playing Rockabilly at Ozark Jubilee in 55

[@vayabroder729]

Carl used a goldtop Les Paul in his early records and he also used a Strat and a an ES-5 Switchmaster. Later saw him using Epiphones, G&Ls and Peaveys.

[@reynoldsparrow834]

rockabilly came after rock and roll and that is the truth

[@vayabroder729]

@@reynoldsparrow834 Wasn’t everything going on at the same time? You would think so because of the cross pollination of Blues, Bluegrass, Gospel, Jazz and Swing.

[@billcampbell3383]

Diesel smoke and dangerous curves! My favorite song on my old man's trucker song 8 track. Didn't have good enough speakers to actually appreciate or isolate the strat. I will have to go down an inter- webs hole and revisit that cut. Also this settles it, I'm getting a strat

[@chiefkikyerass7188]

@@reynoldsparrow834 LOL..who do you say pioneered Rock nRoll?

[@jfinester]

Another Strat innovator was the great Earl King, from New Orleans.

[@T.TEXAS.TILLER]

DoubleTrouble

[@Gambler56]

Did Elvis own a Martin or did James Burton own one

[@AskZac]

Both

[@Luman12687]

Strat cats…man….

[@southernpride2003]

I came for Buddy Holly

[@ewm335]

Probably also worth mentioning Sonny Curtis, who’s on Strat for “Blue Days Black Nights” and “Ollie Vee” (which he also wrote).

[@southernpride2003]

@@ewm335 I know that

[@AskZac]

@@ewm335 I love Sonny!!

[@ewm335]

@@southernpride2003 And now I’ve mentioned it for the benefit of others, hooray

[@southernpride2003]

​@@ewm335 Late reply but I wasn't trying to sound like a snob

[@arthurrodriguez6878]

Bro, I cant hear you.

[@chippsterstephens6800]

That a 54? Be careful of the plastic, rare as hens teeth and very fragile!