Fender 1963 Strat and a Masterbuilt Stratocaster

In today's video, Paul Drew from The Studio Rats is joined by Simon Piggott how has brought over his fantastic guitar collection.
In this video, we are looking at Simons two favorite guitars a pre CBS fender 1963 Stratocaster and a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Srtaocaster.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@89digits59]

63 sounds fuller and a more rounded sound, the custom shop is brighter and thinner sounding, given a choice I'll go for the 63.

[@riheg]

The wife and guitar are keepers

[@Stevexperiences]

This 63 sounds wonderful. In my job I have often tuned and played vintage Stratocasters and they rarely sound as good as the one in the video. But I noticed that the 63s were often lighter than the others and had more overtones. In contemporary Stratocasters, the CS and MB have many disparities in sound quality. The best Stratocaster I have played is a 60 relic from 1999-2000 (Cunetto body and neck) and an original 1956, but difficult to tune and play. Thanks for the video.

[@user-ey2qv1yz9m]

Wow! beautiful tone! Absolutely brilliant right hand technique - love the hybrid picking!

[@esmoroglu]

What a resonance on the ‘63, maintained so well!👏🏻👏🏻🧿

[@TheStudioRats]

Couldn't agree more!

[@uncoolrunnings]

I could tell within the first 5 seconds of the video which one would sound better (to my ears) - the '63! Both amazing though! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheStudioRats]

Glad you liked it!

[@scubbarookie]

Paul, Simon?! Lol. I've heard that name before! Nice work gents! You both are have great abilities on the guitar, and great tones! Thank you!

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic ❤😊

[@TheStudioRats]

Thank you! Cheers

[@PrantoKoX]

Ooooh, that '63 looks & sounds fantastic! Treasure. 💎👌🏼 In a metaphore, to me the vintage one sounds like Hendrix, while the masterbuilt sounds like SRV playing Hendrix, and digging in too hard. Also so comforting to see how a real vintage 60 year old guitar is in better shape and not looking even barely close to today's "relics". 👌🏼💯👍🏼 Also, very good detailed expertise on the materials & paint etc!

[@jonathanjrich]

Both lovely guitars but I’ve got to go for the ‘63. Just forwarding the video to my wife…

[@sircharles7323]

Nice video and playing. I love the 63. For me it´s far better than the new one. Very transparent ringing sound. Would be interested if it is the wood or the pickups which make the difference in the first place.

[@peacefulruler1]

Lighter body weight and Brazilian rosewood board make it resonant and spanky

[@sircharles7323]

@@peacefulruler1 Yes, light weight is good, also for the back.

[@Adventuresingearland]

1:46: And it’s still in tune! Remarkable.

[@Funkybassuk]

Tasty playing and that ‘63 Strat just has that something extra. PRS himself says that his favourite Strat is a ‘63.

[@TheStudioRats]

cheers Funky.

[@garywaddell6309]

It’s so true what they say about how tones come from the players fingers. Both of you made each strat sound so different. They are stunning guitars although I do favour that 60s strat. Great when you have guests on the show too Paul, great video!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Gary.

[@johnwebb2562]

It's great to see a nice😊 63, like the fact that there no skunk stripe nonsense with the old Rosewood pelet. I had a CBS model about 1980. Was the worst guitar 🎸 I ever had the neck was twisted it was brand new. Best regards. John.

[@davidmcquillan4754]

Excellent video with some amazing Strats. I really need to add a Strat to my little collection. Simon is a talented, fantastic player.🎸🎸

[@TheStudioRats]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jeffcookdotau]

My wife complained when I bought a couple of your picks. Simon's wife bought him a '63 Strat. Something's not right here!

[@tomusic8887]

Very different indeed 🤷❤️

[@bonedale]

That 63 neck pickup was perfect

[@TheStudioRats]

yeah agreed.

[@MrSteppingstone888]

That is the BEST story ever We should had a nice picture of your wife !! Ok the 63 sounded warmer velvety and richer a amazing neck pickup . I had a 63 strat I called it the violin it was just like yours in all honesty you could hear the jimi tones when playing it. She is just special and notches above the others /Not all sound like yours or how mine did I would say this is the absolute best sound to expect when buying one and often others are not all the same. I once had a chance to buy a 63 fiesta red for three thousand, I bought a 65 sunburst instead it was less money was about 1 yr before the prices on them soared, I sold it back to the little shop owner, yes I deeply regret not buying that fiesta red it was amazing condition and sounded great

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

63 sounds awesome; I’m sure with new frets it’ll just feel better to play, Mick from that Pedal Show did that to his Vintage Strat, he said the difference is night and day

[@arnolddealiii4259]

Cool guitars! Honestly a 63’ strat is the way to go every time, but I’m vibing with the custom shop. I couldn’t tell a lot of difference in tone, and I like the color better. Lastly you said the custom shop currently plays better. I will gladly pay more for a better player than one worth more. I’m not a collector I’m a player. If I got a 63’. It would be mint because I’d never touch it. The guitar owns you at that point.

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

to me ,The 63 is more rounded with far more bloom to the whole sound ,beautiful guitar. I love reliced guitars 😊

[@DaveyBones]

Surprise surprise 63 for me 🤘🏻

[@luffy8563]

love this . In my opinion you should have play them both unplugged , and analyse the tone , loudness , twang etc ..

[@yourefromdownsouth9728]

I don’t want to believe the hype. I don’t want to believe the hype…but the 63 sounds perfect…

[@jeffcookdotau]

The pickups were different but hard to pick a favourite. The '63 probably gets the nod for bridge and neck positions while the Masterbuilt middle sounded best for me. As for frets, I can't think of much worse than 6105 (narrow tall). They're like running your fingers up a washboard. 6150 (medium jumbo) is much the same height but the extra width makes them feel less "abrupt" when you slide past one. I have an obvious soft spot for the '63 because I'm the same vintage, but I'd never be happy with one because they have the fattest neck at the 12th fret. There was some interesting editing at around the 4 minute mark. Simon finished playing the Masterbuilt, and then you handed him the Masterbuilt. Great comparison video! Thanks Paul, Simon and Mrs Piggott.

[@LfunkeyA]

taller frets are always better. if it feels like a washboard, you're pressing too hard, that simple.

[@jeffcookdotau]

@@LfunkeyA And yet I can seamlessly swap to a scalloped fretboard and maintain perfect pitch with single notes or chords.

[@rikardo1070]

63 winner . not close

[@riniones]

the 63 pickups have a slight hint of microphonics that give the sound of the vintage instrument an edge over the CS... that elusive magic sound

[@sircharles7323]

you nailed it.

[@Voxman5]

Really interesting vid guys, great playing and that 63 is just to die for! Re the 63 frets are these just worn or were these simply lower even from new and higher frets are simply a playing preference? Sorry for my ignorance here but if Fender used lower frets in the early 60's, what's the issue with these from a playing perspective - why might a player prefer taller frets & wouldn't a lower fret permit a lower action?

[@TheStudioRats]

cheers, they were worn frets.

[@sooparticular]

fantastic as always guys!! what are you playing thru??? both were incredible but the original had a bit of a deeper sound

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers we were using a capture of my Matchless in a TONEX pedal.

[@DBroce]

I am fortunate enough to have purchased a ‘62 in 1981 for $600. It’s my only Strat. I have purchased CS Strats in my past and they’re amazing. Great video, cheers guys.

[@Rufko]

I'm always wondering how much part of all the sonic difference is it the pickups. I would took those '63 and put them in the Master-built one and do the same comparison. I did the same thing with my Master-built and swap the pickups with a better sounding Fullerton Strat. And must say it is ALMOST all in the pickups. Not all, but almost.

[@jamesemerson4102]

They both sound great. The thing I notice with really good vintage strats is that they have an extra depth and bigness to the sound. They just sound bigger and bolder. Not all of them are great, obviously. This one sounds really great!

[@huntermascho3403]

It’s the guy playing the guitar. Ins 75% in your fingers

[@jamesemerson4102]

Of course that's true, but it's the same guy playing both in that part of the video. You can hear a difference. The old one sounds slightly beefier. @@huntermascho3403

[@57ffjjimenez]

@@huntermascho3403 Asi es las guitarras no suenan,es el que toca el que las hace sonar

[@TheJP3]

I think the newer guitar might be a little better in a crowded mix, but the 63 has a lot of character. What amp? The amp tone was beautiful.

[@TheStudioRats]

Ik TONEX with our Matchless capture.

[@TheJP3]

@@TheStudioRats sounds tremendous

[@matt926uk1]

if you get new taller frets wouldn't the nut need replacing too?

[@stratman808]

Yes, easy done. Keep the old one and use unbleached bone for the replacement. Not a fan of unsightly shims. Thanks

[@patzeryou6433]

Agreed with first few comments

[@beatbaker7420]

which amp did you use?

[@derekclacton]

Tone is subjective but tme, the original ‘63 has something special about it - I don’t know if ‘authentic’ is the word to use, or what would explain it - other than, perhaps, the quality of the woods and how they have aged. I appreciate other components have an influence but they can be manufactured to the same (or better) specs. The natural materials seem to make the biggest difference?

[@David01.d]

63 when Simon plays it Masterbuilt when Paul plays ut

[@TheStudioRats]

interesting.

[@deplinenoise]

Congrats, and the guitar isn’t bad either

[@davidmcquillan4754]

It’s all a matter of scale Jeff. LOL. I mentioned Simons wife’s generosity to my wife…..let’s see what Santa brings.🎸🎸

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Regarding changing out the frets on the 63.. If you own a vintage automobile and it needs new tires, you buy new tires. -Enough said.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Oh yeah? Well my wife bought me a pair of long John's for Christmas!

[@robinsonrojosolar8528]

El sonido de la 1963 tiene más cuerpo y definición en graves medios y agudos que la masterbuilt, debe ser por los años de secado natural de la madera y también por los años de uso , tocar y tocar. La Masterbuilt suena muy bien pero le falta ese sonido más nítido que posee la 1963 , también hay que ver si la Masterbuilt tiene pal de rosa de Brazil cómo lo tiene la 1963.

[@slodziak222222]

maybe 4 springs in bridge does the differnce

[@nabilcharbel4136]

Drool fest here, thx Paul for this GAS inducing demo ❤

[@lyinking1998]

What does a motorcycle sound like?

[@alainmalo3791]

Le 63 plus chaud plus rond rien avoir avec le custom Shop!!

[@thatscottishdude2058]

Is this Right Said Fred 😂

[@TheStudioRats]

Best comment of the day!

[@thatscottishdude2058]

@@TheStudioRats it’s ok I get all the time , I’m a baldy too 😂

[@user-ln3jn9eo8v]

11:17 11:31 3:10 3:35

[@martgryfny]

It's funny that today people search in Fenders for that slab board, when you can have Yamaha Pacifica with this feature for 150$

[@robertoiorio390]

I’ll take the custom Shop anytime. No way they were built better in 63

[@mikej6565]

IME Custom Shop build quality is slightly better on average, but my early 1964 (just like the one in video) is the best strat I've ever played. Sounds very balanced and resonant unplugged. I do have a particular roasted custom shop that sounds quite good. The old wood and pickups = a force to be reckoned with.

[@SeanApplePie]

I got a 1959/60 Players Strat but it got that precisely sound of that much more priceless 1963 you got there. what a precies one. The masterbuilt sounds good and God knows. maybe somewhere in time it will sound like the "nowadays" old ones. The masterbuild sounds a bid thight. It must played I guess. Great video Studio Rats I give it a 👍

[@waqasliaqat]

How can I make this video appear on my wife’s feed ?? 😂

[@kmichaelp4508]

I think I prefer the 67

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

So, we are comparing a random Strat, off of the assembly line, to a custom built Strat? -Hardly seems fair.. :) And yet, I prefer the 63.

[@Highland_Paddy]

So the relic used to kinda look realistic.

[@Highland_Paddy]

[Well, they DO offer options and all that]

[@Highland_Paddy]

Vintage all the way

[@Highland_Paddy]

I think I had a gal buy me a cookie once.

[@muratarslan2776]

You gotta say the 63s warmer and more open. Its a really good vintage guitar and the MB is not one of the best MBs. I dont like zhe MB Pickups.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

The new one sounds weird 😳😳 This shows what a scam MB guitars are 🤷‍♂️ Mexican housewives did a better job for less money

[@rickjason215]

I hate that guitars are reliced.

[@DS-nw4eq]

I don’t

[@rdanalytics9197]

me like them