Fender Stratocaster Tone & Volume Control / Knob Tutorial / Guitar Lesson

[@MikeBurn]

It just popped in my mind, that for those interested I can offer a live-music video of mine where I used the same guitar and fiddling with the volume knob technique to some extent. So check this out out if you like. :)) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGq5cniuhKdsppY

[@chrishorton615]

The volume control can be made even more useful by going to 50's (vintage) wiring and a trebel bleed

[@iam5486]

Thanks for this video. Very helpful 👍😊✊

[@budm.1450]

I can really appreciate a guitarist that knows his equipment well. Thank you for a great explanation, and I also watched your Les Paul settings video as well. Very well done.

[@jimbo1959]

I've learned SO much from your videos! I'm a self taught beginner ( 2 yrs. ),and I have a Strat., and a Les Paul. When I didn't like the sound I had, I always went to the Amp. for adjustments. Thank You for correcting me!

[@brianhandyside6917]

Thank You Very Much. This is very helpful!! I appreciate this very much. I've been playing guitar for decades but this was a clear direct approach to explain Volumn on Tube Amps compared to volumn on the guitar.

[@00cdsr]

Killer dynamics, awesome solo at the end. Nothing like having complete control of your sound at your fingertips.

[@Thestripper1]

I always had my volume knob set to zero. It sounds so much better now. Thank you.

[@Blackeyedangel]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm a new owner of a strat and I was looking for exactly this sort of a tutorial. My ears weren't enough to decipher exactly what these controls do, so I appreciate the in depth explanation.

[@ryankoski2629]

That's some awesome artwork with the White Bull in the background!

[@MikeBurn]

Indeed and it is even more striking standing in front of it. It was painted by the drummer of my band for my 40th. birthday. :))))

[@NorwegianSpirit]

When Mike speaks it´s worth listening :-) Thank you for yet another useful video with valuable insights. Happy Easter!

[@MikeBurn]

God påske. :))))))

[@kdevill104]

I know I’m joining this party a little late, but this is the first moment I saw this video. You can see a great example of this principal in Eric Clapton’s 24 Nights live performance. His intro to ‘Sunshine’ is in a lower, clean tone until he begins the heavier, iconic intro. You can clearly see him turn up the volume on his Strat and suddenly it becomes the unmistakable crunchy sound of Sunshine of Your Love. I have frequently played around with this technique on my own American Strat; thanks for explaining it.

[@Andrewkafp]

You sure have mastered that instrument... Sounds fantastic

[@josefkernel4230]

Mike! So gut, dass wir einen schönen Überblick über Stratocasterns Klang und Klangfarbe bekam. Sie sind sowohl der Lehrer und begeisterte Gitarre Professor. Sie konzentrieren sich auf die richtigen Dinge. Ich hebe meinen Hut!

[@RaleighJ]

Thank you, Mr. Burn. I greatly appreciate your explanation and appreciation for the nuances of the instrument. I'm a young player, and I try to play by your instruction.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

The first time you demonstrate how effective the volume control is in controlling overdrive, the first two things that popped in my brain were how Brian May uses the volume on his own guitar to that same end, followed closely by the tracks from the second Chicago release on which Terry Kath did pretty much the same thing (before he got any stompboxes). As a proud picker that only uses a pick when under duress, I’ve definitely got some appreciation for what you are trying to convey here, Mike.

[@davegilbert9000]

Great video, I learned some valuable info here, I love my strats but I battle them constantly, this will help loads once I figure it out, thanks loads.

[@richardsavarese7539]

Glad I found this, your approach and knowledge you share is like a new guitar thank you

[@MikeBurn]

Thanks for stopping by! :)

[@ATFMalicious]

Just found your channel on a search for tuning a tube amp for live performances and have been engaged in your words for a couple hours now. First gig with new band was rough - good but little rough around the edges. I enjoyed your insights and teachings and look forward to trying some out on next week's OUTDOOR gig. I know - totally different, but still applicable. Thanks for the great quality videos - and I will try this volume tip also as I also play with an American Stratocaster anniversary edition. Cheers.

[@BradHutchings]

Thank you, Mr.Burn! I recently picked up a nice Orange Rockerverb tube amp and foot switch to switch channels. Previously, I had the volumes on the two channels set about the same level when I switched. After watching your video, I dialed my Telecaster to 50% volume and stuck on the dirty channel. I ditched my pick and just tried strumming chords gently with my thumb (fleshy part) and other fingers (back of nails as picks). I quickly figured out how to play mostly clean and mix in some dirty with heavier strums. While the pick feels more precise, the hand strumming feels like it gives more total control over the sound. I get a nice rolling in sound on the bottom as my thumb rolls onto the 6th string that I really dig. This is after a half hour practice with a new technique. This seems to be one of those guitar secrets that nobody teaches, so thank you!

[@MikeBurn]

Brad, it is the best compliment to hear, that an aspriing guitar player got something useful out of my vids. Have fun exploring new tonal variations with your amp and guitar! :)

[@guydouglas6094]

Great demo on strat guitar playing and the importance of volume knob for tone. My own Fender strat has the volume sweet spot at about 7 to 7.5 - it sounds real good. Your playing and string touch is excellent. Good work Mr Burn!

[@jjiacobucci]

Hi Mike ! I think having the right type of tube amp is important to achieve the tonal differences. Enjoy your channel greatly. Thanks so much for sharing

[@mrgozz2780]

Excellent review ....I v become a better player just by listening to the right people like yourself ....the more I learn the more I want to play the better I get .....thank you again for sharing your knwoledge

[@tomc.3987]

Nice. This video and the one you did on the Telecaster really shows the range of the guitars using the volume only. I no longer set my volume at 10 like I did when I first started playing. Instead, I adjust from around mid low (4) to mid high (8). The guitars can do a lot before pedals and amp adjustments. Thanks for the video.

[@marcogtr600]

Sir! You have no idea of how many great stuff I learn with your videos

[@thanosp.8140]

"You hear the delay... That's MY delay! I LIKE IT!" 😂I felt your love for the effect.

[@jongordon6461]

You Sir are a very professional, tasteful musician. Dynamics is the aspect of music that makes the hairs on the back of yourneck stand up. i will look for your Les Paul demo. Thank you.

[@cassandrarae8073]

Hello Mike, I've been using the stratocaster since 1966. Since the early 70's I've adjusted the mid pickup all the way down. I also wire it like a telecaster & disconnect the tone pot's all together. It's just the set up I like a long with seymour duncan pickups. thanks & have fun.

[@paulpugh5315]

Great insight into any guitars possibilities....your explanation is easy to follow Mike. thanks.

[@PeterBalletta]

I watched your video and actually learned how to use my Peavy 50 watt VK112 amp properly....I always used the normal channel because the high-gain channel was virtually unusable for me ....now with the settings that you suggested I actually learned that it was not the amplifier but that I wasn't using it properly....Thanks!

[@MikeBurn]

Comments like yours are the (motivating) reason why I do these videos. Haven fun exploring formerly unknown sound-territory! ;) ;) ;)

[@liamfahey7836]

Really well explained thanks. I got a lot from this. 🎸🎸

[@mojoman2001]

"I encourage you, play around with your knobs." 😉

[@kdevill104]

mojoman2001 that made me laugh, too.

[@joeywhite6975]

I LOVE MY KNOBS

[@marty-b3453]

Excellent demonstration of the subtleties of your control knobs,lots for me to now work on! Thankyou.You have just gained an avid subscriber!

[@peterbartolomeo5542]

Very good instruction my friend. Love that guitar

[@tomc.3987]

Thank you sir. That was a very nice overview of a Strat. I really like that you point out the range from clean to crunch just using the volume control and that it doesn't always have to be set at 11 (sorry, Spinal Tap reference).

[@wern4370]

Wie immer ein sehr hilfreiches und schönes Video, dass ich als Strat-spieler gerne anschaue, auch wegen der schönen Gitarre. Kriegt man die Farbe heute noch. Schickes Teil. Auch schön, dass mal wieder ein anderer Verstärker zum Zuge kam.

[@Lanlawns]

Awesome my friend! Liked/subbed. This is the 1st vid of yours I found looking for the reason my bottom tone knob pops out and in, I don't notice much of a difference...although I have not had a chance to open up the amp volume...great idea using the vol for clean and crunch, awesome, just awesome!

[@rotkvica45]

Thank you for this video! Nobody on KZbin explained this as good as you did!

[@stratman103]

This is advice every Strat player should watch. Great video. Thanks!!

[@gravl1]

I said this in another one of Mike’s videos, I LOVE the way he plays! Unique phrasing, scales, rhythm. Very Alex Lifeson-ish, but also very different.

[@nevadatorres2865]

I bought a blackstar modelling amp , and the volume distortion truck worked perfectly

[@josephliptak]

Great video. I've been rocking strats thru my Marshall Plexi since the mid 70s and I don't use tons of pedals like these modern guitarists do with their 50box pedalboards. I like hearing the tone of the guitar, not stompboxes. I use a wah pedal and that's it. No hiding behind pedals for this rocker.

[@danr5105]

I watched a day or so ago and left without making a comment. I have only been playing 2 years and that was always acoustic. Last week I bought a Mexico assembled Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Strat. This is my first electric guitar (I am 66 usually Martins, higher end Yamaha) This electric guitar "thing" is pretty neat. Before watching I noticed "Wow this volume knob seems very responsive, big changes and not just volume) Now I watch the video and I see that you explain it. I need this Roadhouse Strat setup and install some .009's) I will never gig so I want this strat as easy as possible to fret the strings,hammer on/pull offs, bends. I want it made easier on my hands. I complained about fret finish, until I checked out a friends Chinese Squire, that fretboard is like a saw on the ends. Mine, I want worked over, nicer.

[@christopherecatalano]

Really nice practical and musical advice, and you have a great feel for rock & roll dynamics!

[@octaviawoodson5705]

You helped me a lot ! I will for sure watch more videos!

[@TRLgoodvibesdotcom]

I like the white bull picture in the back. Thanks for the video I just got my first strat

[@mandar1998]

Great solo at the end! I come back to this video just for that solo!

[@SVNFLDFN]

Very helpful video!! Well made and has some great information that I have actually never heard before! Thank you and keep up the good work

[@robertclarkguitar]

A true passionate musician. Nice work sir!!!!

[@dieterschmitz1054]

Hallo Mike, wieder mal ein super Video. Das werde ich heute Nachmittag sofort ausprobieren. Dein Englisch kann man auch als Normalo super verstehen. LG

[@flipandr3123]

Very nice demonstration at the end.

[@bluesriff418]

When you get at this point of playing that’s what I consider real guitar player. That trick is the old school and that was old players used before amps strats to have channel switching. Yep it took a bit of time and practice to achieve those kind of tones but when you get there any guitar models will sound amazing. A home I used single channel amp and I can get clean, drive, crunch and distortion whit using vol and tone knobs of the guitars. By the way this is a very instructive video thanks

[@RONzilber]

Great video! Well I got some new info even though I'm a Strat player for almost ten years.

[@MikeBurn]

Comments like yours are the reason why I am doing this! :) Have fun with your Stratocaster!

[@thelowmein9143]

This really was fascinating I thought I knew my strat, but wow I learned a lot.

[@megatrends]

Strats are cool because of all the different ways to install pickups to suit your personal taste. I don't like the traditional nasally high midrange strat tone so I have single coils in one strat that have a hotter scooped midrange tone. Then on another strat I have a humbucker in the bridge and two singles. There's something for everybody!

[@77Kaczoszka77]

Thank You for doing this demo series. I really like your demonstrations, best regards to You

[@Birdie0858]

Your demo at the end was very inspiring!

[@MartinJG100]

I guess technology has its place, exemplified by 'The Edge' for instance, but I totally agree with the point you make on dynamics which is after all the fundamental of musicality and musicianship. I used a pick for a few years before I realised the 'secret source' is in the fingers .

[@pkilla01]

You just blew my mind, I live in the city in an apartment so I always got the volume nob down 4-5 and never in my life did I turn it up cause I thought it was just volume...the deception

[@mosin9105]

Very helpful, thanks. Great guitar playing too!

[@sveniegalus]

Gibts hier eigentlich neben dem Like nochn LOVE Button ? Voll geil ! Voll Satriani Flow !

[@mabbatic]

A treble bleed circuit really helps with keeping a consistent tone over the range of the vol knob.

[@Juergen.Scheiblhofer]

This should be standard on every new guitar. I have one on every of my guitars, because I use the volume a lot.

[@BeefNEggs057]

Nah. It makes it sound thin and weak. I want my treble to roll of when I decrease the vol. Sounds more natural to my ear. Treble bleeds suck

[@mabbatic]

@@BeefNEggs057 You mean when you roll your volume down? I shouldn't matter when it's wide open.

[@Juergen.Scheiblhofer]

@@BeefNEggs057 You have to try a lot of variations of cap/resistor combinations to find the perfect for your guitar. If the resistor doesn't fit it could make your guitar sound thin when the volume is rolled down. I've got Treblebleed on all of my guitars an not one of them sounds thin when rolling back the volume. Depends on the resistor, how much lows should stay alive when rolling back the volume.

[@BeefNEggs057]

mabbatic Yes when the volume is rolled down it made it thinner (emphasized the treble too much). I like how the guitar gets slightly darker with the vol rolled down. Maybe I just need another value cap but I’ve tried a couple and realized I was happier without it. To each their own of course.

[@davidkuda7074]

That's a very important lesson, thanks!

[@TheNoizepolution]

Thanks Mike great information - never knew this stuff 🤘

[@myhomestudio3406]

Hello Mike, Thank You for sharing an informative video on Fender Tone and volume management. I recently for a fender Mexican player strat Maple with SSS Config. This is the first time I am experiencing a fender instrument. I am quite delighted to have it and ordered it online from a well-reputed site. I have a quick query. I am a bit concerned about the instrument I got and here is my observation regarding its Volume management. I feel that it sounds low on volume. At volume, 1-3 it's barely audible, 4-5 a little audible between 6-7 it's satisfactory and at 9-10 it gives a considerable output. I am connecting my guitar with amp directly. My amp is Marshall 15CD Series 45 Watts. If I plug my old strat Aria STG series at 3-4 it gives the output what Fender gives at 8-10. The bottom line is if i have to play for practice it has to be between 6-7 minimum or 8-10 while playing along with backing tracks. I wanted to know this is the nature of a fender product/pickups or something else is wrong with my new guitar. I would appreciate if you can please advise.

[@MikeBurn]

In many modern guitars volume and tone pots do not work linear, but logarithmic instead. Thats basically why you are experiencing what you describe. You may consider swapping the volume pot of your Stratocaster for a linear working model.

[@thelowmein9143]

point in the video is well taken, but that being said, you barely mentioned the tone knobs at all. I understand that you say they don’t do much, but I still would like to know how they are wired to which pickup. Great video anyway as usual!

[@MikeBurn]

Sorry for being late in responding. Of course the tone knobs make a great difference, but I didn't want to put too much into this video. Foremost I wanted to focus on the wonders or the power of the single volume knob on a Strat, get this with force in the heads of the viewers :) and not distract players with the various tonal changes involved when turning on the tone knobs. This may be the focus of a future video. :)

[@Janine.Najarian]

really nice. i've heard similar results from the "hot blues" roland amp

[@ruiseartalcorn]

I get this too from my Boss Katana Artist. No actual valves but with the Roland Tube Logic it can produce the same dynamic effect. In my 54 years of playing I have played through many valve amps and this certainly feels like one.

[@pd2865]

enjoyed your video. Interesting use of the Stratocaster.

[@CaribSurfKing1]

It will work with modern modelling amps, especially computer modelling software

[@Joj1n]

Absolutely awesome. Excellent!

[@kevin7rxxx346]

It helps to have a humbucker in the bridge for the “crunch”

[@letzrockitrite8469]

Mr. Burn... great useful video... a privilege to watch... You're a fine teacher and musician... wish you lived nearby.. sounds like you don't... new sub.

[@scarlettepunk2087]

Good work Mike....very nice Strat guitar you have...

[@dougmiddleton5117]

Hello Mike, What is the precise Stratocaster model that you are playing in this video? Also, what does Fender refer to that colour as? 🤔 Asking because I have an American Stratocaster in that very same/similar colour, which is not a common colour, so I am not sure what Fender calls it officially. (I am not the original owner, so I don't have any details on it.) Thanks, and keep up the good work. 👍

[@RPSartre01]

Thank you for confirming I have been using my strat volume control the right way! LOL

[@monag.769]

Thank you Mike! This is sooo useful for a bloody beginner😜

[@itsyuraaaa]

This is so good! I was actually glad that you said it would work with any strat cause I don't have a fender and got a bit worried at first :) Thanks so much for such a useful video! What song were you playing by the way?

[@TomaisMac]

loved the Gibson video, this is great too, thanks!

[@hbznn]

This is the real lesson!

[@ArnoldMontes]

an amazing teacher

[@Piedscooter1]

You should probably state that your bottom tone control is hooked to the bridge pickup, instead of the middle pickup. Some Fender Strats are wired this way. Most Strats are not wired like that. (its an easy mod).

[@MikeBurn]

You are absolutely right. Just because of that I did concentrate mainly on the volume knob, for that other players have a chance to re-create what I was demoing. By the way: I came across Strats which were configured having two volumes or even three volumes! LOL To cover all the possible configurations and their behaviour would mean a video min. 6 hours long and I would be spanked for it big time! ;)

[@Rialas]

Excellent tips.

[@Nagif.Salvah]

Nicely explained , thanks man👍🏼

[@AnjaWadeMusic]

I appreciate this video so much :)

[@greg6L6GC]

Mike is a great player. But I’m so used to seeing him demo vintage guitars, the modern strat doesn’t cut it for me.

[@JohnJRevitte]

Nice work Mike!

[@grahamford5981]

Great stuff! From an eternal beginner!

[@stefanpsychonaut9634]

Hy Mike, great video. I play a telecaster over a baseman amp where i also use this volume technic. But what i dont get is: the clean setting (volume down) is after much to silent and the distorted setting (vol. up) is far to loud when i play together with my mates in the band or at some Jams. For sure to play alone at home its great to use the technic you are demonstrating here, but thats it in my opinion. Or do u have any ideas how to solve this to silent or to loud problem? thanks for ya answer already

[@iam5486]

Please answer this question 😊👍

[@christianmolisch3018]

great info, thanks! did you ever use a treble bleed circuit? find it useful for having cleaner sounds with higher treble content? thanks, chris

[@bluwng]

Love your videos

[@MrTravelerX]

1st, I must say that I loved the part you played at the end of the video. 2nd, how do you do the drums part at the back of your music?

[@brutusmuerto]

Thank you, Mike!

[@astroden07]

great job explaining

[@johnmorrjo8243]

hello, great video ! how are the 2 tone controls wired, since you have 3(really 5) pick ups to choose from? thanks;-)

[@uhoh007]

Really good thank you

[@sixstringsandamike]

Masterful!

[@jk4546]

Most people play with the electric guitar's knobs to the max and ... still not enough. Hence the cubes, preamps, active pickups and ... not much. For these of people, this movie is heresy. Bravo Mr. Burn

[@trudge78]

Great video! Fender did not use that bridge very long. How well does the guitar stay in tune?

[@MikeBurn]

Over time I found a good balance for the springs and can say that the guitar stays perfectly in tune with this bridge. Only drawback is the fact, that this kind of bridge contains a shitload of crazy screws and counter-screws beneath it. When these screws start to losen, the saddles start to swim from side to side and back and forth. So I have developed a routine that approx. once in 6 months I totally disassemble the whole bridge and tighten all the screws (at least a dozen LOL). :)

[@B00521625]

Hi Mike , What delay are you using Kind regards Michael

[@paulaungiers8734]

Hello. I like your videos. Would you please listen to Bert Weedon playing FBI, on KZbin: The last but one verse consists of the notes A; C and E throughout. When I play this on my acoustic guitar the sound is thin and frail. Bert plays an electric guitar with a plectrum. I don't know much about electric guitars but I am wonderig how Bert achieves such a bold rich quality? Do you know how? I think the big chord which starts each phrase of the high pitched verse is an A Minor - would you agree?

[@eugenecox]

Looks like a Fiesta Red

[@brettgill6065]

My strat has a button on the middle of the volume knob and I can’t seem to figure out exactly what it does?? It seems like it lowers the volume and flattens out the tone. And my upper tone knob doesn’t roll up or down, it clicks and has 5 different positions. But it also seems to act like a regular tone knob. Someone help my strat is playing minds games lol

[@wendelfears1027]

And a quicker translation, turn up the app turn down the volume on a guitar. Head Start turn it up and you'll get distortion. But that's not what I'm looking for. Some Defenders have volume knobs you can pull out that's what I'm looking for