Q&A:4 Fender Stratocaster Shoot-out - Fat 50s/60s/V Mod1/Texas - Spot Any Difference? Your Choice?

4 Fender Stratocasters with Fat 50s / Fat 60s / V Mod1 & Texas Special Pick-ups. Do they really sound that different? What would you choose?
In this video I take 3 Custom Shop and 1 American Pro Stratocaster guitars to see what the differences in sound are. Prompt side-by side comparison help to give the viewer / listener a chance to distinguish one guitar from another. With every Fender Stratocaster guitar sporting different pick-ups - will we hear a big difference? Of course, choice of guitar is a very personal thing and so often, it's just simply a case of - when you pick up a guitar and it just feels right... then that's the one for you... no explanation needed. A brief overview is given of each Stratocaster which hails from the 50s era, the 60s era and a more modern day American Professional built in 2019. I trust this video will prove helpful illustrating the tones you can expect from these types of pick-ups... Enjoy!
If you have a subject you'd like me to cover, just write in the comments below or send an email to - StuGuitarChannel[at]gmail.com
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In Q&A Video 5 (Questions & Answers Video 5) I take a look at 2 Iconic guitars from the Gibson Les Paul stable both loaded with P-90s, but they are not the same - • Q&A:5 Gibson Les Paul ...
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[@powerhouse1981]

Love the comparison and laid back style + experience. Have the fat 50's, looking around to see what's next down the line.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi 'powerhouse' thanks for chipping in and the kind remarks. In the various tests I have done I do find the Fat 50s to be in a world of their own (a very nice world) I have a couple of videos coming up (Friday's) comparing the 50s and 60s era Telecasters and Stratocasters... do hit notifications to get notified of those if that interests you. For my own experience, after I sorted the guitars I liked, the amplifier was my next search and I did a review on the Bad Cat Black Cat... Strats / Teles just sound really nice. Regards: Stu

[@yomommaahotoo264]

The Vmod's imo sounded a little ceramic...which doesn't necessarily mean bad depending. I'm stuck with my fat 50's regardless.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Yomommaahotoo264 - That's an interesting description regarding the V-Mod... they definitely have a different character compared to the more traditional vintage type pick-ups. When it comes to recording I find they sit quite well in a busy mix but when it comes to just jamming I need to play around to get a preferred tone. I do like the FAT 50s, that tone brings back memories.... regards: Stu

[@glenkepic3208]

Very nicely done, Stu!! I gotta watch this again to pick out differences. Yes, they all sound like Strats :) Ha, the one you're holding reminds me of the '75 i bought in '76 then sold two years later,,,SB, MN, HT. People scoff at these but i think mine was a good 'un ;) When i got it home, i called a friend who had a Gibson SG Special..."...I dunno, man,,,,the scale, the pickups...' He stopped by and jammed thru my rig, Esty era Magnatone 1 12 tube combo, red script Big Muff and cry baby. I think a half hour went by before he set it down. "This is the only Strat i ever liked!" Now, three S types, all cheap stuff but all different and if they didn't Rok, they wouldn't be here. Rock ON!!

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Many thanks for that. I kept it pretty simple as it was just a quick overview, so many folks today have no attention span so I didn't go through pick-up selection or bite into the strings where you can then get a different tonal response. Talking of Specials, I have been meaning to do a review on my LP Double Cut Special TV Yellow VOS - those P90s are just fabulous and its just such a simple guitar, much like the Telecaster design. Regarding the Magnatone... I've been meaning to see if I can get a hold of one to give it a try. While music stores here in Scotland are so much better than they use to be, you folks in the States are really spoiled for equipment choices and guitar/gear shows... I was playing one of the Strats today in the studio here, just put a backing track through the system, plugged into the Blackstar, closed my eyes and just played... 3 hours went by before I realised I had work to do... ;-)

[@glenkepic3208]

@@StuGuitarChannel Nothing like a good jam, man :) Short attention span,,,,who, me ? Ha, i got laundry going :) yep, P90s are great. My wife bought me a no name LP DC Spl copy in the early '80s. Cool guitar. A shop nearby had a Gibson P90 that someone ordered but didn't pick up,,,,clear bobbin ala Mike Campbell. A guy i knew there did the wiring to put it in the bridge slot, running the larger pole pieces thru the guitars cover. Height was perfect! Ripped. My then 15 year old nephew wanted to play so after seeing VH, IM and Ozzy with him, I gave him the guitar. Worked out OK, he went semi pro joining a band that played from SF to LA to CBGB's. EP and full disc released. Two p90 types now,,,,The Epi LP Jr and Jay Turser JT55ptr, an SG Special type i bought from The Starving Musician in Santa Clara around '07. I love them both.' Ha, the JT was covered in dry sweat when i saw it. I didn't care. Must be a good guitar :) GP did a review of one in black a few months later. No, it didn't get a Pick award but it did get 4 stars. Not bad for a $250 guitar. Rock ON!!

[@StuGuitarChannel]

@@glenkepic3208 You are certainly making me do some goggle searches on some of the kit you mention... I am wayout of touch with what's out there. I entered a music shop 3 years ago for the first time in around 40 years and stood dazed at all the millions (ok, an exaggeration) of guitars that surrounded me and every inch of floor space covered in amplifiers with names I had never heard before... and shops assistants who kindly asked me if I was lost and needed directions elsewhere...

[@glenkepic3208]

@@StuGuitarChannel Great bit, Stu. Thank you for the reply. When my FB went into the shop the first time of three, i went to demo it. It was bad enough i hadn't played in a shop for years but i was playing some thing foreign to me. Rox now. I love it but hope i'm done shopping and getting stuff fixed. I Don't Need No Doctor ;) Just want to play. yes, Marriott PF HP fan since forever.

[@glenkepic3208]

also GFR bender lately, Ohio 1970. Loved the band. Late '90s, same shop. Starving Musician and see a green Messenger like Mark played. Sure, LP, V's, Etc...nice... This stopped me dead in my trax,,,,i stared at it . I think i tried a few bars of Hooked On Love.where it all began for me. Wish i bought it,,,,like $699. I don't know if you ever saw something like this but i'm sure you have. This is what keeps all keeping on !

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

In my experience it's the versatility of the strat that makes it so hard to find the one, because two strats can be more different from each other than two teles or two les pauls. Maybe that's anecdotal, but I'll certainly keep buying guitars eager to have my mind changed LOL

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Craig... Because Strat's have always been my general focus and I agree, they all do appear to have thier own character. I've played a couple that were really not that nice for some strange reason, can't put my finger on why. I've never thought about sitting down with other guitar types such as LPs etc to see if they exhibit this anomaly. It's certainly grounds for needing to buy more guitars to find out... ;-) I'm actually toying with replacing my Telecaster for another Telecaster... got a video coming up on that... decisions, decisions... Regards: Stu

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

Me I'm a Les Paul guy, but for the studio I needed the most versatile S- and T-style guitars I could get, so I landed on the Pro2 series. Of course every studio has to have P90s, so those came in Les Paul form LOL Anyway, nice channel. I like that you have a narrative. My gimmick is being a one-man operation, but your idea is better LOL Just glad you came back to it. I've taken a few years off a few times, and it is always so rewarding to relearn again--my secret to ascending plateaus in playing actually: take a few months off. Something about brain plasticity and reinforcing neural pathways or something, idk.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

@@CraigFlowersMusic Hi Craig, thanks for the kind words… I had no intention of doing this channel but having been helped by others with their channels, particularly reviews during those lock-down times we went through - it was a great help, so it’s nice to give something back. I also had some friends who were keen to see how I was progressing after so many years away from it all… and so began this KZbin ‘musical journey… I had a quick glance at your channel and see you are into recording covering multiple roles… excellent… Once I get a moment I must check-out what your up to. I will pretty much be working solo covering various instruments and sound design (worked in the film industry for years) but do know a few musicians who could step into roles, as well as looking into working on-line with others sharing sound files etc. I have to say… working with all the latest studio technology is great… I really enjoy it… after my younger days battling with endless band members, rouge managers and drunken roadies… it’s great just getting on with doing stuff you love doing… although I do miss not having folks to have a good live jam with… Regards: Stu

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a good weekend to be honest I like the fender stratocaster in my honest opinion

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Thank you Amin, Yes the Stratocaster is a great guitar and still looks pretty much the same from the first day it was invented.... take care, regards: Stu

[@aminahmed2220]

@@StuGuitarChannel I agree with your opinion of the fender stratocaster I have a 2013 2014 student card when I was in grade 10

[@StuGuitarChannel]

@@aminahmed2220 Hi Amin - I'm not sure I understand what you mean by the 2013/2014 student card - and as I am in Scotland, I don't know what grade 10 is? and what does that have to do with Stratocasters? Sorry if I have missed something but would be great if you could explain a bit more to help me understand what you are saying. Thank you for taking time to comment. Best regards: Stu

[@aminahmed2220]

@@StuGuitarChannel I went to high school in Canada when I received the student during the school year

[@StuGuitarChannel]

@@aminahmed2220 Mmmm... I'm going to have to work out what it is you mean... cause I'm not quite sure what your telling me. You went to high school in Canada... I got that bit. I'm trying to work out - what a Student Card is? and what's it got to do with guitars? Regards: Stu

[@PeteEllson5656]

Great video, thanks.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Many thanks for the comment Peter. Are you a Stratocaster player? If you are interested, I have done a few videos on Strats which you will find on my channel playlists. Regards: Stu

[@nealixd.3011]

I would vote for the Fat 50s first, the TX Specials second. The Fat 50s have also "won" to me in some other videos I listened to, so those seem like a reliable choice. I have some Texas Specials on a Jimmie Vaughan Strat, so I know those are good too. Most of my Strats sound good in their own ways. It helps to have the second tone control wired to the bridge pup. Throw in a British made Freeway 5B5 pups selector if you want to turn your SSS ones into a monster with 10 series and parallel wired pups configurations.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi nealixd3011 - I do like the Fat 50s in my 50s CS Strat although I don't use it so much when working on my recording projects and favour more the Fat 60s. When I am jamming with the 50s Strat I tend to adjust my playing style to get the best out of those pick-ups. Interesting points you made regarding wiring, I must look into that.... Regards: Stu

[@BrokenMan65]

Accidentally stumbled upon your channel. I liked it very much! Definitely subscribe and like! Good luck to you and the channel! All the best, and most importantly health! Greetings from Europe, the country of Lithuania. Waldemar - Nasty Disabled - 😂😂😂

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Waldemar, and thank you for the kind comments. While I have worked in the film/Video production industry in various countries throughout the globe, I have not been to Lithuania, it looks like an interesting place to see. Thank you for the greeting. Are you a Stratocaster fan? Best regards: Stu

[@angeltorresrodriguez409]

Excelente video y muy profesional.....saludos respetuoso desde Puerto Rico.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Gracias por el amable comentario. Me alegra que hayas disfrutado el vídeo. Echa un vistazo a mis otros vídeos de guitarras Fender en mi canal. Saludos: Stu

[@angeltorresrodriguez409]

@@StuGuitarChannel ....agradecido, ya me subcribi......nuevamente, un saludos desde Puerto Rico.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

@@angeltorresrodriguez409 Gracias, saludos desde Escocia... Saludos: Stu

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Like the "Fat 60s" clean because they sound warmer and woodier , the midrange is more present. The "Texas Specials" are pretty good too for ovetdrive lead tone. Thanks.

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Giulio - Many thanks for chipping in, much appreciated... you might be interested in a recent custom telecaster style build where I put a set Texas Specials in. While the guitar sounds good with them I do prefer something warmer and will be changing them out in due course. This was a a 10 part build project but here is the final build video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/enjPnnmsZ9eEasU - which also compares a number of my other Telecasters with different pick-ups alongside... regards: Stu

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Thank you for watching! If you benefit from what you see and hear, please give a ‘Thumbs Up’, ‘Subscribe’ & ‘Hit the Bell for Notifications’ it all helps the channel algorithms. Much appreciated! Do check-out my channel playlists… - Q&As Answering topical questions - Stu's Guitar Recording Journey - Unboxing Music Equipment Videos - Stu's Guitar Journey! (12 part Video Series) - Guitar Backing Tracks - Blues, Ballads and Cinematic - Stu's Guitar Channel short Trailer *Brought to you by Stu’s Guitar Channel - Enjoy Playing Guitar.

[@robfrasier9412]

Nice review. Looking to get my first Stratocaster. My first guitar was a Gibson Les Paul Standard. Mostly playing rock with gain, what pickups would be better suited for this style?

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Rob - Thanks for chipping in, much appreciated. In regard to pick-ups, so much depends on your own tonal preference and the style of your playing. As you will be aware, everyone has their own favourites. I like the Fat 60s and the Texas Specials on older style Strat's for that traditional sound. I also found that it took me some time to settle on an amplifier capable of valve crunch tones that married well with a Strat and my other favourite, the Telecaster. If you check-out my channel you will see a number of reviews I've done on Strat's and Tele's along with amplifiers (Bad Cat-Black Cat my favourite) and pedals. I find a TC Boost pedal helps out the Fenders alongside valve amp crunch overdrive settings. Coming from the Les Paul Humbuckers you will notice the Fender's thinner Single-Coil sound but as mentioned, when married with a good punchy amp, possibly a boost pedal and a further overdrive unit - I use a Tube-Screamer at times - this fills things out if looking for a fuller sound. If possible, nip into a guitar store and see if they have a couple of Strat's with various pick-ups so you can determine what your listening for... hope that helps... do let us you know how you get on... regards: Stu

[@glenkepic3208]

I love what this offers, Rok on, Stu. The nat finish brings memory,,,, '75 just out of HS. I have a Harmony Rocket II and Magnatone Amp and a good friend buys a Satin walnut RWB wht guard Strat. During that summer, we'd switch guitars. I prob played it as much as him. He decides to sell just after i bought my 'broken' '64 SG Std. sad. a year later, i get a GP in the mail with Bonnie Raitt on the cover and she's holding a guitar that looked just like his. We were all a car drive away then (SF Bay area) so,,,, Someone tried to calm me down a few years ago, saying she bought it in Oakland,,,,,like my old pal said, 'i dunno, man' All just a 20 minute drive away. Nice Strat regardless. Thx for the memories ;)

[@StuGuitarChannel]

That's a nice looking guitar that Harmony Rocket. Had to Google that one ;-) The SG is a nice guitar to play, very easy on the fingers, not sure if you saw a pic of mine in one of the videos where our tech engineer fitted an XLR connector into the body cause I kept having issues with standard 1/4" jacks failing.... too much antics on stage ;-) Like you I have a few guitars I enjoy but the Strat is just so iconic of the time. Just completing the next video where I test the Gibson 339, Fender Tele and a very nice acoustic.

[@glenkepic3208]

@@StuGuitarChannel Thanks, Stu.I gotta look for the SG pics. I sold the Harmony to the brother of a girl i was seeing when i bought the SG. It was a cool guitar. I read that Randy Rhoads had a Rocket II as a kid and kept it his whole life. I think it was stolen from a display in his Mom's shop a few years ago. Btw, another point about the Donnie P/Bonnie R Strat is after over 50 years looking at guitars in shops and in print, I've never seen another like it. I still think she or whoever sold it to her took the drive to Manor Music in Pacifica and bought it. Heck, if i'd known DP was going to sell it, i'd have bought it instead of the SG. It was priced more than the $150 i paid for the SG but should have made a deal. It was a really nice guitar. I actually liked it more than the '75 i bought a year or so later. BtwII,,,, looking forward to the next vid. Rock on!!

[@StuGuitarChannel]

@@glenkepic3208 That SG of mine with the XLR and an unusual whammy bar - I can't remember what make it was - is in Video 6 (8mins in - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGm6qWmrpperqK8). I hear about folks who still have their first guitar and find that so unusual. I had to sell a guitar to get another. It was so rare for any kids I knew back in the 70s to have more than one guitar... if you did, you were either a spoilt brat or a rich kid. I had one of the first Westbury guitars, stolen from a practice room which was a bit of a take on the SG or LP Special double cut. Had Di-marzio super distortions in it and was a lovely guitar to play. The police caught the thief and I got the guitar back a year later... totally warped neck and unplayable... put one of the pick-ups in my Gibson SG which gave it more growl - you can see that in the pic.

[@glenkepic3208]

@@StuGuitarChannel All in with D SD. Blondie had this in the bridge and a PAF in the neck. IBZ vintage covered pups now. Rox.. Yikes,,,,never had gear stolen but moving to an apt 8 years ago (death sentence as a guitar player,,,,sold every thing first go in '80) i haven't lost anything but did bring Blondie from the bedroom to the living room last night. Wife "WTH you doing?? She's fine!!!" Headphone city which is how i started in '72 (Stereo one side, me the other). Its a nice place. I just get kranky. A pal i had in the '70s moved from San Bruno to Union City across the bay. He had an SG Std and after an SG System rig, buys an Ampeg V4 half stack, maybe the American Marshall (Stones GYYYO powered by Ampeg). I take a weekend for a visit. He wasn't really happy there but did join a band. See a bit they did for some occasion and they were good. Learned later, the storage space they had was broken into and the Ampeg rig was stolen. He was heartbroken. prob an inside job. At least you got your guitar back....I'd have did what you did and make a wall hanger out of the rest,,,maybe, maybe not. Might not want to see it again. bummer.

[@glenkepic3208]

btw, i had the 'broken' SG when i bought the '75 Strat. My house mate wanted me to keep it and show him how to play. Being on my own at 19, it went. sorry, man.

[@gregmontbello6969]

I'm always surprised on these demo's how nice Texas specials sound

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Greg - Many thanks for watching and the message. You say you are surprised by how nice those pick-ups sound... why would that be? do you have unfavourable dealings with Texas Specials? I don't remember if I mentioned it on that video, but I did nothing to enhance the audio so that it would be a fair representation. Regards: Stu

[@gregmontbello6969]

No quite the opposite, I think they get a bad rap, I think they sound great. It's the stereotypical SRV thing I guess that people don't like. But regardless people think they don't sound good, which is why I made that comment. I have some now and they sound great. I really liked those fat 60's too. I have some fat 50's in my standard and they lack a little bit in my opinion, you really have to work and nob turn to get rockin/distorted tone. I like my Texas special much more.@@StuGuitarChannel

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Thanks for the explanation Greg, in regard to SRV, I only discovered him about 4 years ago...😯 as I returned to guitar playing and seeing his initials on one of the Fender Strat offerings. As you say, the Texas Specials and Fat 60s have a great response, according to the manufacturer, the H/W Fat 60s (Strat late 64 in my video) are 5.31k, 5.56k and 5.81k respectively while the Texas are 5.94k,6.27k and 6.56k respectively. I know what you mean about the Fat 50's - they have a distinctive tone which I feel works well in that 56 based Strat but as you say, you do have to work them. I have done a more in-depth video on the 50s Strat coming up so if that interests you do keep an eye out. @@gregmontbello6969

[@matiasdvoskin3985]

Get a 50’s Vintera Strat

[@StuGuitarChannel]

Hi Matias - Thanks for chipping in, always appreciated. Did you want to say what you like about the Vintera Series? I hear the Vintera II got a lot of attention when it was introduced. When I first came back to playing around 2019 I did look at those particular models but because of the Pandemic Lock-down I couldn't get into a shop to try them out. For me personally, as someone who grew up in the 1960s I have fond memories of the early USA Fenders (although some I played were not that great), that is one of the reasons I chose the Custom Shop builds of those early years. Regards: Stu