Stratocasters (Why They're GREAT)

Stratocasters (They're GREAT) The Gear I Use - Part 1
Today I'm talking Strats. Why they're great, and also specifically the ones that I have. In this video I show six different Strats, four of which I play on a fairly regular basis.
This is part one in a series where I talk about the gear that I use. I thought I'd do a series like this, since I get a fair amount of questions regarding the gear that I use. I thought I'd start with these, as they're my main guitars, and have been for years.
I hope you enjoy!
Here's a link to a Kilpi video: • Kilpi - Kasikuus
Check out the links below if you want to help the channel:
My Patreon page for music and exclusives: / elmojk
The gear I most often use (the links are affiliate links): redir.love/tho...
Budget gear I recommend: redir.love/tho...
(Not so) budget gear I recommend: redir.love/tho...
Check out my music on Bandcamp: elmojk.bandcam...
For official website (and lessons), visit elmojk.com
Check out my music on Spotify: spoti.fi/2VnLgMs
Facebook: / elmojk
Instagram: / elmojkarjalainen
Twitter: / elmokarjalainen

[@MrPolevaulter]

Check out some of my music: kzbin.info/aero/PLNaLwTdlpQNHKlg8ALZfM3AINC20WMp8s

[@hkguitar1984]

Just curious, any preference as to neck profile (thin verses thick)? I'm able to get along with either however I feel the thicker necked instruments I have actually possess a little "something" the others do not!

[@BrunoFilipe-mq6cq]

You're a very underrated guitar player. People should give you more credit. You inspire me. Thank you for your videos and teaching Elmo. Cheers 🤘

[@MrPolevaulter]

My pleasure!

[@kostaslekkas10]

Coming from an ibanez ...I thought : " wow this feels like a toy ".. then I played my strato for a couple of months and now I feel like it's my home guitar ...i love that little thing

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool stuff :)

[@bbbro34]

I have a brand new Strat (3 weeks old), first 'new' guitar I've bought in decades...I generally buy used. It's their new Performer series, made in US, and I got a really good deal on it, was a B-stock deal, so new. Has that same headstock as the one on yours, that CBS larger headstock which I really wanted...pure aesthetic reasons there, but I love those. It's a Lake Placid Blue body with a maple neck, which I also wanted. The new ones have a slight mod to them and that's the bottom tone knob allows players to get the bridge and neck pickup to be on at the same time, giving it a tele-like sound, and also allows all pick ups to be on at once. Also has what they're calling a greasebucket tone knob which is also a really good mod they did which allows one to use the tone knob without making it sound muddy or losing volume, especially helpful on the bridge pick up. Has the newer Yosemite, hand-wound pick ups, a lot of headroom on those, can always swap those out if wanted or need be, depending on the tone one is looking for. It definitely sounds like a US made Strat should, which is really all I wanted. Really digging it.

[@stevenpipes1555]

I agree completely about Strats. I actually found a Squire affinity at a flea market and he neck is completely flamed just like that one. Thats gotta be a once in a lifetime find. Now ive hot rodded it so heavily that you'd never know it started life as an Infinity! Custom parts, completely unique pickup combo and wiring scheme, crazy cool finish mod, and now its one of my favorites in my collection. I did the whole project for less than 400 bucks.and it feels like home!

[@michaelolz]

I couldn’t agree more about the Stratocaster. The tone, the feel and the freakin’ look. They’re amazing multitaskers and an American institution.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Make no mistake, a Strat can sound heavy too. The proof? About a minute and 30 seconds into Krakatau by Yngwie on the Odyssey album. That heavy, plodding riff makes me bang my head every time! You dang near did it around 13:10!! I’m more of a super Strat guy because of my hero Eddie Van Halen. But the Strat shape definitely, as you say, feels like home.

[@MrPolevaulter]

That riff is killer.

[@piage84]

I got a strats player series a couple of months ago. Can't stop playing it. I have a nice Japanese Tele and an Epic Les Paul. They are both lovely, especially the tele. But the Strat is too comfy. Perfect

[@davelopan249]

Have owned a MIM players deluxe Strat with the noiseless pups for 7 or 8 years now and I love it. Great feeling guitar. I love my Gibson Les Paul too, but often find myself picking up the good ol Stratocaster.

[@thelemonademan6235]

I love my MIM 3 SSS CONFIGURATION, I love it because it's light as heck n bright as heck too, I have an American 🇺🇸 strat with bridge humbucker, and a Gibson Les Paul as well. I grab my MIM SSS single coil strat the most , lol. I love it.

[@hkguitar1984]

Unlike many other guitars the Stratocaster can be changed/configured to specialize in many different styles of music. Long a favorite of myself I find the sound of a stock vintage style Stratocaster very beautiful. That said, the fingerboard radius and instrument scale length provide a feel and confidence that inspire my playing. And at the end of the day a Player really does need to be comfortable with their instrument. Great content Elmo, Thank You.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Well said.

[@jazznotes3802]

Yes, one major thing overlooked by guitarists, the fact that they are modular. You can find many replaceable (alternative) parts from a LOT of different manufacturers. If anything brakes you can simply replace it, unlike most other brands. Then there’s the little fact that they feel and play incredibly good. 🎸

[@hkguitar1984]

@@jazznotes3802 A very good point Jazz Notes. Right now I am working on building a 2nd Stratocaster for myself. My modern Strat (a 2000 American Deluxe) has been modified with all sorts of changes that I feel better suite me. That said, I still want a pure vintage Strat that would provide a 1950s Stratocaster playing experience and tone. I realized that in my quest to make my current Stratocaster better (with mods and changes) it has departed from the feel and tone of a vintage instrument. So, I am building a 1961 Ash Bodied Strat with a chunky slab board neck and true vintage construction pickups. Best analogy I can use would be an automobile, new cars are amazing and safe with almost unlimited performance. Sometimes however I just want to appreciate a vintage car with all its shortcomings. Electric Guitars and Music in general are a limitless passion as it is impossible to know or experience everything, you can never learn or master it all. It is that fact that encourages myself to keep pushing myself farther along than I ever thought possible. Also, as a hobby it keeps me out of trouble (mostly). 😉

[@jazznotes3802]

@@hkguitar1984 I became a Strat player only this year. I’ve been a “double locking-trem” guy, play mostly Ibanez RG’s and the like for over 25 years. Then I picked up my kids “Squier Bullet by fender” and something just clicked. (such a low budget guitar I know) Now I play a “Fender JV 60’s modified Strat,” it’s the perfect guitar for me. (Almost 😆). I had to replace the saddles with “Highwood Relic Vintage Saddles” and just ordered some “YJM Fury pickups,” as I like to play some high gain stuff. Now I’m happy. I would love to build a old-school partscaster at some point still, black Strat but with stainless steel frets. (Just for fun) Strats are so cool and I completely get the feeling for building a vintage one.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@jazznotes3802 Very cool Jazz Notes. I've been a "Practicing Guitarist" since 1974, my first real guitar was a brand new Fender Mustang. Next guitar I owned was a 1977 Les Paul Deluxe. Sometimes I just gotta play a single coil pickup, and the Stratocaster and Telecaster are just so classic that I really have to have them in my life. It used to be I was a Humbucker only guy, and then I had my single coil stage of playing. Nowadays I just couldn't pick one over another. I'm a very basic player, Stratocasters, Telecasters and Les Pauls. That said, after all my years of playing I just picked up my very first P90 guitar. WOW Gibson designed the humbucker to sound as close to the P90 as possible, and they do have similar qualities. The P90 though has the power of a humbucker and the articulation of a single coil. I believe I've entered my P90 stage of playing! Ibanez makes great guitars. Back in 1978 I owned both a double cutaway Ibanez Artist (Ash body) as well as a IC-400 . I still kick myself for trading both of those Ibanez away. Out of all the guitars I've had I wish I'd held on to those the most.

[@jonp3890]

As of now, I’ve got four Strats, from a Blackmore Sig right on down to an $80 Starcaster with a surprisingly good 12” radius neck on it. I love em all, but that Blackmore rarely leaves my hands. Great channel, great playing.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you!

[@jamesorion1986]

Man if I had a Blackmore or Yngwie Strat it would probably never leave my hands either. You got great taste. 👍

[@squirelova1815]

I see from your picture that you're very serious about Flossing. Now I know you can be trusted. Plus you are a Stratocaster man, Lover of the most beautifully proportioned of the guitar Mistresses, and so your Taste is truly refined.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@93greenstrat]

Strats just look cool. When I was a kid, I would see guys playing Strats and just based on the physical appearance of the instrument, I was immediately smitten and wanted to play guitar so I could get a Strat!

[@MrPolevaulter]

They sure do :)

[@looneyinkproductions-eduard]

Finally someone who's not picky about the brand name ("Fender") on the headstock, but who's straight and honest: "Just because it feels good". You're the man!! Strats just want you to play them. A strat is like:"Oh, you want to play blues? Alright! Rock?Trash? Metal? Shred? Mariah Carey? Ok! No problem! Let's go! Happy bunny!" Yup, stratocasters rule, especially the ones with a seventies headstock!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@rockandrollmd541]

I like the tone of them, but the drawback for me is the location of the controls. You need a very controlled strumming motion to avoid knocking the volume knob and selector switch. I put foam under the volume knob to make it more difficult to turn. I also blocked my tremolo cavity with wood because a floating trem is not my thing.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I've never had that issue, but I guess it's a matter of what you're used to.

[@bewusstsein3527]

Once you are getting used to it.. you can play any electric guitar without complaining.. strat make you a humble player

[@rockandrollmd541]

@@bewusstsein3527 That's true. Mine is from 1979 and has a 7 1/4" fretboard radius. I set the string height a little higher than my other guitars.

[@simmooz3528]

I’m the same with a strat love the tone- I also find the selector and control in the way. I’m also always hitting the middle pickup. I’ve only been playing a year tho. I might try one again- perhaps mod it with a master tone and move the volume knob.

[@rockandrollmd541]

@@simmooz3528 I wired mine with a master tone, but I put an on/off switch to combine 2 or all 3 pickups in Series in the middle knob location. In hindsight, I should have put it where the volume knob is. Some players lower the height of the middle pickup really low to avoid hitting it.

[@TheHenkka65]

Howdy bro! 😀👍 That Stratocaster that you've retired from active duty... Absolutely stunning instrument! That flame maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard is truly amazing. I have never seen a Yngwie - Strat like that. I think it's one of a kind. Thanks for the introduction. Keep on rockin' and playing. And of course, making great videos with good humor! 🎶👍😄🎸

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, I've not seen another one either.

[@zerep11]

One of my Strats is loaded with 3 "Drop In" Carvin TBH60 Twinblade Humbuckers.They not only provide a much wider spectrum of tones that is more easily controlled via the volume control, but also have less noise which equals greater headroom. Do highly recommend to check out the Carvin TBH60's. PS: In addition to being a Carvin fan in general (e.g. My prize position is my MTS3200H Tube Amp), I also use their AP11 Single Coils along with C22B and C22J Humbuckers on my other guitars.

[@VegetableMan1400]

I will always love Strats best, my first one was a ‘79 bought new that I still have, had a bridge humbucker a couple of times over the years but I always went back to single coils. Had a Floyd fitted in ‘86, no regrets there. Have the Sambora when I feel the need for a humbucker. It was Uli Roth that inspired me most as well as Jimi. I remember Yngwie in an interview describing a Strat and he just said it was like a beautiful woman and “nothing could be better on it” By the way I really enjoy your videos and think your playing is superb, great feeling and tone. Thanks for all you do!

[@MrPolevaulter]

And thank you for the kind words :)

[@vfamily2406]

Great video, Elmo! Been an LP guy, but you have inspired me to get a Strat ...

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@skinnykarlos710]

I love Stratocasters as well. I like the whole package and when it comes to the aesthetics I prefer the larger 70s headstock to the standard 50s design. I'm not into scalloped fingerboards but that might just be that I've never been exposed to them - like being able to pluck a friend's guitar to see whether I like it. The sound is unmistakable and while I love Tele's and 335's, a Strat is the stock standard guitar that as you said "feels like home". They're just great guitars and I love them as well.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yep :)

[@kg4st]

The Kilpi video that's linked in the description is really good !! ..touching, even though I didn't understand the lyrics.

[@cliffb2454]

I have a nice strat, they look very cool and I played one for several years but, teles are still home for me. Nothing to do with the sound, I just dislike guitars with the controls that are that close to the strings and, I can never make my mind up if I should float, block or sit the trem on the body. Life seems so simple when I pick up a Tele. Glad the strat does it for you, and many others.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough!

[@gktde9874]

I love my Jeff Beck signature strat. It`s the perfect workhorse!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Need to get me one of those to try.

[@davidrees1840]

I love mine too, reaally great guitar, no hum at all, roller nut and a neck heel that doesn't end in a freaking point designed to stab your palm.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Great taste, great collection and sweet playing!

[@ziggymuller3942]

I love the sound of a Les Paul soo sweet ....... but I totally agree with you a Strat is sooo much more comfortable to play, they just fit😎 I just finished scalloping my Strat. Can’t wait to play it now and get used to it. Keep up the good work Elmo👍

[@MrPolevaulter]

How does it feel with the scallops?

[@ziggymuller3942]

Very easy to press strings out of tune ..... and slide the high E of the fretboard 😎. Super easy to bend strings though. Now all I have to do is become a better guitarist. 🎸

[@fredc5812]

I was always a Paul/SG man (thanks Slash & Angus). Never even looked at Strats. Until I saw your review of Squier Classic Vibe Strat. So I went and bought one for myself for Xmas. Loving it, new sounds and funkier style of music has stopped me getting stale. I might pick my Gibsons up again next year.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool! That's an added bonus when getting a new kind of guitar. They sometimes open up new sounds and possibilities.

[@nicolauferreira3448]

Stratocaster are also one of my favourite guitar models but i like the superstrat more

[@davidkastin4240]

The Stratocaster is my favorite guitar. I could talk about them all day 🎸

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool :)

[@MrJimlen]

i hated strats forever, until i bought my yngwie strat., finest guitar i own., my favorite guitar i own., i prefer the scallops., and i pick up that guitar everyday, dont get me wrong i love my slash les paul but my yngwie strat has THAT vibe to it ., you can do anything on it ., excellent playing as always brother :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@jimmyjames2022]

I love the Strat sound and your mahogany body / pups sounds awesome! I had a '80s Squier with Fury SC Strat pickups and it sounded so great, but my short stubby arms never felt right on the longer Fender scale length so I gave it away. I miss the tones.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Sorry to hear.

[@vladimirkolosov8836]

oh that's beautiful. Elmo Karjalainen's Rising Horse I have american standard strat with Lindy Fralin pickups set, that's just great to play. More you play strats, more enjoyable they are.

[@bobjames1972]

I always wanted a Les Paul first and foremost.I absolutely love Zeppelin and Page so from the word go it was the LP for me.My first electric was a dire Hohner LP copy.18 months later my folks bought me a Made in Japan Squier Stratocaster that was my only guitar to speak of for the next 20 years.So whether by default or by accident I'm a dyed in the wool Strat player now.I actually went and bought that Gibson Les Pau at the end of 2019 and you know what it wasn't what I'd lusted after for all those years,it's so much more.They say never meet your heroes but like I said the genuine LesPaul was everything I hoped and so much more but it still doesn't replace my now modified highly MIJ Squier,2 Player Strats and a partscaster i put together that features a fully scalloped Warmoth neck and EMGs 81/SA/85,locking tuners etc. No,I love Strats more than any other guitar I've ever played although in saying that I bought a Jackson JS32 4 or 5 months ago and that is a beast of a guitar that's just built to be played - of course,it's basically a Superstrat and Fender owns Jackson so....

[@JustWastingMyTimeGaming]

It took me a long time to really understand the value of my strat. When I got it, I thought it was too spanky and bright. It was like a wild horse that needed to be bonded with. Over time I began to get a better understanding of what it can do. I'm still on my journey of understanding the strat.

[@skinnykarlos710]

Just Wasting My Time, I think that journey goes on 'til we die, eh? A great journey that has more to do with the journey than reaching any particular destination.

[@JustWastingMyTimeGaming]

@@skinnykarlos710 definitely

[@MrPolevaulter]

It's a journey for sure, but one without hurry, and full of fun :)

[@micsburgh]

Leo knew WTF he was doing. He had it right with the tweed amps too. That said... THIS GUY can play!!!!!!!!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! :)

[@Margilio5150]

My first guitar was an Ibanez Silver Cadet 1993, back then I thought all Strats had 12” radius , but Yeah, nothing beats a good old strat

[@Dreamdancer11]

Strats are it....i agree...For me its a strat(or strat object iam not that logo bound) with dimarzio or kinman pickups,scalloped fretboard,jescar stainless steel frets and hipshot tuners is give or take my ultimate guitar....the scallops along with the stainless fretwire make your fingers literally glide up and down...the quality noiseless pickups give you any sound you want from super clean and glassy and stratty to high gain territory....the fact that they are very comfortable and very pretty looking is also a plus....overall its a guitar that can do it all(maybe minus the most modern brutal metal).

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Great playing bought a lovely aerodyne strat years ago and had strats lovely guitars to play also got a leverson blade rh2 which is great strats lovely playing

[@kostaslekkas10]

I like his name...." This guy" ...so creative

[@beyondinfinity3876]

So true!

[@navrasicsi]

Hi Elmo, I wish you a Merry Christmas. 1) I prefer the tone of Welmo. Probably because I play a Mahagony Ibanez with full-size humbuckers. :) 2) What are you doing together with Kilpi? I wrote you earlier that one of my favourite songs ever is Kilpi's Sielut Iskee Tulta 🤘🤘🤘, although I don't speak a single Finnish word. I also like your channel, so hearing you with Kilpi would really be great. :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! These days I'm not with Kilpi anymore. No bad blood, we're still good friends, but they took their original guitar player back.

[@MagisterTuomo]

I would say that a Universe is the most versatile guitar out there. But since Ibanez kinda brought in the second generation of guitars imo I would say that the strat made the Universe/Jem/RG possible. It's simply a classic and part from the upmost heavy things a wellbuilt strat holds its own against any guitar. Interesting enough of a discussion Still. Especially since you're revisiting the gear you play. You've come into your own during the time from your humble beginnings to the monster of a machine you're turning into 😁. All kidding aside, awesome video Elmo The guitarTruthier Karjalainen 😊

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha! Truthier :D I've looked back at some of my older videos, and they look absolutely shocking. No worries though. That's the whole point, to get better.

[@popsfereal]

I bought a $58 NEW Strat copy from ebay. After not too much work, EEZE GOOD GEETAH!!! I would play a set with it.

[@youhavenothingifyoudonthav9895]

I want a yngwie Stratocaster so, so, so very badly 🥰😍

[@michaelolz]

I really do like the buttercream color. It’s always been unusual but classic.

[@daryllmroberts7958]

strats in all there configurations are the best,,,super comfy--sound great,,, thanks for the great videos

[@wilsonjames299]

I'm glad I ran across this channel. I really enjoy the videos..2thumbs up.

[@jreagle58]

Tell me if this opinion resonates. The aesthetics of a Strat doesn't really do much for me. The Les Paul was what I always coveted. I have had both and still possess some form of each. BUT! There's no denying that the Strat is a more versatile instrument than an LP. And that's why I still have an American made G&L Legacy in my arsenal.

[@davidhaolai]

you the man...... 3 buttercream strats. cool

[@journeyquest1]

I bought a Squire Jagmaster, swapped the PUs to Dimarzio Super Distortion and Super 2, Wilkenson full floating trem and locking tuners. I like the feel of the Jag body better. Also have a Standard Strat.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Just started watching this video and love the subject Fender Strats are in general the best. Easy to manufacture, easy to upgrade, easy to alter, easy to use. They balance well, light weight, etc. Love them too. .Love those Yngwie starts, and that really flamed one you have is killer sir. Very interesting you like or prefer the stacked singles. I hate real singles for the noise, and in the bridge position the treble is ice pick in the ear. I prefer humbuckers in the bridge, no middle pickup because I pick there and they get in the way, and a noiseless single or stacked single coil in the neck for that Hendrix tone. I love strats, but I'm a big Ibanez S series or Sateiani J series fan, because they are so light, the input jack is so you don't step on the cord, and they just feel great to me. They are just improved stats though. Can't beat a good strat though. I also love my LP Junior. One humbucker, or p90 which I love the midrange of, flattop and wrap around bridge, etc, and set necks are more comfortable along with neck thrus. I don't think wood has hardly anything to do with tone.. You're rising horse strat is perfect with that trem, and humbucker or stacked bridge pickup. It also sounds really good via the internet compared to you're other guitars. You're welmo strat seems to be the one you play most here on YT. Cool guitar. Is it heavy? The fury pickups sound great. Great video sir. Hope you and yours are well my Finish friend ( who speaks English perfectly )..😉🤟💘🤟😉

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! Yeah, the middle pickup can get in the way. That's why I sometimes lower it, so it's not in the way. All's well here. Hope you're good too :)

[@Deichwerkstatt]

Hi Elmo, Would you make a video of your whole collection? That would be cool

[@robertritchie2860]

White strat, rosewood board and big headstock = Blackmore heaven... I have a nice LP and a Tele but Strats are the thing😊

[@srh361]

I'm generally a Gibson player but I do have a strat (I play hard rock/ heavy metal) and I can't make it sound like what I hear in my head, I really like Fast Eddie Clark of Motorhead fame. Is it because it's single coils and I'm playing with the same settings as when I use my humbucker pickups, should I put a hotter bridge pickup in it? Right now it's just a quacky almost vowel like tone that sounds great on clean and lower gain settings but I like a little more gain, think Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin etc. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Oh great video by the way! I watch every video you upload.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! I'm not sure. Which pickups does he have, and which ones do you have? Try matching those, and you'll be closer. Also match the amp and pedals. The problem might be that you might end up ruining your Les Paul tone.

[@srh361]

@@MrPolevaulter after writing this comment I ordered a Dimarzio Super Distortion that fits in a single coil equipped guitar, hopefully that will get me closer to what I'm looking for. Thanks for the reply!

[@MagisterTuomo]

Also. Eddie used to play a '79 strat. The strats of that era have more dense wood and weigh more -> heavier sound.

[@jorgetome7089]

Same question here, o don't like the bridge pickup for dirt sounds. The Mexican fender pickups of my Telecaster sounds way better with dirt sounds

[@philfrank5601]

They feel very comfortably...the belly cut is perfect. Of course, I would prefer more access to the upper frets and the volume knob moved a little further away. The neck feels great on that Yngwie model, too. 24 frets would be nice, but now I've just described an RG😆

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D Yeah.

[@michalcsanyi5895]

LOL... i love that scar symmetry sticker there! :D got it too from their Pitch Black Progress CD 15y ago.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah :)

[@darrenj.griffiths9507]

lol "this is tuned down a half-step, if it's tuned at all". Sounds like something I would say - before recording !

[@MrPolevaulter]

😀

[@racheladkins6060]

I love Ronnie Le Tekro of TNT. He plays a strat.

[@brandonbeach2141]

that mahogany strat sounds great!!

[@dougmann66]

THE HORSE WAS RISING !!! BUT THEN AGAIN YOU MAKE ANY GUITAR SOUND AWESOME !!!!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you :)

[@TheDarkmore]

Just brought a cheap cort G110, it feels 10x better in my hands than my ibanez s420, which is a great guitar, but still. I think all that matters is what kind of instrument did you spent most of your time when you were starting playing. For me it was a Mushima Lead Star V (strat with only a bridge humbucker), then I switched for a Rockwood (by Hohner) again a strat but with 3 singles, after that I tried everything, but when I grabbed my cheap Cort G110's neck, I felt at home. Cheap strats are in my veins :-)

[@elihue_redneckreview]

Great playing!! Have you ever tried any of the G&L guitars that Leo Fender designed? I had always overlooked them, but recently picked one of the tribute ASATs up, and I am very impressed with the feel, playability, and tonality.... I'm definitely considering the S-500.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not yet, but I am planning on trying something by them.

[@michelbrault1690]

Nice démo Elmo of your Stratocaster and you like Jeff Beck and Malmsteen I have Three Fender Stratocaster Mexico et now playing a Godin session ltd like strat with split humbucker and IT is in M'y country Canada

[@elsalves]

I have two squiers and and love them css as by afire for now a fender but I’m pretty glad with my squiers my first guitar was a jackson when I bought the squire and play it for the first time it was just amazing there’s something special about them for sure :)

[@danpena7922]

Great video. 👍🏻

[@Ko1962315]

Super introduction episode!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@przemyslaw1235]

Gary Was Amazing and You are🙏

[@MrPolevaulter]

He sure was :)

[@777james777]

Man I tried to like strats, but I never could never love them, the only one I ever really got into was the Malmsteen strat and that’s because of the scalloped neck, I think I’m more of a super strat type of guy, does that count?…. Lol

[@repetitivemotion]

The Les Paul was designed for a specific shape, whether its fits the human body was irrelevant. The Stratocaster was designed to fit the human body, like a glove. I think that the player can get much more out of a Strat than with the Les Paul

[@davidkastin4240]

I agree. Strats fit like a glove. That's why I have so many of them 😈

[@repetitivemotion]

And all my Strats have single coils. I don’t know why, it just worked out that way. And of course, I first wanted a Strat because I wanted to be like Blackmore. Come to think of it, after all these years I still want to be like Blackmore!

[@thomasmassey9166]

Hey! I saw your peavey bandit video and from all the strats you owned I knew you were a nut like me! lol i literally have all the same opinions about strats aside from the wood type. Which is negligible for me. But right down to cheap strats feeling like home to having a fender with a brass nut, yjm pickups and a scalloped neck! It must be that we like malmsteen too much or strats are a near perfect instrument lol Cheers from LA California! This may have made me subscribe! ^_^

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks Thomas :)

[@justmehere6094]

Well I have 2 Les Pauls, a Les Paul Special, and a single cut Variax, as well as 2 Strats, and a Variax that is just about a strat with no belly cut, and 2 other dbl cuts (one LP scale and set neck, Strat body, and other a pointier strat). and an SG. They all excel at different things..

[@treerictremblay]

Yes thanks you personellement j’ai deux Classic vibe squier .. et elle sont vraiment cool 😎

[@Chrismagdich]

Elmo what’s your take on the Richie Blackmore strat with Duncan quarter pound pick ups? I know you favor the Yngwie but what is your take on that guitar specifically?

[@MrPolevaulter]

I don't know. Never tried one.

[@DJBuglip]

I play Rockabilly and punk and jazz and blues and metal and folk and country and there's noooooooo way I could do it all with one guitar. I appreciate the benefits of many styles, it depends on what we're playing.

[@DJBuglip]

There's a beautiful, springy, unwound kinda' sound to a strat that nothing else really has, I think.

[@MrPolevaulter]

There is.

[@Chris66JTM45]

Picks up a red Strat and out comes the Walkways 😆 ... nice video man. But tell me what pulls you towards scalloped fingerboards, what do they give you that normal carves don't ?

[@MrPolevaulter]

More control. I made a video on the topic once: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DMk3avhLaDbLc

[@ghfdt368]

I think strats are great too. I own a wonderful highway one stratocaster which was basically the original american special series before it was replaced with the latter. Stratocasters more than anything I feel are so versatile and dependable and are really working man guitars they wont let you down. It also has a vibe of being made for guitarists as that was exactly what Leo Fender did, if you know the whole story of the stratocaster and its design. Very often other shapes and brands lets be real here, were built for a specific person like les paul or steve vai that became popular which is why I think the stratocaster is so popular and why the strat shape has inspired other brands and also been ripped off and copied by pretty much everyone in the past, present and likely future.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, they are super versatile.

[@ChengLi1979]

i got no high priced one. it is a vintage v6 reissued. very much guitar and tone for the buck. strats are the swiss knifes of guitars. you can call every sound of it! jazz, blues, rock and even yngwie! 👍 and the look so beautiful and cool.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Very nice!

[@matthorner35]

I have one of their thinline tele's and they are really well made nowadays (my first Vintage was a bolt on neck LP from 1998 and it was not great). Their finishes are extremely high quality

[@erickubica9998]

Elmo! Why didn't you break out the strat/tele hybrid? Great video strats are the best!

[@MrPolevaulter]

I will, in the next one :)

[@alfredoarredondocastillo7007]

I´m a telecaster man

[@MrPolevaulter]

I've been wanting a Tele for some time now.

[@alfredoarredondocastillo7007]

@@MrPolevaulter Basic, but powerfull Guitar, Rock´n Roll

[@soldierbreakneck771]

I love Stratocaster and also Ibanez😊

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas :)

[@trevorgwelch7412]

DUDESKI Can you play Flamenco style guitar ? Gypsy Kings .

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not really, no.

[@peterbrusch1493]

Right You are: The Strat is the perfect electric guitar!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@racheladkins6060]

Uli Jon Roth is the master!

[@iosifsimon]

You are funny! :D Nice playing. Good videos! Keep up the good work! :P

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@mertmumcu8793]

Elmo, What do you think about Gretsch Jet Club ?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haven't tried it. Sorry.

[@buckellard]

We pronounce the name of that wood as All-der. Not sure if it's correct. LOL

[@przemyslaw1235]

I love strats but it’s all your playing😊I give you cheap guitar and you still destroy,Amazing playing 💪maybe one day😀i want to play just one fast run

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you for the kind words :)

[@bewusstsein3527]

Strat,tele,archtop,lp,classical and acoustic and youre good to go.. if i were need to choose 1.. id go for a strat.. no a tele i guess 😁😁

[@MrPolevaulter]

A Tele would be nice :)

[@AKAJACE1337]

Hello Elmo, can you make a video drop tuning a strat ? Cheers

[@MrPolevaulter]

Hi. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not sure what the point would be though.

[@AKAJACE1337]

@@MrPolevaulter yjm pickups sound on drop tuning

[@davedynamite77]

I really don’t care that your playing is 95% of your playing YJM I think that’s why you get a lot of slack

[@MrPolevaulter]

You need to brush up on your math.

[@ArticLight14]

Dude, I bet you’re good at different metal styles also on rhythms.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not too sure about that. I can manage :)

[@aliffdzulhailie4599]

Maple and rosewood yjm wats the best

[@roybenson955]

You seem to like the scalloped fretboards. I've never played one. What is the reason you prefer them ?

[@MrPolevaulter]

They basically give me more control. I have a video on the topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DMk3avhLaDbLc

[@jimsimmons2674]

Fat strat is the best style for me,i do not like a single coil in bridge position,it is way too bright and thin sounding!A humbucker in bridge is better for rock and metal with less noise!

[@MrPolevaulter]

That's why I use the stacked humbuckers.

[@Kadotus]

"Feels like home" indeed. Strats have always felt the best for me, even if I strayed away from them for a few years, mostly to Ibanez (and I do have fond memories of my prestige rg's.) But for years I wanted to try a Yngwie strat and back when I finally just *had* to buy one, there was no turning back from strats anymore. Now non-strats, especially if they aren't scalloped, just feel a bit like wanking, nice but when I play my strat it's like putting my... _pocket rocket_ in to my wife... _just_ like *home.*

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D You paint a pretty picture :D

[@svenzia]

Dang man, just a little too much information ;) haha

[@lo3572]

Which Fender Yngwie signature do you recommend? I hear that many have a problem with a slipping E string

[@MrPolevaulter]

I have that with one of mine. I'm not sure which ones have that problem. I guess you need to try before you buy.

[@MrPolevaulter]

That being said, I got use to it pretty quickly, and it's not an issue anymore.

[@RBadding]

What makes your best strat better than the second best?

[@sgg74]

Hey Elmo, is the no.2 you showed with white neck a custom or standard build?

[@MrPolevaulter]

The one with the maple fretboard? It's a Fender Yngwie Strat.

[@sgg74]

@@MrPolevaulter yes, but is it the stock $1.9k version or the custom shop $5.5k version?

[@tomvaisar6331]

Strat with HS3 in the neck and HS4 in the bridge sounded best

[@davidrees1840]

Hi Elmo, great video -thank you! Have you tried Leo's later work with G&L and Music Man?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not yet.

[@jvanb231]

I don't like them but I'm glad they make them for you :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

So am I :D

[@BlackJokerDRUMS]

How can you be that close to a Plexi? Is that attenuated somehow?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Volume pot in the loop. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn21YZuXgbCspMk

[@mr.ironbodybuilding]

I like Maple Fretboards better!🎸

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.