The Fender Stratocaster: A Short History

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Let me first say that I am not sponsored by Fender in any way. I make these history videos for educational purposes, my own, and hopefully as a result, yours. I hope you enjoy it. You've been asking for this one...
This is my short history of the Fender Stratocaster,. You might think that "short" here in the title is something of a misnomer, but the history of about 30 years worth of guitars is packed in to this.
I am fully aware that I couldn't fit every single model here (I actually learned of many I'd NEVER heard of during the research) but tried to choose each guitar for its effect on the direction the model took as time went by.
I'm sure I can count on you to add those in the comments. :)
Two books in particular helped in pulling the video together. These are Amazon links and we get a small percentage from Amazon to help support the channel. Thanks
"The Stratocaster Chronicles" by Tom Wheeler
amzn.to/31kcmHC
"The Stratocaster Guitar Book" by Tony Bacon
amzn.to/2LrEC5A
I need to thank Perry McManis for reviewing the script and for his helpful additions/corrections from the deep well of his Stratocaster knowledge base.
Mr. McManis wrote and plays the Strat on the intro/outro music and if you want to know how much delay you can put on a track...he's the guy to listen to. The tune here is "If a Group of Crows is a Murder, Why Isn't a Group of Ravens a Massacre?" You can here it and others at his channel link below.
/ @tcmx3
And I need to thanks Dave Onorato of Dojo Guitar Repair in Atlanta, Georgia. Dave has been helped me from brainstorming to final fact checking scripts and for that I am grateful.
I'd add that some subscribers have commented on the seeming "duality" of the channel. Encouraging minimalism while posting histories of instruments that might, in some, inspire passing (or prolonged) moments of gear lust. This is not my intention. I have come the long way around to learning to think something is beautiful without feeling that I need to own it. It is perhaps a fine distinction but also one I believe we should take more time to ponder.
Thanks for watching.
Keith

[@RickBeato]

Just watched the whole thing in my car parked in a parking lot drinking coffee. Fantastic Hypes!! Love it!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Hypes!

[@stratcat7162]

Very informative super cool video

[@moonkef]

Rick any plans for WMTSG on zz top?

[@tomp538]

@Jason Reding even for guys like me that just have ears to listen.

[@sf-gl7tr]

Just watched the whole thing in my pool drinking cuba libre. Fantastic Hypes!! Love it!

[@noaht6723]

"Who'd want a coloured guitar? Especially a red one?" I looked over and saw my red Strat staring at me.

[@derpderpington100]

SAME I have my red 2002 Squier hanging across the wall from me. It's definitely getting played now

[@captainalex8003]

Who wouldn't want a coloured guitar? I'd go for a red one. I currently have a surf green LTD copy.

[@SealedKiller]

When he read that Mark Knopfler popped up in my head

[@BrianVallotton]

I have a red 97 Strat and I LOVE it! American made.

[@SealedKiller]

@@BrianVallotton I have a cheap start copy but I'm in between beginner and intermediate so i can make it sounds quite nice sometimes. I'm learning Sultans of Swing and I've gotten down half of the song, now just solos left haha

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

*THE* electric guitar; I knew what a strat was before I knew what a strat was, and I've recently come to appreciate what it actually is.

[@michaelweinman9051]

agreed

[@jerrshreds5954]

Same here

[@erickleefeld4883]

The single greatest electric guitar. Rock, country, blues, funk, even jazz - it can keep up with them all.

[@twootters7433]

I miss my '56 Strat. I hope the person who stole it has had the worst life possible a person can have.

[@joer.alvarado1993]

I know how you feel. I had an old Fender Tweed that was stolen while I let my best friend use it in Austin, Texas. He looked all over for it but couldn't find it. So he looked for one like mine but all he could come up with was the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue. I told him: "Damn dude!! You really don't get it!"

[@gregs5985]

@@joer.alvarado1993 I love my girlfriend to death but I would loan her out before I would loan out my strat. I couldn't take losing her.

[@joer.alvarado1993]

@@gregs5985 Oh believe me I learned my lesson. He use to be my best friend. I haven't seen him in over 20 years since that happened.

[@winstonlanda7731]

Damn I feel it. I had my 01 Standard stolen but it wasn't its rarity of anything that i valued. it was intonated and set up and just had the perfect sound and feel. It was stolen out of my car and I know whoever has it isn't loving it or playing it. If I knew it would be loved and played, i'd feel better but I know nobody is playing it. I miss it so much. :(

[@johnbaird7549]

That guitar’s still out there somewhere.

[@oldgittarist]

Probably one of the greatest pieces of industrial design ever produced, form and function so beautifully integrated. I always return to my Strat and never tire of it. It's a big part of my life story as it is for many of us watching this!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I always go to click "like" on this comment every time I come back to watch this comfort food video.

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

It's a testament to the design and appeal of the guitar that Fender is making them pretty much the exact same way 70 years later. Seeing them in the pictures from the 50s with them looking the same as the one I just finished playing is surreal.

[@User57186-y]

Even as someone who works for Fender, this is a great channel and resource for information and history, as we all know there is plenty of misinformation out there, kudos to Keith and FWW.

[@blacktoothfox677]

I just utterly adore this channel. In a KZbin smothered by people talking guitar, this is a rare corner of quiet enthusiasm and love of our craft. No 'big I am', no egotistical pontification... Just pure refreshing appreciation of the tools of our trade. 10/10 content

[@blacktoothfox677]

13:16 - Isn't that Daphne, rather than Sonic, Blue???

[@fivewattworld]

With fading and yellowing its hard to say. You may well have it right.

[@blacktoothfox677]

@@fivewattworld I've never had a daphne Blue Fender - always wanted one with a maple fretboard. I used to be guitar tech for a band called Nine Below Zero - Dennis Greaves, a wonderful UK player, had a lovely Daphne Strat, but with a rosewood (almost ebony black) board... Many happy sneaky memories of quietly bussing that case into me hotel room & licking my chops for a few hours on a proper living 60's Stratocaster. I have adored that colour ever since. Looks good under stage lights too. I'd like something a bit unusual in that livery; perhaps a Starcaster or humbucker Tele Deluxe... Anyhooch, as ever, I waffle. stay healthy out there, it's bloody crazy... though hopefully things will settle a bit now. Big Love from the UK!

[@Richard_Lush]

Agreed. It’s great!

[@Bbbbad724]

I have a Silvertone Strat that is so much like a “ real “ that I wonder if Leo made it, it had a black head stock and a 3 tone Sunburst and a relatively heavy trem block. The pots are dime sized but were daisy chain soldered and grounded to the bottom of the bridge plate. It sounds great and it is a 9.5 radius. No date codes or serial numbers, but I see touches like a single ply mint color pickguard. The pots are dime sized but the ground is good. Just have to wonder. My 50s Telecaster made in Mexico reissue is good quality but the pots are grounded to the cover plate instead of the bridge. I want to drill an angled hole and solder from the pots to the bridge. I can’t trust my sight, but that’s a little odd.

[@calsurflance5598]

So glad you mentioned my old friend Dick Dale. (May he rest easy) He played that same gold chartreuse sparkle Strat until the end. Sitting on his living room sofa, we once swapped Strats and I got to play “The Beast”. I remember the neck was was very thick. He kidded me about the lite strings on my guitar, as he used very heavy strings. Lol Long live surf music!🎸

[@stevenhaskell9025]

Eric Clapton - Was alive to see Buddy Holly live on TV Shared a flat with Johnny Cash Played in The Beatles song “while my guitar Gently Weeps” Was mates with Jimi Hendrix

[@user-ne6nz2lb6w]

And still performs

[@bradcarroll3719]

In 2 bands that somehow sound almost like its another GREAT guitarist in the the band, because he played to the vibe of THAT music, and didnt trh and be the"hey look at how good I am" type of band guitarist. Thats my favorite thing about Clapton, and the list is long.

[@lsilvaj]

Married Pattie Boyd

[@johnlemon8689]

Is one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived

[@andymullarx6365]

He will likely go down as the most prolific guitar player to date.

[@charleydowd3126]

Who would’ve thought there was a time in history where the Stratocaster was more expensive than a Les Paul?

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Where ? The average Gibson is $3000 . A good 🇺🇸 strat 🎸 goes for about $1000

[@charleydowd3126]

I AM AN OVERCOMER Not “Where”. “When”. When the Strat started it’s production in the 50s.

[@Tonetwisters]

The price of glue must have been low back then!

[@subeyguy66]

@@Tonetwisters lol, shots fired

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

My local dealer (vintage guitars only, no new stuff) did a swap. My Historic 1956 Goldtop for a Custom Shop Strat. I did well I hardly played the LP but can't put the Strat down, it's beautiful.

[@erickleefeld4883]

The shape of the Strat headstock has always reminded me of a treble clef.

[@AJMjazz]

Yes, the Strat is the greatest and most versatile electric guitar ever made. Every Strat I've played has accomplished everything I wanted it to do. I've owned a number of them, and still do. Great video, Keith!

[@AgentXPQ]

I have one of the 1962 reissues, made in Japan. I have had it for years, but I still sometimes marvel at the thing. It's such a beautiful, perfectly designed object.

[@MrCamarokid83]

Me too.. just a magnificent guitar

[@handle433]

Hi brother, what year is your ‘62 reissue? Is it a T serial plate ? I just bought one, 2010 but it’s a Japanese domestic model not for export in Torino red and rosewood slab neck. It’s beautiful, but I can’t find much info on other versions because it’s a domestic model only.

[@BeefheartLynch]

I had a buddy who bought one of the Candy Apple Red Strat reissues of 1962 (64?) Can't remember which year, this was back in the 80's. But he let me play it, and I just remember that guitar being incredibly great to play. To this day that Strat reissue rivals anything I've ever played. There was just that unexplainable quality to it.

[@NickRage.]

I have an 86 to 87 Japan 62 reissue I got it when I was 15 its been 17 years still by far one of my favorite guitars I've played

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

In 1985, when it seemed (bizarrely, looking back) that Fender might not survive, I bought a new 1957 ‘JV Series’ Japanese Strat Reissue, in black (fitted, as standard, with US manufactured pickups), that was made in 1983. I sold the guitar, back in the late 90s, to buy a Mexican 60s reissue Tele and (regardless of the massive increase in the value of the original JV Series, over time - they can now fetch around £1000.00!) have regretted it ever since. The guitar had so much more visual ‘presence’ than either of my current Strats due, significantly, to the beautifully executed and authentic 50s period shaping of the body and rim contours, as well as the neck to headstock transition and actual headstock shape (until quite recently many of the US reissues, and even Custom Shop so-called ‘replicas’ - including, remarkably, early Clapton Signature models - sported a slightly convex, rather than the ‘correct’ subtle concave, curve on the ‘blade’ portion of the headstock, that just looked... well, just ‘wrong’ - no idea why they did that!). None of the reissues I have played, or owned, since have managed to recapture the ‘magical beauty’ of that superb Japanese instrument.

[@NikkoBalbedina]

The Fender Strat: Fixing something that isn’t broken.

[@ajh.7]

Umm did you watch the video about previous vibrato systems going out of tune?

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Yes! been waiting on this :)

[@blacktoothfox677]

man... so many good channels here on my fave channel! Bless you man - UK

[@colorcodetrader4032]

So good I watched this twice. There's just something about a sunburst maple neck Strat. What a beauty.

[@EdVanMeyer]

Hank Marvin was the reason the Fiesta Red guitars were in such demand, he is one of the finest players in the world to have used this iconic guitar. It is the swiss army knife of guitars, it works on anything from jazz to country and just about anything else.

[@ellisscott9840]

Ed Van Meyer hank Marvin was the reason the strat gained any momentum in the uk at all. All the big strat players, Clapton, gilmour etc all say it was cause they saw hank Marvin playing one and that's why they wanted one. Even legends have their idols

[@malcolmrandall8672]

So was Jet Harris, the SHADOWS BASE GUITARIST

[@prajnachan333]

I've had a Stratocaster, white with ebony fingerboard for 20+ years now. It's been an extension of my body almost immediately. Hey, my fellow Strat players. The most incredible players have them just like us.(!) I love videos going into details on guitars. I saw Jeff Beck about a dozen times, watching him effortlessly manipulating his guitar like a wizard! So fantastic.

[@mrnobodyinvr9762]

I've played a Strat all my life, and I never tire of learning a little more, or spending a little time with someone else who loves a good Stratocaster, thanks, very well done, very well worth my time, thanks for taking the time to make such a lovely clip about such a meaningful instrument. \\m// \\m//

[@RisikoAO]

I am super happy with my 1996 made in mexico Stratocaster!

[@commentfreely5443]

i've got a 93 mim. skunk stripe still intact, but missing some polyurethane. sunburst.

[@roddygogo7772]

And that is all that matters. You and your strat...the bond.....right on

[@rosendocardenas2726]

Have a 96 and 98 mim 90s made some great guitars imo

[@angeloriggi6370]

'95 - '96 Light Blue Strat with an M serial number here too This thing sounds like a dream, stays in tune I guess the Mexican Strats of the mid 90s were exceptional

[@guitarobot]

I just picked up a 95 m.i.m . Lake placid blue. Thing is like brand new. Plays like a dream.

[@danmayes4657]

Again NICE JOB That was a lot of work. Much appreciated. Out of curiosity I looked up $248.00 in 1954 to today's money - $2325.54

[@sassycat]

$2325.54 is the realm of Custom Shop builds. Maybe that's what all the American made ones should be?

[@barbmelle3136]

We are in an amazing time for guitarists. Modern manufacturing, modern finishes, standardized parts and effective distribution has made really good guitars available to almost everyone. For the $248 quoted, you can find a lot of brand new guitars that actually play pretty well if you are even a little careful shopping. At that price in the used market, you end up with a pretty good guitar. That is why so many people have multiple guitars, at these prices you can. We can custom shop guitars from $1500 and up. I believe these really are better than the majority of the old classics.

[@misterknightowlandco]

So strats are even cheaper now than then, but the les paul has blown past that price point. Yet, Gibson wonders why people have turned on them.

[@johnthooker]

@@misterknightowlandco They charge what they see their old good guitars sell for and build them as cheaply as possible. Then they have a hundred different "artist" models for 8000 dollars. I could get 2 custom shop Jacksons for the cost of a shitty Gibson.

[@misterknightowlandco]

@@johnthooker then go get some jacksons.

[@eoghainmurphy4441]

Thanks for mentioning Rory! He's the reason I picked up a guitar

[@jonnorris4204]

Back in 1997, I went into a guitar center (Arlington Heights) and played a Custom Shop Strat Relic. It was either Tahitian Coral or Shell Pink that was probably a 1960 to 1962 model. It was on sale at $1795 and was the sweetest guitar that I have ever had my hands on. When I went back a couple of weeks later, it was sold. Sad that I didn't buy it when I had the chance.

[@SixtoLezcano1]

In ‘99, I went into Guitar Center in Villa Park, and they had a ‘66 Sunburst Strat on the wall for $4,000. I played it and it was amazing, but I thought that was just a ridiculous price. They rep said I could get it if I offered $3,500 in cash. It was gone the next week when I went in, but I did get a used ‘96 Strat that day for $400, so not all was lost. Ah, the good old days. The 90’s... ahhhh!

[@chrisg5271]

I love my two Strats even thought I never bought a valuable one they still embody the intention they had as it’s been hard to change what was originally designed. Subtleties have got us nearer to what’s so important about the classic Strat. As a player who unlikely will make any thing other than love of my guitars, I am happy with mine and love the Stratocaster. More recently I have learnt to love my tele too ! Which equally is awesome considering I am only a hobbyist I couldn’t ask for more

[@truckercowboyed2638]

I hope next is on the Jazzmaster. I always wondered where the idea came from for something that was neither a strat or a tele design.

[@ahiwalter9153]

Edward Enterline from what I read Leo really felt it to be an improvement on the Stratocaster & couldn’t see why people didn’t favour it haha much like the Strat was to the tele, he made these generally because he felt they were better than the previous iterations

[@sassycat]

I think naming it something along the lines of Surfcaster and not adding the tone controls above the pickups would have gone a long ways towards it being a more readily initially accepted model. The old line of "no Jazz master would ever play a Jazzmaster" comes to mind.

[@Walks-With-Pride]

The Jazzmaster is a fantastic guitar. I bought a new one last summer, and it quickly became my number one go to guitar. I've owned many Fenders over the years, but my favorites have always been the Offset Body Series....Jaguars, Jazzmasters, and Mustangs. For some reason I have never been a big fan of Strats or Teles, although I have owned many of those models too.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

@@Walks-With-Pride I recently played a fender sonic guitar it was oldschool

[@vampolascott36]

The company built it as a jazz guitar. They hoped jazz players would switch to their solid body design. It didn't happen.

[@SK8ChristianSK8]

Very nice video Keith! Its nice to hear someone mention Hank Marvin in the great story of the Stratocaster! many people belive that it was Hendrix & Clapton that made the Stratocaster so popular. They are of course a part of why the guitar is so popular, but it all started with Buddy Holly, and Hank Marvin! David Gilmour said that he wanted a Strat beacuse of Buddy Holly & Hank, same with Mark Knopfler, and Clapton too was inspired by Hank's Stratocaster!

[@pabloperez4063]

Clapton by Buddy Guy, Winwood, y Buddy Holly

[@sonofboar13]

The best guitar ever made

[@shaalis]

Man for history and thoughtful, tasteful content, your channel is by FAR one of the bet I've seen. And this video is lovely. Well researched and narrated so well.

[@martygould5114]

I bought a Japanese Squier brand new in 1987 and it has been my main axe ever since. It's a great playing guitar I've put a lot of miles on it.

[@williamsanderson9279]

Fantastic episode Keith. I love 5 watt world! Like the Stratocaster itself, this is my favorite of the series. Keep up the good work.

[@SteeringSteel]

“The very definition of an electric guitar”...Amen to that Keith! 🤘🏻✌🏻

[@jts3339]

Keith, every time you feature a different guitar, you’re compelling me to buy another guitar that I can no longer resist. The more I watch your channel, the more guitars I seem to acquire!

[@fivewattworld]

Things can be beautiful and you don’t have to own them,

[@jts3339]

Can I just “borrow” them for a while if I promise to return them when I’m done?

[@fivewattworld]

@@jts3339 Well sure...that's completely different. :)

[@jts3339]

Keith, all kidding aside; I attended the Ohio Guitar Show in Hilliard, Ohio on June 23 with a lifelong friend who purchased 2 guitars and (another) practice amp. I lusted after a mint Rickenbacker 620 in jetglo for a reasonable $1300, a rebuilt Tweed Bassman in the original cabinet, a Gibson ES-335 with a figured top and back in a natural finish and many, many others. My wife even told me to “enjoy myself and to get something nice”. But, at the end of the day I returned with a cute little $10 vacuum tube night light for my music room and the knowledge that I had a great time without touching my E*TRADE account. And, I’m okay with it... I’m learning.

[@davidewing55]

But every serious guitar player should own a Strat (I do) and a Tele (I don't ... yet).

[@FushaStrat]

I always gigged with Gibson & Epi "F" hole arch tops. After quitting altogether for around 30 years a friend sent a Strat to me. It was a heavier than lead Squire but I fell in love with the body contours. That inspired me to begin playing again. But not with that Strat. I built several Strats from Warmoth parts, and I never play anything but Strats since those days. Before that I always told people that I thought God would smite me if I ever played a guitar with a bolt on neck. He didn't, I'm still here, and I think the Strat is the most perfect guitar ever designed in my opinion. A friend once said to me "Once you play Strat you never go bat" Irregardless of his choice of words he was right on as far as I'm concerned. Thank you for the history of my favorite guitar. Just watched your vid on the Tele, and that made me search for the Strat video. Thank's again for your efforts to track down the history of the Strat and share it with us. I realize that it took a lot of time and effort on your behalf.

[@Bartockamus]

A friend of mine told me and my old boss the same, and I really didn't want/like a stratocaster, but I couldn't find an sg,so I thought, I may as well give a stratocaster a try,it's similar to an sg,and basically their a slab of wood, and I will get a whammy bar to play around with too. Best musical decision ever, for me!! I've had 6 stratocasters since, and the best is a Squier '51,vintage modified reissue. This is the first guitar Fender copied from Squier.Their incredible!!! Try one, if you haven't,their very unusual.

[@cr0wnest]

I'll never get tired of that shape. I have a 2010 MIJ standard stratocaster in candy apple red that I bought back in 2011 when I was only 19. I remember always starring at the many guitars through shop windows. But it was that particular one that always caught my attention since red is my favourite colour. The shop had two variants, one with a rosewood and the other with a maple fretboard. When I saved enough allowance from internship, I purchased the rosewood fretboard one and its still with me today. Its since been modified with fender locking tuners, Suhr V70 pickups on the neck/middle, and V60LP on the bridge. I had my guitar tech add the american 5-way switch and have modern wiring for bridge tone control too. Plays really amazingly, I love it.

[@johnwescott1500]

Fun fact - the "boing" sound at the beginning of the Looney Tunes theme is Freddy Tavares on slide guitar.

[@raymondlugo9960]

"Ing-Vay" What a great album Yngwie put out. My first guitar is a 1984 American Standard Stratocaster I got new in 1988. It's a great guitar.

[@andrewdeane917]

I like the comment made by Keith that the 1980s Japanese Squier Stratocaster was more accurate to the original Stratocaster design than anything Fender were making at the time other than the Fullerton Re-issue guitars. I bought a new Squier Stratocaster in January 1987, and the truth is I didn't have the money for a USA made Fender at that time. It seems that was a blessing in disguise. I still have my Squier to this day. It's a great guitar and will never part with it.

[@johndeskins9518]

This video is just such a gem. It's truly an asset to the entire guitar community. Thank you, Keith, for giving us this wonderful content.

[@joesteers1940]

Such a beautiful product!! Well done Leo Fender and team.. thank you for everything!!

[@johnk-ht4yj]

I was fortunate to see SRV four times during the 80's as he cemented himself the new 'king of the blues'. his sound was always what i had hoped Clapton would evolve to using a Strat, but Clapton donning the Stratocaster signaled a change in 'his' tone, that was not as good as his Gibson days IMO. However the same change caused Jeff Beck to stand out & find a signature tone far superior & easily recognized above the crowd.David Gilmour with his slower, less flashy style and mastery of string bending & focus on 'tone' really epitomizes what the Stratocaster is capable of for most of us 'average' players.

[@bensblues]

Which srv concerts were they?

[@johnk-ht4yj]

@@bensblues 1983 Beacon Theatre NYC 1984 Pier '84' NYC, 1988 -w/Robert Plant @ Meadowlands NJ & 1990 -w/Joe Cocker Waterloo Village NJ.

[@Merjia]

This was phenomenal! I adore Strats, and music history!

[@5tw8se74]

Loved it. I own Strats, and Teles. There's just something about them that I'm deeply drawn to. Don't no why, but out of hundreds of guitars I owned I always come back Stats or Teles. Love the show.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Anthony!

[@scottnewellguitar]

I watched this sitting with my '82 reissue Tobacco burst Strat, which my old man bought for me in June of '83 for $945 ($2245 in 2020 $), we traded up from my Hondo II Les Paul copy and the shop owner took off $200. Still have the receipt. A few jumbo frets jobs later, flattened 12" radius and experiments over the years with different vibratos and pickups (yikes the 80's), it's beautifully banged up and my best-playing guitar today. I had to stop at 7:45 at the Buddy Holly part, because that's about all my Dad knew was that "this guitar is the one b/c he played it". He wasn't all that hip but he got lucky. Thanks Dad.

[@fivewattworld]

Great story Scott, thanks for sharing that.

[@The_whimsickal_artist]

Fender strat..👍🏻🎸💯my favourite guitar..I have a fender in all black and black and white. The lime green is nice colour. I've seen the 40th anniversary standard strat with hollow aluminum body.. absolutely brilliant, beautiful...for 4$ 😅 I can't afford that..one day 👍🏻

[@michaeleaster1815]

Imagine if humanity placed objects in a space capsule to demonstrate to other worlds what we are all about. Imagine further that we include an electric guitar. Of course, it would be a Fender Stratocaster. (And perhaps a legal filing document by Gibson.)

[@Tonetwisters]

LOL on the Gibson thing! And that Stratocaster would probably be the most futuristic, outer space looking object and yet, timeless thing, in all the universe!

[@profd65]

Oh, a Gibson joke. How original. What a clever guy.

[@Peasmouldia]

If you really want to mess up your aliens mind, include a Watkins Rapier 33 instead!

[@zachjollimore4339]

you couldn't put a Gibson in there, cause the headstock would snap, even in microgravity

[@gwugluud]

Do you know that's actually been done? Not the guitar part, but NASA included a proprietary record and player which also conveys video images. Had general info about the earth, and detailed diagrams of the human body, etc. But from what we're learning about exo-solar systems, the galaxy seems to be nothing but useless "gas giants" like Jupiter, and other places which are either too far or too close to their suns to be of any use. So I don't think it will ever be found by anyone.

[@peterulrich497]

Thank you Five Watt World for being the Smithsonian of guitar history

[@timcastle165]

Great video! I have a MIM Strat and a PRS SE guitar and even though I like them both, I seem to turn to the Strat to play at least 98 to 99% of the time, Love it!!

[@guitartim2128]

I miss my 54 Strat...While doing yardwork for an elderly widow I saw her pass out,so I thought. I ran to her and discovered she had quit breathing so i did CPR and it turned out she was ok Thank God. Showing her appreciation( she already knew that i played guitar,she said I want you to have this--- it was her late husbands 54 Strat. Two tone burst with the finish worn off in places,ciggarrette burns on the headstock and peeling finish on the maple fretboard - this was before relic was cool---1998. Went on vacation with my girlfriend to Nashvile,had it appraised by George Gruhn( valued at $5000). Some shithead broke my truck window out and stoled it. I would like to find the guy and really let him have it. Awesome video. Thanx 5 Watt World--your a Class Act👍🎸

[@madswellejus]

Thank you for this. Since 1999 I have loved my 62 reisue, Sherwood green sweetheart! Thank you Fender for making that

[@pensiveboogie]

I’m glad you mentioned Hank Marvin of The Shadows, Cliff Richard’s backing band (note, it’s Cliff Richard not Cliff Richards). The Shadows were one of the most influential bands in the world. I’m in Australia, and in my teen years, just about every band was playing instrumentals in Shadows line-ups, using Fenders. The bands tried to colour match, two identical strats and a Precision bass. Some of the greatest strat sounds came from Hank. Listen in particular to The Shadows playing Apache, Kon-Tiki, Man Of Mystery, The Savage and Gonzales. The Shadows used Vox AC15 amps initially, and it was Hank who lobbied JMI, manufacturers of Vox amps, to come up with the Vox AC30, used by The Beatles, Brian May, and many others. I have three Strats, one is a 50th Anniversary model, and a 57 vintage red strat like Hanks with gold hardware. It barks

[@TAM-gz5tc]

The Shadows. The reason I became a guitar player at 12 ,pro by 16. Question for people interested in real music. How did the shadows come up with so many great tunes. ??

[@sonsauvage]

The strat framework is still the best convergence of ergonomics, styling, and features that we have as guitarists

[@easygoin2887]

Even though I grew up in this period and knew pretty much everything the video covers, I still found it fascinating and perfectly presented. Well done.

[@TheLuismaBeaTle]

I tried to restore a replica without any training about a year ago, I still remember every part shown in this video as I discovered them by dissecting the guitar

[@NotUrBlader]

Stratocasters are honestly my all time favorite guitar. My first guitar was a stat and I have lots of good memories with it. Strats are one of those guitars that I never get bored of. They are easy to find, afordable ( for the squire line and othe off brands ), easy to mod, and food for pretty much every genre.

[@johnduckworth474]

Excellent short history of the Strat with some interesting detail. Although quality control may have suffered during the period of CBS ownership, the sound of a seventies Strat still does it for me.

[@davidkieltyka9]

Great stuff as always. If I remember my reading correctly…George Fullerton’s wife, Lucille, not only came up with the phrase “comfort-contoured body” to describe the Strat in marketing efforts, she also suggested the output jack design. My own fav Strat is an ‘82 Japanese JV series ‘62 reissue. The one I let get away was a ‘96 Vince Cunetto-built Mary Kaye relic. A phenomenal guitar, but there was this Gretsch Chet Atkins I fell for and funds were a little short…

[@KimchiDronie]

Fender Stratocaster is the pinnacle of all guitars. I’ve been playing guitar for 25 years, and tried different guitar brands; from Jackson to Ibanez, ESP, Gibson, Carvin, well, you name it!, but the Fender Strat, it’s the only guitar that can play any type of music genre, without sacrificing tone when it comes to whatever you wanna play on it. Even if you use a cheap amplifier to play a Blues Chord Progression, once you plug a Fender Strat, and play it, everybody will know that the sound coming from that amplifier, it is from a Fender Strat! There’s something about the Fender Strat that carries that undeniable tone and sound quality that until this day, some other companies wants to emulate, but cannot top.

[@SealedKiller]

Who wants a coloured guitar? Especially a red one? Mark Knopfler

[@IAmInfinitus208]

Daryl Strummer? Andy Summers?

[@countryboy6767]

Can we get down????? m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3005250196185823&id=100001026151518

[@SealedKiller]

@Doogie Carpit Burger Yeah I've heard in that documentary his bassist did

[@mrlionel1965]

Brad Gillis, Paul Dean, Bryan Adams

[@jimhood1202]

I'm about the same age as Mark and my earliest memory of a strat was also the red one of Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin. Is it just coincidence that he got a strat? Look at a photo of Hank side by side with Buddy Holly and you'll see what I mean. 😏

[@ronbzoom8531]

Man I love geeking out on these videos. Thank you. Great job. And keep 'em coming!

[@numanuma20]

I have to say that the American player series sound awesome. I love how some of them have built in humbucker pickups along with the single coils to give that huge gain sound while keeping that start sound at a good price. Thanks for the video, I had no idea that the Starocaster was used for various genres. I don't think of the Strat when I think of hard rock, blues or metal, mainly surf rock, surf rock, 60s pop rock, and todays alternative rock. I usually think of Les Pauls and SGs for that classic hard rock, semi hollow bodies for blues, and Jacksons for metal.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Another shortcoming of the CBS-era Strats (particularly post-'72) is the change in the tremolo from a separate steel base plate and block to a one-piece cast unit comprised of pot metal.

[@gdscheiwe01]

Great info. Your history videos are some of the best out! Peace

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Great piece of history. Sound city, London, was my local guitar store and I also saw Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight festival 1970. Rory Gallagher was there too, with Taste. Awesome gig.

[@johndiloreto3738]

Another million views. Nicely done Keith. Keep the great videos coming.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks John! I knew this was getting close but I missed the cross over.

[@JohnGadzaJr.]

This is an awesome short story. In my eyes, Fender Stratocasters are definitely the number one electric guitars that can be used for all musical styles and genres. I have various Fender Stratocasters myself and I love the Fender brand. I have used some of them in my videos where I play and sing various cover songs. Otherwise, this is very informative story. Great job and thanks, Keith.

[@fredsmith901]

Great Video. Easily one of the greatest guitars ever made. I love my American Standard tri-color with a Maple neck. Just beautiful! An all time classic. Wow! The other greatest guitar ever made is the Gibson Les paul. Two totally different sounds, but both are Excellent! I love them both equally.

[@AmericanConstellation]

I was just given a Mex strat with Texas specials....I set it up....and I'm really impressed! It plays like butter....

[@rdickinsondickinson]

I just got a Vintera strat. One the best I’ve ever had.🤘50s modified

[@graxjpg]

A strat was what my dad got me as my first (and second) electric guitars. First a sunburst squire with the tiny amp, then a black HSH that I made a terrible choice with and would love to have back. Now I play an ‘04 Mexican strat that looks very much like a 70s with a 6 screw trem. It is by far my favorite guitar I’ve ever played or owned, it’ll likely be my number one guitar forever ❤️

[@LZcool]

I watched it almost 6 months ago and i am rewatching it now. I love the explanation.

[@rkoz55]

Just dropped Eric Johnsons and a blender circuit in my "86 Japanese Squire, loving it!

[@vapporiesat3125]

I love Strats because often there is a Tele hidden in them. My favourite strats are the early 80s Ibanez Blazers. Great wood, great neck profile, great frets. The electrics are pretty decent, and can also be changed easily (another reason to love the strat)

[@njuham]

I had a blue Ibanez blazer in the early 80's. I sold it before 1985 and bought an Ibanez FA100 (Gibson ES-175 copy) which I could never intonate so I had it in a case under the bed until 1995 when I finally sold it.

[@the-LeoKnightus]

First thing I do with a strat is re-wire it. I use pos 4 to run Front and back pickups together. Then I like to run push-pull polarity to run em in phase or parrellel. This literally makes a strat + Tele + phase reverse (oh and it cancels hum)

[@vapporiesat3125]

@@njuham "sky blue" (light blue) BL470? with brass parts, tremolo and SSS? that would be my go to strat :D i play it every day. i have an 80s OBL Humbucker in the bridge and some very old fender pickups in the other two positions. i love that thing. especially the colour.

[@tomformanek3312]

I put a Duncan Twangbanger in my MIM bridge position. It countrifies the stat tone somewhat toward a tele, but also stands alone as just a great stat pickup. Matched it with two Fralins. Fralin also uses an optional metal plate under the bridge pickup. So much fun to play. The strat was just made to mod.

[@JC-11111]

There's a guy named Joseph Bythewood aka JB Money that played Strats professionally, as well. You can here his glassy tones on all sorts of top rap and R&B records from the 80s/90s until his death in 2015, when he was murdered by his adult son. One of his greatest solos is on the Instrumental of PWA by 5th Ward Boyz. Possibly the greatest guitar solo ever recorded on a rap song. Joe was incredible. There's a vid on KZbin of him playing Maggot Brain. So you understand who his influences were. Rest in Peace, Joe.

[@flwolf2000]

Excellent video! I've been a Strat player all my adult live. Hank Marvin of the Shadows was my teacher and guitar hero. I actually got to spend time with him during a TV show recording in Germany. We compared recordings and talked about lots of things - except Cliff. 😅

[@EdVanMeyer]

Tokai TST50 from 1983 - the best stratocaster Fender never built! I do have a 59 and a Custom Shop 59 all in Fiesta Red. Hank Marvin played through a Vox AC15 when he first got the Red stratocaster, the Shadows were responsible for the Vox AC30 being produced - they needed more sound to get over the noise of the screaming girls!

[@MrKite_]

Strats are the smartest guitars EVER!

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Jeff Beck shows that

[@StevesSlideandJazz]

I AM AN OVERCOMER I got to play Beck’s Black strat at Semore Duncan’s first shop in Santa Barbara in the 1970’s. Through a 1950’s tweed amp. I wish I knew what I was doing then. But it was nice to handle it.

[@666dynomax]

and probably the most imitated

[@markregan8907]

I do not play electric often, but when I do, I always reach for one of my strats first. I have dozens of 1950's and 1960's (mostly Fender) guitars, but my 1969 stratocaster is what always calls me. When playing alone, I almost always play an acoustic, usually my 1964/65 Villager XII, or maybe even a semi-hollow Gibson whatever the hell that thing is called, it's a great guitar too. But often, even if playing alone, quietly, not amplified, in the dark, on my front porch, I'll play the 1969 Strat. I have a 1979 G&L bass guitar, it is a beast, serial number 000007(plus or minus a zero), hand built and signed by Leo Fender. When I have a bass jones, I reach for that, but that is rare. When I want to play amplified, again, I reach for the 1969 Stratocaster amplified through a 5W Fender Champ cranked until it gets the tone we all know, love and want. I love all guitars, even crappy one's and God knows I have a few of those, but the aforementioned Strat, is my go to no matter what. For anyone who may not be able to afford a 1950's or 1960's Strat, try a musicmaster. I have a 1962 musicmaster and though short scale, that little bastard, through the right amp, plays and sounds like a million dollars. Have a beautiful day everyone and enjoy! No go play whatever guitar you have and again, enjoy!

[@WeirdofMouth]

Finally one on the strat! Can't wait to watch it!

[@jimbocarrino763]

I just got my first Strat, and really my first American made guitar and I must say I am blown away by the quality. It makes me so proud to be part of the Fender family. I used to think it was overrated, but my oh my I was wrong. I get what the Strat love is all about and I'm overwhelmingly blessed to have one of these bad boys. Great Vid Keith, keep it up!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Jim

[@benmcdowell1784]

How is every video on this channel impeccable quality regardless of how far I go back. You are timeless and I love your history series.

[@jasong546]

It’s interesting, in my reading I have found that the employees there at that time, tell the history quite differently to each other. The claims about who did what, who had the idea for what, differ. And they sometimes indicate that Leo played very little part in the strat. Several guys implying that someone else was either not involved, or incompetent in some respect. I don’t know for certain who did every little thing, but I am glad they did, the Stratocaster is for me the most inspirational electric of them all. Thanks for a great video Keith!

[@no1shere710]

CBS Musical Instruments INC. darn near ruined every company that it acquired. Besides Fender they had Steinway pianos, Rhodes pianos (under Fender) and Leslie rotary organ speakers. I had a (piano tuning) client who worked as an engineer for both Harold Rhodes and Don Leslie. (He gave me the one and only Rhodes hybrid digital prototype ever made (didn't make it to production), but that is another story). By his account CBS was always pressuring its engineers to find ways to make the instruments cheaper. Their only concern was the bottom line. Also, by his account, the powers that be behind CBS were a group of about five financial attorneys (not engineers). Great video. I learned a lot. Dig your channel, man.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Great comment but one day you should expand on that Rhodes Hybrid story

[@no1shere710]

@@buckodonnghaile4309 Apparently the company was planning to come up with an instrument that would compete with the emerging digital technology of the early eighties. My client was one of the engineers in charge of developing the project but it was scuttled in the early stages of development. The prospective instrument that I received was not a complete unit and not playable. It was missing the keys and key frame. The electronics of it was composed of many wires, relay switches and contacts that looked like a plate of spaghetti. I ended up parting it out. Used the pinblock (the laminated wood that held the pickups and tines) as a border for a flowerbed. Some things were just not meant to be.

[@Astronomater]

this was amazing. big ups for showing Buddy Holly's iconic performance.

[@michel333100]

If you are a guitar player, who doesn't love a strat? Leo was definitely a genius.

[@paulog516]

Superb video. Your delivery is so concise and moves at a great pace. thanks!

[@rdmkeytohwy]

I have played many guitars in my lifetime and owned a few but when i got my strat, i had finally found my home. Great idea that Leo got right the first time. We are still in awe of his design and the players who have used it over the years. As Eric Clapton said once, "The Fender Stratocaster, the one and only electric guitar." Great video and great info.

[@normcahall4548]

Fantastic guitar history on the Godfather of modern guitars who can deny

[@SionAfterEarth]

Just bought a Strat mere hours ago, perfect timing :D And there is a little typo with the Gretsch name in the subtitles when you mentioned the Duo Jet. Love the series, cheers

[@grahamb5930]

Keith, this flashed up after I subscribed as a recommendation and I'm glad it did! Another great video, the real value in it isn't just in your knowledge of the guitar itself but, also in the history of the people involved. Thank you, great video

[@robertcaffrey6097]

Very enjoyable well detailed. Im a Buddy Holly fan and have always been preaching about how his enforcement of the Fender Strat was the very launch of that model of guitar into the Stratosphere., as I understand it it was Buddys older brother who loaned him the money to buy the Fender and a Gibson amp I think. Buddy was decades ahead of his time and is without doubt the Father of Rock music.

[@GJ-ol5ev]

Awesome vid! One point though: The 'Chunky Logo' was also used by pre-CBS and can be seen on some '64 Strats. Fender made the change to the chunkier logo before the CBS purchase.

[@shaunw9270]

The "Transition" logo. See it appears around the L prefix serial numbers ,mid '64 ish.

[@jasonpinkney8624]

Buddy traded his Les Paul for "one of those new Strato-things" for some twang the Les Paul couldn't get

[@matthiusantonin2652]

Missing is an Strat player who has written, produced, and performed on albums that have cumulatively sold more than 500 million units and 75 million singles worldwide (Wikipedia) - Nile Rodgers.

[@f.fields2703]

I have a 2004 Highwayman USA made Strat. Plays and sounds wonderful. Thanks for referencing Hank Marvin. Sadly overlooked too often by US based experts, as the Shads never made it in the USA. Unbelievable player.

[@ammarnaeb]

This is one of the few channels I truly enjoy and appreciate. Thank you Keith.

[@Tsudkyk]

I just finished the final steps on a MIM strat rebuild. Repaint, all new components, I custom cut a pickguard to give it a “jazzier aesthetic”. All that’s left is to restring and adjust the intonation. I absolutely love my strat, everyone should own one variation or another.

[@jameshetfield3105]

I'm sure everyone does lmao

[@rmzzz76]

Launched in 1954 at a cost of $289 (for case and guitar), accounting for inflation that would be equivalent of $2,751 today. Yet people complain about the 2019 Pro line costing $1400.

[@Tonetwisters]

Well, it was tough to buy a Fender or Gibson even back then ... prices of instruments have always exceeded the general public's ability to pay for them, partly because they have been luxuries for many players including nowadays, and even tough as a necessity for working musicians. I have personally, never paid over $900 for a guitar, because I was always accustomed to buying used and beat up, which were a lot less money than retail (my dad bought my first guitar -- a 1954 Stratocaster, well-worn for $75, a lot of money). However ... I am seriously looking at an American Original '50s Stratocaster, as they have all the features I love, AND a great color, the sum of which, have been very hard to find over the years!

[@pressureflipin1992]

It's because now they're made In China for $25 a piece, if that! And they want to sell them for $1500. No. $150! Can you imagine the amount of money theyd make if they sold them for $150? That's how much they should be

[@rmzzz76]

@@pressureflipin1992 Nah, the American made Pro line is actually still built in the USA. Well "assembled in the USA" the wood is conditioned and cut here. The pickups might be made in China.... Still China builds a damn good Start, I believe the Squire Classic Vibe line (which are solid bodies + quality pickups) sell for $399.

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

Take a Squier from today to 1954 money!😂

[@Tonetwisters]

BOUGHT one! Needs to have the nut cut properly (pitiful, you spend TWO GRAND and the nut is all wrong. PITIFUL!). But the guitar's acoustic tone, is like no other Fender I have ever played, and I've been around Fenders since 1960 ...

[@Condor512]

My first 'real'' Strat was an '86 Made In Japan "Super Strat' w/ 12" R Fretboard, a thin D Neck, and Schaller Locking Trem. It wasn't that much cheaper than a US Strat hanging next to it. I picked the MIJ Strat basically 'cause it's in Candy Apple Red & has Fine Tuning w/ the Locking Trem. The headstock says Fender, not Squire. I have 5 Strats now, playing my newest right now, it's Sapphire Blue Transparent on an Ash Body w/ Maple FB. But that MIJ Strat is still 'my baby'.

[@pabloperez4063]

I also have MIJ 88....In Spain, were half ThE price of USA thaat year

[@matthewsolina4920]

I was shopping around for an Ibanez RG or a Charvel. Super Strat guitars. And I realized, I’ve played for 25 years and never owned a proper Stratocaster. So I picked up a Player series with a maple fretboard. Absolutely awesome guitar. Can’t put it down.

[@dandylyonwine]

Can I say this channel is fantastic. It's raw and pure with the mistakes/stumbles with words. I'll be digging through all of these videos

[@fivewattworld]

Just a guitar player making videos. Thanks for watching Dandy.