This Hardtail Stratocaster BLEW my Mind!

What do you think of hardtail strats?
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Strings I use! (11 to 56) Sometimes 10s.
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2019 Gear:
1959 Sunburst Stratocaster
1958 Mary Kaye Stratocaster
1961 Olympic White Stratocaster
1959 Les Paul Junior
1959 Bassman
1965 Super Reverb
1968 Super Reverb

[@ryanhockenberry2045]

Snobs: your guitars need to be kept at the exact same temperature and humidity year round unless they are in sealed hard cases Matthew: *vintage strats look sick in the snow*

[@paulcowart3174]

Ha ha that's how you get that extra checking on the finish

[@rogerwilder8185]

Instablaster.

[@sickb2200]

Loves me a hardtail Stratomocaster. Unless you're a whammy acrobat, hardtail is the way to go for notably deeper richer tone - not to mention the tuning stability. Praise the hardtail Strat!

[@ThrashRoC]

Yep ..you´re right But I can also understand why some guitarists prefer to stay at Trem Bar Strat, and Eric Clapton, for example, just use a wooden wedge to get a "hardtail" sound. That's how I sometimes do it (I specially adjusted the piece of wood)

[@nelsonvontitfuk1471]

I use it for vibrato.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

@@nelsonvontitfuk1471 learn to use your fingers.

[@ivan-vp6ex]

@@ThrashRoC hey jimi didn't know you used hardtail strats

[@johnbrady1211]

I love my hardtail Strat. My other three Strats are decked and blocked. Wish I could afford another.

[@hkguitar1984]

Yes, more info on the body's date.

[@BCBBCL]

It marks 58

[@jhendricks02]

absolutely

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Working on releasing that tomorrow.

[@jhendricks02]

Matthew Scott great! looking forward to it

[@benbruhns192]

You have so many awesome guitars, unfortunately I had to sell my collection, due to losing my job because of COVID also not being able to find child care after my wife decided to disappear, I am only left with a cheaper guild acoustic and my sons mini epiphone lp. Are used to have a 65 mustang a 60s telecaster Re-issue and a jaguar as well as to old fender amps but the kids come first maybe one day I will be able to rebuild my collection

[@mflores7064]

That sucks man. I hope you'll be able to get some more awesome guitars like your old ones soon.

[@onlyguitar6521]

Sorry to hear that! I’d do the same if in your situation. As much as I love my guitars, nothing is above my child. Hope you can rebuild your collection soon

[@mikec6733]

My heart declares that you be well, comrade!

[@donchristie420]

Hope you and your family are doing better now and family does come first😉

[@benbruhns192]

@@donchristie420 Everything is going great with the kids, they are striving. As for my guitar collection I decided to build a Stratocaster telecaster and mustang, that have come out exceptional. My pedal board is full of great stuff including spaceman, benson, stomp under foot, Keeley, EHX, MXR, EQD, Crowther. All of that is played through a vox ac15. That goes to show if you do the right thing and work hard and good things will come your way, thank you for the support everybody

[@davidgilmour3173]

“This nut is big” -Matthew Scott

[@molinamusic5110]

He has three legs

[@wooohoo2]

My 2 cents is that Tremolo strat's have a "springy" sound and hard tails have a solid sound.

[@eddiegodoy5120]

I just blocked my strat trem and the tone is amazing. But it honestly lost all "strat" tone and to be honest, it sounds like I have a compression pedal on at all times. I guess what I'm trying to say is that yeah, hardtail stats have stupid sustain, but at the cost of clear and crisp dynamics. I'm not going back to the strat tremolo though.

[@evanward4303]

I tape off my springs and deck my trem to the body. Sounds good that way.

[@davidgagnon2849]

Yes, the difference is clearly evident here. Still sounds like Matthew. I like this sound better though.

[@ubatooba8467]

Many pros use Callaham springs for that reason. Ain't used them myself yet.....but I have a few Strats that are noisy as all get out with the Fender springs and I will get around to changing a few to see it it helps. I might just spray them with Flex Seal to cut the noise and not pay for the pricey Callaham units......

[@MatthewScottmusic]

I totally agree. 2 different sounds. Nice to have both.

[@jeremyjohnston592]

Hardtail is definitely a vintage sleeper. So many people block up Strat trems anyway, it's a surprise the hardtail isn't more popular. They sound better to me, especially in direct comparison. This particular one has huge balls. You've done well.

[@toddhoward887]

Ten Years Gone!

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Always love that song for demos. Good for hearing the true sound of guitar

[@jeffainsley6000]

I have always wanted a hardtail Strat. It is mind-boggling that Fender doesn't offer them readily today. I would gladly pick up an American Original 50's Strat if offered in hardtail. Many many players never use the tremolo and tension the springs on the bridge to lock down the bridge. Great video. That sound is fantastic.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Wow! That sounds stunning! I’m not a Strat guy and so this hardtail is the missing link I’ve been looking for. It’s direct “telecaster” tone is fabulous. Your vid has now crystallized it in my head. I must own one. Let the hunt begin! Thanks Matthew 👍

[@tylerangle1990]

Sounds like a Tele got stuck in a Strat's body! I always wanted a hardtail simply because I never use the trem. Fender should still be offering one IMO.

[@jerryross821]

This axe speaks through you like no other... you got the right chops to bring out the best in this thing and it’s beautiful to behold. SONIC BLISS, INDEED

[@1777DK]

Fender is the LEGO of guitars. Gotta love it.

[@Dylan90210]

That shot of it out in the snow is really beautiful.

[@kjsarro1352]

Wow! It has a warmness of a strat but a little bit of that “tele” bite on top! Sounds killer. I prefer hard tails as well

[@nigel_tufnell]

Dude, the tone at the 10 years gone bit gave me the chills! Killer!

[@nigelwilson1361]

A cool endorsement

[@carsonhess1070]

That bridge pickup sounds insane. Excellent.

[@ukguitarnoodle]

ten years almost gone ! looks great. sounds great. all my Strats are blocked, spring reverb built in !

[@74dartman13]

I blocked all mine too. Could never get into the trem thing. The bodies vibrate like crazy when they're blocked, too.👍😎🎸🎶

[@50Something]

Me too!

[@50Something]

@@74dartman13 you're 100% right on that. I blocked mine with a piece of copper, the sustain/tone is unreal.

[@74dartman13]

@@50Something that's awesome!☺

[@74dartman13]

I've always been a fan of hardtails and to me, it doesn't get a lot better than that one. It looks and sounds awesome!👍😎🎸🎶

[@Strato13]

I have a 1975 Greco Stratocaster hardtail, load from behind, with the big CBS type headstock, and its a vintage yellow with a maple fretboard. Love it, stays in tune, and having to fuss around with a tremolo arm is one less hassle.

[@charlesbuchhorn4550]

That tone is dreamy I’m jealous

[@OLDROCKER123]

It's not just the guitar it's the player, you make them sing. Fabulous. Thanks.

[@LUCKYB.]

that sound takes me back in my head almost 50 Years ..Gerry Garcia way back in the Day played a hard tail James Gang Had a Hard tail as well and the leed in Iron Butterfly .. I know 1000s of band could have had hard tails . you created a sweet Axe no doubt .

[@ericheine2414]

It's good to be able to be up in three feet of your amp. That way you can play the feedback. I use a 50 watt Marshall with Ruby tubes, A Mesa Boogie cabinet with two 90 black Shadows, and a Vox SE tonelab pedalboard. You end up playing the amp as much as you playing the guitar. They become one thing. They become your rig. You carve with the feedback. You carve that wave of sound. If the speakers are about the same height as your guitar when you're playing it, you can move closer or further away during your volume swells. Set the whole amp setup on a chair or bar stool, or a small table. Variable proximity= Variable feedback. A lot of times this is done with a 12 to 30 watt amp. The smaller the cones the less power it takes to drive the speaker. So you're trying to find that power range that's proportional to the amount of fabric you're flying. You don't have to be loud- you can get plenty of clarity and distortion at a lower volume. Think about how small your ears are relative to the size of your room and your amp. Your ears are this little itty bitty things. Try not to Max them out, it ruins them. You can achieve some really great sound at low levels. Capture that signal.

[@xfighter1117]

Hard tails are my favorite love this setup sounds great and looks great. I’m the same way can’t seem to find a tele I bond with. I just picked up the new fender ultra tele and it’s blown me away so far...hope to hear some recorded tunes from your band. Keep the vids coming we all appreciate it!

[@wesleyalan9179]

I bought a Tele usa in 96' brand new...its got THE CLEAREST sound. But I'm a strat guy actually...but I just love my ole' Tele

[@xfighter1117]

Wesley alan same hard to turn away the strat....this new ultra is a game changer tho the new noiseless pickups are on point

[@johnoconnor4984]

Shocking how good that sounds

[@ntsms69]

Always have preferred the hardtail strats. Bought my first Fender in the early 80's and it was a nightmare to keep in tune. I've had (and still have) a few and find them much better that the trem models. I often had tuning problems with trems. Even with meticulas setups, they were always 'unstable'. I now have three Charvel's, two hardtails and one with trem (but with the trem screwed solid and out of use). Great videos and you have some very rare and valuable guitars and body parts.

[@matthewbarr5274]

A hardtail Strat is THEE most under appreciated / best kept secret of the Fender world. My favorite guitar ever. You really do it justice!!

[@LeftyPem]

Wonderful to see it come together and it sounds superb.

[@MrActionRadar]

Man that things just resonates and hums so beautifully. I want to build myself one now.

[@The58stupot]

Well Matthew I am totally gobsmacked. Of all the guitars I have heard you play up till now this instrument is a beast of a thing. I watched the video on my TV with the sound coming out through a nice soundbar and I was immediately blown away with the sonic tones. I haven't heard a hard tail anything sound as sweet as this cracking guitar complemented by some awesome playing. Well done sir. Cant wait to hear more of this cracking beauty.

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Awesome Stuart👍🏻

[@jameskrys5286]

My build is a Robert Cray body, a Musickraft Ebony neck with 21 stainless frets. It has a Robert Cray pick guard with Custom Shop '54 pickups. It has a master TBX tone control and a Lindy Fralin blend pot.

[@OniDasAlagoas]

Ten years gone sounded awesome with this guitar.

[@coldshot307]

This Strat sounds so amazing!

[@telecasterbear]

I had a 1974 strat for twenty years, and a 2013 American strat for five years. I got comfortable with them, but it wasn't for me. I have really bonded with my telecaster.

[@YesuAiNimen]

YA, the Tele is the ultimate for me.

[@canaanlawrence7351]

The sustain is unbelievable in this build. That’s a great sounding guitar.

[@briano.5746]

That hard tail is killer! But , do I spy Miss Mary Kaye by 2 necks in the background? I got a crush on her! Sounds fun , I like messing with feedback. ✌💀👽👍🎸

[@wesleyalan9179]

Hows it going homie!! I'm a little late for the show I know, haha! I like this guys channel 🤘

[@briano.5746]

@@wesleyalan9179 Hey , what's happenin' ? Yep , Matthew's a badass! I love the piles of Strat parts everywhere. I'd like to find some of this stuff in an old barn somewhere.

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@briano.5746 ..oh yeah,that would be killer..lol! My bedroom has strat and Tele parts laying EVERYWHERE! My wife gets on to me all the time to "clean up" or "sort away" my things....but I'm like,nope! Haha

[@briano.5746]

@@wesleyalan9179 LOL , sounds familiar but I ain't married and I'm totally okay with that. But my kitchen table is overrun with the Tele I'm STILL fuckin' building. Just gotta solder up the electronics and shave the nut down. Oh so close! Wait , what the...

[@ubatooba8467]

@@briano.5746 Gotta shave dem nutz......don't ya know......

[@3GCMusic]

Man! That sounds FANTASTIC!! I’m usually not a bridge pickup guy, but that one sounds just incredible. Nice job!

[@thodorisvlastos6304]

Wow .it turned out Great. You can even hear it in the video when it's unplugged that it resonates more than the trem strats( sometimes in videos you noodle with your 59 unplugged so i can really tell a difference). Would like to hear what it sounds like playing some SRVish licks on it on the 12th fret ... Once again great vid and great build. Keep it up man :) !!

[@SmokeyFord]

Top Gear of Stratocasters... Allso my favorite weapon. Thank you Matthew

[@philstevens7526]

You can’t beat the look of a red Strat with a white 3-ply pickguard! Sounds great, too! 🙂

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

probably the coolest of all the classic fender colours.

[@corneliuscrewe8165]

Absolutely in love with that, that is a PERFECT Strat right there, and I love that bridge pickup. I’ve always wanted one, but you’ve got me GASsing HARD for a hardtail Strat, now. Absolutely want to see the body date reveal video.

[@livergen]

Damn Mr. Matt. ,, you are rocking it . keep it going & never look back my brother .. I'm 68 & I remember back in the day when I was free.. You are the owner of one fine guitar ,, keep it close to you... It will rock forever & always tell you the truth ---- beautiful , just beautiful....!

[@kurtnotorleva7215]

Really like that tone..Red Tail..

[@stu-j]

The bridge pickup is very 50s tele sounding such a great bluesy sound! Turned out awesome indeed

[@kidglove100]

Let's call the red strat Christine like the horror movie...you need a fret press with different radius dies makes the job easy .use to be a guy that made them like a pair of vise grips

[@tsj7545]

You mean Carrie

[@elbeeuk]

@@tsj7545 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_(1983_film) Christine is another Stephen King movie

[@tsj7545]

@@elbeeuk I stand corrected!

[@elbeeuk]

@@tsj7545 np. I know whewre you were coming from and thought I'd give you a normal answer rather than someone else jumping in with a smartass reply :)

[@tsj7545]

@@elbeeuk thanks haha, I’d have deserved the smartass reply tbf!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I am genuinely inspired by this particular Stratocaster ! 😃

[@nellayema2455]

Cool guitar! Screw that old guard that you mentioned down to something, otherwise it may shrink.

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

I wonder if treating it like old celluloid film would be a good idea? I mean, seal it from the air and light, and keep it cool. It should stop it shrinking much while it's off a guitar.

[@mistreated]

Definitely one of the nicest sounding Strats I’ve heard. Well done

[@NickSelfridge]

I got a warmoth hardtail strat with a mahogany body and a single bridge P-90 setup and it’s a thing of beauty! I honestly prefer the sound of a hardtail strat especially considering I don’t typically use the trem system so I love this guitar man good shit! 👌

[@johntaylor7496]

The Tele style in the bridge spot is a nice addition.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

I'm assuming everyone saw that Bonamassa vid from earlier this week where he bought a really nice hardtail from Norm?

[@wannaberabbi9302]

DuckTalesWooHoo1987 lol my thoughts exactly

[@metalmig]

That one was super clean

[@MatthewScottmusic]

I believe candy apply red

[@F-MK96]

That bridge pickup made my day such a tight tone i love that

[@BuckeyeBassMaster78]

"Im a huge fan of hardtail strats and that guitar sings brother killer build"

[@Callmenobody174]

Yeah, it's definitely it's own "thing" as opposed to a Strat with a trem, but it's great, man! Picked up a brand new one about 20 something years ago when a store was going out of business, and I love mine. I end up playing it more than any of my other guitars for one reason or another. I don't think they get enough love. Very underrated. Cool guitar ya got! Love it!

[@joerob3081]

I see a hardtail in my future

[@topacakto]

Damn, this guitar is a BADASS! Beautiful sound!

[@antonix_81]

Man that's a beast of a guitar! Don't sell it! I want a hardtail now ahah

[@fnersch3367]

Love that guitar. Rich, full, but tough. Thanks for sharing.

[@dustyfakebook]

When I was about 15, me and my Dad made the trip to Gruhn’s. Dad bought a slope-shoulder dread, while I blessed the only lefty guitar on the floor: a 1959(!) hard tail lefty Stratocaster. As dumb as I was at the time , I remember the different basis this hardtail guitar’s tone was coming from. I learned to play on an early AmStd Stratocaster and the acoustic differences were very noticeable and far superior on the hardtail. It was like the difference between Black & White and Color. And I was just a dumb child at the time.

[@LeftyPem]

dustyfakebook lucky! As a lefty myself, I’d kill to play an old wood Strat, let alone a hardtail! Wow!

[@koll789]

I would never have believed you could end up with that finished guitar from the sad looking body you showed us. Incredible job man. Brilliant. Please show the 'date hunt' video. PEACE!

[@jasonkeith9317]

I think Robert Cray plays a hardtail strat.

[@johnbrady1211]

Yep.

[@chaselafferty4984]

Personally, I’ve never fallen in love with the bridge pickup on a strat but this one is absolutely wonderful! Cheers from KY.

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Cheers my friend !

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Life is such a meme. All I've been hearing about lately are hardtail Strats.

[@closer71]

Ha! Ha! Ha! I’ve been playing nothing but hardtail Strats since 2012 and never looked back.

[@MichaelGrecoGuitar]

love how those chords ring! Like bells

[@b5blu392]

Hard tails are the best. That’s why I love telecasters too Get you a good les Paul tho. Bro. When you find the right one. I use to be a fender guy until I found a 1% les Paul. UNBEATABLE

[@evmanbutts]

I got an Epiphone LP that is like you describe. I saw how nice it's fretboard looked in the music store, gave it a play, and was floored at what I was hearing. Walked out with that guitar and I haven't felt another LP that nice quite yet. It doesn't have binding or a Gibson logo, but that's alright with me. The sound is where I go

[@steveperry3538]

Neck and middle are very nice. The bridge is outstanding. Guitar has a ton of character. Nice job man

[@JeremySheppard]

Badass! It's very Tele'ish and that color....sheeeeesh.

[@alwaysevolving281]

TBH, I'm almost always blown away by hardtails, let alone custom builds.

[@guitarocd9984]

That guitar looks awesome. You should never repaint that it looks perfect. And it sounds great. I would love to own that one. You built a hell of a guitar there. Fender Custom Shop needs to hire you. You can show them What they Don't know.

[@kevinedgeman8508]

That's what I'm talkin about.....HUGE sound!

[@EnigmaOnStrings]

I would watch the date finding video! Also send you an IG message, interested in the 66 neck if you don’t keep it :)

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Sold it I'm sorry.

[@CrazyHenkie777]

She's a real looker, and sounds great too!

[@mrbigg7255]

I can’t bond with a Telecaster either. Tried several times. No dice.

[@aaronparker1614]

Can definitely hear that bright clear crunchy bite on that bridge pickup.. impressive... I think we all approve lol

[@dezionlion]

Strats are like women you wanna try them all but eventually the low maintenance ones are best!

[@b.rodclark334]

To those who want a hardtail Strat, do what I did and get a Squier Bullet Strat! I have no idea of what was the last year of Fender making hardtail Stratocaster but the Squier Bullet Strats are the only hardtail guitars made today under Fender so far. I have an Indonesian '02 that's my first hardtail and it's a top loader as well; the best upgrade would be the pickups first but otherwise it's a decent hardtail guitar and it it almost has a semi-hollow resonance to it... at least mine does!

[@jerrylake6825]

Wow that tone is amazing. Your a lucky guy to have those beautiful vintage guitars....I'm 60 and have never owned a vintage strat. I have a 2006 60th anniversary model and I love it. But man I would trade all my guitars for a vintage....rock it.

[@barryengle12666]

I love this guitar, this is my dream Stratocaster. Been a fan of hardtails forever. Great job on this man, stellar..

[@MrJoeydano]

Man it sounds great 👍 I’m an old man who wishes I played at your age !Rock On

[@Atttuner]

and THAT is what a proper strat sounds like - takes a while to find em but so worth it

[@bluekoi455]

Oh man,love this one. The red with white screams 50s. Liked the Zep sprinkled in,too

[@Youtubemademeaddahandle]

I've ↨payed Strats and Teles but not a hard tail Strat. But, when I got the Squier Paranormal Strat (string thru body) it had a noticeably wider range of usefulness than the other three options. and a great clarity with harmonic accuracy.

[@christopherthomsen3926]

Im building a partscaster, and this video was the thing that pushed me to make it a hardtail. Cant wait!

[@joshmcsaucy]

That thing sounds sooooo good. Tele pickup in a strat is great

[@SeanKerns]

I like that. It is snappier sounding than a normal Strat, but I think the rosewood board helps tame that a little.

[@bluesyjazzcat31]

One of the coolest sounding bridge pickups ever

[@brentstewart59]

Matthew this is the thickest Strat tone I have ever heard on this channel ever and I've been watching for quite a while. The 59 doesn't do what this does And I want them both Maybe your hands too Cheers from Canada I'm shoveling snow too lol

[@andreamarrado]

Man, this is the best tone I've heard from you. IMHO

[@andreamarrado]

I meant tone haha

[@ralphdamato6782]

That is a BEAST.. great sound... Did not know they were floating around.. You did awesome job with it.. You and Steve Gaines have to Be the two best "Oki's"... Hands down.. 👍🔥

[@paulrawnsley3963]

You have amazing taste in guitars. That sound is just beautiful. Glassy without being fragile, bassy without being over-powering... and you could go make a cup of coffee and the sustain would be there for you when you got back. Amazing.

[@simongreen1784]

So glad I found this channel, I sit here open mouthed looking at your amazing guitars and listening to your incredible playing! Keep doing what you do!

[@Dellbaskerville]

i think your best sound ever ....... this is it

[@zincChameleon]

Anyone can hardtail a Strat without altering the hardware. Just get a brass pipe ring, saw it in half, and tap the piece into the space between the tremolo block and the wood of the body. You will need of course to measure the width to get the right brass part, but that's pretty easy. Also use as many springs on the tremolo as you can, old Strats always had five. The first thing you will notice is the ringing sweet tones of the unwound G; with a slide it practically talks. I've done this with a 1974 Ibanez strat copy and a Squire Affinity strat, both with the same results.

[@TheGurner1]

I'm building a hardtail - I had a '76 years ago - great gtrs

[@samlindblom6579]

That's a beautiful guitar that you've put together. Also some of the best playing around as expected.

[@martinclayton7260]

That is beautiful, I wish I could have that! It sounds unbelievable!

[@Gretev1]

1965 Strats are very special! They are the only Strats that have pickups wound with polysol wire which gives them a very different tone. Very pronounced in the mids and usually very hot.

[@deanallen9660]

The stiffer bending works out because the pitch change is quicker. If not for the vintage radius I'd probably love that guitar. I like what he says about the bridge pickup - same idea I had!