My Very First Guitar | Excel Stratocaster Copy Red | Fender Friday Review + Demo

[@Trog]

You can occasionally find these for sale on Reverb/eBay. They are nice guitars. The necks also seem to have cool grain patterns For Sale Excel Strat: reverb.com/item/16685867-excel-s-type-electric-guitar?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly What was your first guitar? 0:25 - Excel Brand 0:52 - My Guitar Story 4:15 - Is it Good? / Specs 5:48 - Nice Neck 6:45 - Clean Demo 7:52 - Dirty Demo

[@davidallen346]

You still have your first guitar that's amazing, my 1st guitar was a Kramer Striker it had a weird G-string buzz I couldn't get rid off so I had to sell it.

[@wesleyAlan9179]

After several years of learning guitar on my dads guitar i got a job and saved up to buy an American standard telecaster, candy apple red/white gard maple neck/fretboard ...i was 16 and that was in '98 ...20 years later and i still got the thing, lol! Nice story Trogg, i love hearing other people's first guitar stories, thank you for this video!!

[@jessiclark4136]

My first was very similar to yours. I had the red Memphis Strat copy. And honestly? Much like your story, it wasn't that bad. It played like butter. I kind of wish I still had it. lol

[@icedstev0433]

I know you are a Gibson guy, but your playing on this strat has been some of the best I have seen of your videos.

[@juaniferritto3249]

He's getting better quickly, I don't think the guitar changes anything here

[@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters]

Get Drake Bell to sign it. It could be worth close to a million dollars after.

[@alexzemaitis1207]

This comment hasn’t aged well 😬

[@lukekern7829]

You should do a series when you upgrade the crap out of it

[@Trog]

If I had to skills to do the work - I would! Not worth paying someone 4x the value of the guitar to install parts haha

[@Carson12309]

i was about to say the same thing

[@ThorneyedWT]

@@Trog changing pickups requires basically no skill. Just some practice, which can be done and re-done on this exact guitar, because bad soldering can be re-soldered as much as you want. If you want to scallop fretboard or to change tremolo for modern 2-point, that would be another story...

[@juaniferritto3249]

Like the High Fidelity series in Agufish? Or Sharpen my Axe in Know your Gear? Or many of the DIY videos in Guns and Guitars? I like the concept, but it isn't fresh anymore.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@Trog Its worth it if you keep the guitar. Just because the guitar is cheap dosent mean its bad. And the money you didnt spend on an expensive guitar means you have the chance to upgrade it !

[@ano1nymus1]

I started out on my dad's extremely cheap acoustic. The action on that thing was about half a foot (You couldn't play above the 12the fret) and the string tension was equally high. When my parents saw I was getting more serious they got me 80€ Strat copy and a tiny 10W practice amp. Then I bought a semi-hollowbody of the same brand and a Fender Mustang amp (both used) a few years later. Still havent paid more than 100€ for any piece of gear.

[@DeathracerXD]

Don’t worry im still on a jhonson

[@pabloplaysguitar]

3:10 Trogly you're so polite and well spoken, I can it runs in the family. Love to see it man

[@fuzzcous]

Pickups sound nice, that was some aggressive soloing

[@jorgegvb]

I’m the opposite. I started out on a Crestline Les Paul copy in the 70s. Played it for years and then got into Strats.

[@johnm3946]

I think everyone wants their first guitar back, mine was a squire bullet upgraded with carvin pick ups, great guitar!

[@tolvajakos]

I don't. Mine was a really crappy strat copy. I did not like it then, I do not want it now.

[@gabec2494]

Just refurbished my 20 yrs old excel strat for my son to learn on today. I'm glad I kept it

[@sleepdeep305]

WHAT? You had one of those too? Somebody else finally has one! And I’m so happy that you love it aswell! It’s really a great machine, and yes, for $200. I got the same one, except I think it’s a bit more modern...with a sunburst, a slightly smaller logo, an extra string tree, and 22 frets. Got mine from a local guitar shop too, and I just restrung it today. First time that this decade-old thing got restrung in 8 years! God, it’s so sentimental to me, and I still love playing to this day. The only thing, I don’t know where the vibrato arm went, if I ever got one with it, don’t remember seeing it :/

[@samiam5557]

Looks like it has "aged" well! WTH, we all start on something usually lower priced. Cool guitar, and story, neat ya kept it.

[@86HAWK1]

My first guitar was a Crate Electra HSS strat copy. My first song was also the Star Spangled Banner. When Norm of Norm's Rare Guitar retires you should become the new owner! Trogly's Rare Guitars!!

[@erchamojosue8530]

How can we forget our very first guitar, mine was a black Hondo explorer type of guitar with EMG's on it.

[@Charlie-ln1sh]

Plz do a vid on your epiphone

[@ThorneyedWT]

It is just weird how you ended up as Gibson guy, while you started on Strat clone and showed your best skill ever on this exact guitar. I say that because I started on cheap Schecter superstrat, which actually had Gibson-style layout with archtop and angled neck joint. Later I got good MIM Strat, modified to resemble David Gilmour's blackie, and while I like how it feels and sounds, there is no doubt that I gain +15% or more speed and precision when I play my LP Standard. There is no doubt that I am LP guy. But I really think, that you, as a player, must be Strat guy. Not telling that you should move to trade Fenders or anything like that, just sharing my weird observation. Maybe that is the reason why you like those 80s quirky Gibson models and The Paul, which is too thin, flat and uncomfortable for me xD

[@alabamahebrew]

Nahh, I think the playing difference you are picking up on is Austin has been hanging around a couple of guys who play like this. I don't recall their names but it's the two guys that live nearby Austin and do demo's once in awhile. If you listen to their playing styles and then compare what Austin did in this video you will see what I mean.

[@vernonhoover1387]

That was wild man!

[@richardpierce7819]

You know I kinda like the sound of those pick up's

[@Pant2kr]

My first guitar was exactly this guitar but different painted. I picked it up today at my parents house... and played it a long time today, because it sounds so special! Mine is in a very good condition because it's barley used... Love this guitar.

[@wheezyjefferson9136]

I bought one of these for $20, and he threw in a free Peavey bandit, last year. For that price I got it to practice working the electronics. Got home, and liked how it played, left it alone. Mine has that weird yellowing on the pickguard, and one knob.

[@seanweck]

I just got mine at a pawn shop for 10$ was 15$

[@gabec2494]

I have the same excel guitar I learned on 20 years ago. It may be a knock-off, but I love it. I just refurbished it with new wiring, strings, guard and bridge. Just gave it to my son today!

[@kobalt_ren01]

My first guitar was also a Strat clone, a Jaxville Custom Series 2 "Zeus". A black body and neck, painted headstock, black pickguard, and a sweet lightning bolt on it. It's not functional right now (needs a new nut, tuners and bridge). First song I learned (all the way through, everyone seems to learn Smoke on the Water's riff) was God Save The Queen.

[@dirkbonesteel]

That was cool, it sounds like it may have slightly different pickups then it's current equivalent. Now they measure 2.5K each, pretty weak but Fender isn't known for power anyway so kind of works. Would like to know what those are and about what year it was made? Thanks

[@jarnokorhonen900]

Cool to see another Excel somewhere! My first guitar was also an Excel strat copy and it looks pretty identical except mine was black with a white pickguard. Same headstock cut, humbucker-sized bridge pickup hole and the pickguard also turned yellow during the years :D I bought it from a sort of similar sounding small music store in a small town in central Finland, maybe around - 00 or -01. It came with a small Kustom practice amp and a cheap bag. (the amp is actually still in use, the clean channel sounds horrible but it's really great for dirty and raw overdriven blues) Mine was in a really bad condition though when I found it again after a long time, stored in my mothers basement. The action has always been pretty high, the neck was warped, the bridge pretty rusty and the plastic nut broken. I'm now trying to fix the whole thing. The paint had also suffered so I decided to sand it away completely, the underlying material was partly some lightweight wood and partly some greyish pressed wood that smells horrible :D But the neck is actually really beautiful, just like yours

[@natslo26]

I have an Excel Acoustic, I bought around 1998-99. Still my favorite go to.

[@tehuselessguig3138]

Playing at your best on your first guitar is a great feeling

[@clockwork914]

Yeah ❗️ My first guitar is a Dakota Red Memphis Strat Black headstock (like a Gibson) that I still have & play. Fat neck! Plywood body. Replaced the black guard with white, black plastics. Received December 1992.

[@greyflora1490]

I learned on my grandmothers Martin parlor guitar. Her boyfriend bought it from Sears in 1924 and gave it to her for her birthday. I think she said it cost 5 dollars.

[@catherinedepow847]

Grandma:here is a geetar I bought for a couple bucks in the 30s

[@joker71172]

My 1st was also a Strat copy, black, from Sears. My 1st Gibson was a 2016 Standard T. Got 2 more since and am looking at my 4th now.

[@WalkenDead]

My first electric guitar was a late 80's or early 90's Cort Strat copy. Horrible guitar, but I kinda wish I had it back

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

Very cool that you still have your 1st guitar!

[@danterosales6985]

Was there a trade tuesday this week? Any news on that?

[@Trog]

There will be an update this coming tuesday

[@edwardgoodwin1813]

I also have an Excel Bass guitar that was originally red like yours but I got it repainted Lincoln welding machine grey with black pickguard and black hardware with Rogue pickups P bass style

[@gordonpenny4507]

Could u post a pic? I’d love to see it, thanks

[@Clifford2005]

I started out playing the violin aswell

[@kylecoats4444]

I started off with an epiphone stratocaster copy, yes you read that right. I liked the guitar, but i wanted something different so bad. I went years ignoring strats, chasing les pauls. I always told myself i liked the les pauls better. But one day i realized a nice strat was what i was looking for. Now i play a candy apple red american pro strat, and its perfect. I think youll come back to strats one of these days. I could see you rocking a 60s custom shop forsure. Dont ignore those strats man!

[@johnpick8336]

The first Fender Guitars were made of Pine Wood Scrap and homemade pickups screwed directly into the body. The point is does your guitar make you want to pick it up, hold it and make you want to play....if it does than it is as good as any other guitar ?

[@Thomas-d3w3u]

I currently have one of those except it is 3 colour sunburst. It has a really thin neck and it plays great!

[@GreboGent]

i got my first (working) electric guitar at 13 for £40 at a carboot sale and that included a 10w amp, it was a standard strat copy (a JCX Stargazer), i still have it now and it's still one of my favorite guitars, it looks nothing like it used too but it still plays great and it's still got the original neck/body, nut, tuners, frets, jack plate and bridge (the original bridge plate that is). If you wanna see it in action look up ''everybody's dead dave hey joe flying dutchman''

[@garycoates4987]

sounds really good in the demo

[@DarkDare47]

The neck is like that because they didn't clean it after sanding, just clear coated it.

[@madvelila]

I just made deal with a seller for 50€ for this guitar and practice amp. Going to pick it up in few days let's see how it sounds. I also ordered alnico 5 pickups from AliExpress for 15€ to replace the stock ones.

[@just.a.bolivian.dude.1390]

My first guitar was a "Power- point" les paul model

[@Trog]

Nice! haha. That'd be a fun collection - just have to find a 'Word' brand then

[@christmeister]

Interesting, what year did you get that guitar?

[@Trog]

It was likely purchased around 2005-2006. I didn't pick it up until around 2008ish

[@bwgti]

Jeez..I got my first guitar in 1988....old.

[@alabamahebrew]

@@bwgti - pfft I started playing my step dads old Strat like guitar in about 1975, You two make me feel really old lol.

[@jammin-w-joseph.musicvideo9494]

I have the exact same guitar and several fenders plus a gibby or two. I play the old excel to death. The Fenders just sit! I use mine on several tracks. I will sell my fenders and gibbys some day but my old excel is staying with me til the bitter end. Lol Some folks laughed at mine then played it and shut right up. The only thing I ever did to mine was change the bridge pickup to a seymour duncan.

[@jcoulter43]

Cool story and thanks for sharing! I still have my very first electric guitar too. 1982 Conn C Series LP copy. It's actually a great guitar and I still play it. That Excel sounded great and has a very cool vintage vibe. I enjoy hearing you play. You are sounding great too my friend! 😎🎸👍

[@dar3mor6]

I don't know why, but seeing this guitar I remember the Kurt Cobain's Strats.

[@dirtcobain7777]

Why?

[@dar3mor6]

@@dirtcobain7777 maybe because he used those to play and destroy.

[@dirtcobain7777]

@@dar3mor6 I see it now. He also used Fernandez guitars to smash.

[@dar3mor6]

@@dirtcobain7777 That's right!!!

[@Lindamacishere]

Dario Moreno I recognise you from the guitar 🎸 f the day comments section

[@gordonpenny4507]

Well done!! You did it proud! Very nicely presented and your playing was out there. Nice one😉

[@Sirriffsalot]

My first was a Peavey Reactor Telestyle guitar

[@ziggylayneable]

It actually sounds damn good Austin. It sounds like a real Stratocaster

[@torahwarrior2442]

Seems common. I started on a squier...now it's a gilmour style project and play my epiphone les paul all the time

[@travisguide4516]

Excellent video thanks for playing it wouldn't have figured you started strat! Wonderful looking guitar. I did a fret level be and handmade nut on a similar guitar that ended up playing nice and the body on mine was so light it makes a nice practice guitar to this day

[@johnmenley9786]

hi brad, as a player/collector myself that headstock shape look like a fernandes ,which were involed in a lawsuit with the big f. I own a gold sparkle fernandes and several real fender guitars, and the fernandes has the best tone and bite of all my strats. maybe you could find out if this guitar is a entry level fernandes. and as long as you like the guitar, what difference does the name on the headstock make. john

[@agularis]

Funny Thing Is My First Guitar Was An Epiphone Special II

[@EricCPOP]

Omg! This was my first guitar as well! I had a black one that I littered with stickers. I sold it to a friend of mine and I regret it so much!!

[@travisguide4516]

the demo was wonderful such a cool sounding guitar those cheap pickups decay the notes just right for another note to get jammed in I could see why you started shredding it.

[@visje1996]

Very nice video/playing dude, thanks!

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

I bet the fretboard has some good wear on it.

[@bobthebrick1988]

As you said, it has no right to play that nice It sounds amazing

[@9wenwilson210]

sounds just fine to me. my first was a '85 Kramer Striker, - I can't believe how much people pay for one now. wish I'd kept it.

[@craigusselman546]

My first adult guitar is a 1997 black MIM Fender Strat it jangles and sounds like crap but its gorgeous with a rosewood neck its pickguard is yellowing and ITS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, my first ever guitar was in 1985 for my 5th bday i got an acoustic and it scared the piss out of me [I had really sensitive hearing] funny now im obsessed with the things.ps that cheap strat sounds wonderful.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

I put a Fender Starcaster neck on mine.

[@SuicidalGrind]

i mean most people start out with strats and then later find out their true taste later on

[@cirava]

I thought that the pickgaurd was meant to be a gold color. I then realized that it is just insanely yellow-ed.

[@danielheinesii78]

That looks just like my first electric, my squier in candy apple red, from what i can tell it's 1980

[@wesleyAlan9179]

Damn Trogg!! You shredded that neck up!!! ....nice!!

[@DazedxHipster]

I got my first guitar (first act acoustic) through my sister too! Haha I love it.

[@zoguk]

Settle down there Mr. Satriani. First time I've had to turn down to volume watching your show :)

[@scottharter1161]

Well, the pickups look like they line up under the strings, so its already better than a Squier....

[@elibeachill]

do i sense a mod video coming up on this guitar?? new trem system, PuPs / electronics or tuners?

[@Trog]

You might see that with my epiphone custom one day

[@lukepainter7575]

Yo bro your playing has gotten mad!!!

[@PigMCplayer]

Lol my first guitar was a red strat as well

[@peyotepete4903]

I don't even remember what happened to my first guitar..... Darn

[@tolvajakos]

I had almost the same thing. Cheap red strat copy with rosewood fretboard, crappy player. GTX brand, made by Kaman music, which is semi legit, I mean they make Ovation as well. But this was really not a good guitar. I also got an Epiphone later, and it played so much nicer, I realized I was not that crappy, but my guitar was.

[@paultesta35]

Sometime a cheap guitar can play just as good as a 400 dollar guitar

[@ericeeshan]

welp trogly's like me i got into the guitar because of guitar hero

[@0000song0000]

damn, your family are rich, having multiple guitars in the house? 😲... and the house has a sunroom? greetings from one bedroom planet

[@catherinedepow847]

I will pay more then a custom shop Gibson with real gold hardware for that excel strat copy

[@symbolicacts6056]

spreadsheetocaster

[@massimobargagna5641]

I got reunited with my 1st guitar a japanise copy law suite it sound better then most fender ive owned i did apprishiate it back in the days but sound wicked iyhe stories are endlessso cool go get an old friend back

[@LabyrinthOfEyes]

I started out on a 90 dollar Dean strat clone. Man that thing was awful. No matter what you did to it it would never play right and buzzed like crazy. Plus the pickups were one of the most awful sets I've ever herd. It was so bad I almost quit. Luckily I was able to save up enough to buy a MIM tele and I've been a tele fanatic ever since. I'm just glad todays players have so many good options for a solid starter guitar. There weren't quite as many options when I started.

[@wesleyAlan9179]

I learned guitar on my dads guitar when i was 16... I saved up 700cash and got an American standard telecaster brand new,and that was in '98...20years later and i still have it! I love that thing!!

[@tavicotavio]

Would you rather: Fight a 10000 duck sized yous Or Fight 3 you sized ducks

[@millershredz2044]

First

[@brookscampbell7662]

10th lol very noice vid

[@DevunGames]

That solo was hard to listen to man.

[@catherinedepow847]

Your pfp is amazing

[@troywm1016]

The guitar sounds like shit. Still gave a thumbs up DOH :)

[@clockwork914]

Yeah ❗️ My first guitar is a Dakota Red Memphis Strat Black headstock (like a Gibson) that I still have & play. Fat neck! Plywood body. Replaced the black guard with white, black plastics. Received December 1992.

[@Charlie-ln1sh]

First