The Strat-type guitars were created by Fender in the early 60s, and since their arrival (after the very popular Telecaster) became extremely iconic. Today, they are as valued as any guitar with the original effects of the time.
The initial manufacture of these guitars has changed a lot compared to today’s methods and materials, and for that reason alone, these vintage models have become sought-after collector’s items.
But it is a good question what makes them so valued among experts and fans of the works of this brand, so some explanations below.
Fender Strat and Vintage Tone
The Stratocaster model is the general exponent of vintage tone, both its design and its sound, manufacturing, and possible styles when playing easily made it a versatile, elegant and modern guitar for its time. Only this model stood up to the competition with the traditional Gibson by having a lower price and tremolo mechanisms that were simpler to use and adjust.
The natural sound of this guitar added to vintage effects pedals allows you to create new combinations that, added to the mastery of virtuosos of the time (such as Jimmi Hendrix), consecrated it as an iconic model that kept its essence until the arrival of the Superstrat that expanded the possibilities in terms of execution and fidelity.
The most characteristic feature of this model is its alder or ash body and its rosewood or maple neck. Its design is better adapted to the needs of more modern styles and the shape adapts to the body, added to the fact that it requires fewer materials for its manufacture.
Unlike modern models, the traditional design of the Strat has very specific characteristics that will be described below:
- Microphones: The way the microphones of the first Strat models were manufactured almost entirely by hand, the same happens with the type of process of the magnetic and coupling poles. All this considerably modifies the final sound of the instrument.
- Wood type: Similar to the Telecaster, maple, and alder are woods widely used by Fender for their instruments to have their distinctive sound, which is brighter and less knotty. Also that it is considered a union between the body and the screwed neck that affects the resonance.
- Electronic components: Although silicon components already existed at the time, and encapsulated transistors were already making their appearance on the market, the circuitry used in guitars added a very particular color to the sound, especially since the maximum gain that the circuit can receive produces particular harmonics.
- Age of the wood: The wood of the guitars compacts over time and adopts another sound, something that can be considered a resource in favor of those who want a more defined sound with greater character. Although thanks to modern aging methods, it is possible to achieve this effect in wood artificially.
Vintage effects
Although the guitar will not be vintage by itself, to achieve that enviable and characteristic sound of the time it will be necessary to have some effect pedals that allow you to get the most out of the instrument, added to the characteristics of the amplifier and the technique of the interpreter. Basically, the vintage tone is the result of a wide variety of aspects.
The choice of vintage effects is left for another section, although at the time the choice was not so difficult as there was little variety of effects as well as ways to make the most of them, so a few modulations and overdrive were enough.
