'57 Stratocaster Review

2005 Fender Japan 1957 Reissue Stratocaster. 21 vintage frets, 1 piece D-shape maple neck with a 7 1/2" radius.

Features:	9.6
Sound:	9.4
Action:	9.4
Reliability:	9.2
Impression:	9.4
Overall rating:	9.4
Users rating:	7.7
Comments:	63

overall: 9

Featured review by: unregistered, on february 24, 2006

Price paid: $ 805.2

Purchased from: Rockers

Features: 2005 Fender Japan 1957 Reissue Stratocaster. 21 Vintage frets, 1 piece D-shape maple neck with a 7 1/2" radius. 3 piece alder body finished in tobbaco burst (2-tone sunburst). 1 ply white 8-screw pickguard. Fender Vintage 6 point non-locking tremelo. 3 single coil US Fender Vintage pickups. 1 volume control, 2 tone. 5-way Switch. Kulson tuners, 1 string tree. Purchased from Rockers, London in August 2005. Currently fitted with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky strings, originally a set of Fender 9's. No official accessories, but I got a fitted flight case thrown in for another £40. A small ding on the body (hardly visible) reduced the retail price by £10 from £450. // 9

Sound: I mainly play blues, modern rock/indie, and jazz through a Peavey Bandit Transtube 112 (an equally versatile amp) with various effects (delay, compression, Big Muff, wah). This is a very versatile guitar, the strength of the Stratocaster. The neck pickup is mellow and warm, perfect for those slow Gilmour-esque blues leads. The 2nd and 4th positions are funky and tight, with the middle setting producing a nice rhythm sound. The bridge pickup is brighter, with more treble, less bass and suits crunchy distortion very well. These are Vintage style pickups so they are not high output, not that this guitar can't be loud. This is definately not a metal player's ideal choice, it is more suitable for blues, country, jazz and rock (it is after all a 1957 design). The tone is most impressive clean, or with just a hint of distortion. You can get spot on Hendrix, Gilmour, Knopfler and many other famous player's sounds depending on your amplifier. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar came set up well, although the tremolo was flush with the body. I personally wanted to have a two way trem so I raised it, and reset the guitar, but it plays very well indeed and the 7 1/2 radius neck is very comfortable. The pickups were set far too low. I'm not sure on the ideal height but having checked Fender's recommendations they are now much higher and the tone and volume has improved considerably. The tremolo action is incredibly smooth, using 3 springs. The fit and finish is extremely high quality. People often mistake Japanese Fenders as the middle ground between Mexican and American models, but this is not the case. This uses the same hardware and pickups as US Strat and has equal if not better finish quality. Fender ceased officially selling Japanese models in Europe due to their being too competitive in terms of quality with the US models. You really are getting the same quality for half the price because the USA are having to increase their labour effort to produce the same quality as the more efficient Japanese manufacture, and this cost is then passed on to you. Everything else is fine and will last longer than I will. The finish is tough enough, but look after it and there will be minimal scratches, mine are barely visible hairlines on the back from play, only visible under light. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I have gigged with this without back-up and it was fine. I haven't broken a string and it stays in tune very well for a Vintage style guitar. I've fitted strap-locks for added security (even though I don't hurl it around or anything) but the standard strap buttons were very solid. The hardware is fine, no problems, the fit of the knobs, pickguard and switching is good and the Switch is smooth with no noise between shifts. The pickups are quite noisy but this is the case with all single coil instruments, hence the invention of humbuckers and Lace sensors. As long as you roll off the volume when you need to then it's not a problem. // 9

Impression: Overall this a top quality instrument, far superior to the Mexican equivalent and easily on par with the American models. The finish is flawless on my example, the neck is very comfortable and, although laquered, it is never sticky just silky smooth. I haven't had any problems with this guitar, it will last me indefinately. I would definately replace it with an identical model were it lost or stolen. Incidently I was originally after a Telecaster or a Jazzmaster, but this is far more versatile and outplayed them. Yes, they're everywhere but until I owned my own Stratocaster I didn't realise how personal they become. I'm not planning on altering or modding this in any way, I wanted the pure '50s Vintage approach, which in my opinion is the peak of Stratocaster design. // 9

overall: 8.6

Reviewed by: shihad99, on september 22, 2008

Purchased from: ebay

Features: 05/06 Fender Japan 57 reissue. Vintage white, DiMarzio collection stamped pickups, c shape maple neck and fretboard with Vintage style lacquer finish, Vintage frets, 5 way Switch, gotoh tuners, etc etc. Came with all the tags and what not as well as trem bar and carry bag. // 9

Sound: I play a bit of everything. Using it currently through a Fender 15 watt amp. has a very very good clean tone on each pcikup, very brights sound. It also handles dirty sounds well with these pickups, which I think are the higher of the jap made. pickups are also quite noiseless. handles delay, distortion, wah very well too. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: Since it was second hand I don't really know any of these. But the bloke who had it before kept it in mint condition, basically Brand New. No rust or any where on it. all the elctronics are well built and frets in great condition. the action is set well, however I think it will take some time to get use to 'Vintage' style frets as they make bending a bit harder. I currently have 10's on but might move to 9's to improve this. // 9

Reliability & Durability: "Reliability & Durability" is very good haven't played live but sure it would handle it with ease. the finish seems very good as welll as the hardware. the strap buttons are very solid. of course if you were to gig you would take a second guitar as backup but this would be your number 1 guitar. // 8

Impression: I've been trying to play guitar for 6 years. I owned a squire before this for that period and always wanted an american standard but this came up for less than half there price. these are very good guitars and match it with american strats in my opinion. I have played some mexican made standards and they are no where near the quality of this guitar. The only problem I see with it are the Vintage style frets, which I'm slowly getting use too. Gilmour and clapton use these frets so they must be ok. This guitar was a complete bargain and if I were in japan I would bring a few of these home with me as you can't seem to find them anywhere and I was lucky this came up. // 9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: WashingtonsNext, on june 03, 2008

Price paid: $ 1100

Purchased from: eBay

Features: This particular (master)piece was crafted in the U.S. of A in 1998 and it's creamy and delicious. It come equipped with 21 frets and a V neck (excellent) pretty standart in terms of thickness; not really fat or slim. The nitrocelluolose finish resonates real well along with the one piece Alder body. I love the Sunburst finish, for some reason I have always loved the way Sunburst looked with a Maple neck/fretboard. The bridge is Standard Vintage tremolo that actually holds tuning rather well. I love the way the Kluson tuners look as well. Everything on this guitar is stock with the exception of a five way toggle Switch. It came with the C&G case. // 10

Sound: I can play just about any style I would like to on this thing, and I do. I play a lot of Eric Johnson-esque material, Blues, Jazz, Rock'n'Roll, and Country (chicken pickin'/Jerry Reed kind of thing). I play it through a Marshall 1987X with a Vox Wah, Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face, B.K. Butler Tube Driver, and a Boss DS-1 that I took apart and rebuilt. Also through a Fender Twin Reverb with a Maestro Echoplex, and Electro-Harmonix Memory Man delay. Of course there is noise with the single coils but it doesn't bother me after 10 years of playing Strats. I play all of the aforementiond styles with no problem achieving the appropriate tones to accomodate. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Again, it was bought used so the setup was pretty decent. I did have to raise the action but easily done, no promlems. The pickups were not to my liking, but to each his own right? I had to add an additional spring. No flaws except for the strings that came on it (rusty, corroded 9-52's gross) other than that, this thing was in prestine condition. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar has no problem with Live playing. How do I know? I have played three Live shows with it, it has no problems. The hardware is excellent, the strap buttons are great it is quite dependable I actually played an entire "Dire Straits tribute" concert type thing using this guitar on all but two songs with no structural or tuning problems. // 10

Impression: I have been playing for ten years and this instrument would definitely have no problem finding it's way onto the list of the ten best guitars I have ever played, if it were lost or stolen it might be awhile but I would hope to acquire another, although it would never be the same. I love everything about this guitar, there is so much diversity in the three pickups, and the neck is just great. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: hazardmaster, on april 25, 2008

Price paid: $ 1142

Purchased from: Misicworks

Features: Made in Japan, 21 jumbo frets. Has Standard closed tuners (which are extremely good quality). I got mine in 2-tone sunburst, looks beautiful. I was looking at this guitar or an Epiphone Les Paul, but the Strat's 3 single coil pickups and double cutaways attracted me to buy it. 2 tone control knobs and 1 volume knob. I got some Schaller strap locks and a Shubb capo with this guitar, and an Ashton hard case all for this guitar's list price. The guitar originally came with a gig bag but I bought a hard case for it, so what happens to the gig bag? Shouldn't I get like 30 bucks off since I don't get the gig bag? Stupid of me not asking. If you're buying a guitar and it comes with a gig bag, but you are buying a hard case with it, make sure you try get a discount if you are not given the gig bag. // 10

Sound: This is a very versatile guitar, I use it with my combo amp: Vox Valvetronix AD15VT. The pickups are amazing. I can get any type of sound I want with this guitar. I mainly play punk rock, alternative, modern rock etc and I love the sound that I get from this beast. If you play metal, alternative, classic rock, jazz, country, whatever! This guitar easily plays all genres of music. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The pickups had a bit of black stuff (no idea what) on them which I just wiped off with a tissue. The jack input screw was a little bit loose but I simply used some tweezers to tighen it up. Good as new now. Apart from this the guitar is flawless, plays amazingly, looks beautiful. It is stunning. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will last a very long time. I, due to my lack of care for it, have already given it a few dings. I would play this guitar without a backup, it is extremely reliable. The strap buttons hold solid, fit strap locks into this thing and nothing will make them come off. Will this guitar widthstand a Live gig? Heck yeah! It's bomb-proof. I treasure this guitar and I hope to have many more great years to come with it. // 10

Impression: Overall, I am extremely impressed with this guitar and have absolutely no regrets buying it. I am very lucky to have come across it and I sure am glad I bought this guitar. It's perfect for me! It will play any type of music you want, if this guitar were stolen/lost I would buy it right again if I could manage to find the exact same model in 2-tone sunburst. I absolutely love this guitar, to those out there reading this and thinking about buying it, buy it! Heck, buy two! These guitars are amazing Japanese quality (I think the Japanese are better crafters than the Americans.) The only difference between American and Japanese guitars are the American ones are made by American hands. I definitely urge you to at the least play this guitar, try it out. I am completely satisfied with every aspect of this guitar, and I am sure glad I found it. // 10

overall: 9.4

Reviewed by: Zooropean11, on july 05, 2007

Price paid: $ 800

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: My guitar is a 2002 (if I'm not mistaken) made in U.S.A. model, with 22 Standard frets on a maple fretboard (I'm not a big fan of rosewood fretboards), Heritage cherry color, transparent finish, classic Strat bridge, a 5-way selector switch, 3 standard issue single coil pickups, and classic Fender tuners. // 10

Sound: I am a fan of classic rock, and play just about anything originating from that genre. This guitar is the very essence of classic rock in my humble opinion. My influences include Mark Knopfler, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and the list goes on and on. This guitar is perfectly well suited to my style of music. I run it through a Marshall MG30DFX amp and use a Marshall Guv'nor GV-2 pedal, which I think suit's it just fine. Obviously, because of the single coil pickups, it has a very bright sound to it, and the bridge pickup sounds amazing with distortion, very agressive. On the other hand, I can get a Slash sound out of it on the neck pickup. I can't say however, if it has a good sound on a clean channel because my amp is a piece of s**t and the guitar doesn't work well on it (on a clean channel, of course). The only style it can't play is metal (by metal I mean Metallica and thrash metal in general, not NWOBHM). It's truly one of the most versatile guitars out there. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up ideally. It had no problems what'soever! Those people in Corona know what they're doing! No Factory flaws on it, but I myself have nicked it a few times. There is honestly nothing that I can complain about, and believe me, I complain a lot. I myself have adjusted the pickups numerous times in order to get the sound I'm looking for. It hasn't had anything happen to it. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will withstand just about anything you throw at it! Or on it, for that matter. As I mentioned above, I've had this guitar for two years and it hasn't had any major (or minor) problems. The hardware is rock solid, and looks like it will last a very long time. The pickups are as good as new and there's not a hint of oxidization. The strap buttons are perfectly reliable. I say this because it has only come loose once. This guitar is the ideal guitar to take to a gig without a backup, without a doubt. I would know, as I have already done so. I play on average about 1.5 hours a day and can safely say that, if you don't take vitriol and spray the guitar with it, the finish will last a long time indeed! // 9

Impression: As I have mentioned before, I have a Marshall MG30DFX amp and a Marshall Guv'nor GV-2 pedal. I honestly wish I had not bought a transistor amp because it just doesn't suit my guitar. I feel it deserves better. I have been playing for about 3 years now and the guitar I had before this one, a Squier Strat, was inferior in each and every way. Would I buy it again? No, I would seek out the person Who stole it, kill them, and then retrieve it. Failing that, then yes, I would buy another, exact same model. I compared it to an Ibanez (can't remember which model), a Gibson SG, and a Fender Tele. For my style of music, this guitar was the one and only. At the shop, it cost around 1000$ but I got it for about 200$ off, a bargain in my opinion! If you're an aspiring classic rock musician, then this is the guitar for you! // 9

Comments

[HmTownHero1007]

I've owned strats before and everytime I am always left disappointed. It could just be me, but I will always prefer an SG or Les Paul to a Strat.

[Washburn736]

Strats are extremly overrated in the music industry today and always have been. what ever hapend to superstrats? Am i the only one with one?

[Slash_HuDsOn]

HmTownHero1007 wrote:

I've owned strats before and everytime I am always left disappointed. It could just be me, but I will always prefer an SG or Les Paul to a Strat.

i feel the same way to only thing that i like about strats is the cut aways and how u get easy access to higher frets

[Sedona_Ash_Tele]

You guys are nuts . . . strat's are awesome.

Superstrats are just another way to rape a great legacy.

You fellas are probably just not into the sound they put out . . . cause I agree they don't even come close to humbuckers when you're going for a modern distortion sound, but rate them on what they're built for. I have an '05 Mexican strat and I replaced the pickups and it sounds AMAZING.

[ragis]

dude the strat has bad points and good points
cons-its out dated pickups have come to another level from single coil thats the only problem

if strats were that bad would such guitring ledgends such as jimmi hendrix or yngwie malmsteen have or still play them the easier access to frets is a big bonus and a guitarist with any idea how to play would be able to unlock the secrets to playing 1

[luyangzheng]

i would pick a gibson over fender ne day, gibson just has so much more class and quality and better sounds too..

besides... a lot more famous musicians use gibson lespauls and sgs over strats and teles

[sum_english_guy]

luyangzheng wrote:

i would pick a gibson over fender ne day, gibson just has so much more class and quality and better sounds too..

besides... a lot more famous musicians use gibson lespauls and sgs over strats and teles

yeah i dont like strats but who cares what famous musicians are using ... find your own guitar which suits you

[OneHappyCamper]

Hmmm. I own a Gibson Les Paul, but I have to disagree with you. Ritchie Blackmore used a Stratocaster, so did Yngwie Malmsteen and Clapton... Don't say Strats aren't used by people.

[cortrules09]

and you care who uses one why? pick one based one what you feel best with. i personally have a 2005 mex strat and its not too bad, i love the way the neck feels. ill eventually replace the pickups when i get more money, but still, that signature strat sound isnt all that bad. overall im impressed with the guitar, especially for what it costs.

[Ibzman]

Well I think Fender's are nice depends on what u wanna do, I'd surely change the pickups and try to have a locking tremolo if I had a fender but the only gibson I'd buy is a Flying V because it's cool. I rather buy Ibanez or ESP than Gibson and Fender

[Cliff_Hetfield]

I love The Strat although I don't own one, I still like it better than Gibson. Oh and that's cool you can comment on this place now.

[hendrix6769]

Everybody who is talking is crazy!! I have a Tele,Strat(american),and a Les Paul and the strat is my favorite. I can get it to sound like anything. It can be bluesy or it can sound heavy. It is the true rock n roll guitar!

[stratmatonman]

I can never understand why guitarists are so down on a particular instrument - STRATS ARE GREAT GUITARS. It all depeds what sound you want but man they are versatile. I have '68 Strat (got it for $Au460 in 1986) and it's the best guitar I have ever played, so versatile. I am a Knopfler, Gilmore, Jamie West-Oram fan so it's MY kinda sound. To me Humbuckers are muddy sounding but hey it don't mean I don't like Les Pauls or PRSs. Loosen up guys

[dadgad37]

apparently you non-strat fans never played in the 2nd position on a 5 position switch.nothing beats a sytat out of phase.

[dadgad37]

apparently you non-strat fans never played in the 2nd position on a 5 position switch.nothing beats a sytat out of phase.

[Phoenix62187]

Hey, relax. It's your guitar preference and what sound you are going for that matters. I own a Fender American Strat AND a Gibson SG Standard. They both are excellent guitars in their own right. Your choice of intrument is merely preference, there is no such thing as the best guitar ever. Once again, IT IS PREFERENCE, there is no right or wrong. Chill out....

[little jim]

I'd say fenders are much nicer to play but don't sound as good or look as good as gibsons

[TimmyPage06]

You have to love the bluesy tone of a fender, you just cant avoid that. But for hard distortion you need humbuckers (or an SD Hotrails.. mwa hahah ha)

Gibsons are muddy, but I love the look.. Unlike the strat, I would replace the pickups in a gibson.

(and just to remind you, so you know im not too biased, I listen to everything from classical to death metal, so its not like Im basing it purely on "Single coils cant give you good distortion")

[Four Symbols]

Personally, I prefer a Les Paul, but I have to say if i was filthy rich and could have as many guitars as I wanted, I'd still get some strats

[otherkid]

i dont hav much experience with strats but ive seen them played enough but mi peavey preadator is pretty close but the pick ups need a bit of work but with mi line 6 amp it souds better

personally i like les paul's more they hav more style and stray away from the generic look but i play mostly on a epiphone les paul

but i would pick a tele ova a strat buts that just me

[toha33]

I have a used 98' American Fat Strat and I got it a couple of weeks ago for $517 (CAN). At the store I tried out some Gibson's, Ibanez', but to me nothing can be compared to those twangy and bluesy sounds of a Fender. Plus, when I tried out a Gibson SG it felt totaly worse than the Strat. It didn't seem like you're paying for what you're getting, the wood was okay but the pickups and hardware were crappy.

[Chromeproguitar]

how the hell do you guys afford and own more than like 4 guitars?

i like strats but the pickus ae kinda wimpy
but a great guitar ( juist dont get a squier)

[gmsje]

Fender strats are overpriced for their end models, and disappointing for the low end models. I use a Korean made strat (Bronx brand name; found in LA where they are distributed door to door to small shops) which has a great 5 way switch and decent single coils that aren't overly noisy. I plan to switch out the tuning machines for Grover minis, and maybe some day switch out the pickups. Right now it's great as is and I only paid $90. It's much better than any of the Squires I played and Mexi and American strats don't really sound better. The only other strat I liked at the time I looked and bought the Bronx, was a Carvin Bolt, which has a great 5 way switch. The Bolt can be bought in a kit for around $300. I play humbucker equipped guitars in the stores and plan to get a Washburn HB type, but dadgad37 is right on; there is nothing that compares to an out of phase strat, even my cheap one.

[gmsje]

Corrections - Meant to say overpriced for their high end models; also, for gain and distortion I like the number one position(?), (bridge pickup) on a strat. For clean channel, the #2 position (bridge and middle - out of phase). For a bassier sound, the number four position (middle and neck out of phase).

[R0ck3rd4z]

ive had a les paul, a prs and an sg, and id still prefer a strat, perfect example is clapton, he used gibsons throughout his cream era, now look what he is using - a strat, if u want a bluesey distorted sound then strats are the way to go, theyre made for it, u want anythin else - get a gibson

[iamtheguitarpro]

its easy to get an amazing sound out of stats. just turn on thick and saturation, and it shreds like no other. ive got a standard made in '95, and it still has the original pickups, but they're really good. and i cant see how anybody can actually be dissapointed with one of the most sold electric guitars in history.

[iamtheguitarpro]

*thick and saturation arent on the guitar, but theyre on most amps.

[bmxvandal]

I just thought that this might mean something...

Eric Clapton Stratocaster "Blackie" Becomes Most Expensive Guitar Sold at Auction

by TOM WATSON

Eric Clapton's prized Stratocaster, "Blackie", brought $959,500 in the Christie's Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Auction, becoming the most expensive guitar ever to have been sold at auction. Stevie Ray Vaughan's Stratocaster, "Lenny" received the second highest price ever paid for a Fender Stratocaster at auction, fetching $623,500. A new world record was also set for the sale of a Gibson guitar - Clapton's 1964 red Gibson ES-335 brought $847,500.

[Vapress]

Crap to whoever that says strats aren't good. I have 3 les pauls, 1 JEM77FP, and 7 strats. Why so many strats? Because different era of strats gives you different sound. I have a strat with silver/blue/red lace sensors and I can use that to do heavy metal sound. It still does as good as others less the floating trem. If you have a vintage or reissue strat and expect it to play metal, you are at the wrong planet dude.

[Weybl Himself]

dadgad37 wrote:

apparently you non-strat fans never played in the 2nd position on a 5 position switch.nothing beats a sytat out of phase.

Note to people who haven't studied sound theory. If the pickups were out of phase, they would produce nothing but silence. Don't ask me to explain why, it'd take a page. The reason that the 2nd position sounds do nice is because the pickups are in phase, not out.

[TheI7ark]

Weybl Himself wrote:

dadgad37 wrote:

apparently you non-strat fans never played in the 2nd position on a 5 position switch.nothing beats a sytat out of phase.

Note to people who haven't studied sound theory. If the pickups were out of phase, they would produce nothing but silence. Don't ask me to explain why, it'd take a page. The reason that the 2nd position sounds do nice is because the pickups are in phase, not out.

Thats not true. It would be true if your pickups were on identical places on the neck and were 100% exactly alike, but they aren't.

[milhammer]

I own a 95' MIM fat strat special and can get the signature fender stratocaster blues sound and the fat gibson distortion in the same guitar. The strat special implies that instead of a second tone knob, I have a humbucker switch which changes the bridge humbucker to either a single coil or to be used as a humbucker pickup. The Fender is super versatile and not to mention how good it looks. One can't go wrong. You guys keep mentioning guitar greats who use/used strats, let's not forget the late great SRV!

[Djkill]

this guitar looks so freakin awsom.

[danabis]

i hear fenders play well but this costs too much for such a plain guitar. my friend now plays guitar in his band valour, he had skulls air brushed all over the body and sctarch plate of his stratocastor, it looks awsome. maybe all fenders should hav body art!

[JacksMyHero]

i dont like strats so much. Telecasters i like more. But i prefer gibson over fender. Not like i can afford gibson at thirteen, but ya know, like epiphone has pretty good stuff minus the made-in-america and gibson name. I like fender instruments cuz they're lighter than like a les paul. I havent played on an SG though, ive always wanted one a those

[Crazy_Diamond16]

well i like the Strats since they tend to be more affordable. Not to mention I don't want to get a hernia from how much more the gibson weighs. Still if I had the money i would buy both since they are very different.

[GNR'n'A7X]

Fender is totally fu*ked up. I love their guitars, though... I mean, Fender's guitars are fu*kin' great but are priced so damn high. Like the this model, who the fu*k can afford this? For someone looking for an amazing guitar with a great price check out Schecter (the C-1 Hellraiser FR is a dream and it's only $800 new).

[WhichOnesPink?]

This argument is basically pointless, I used to think that Strats sucked because they weren't as good sounding as a Gibson. Then one day I realised I was just talking about my own personal feelings not hard facts, and I sat down with my friends strat and played and it can do some cool stuff. The fact is we could argue til time ends and not resolve anything because it's opinion and nothing else.

[6Nichols9]

wtf about hendrix you cockheads

[DeathByStereo23]

I have a fender deluxe strat(american) and an elitist SG and i use it for different kinds of music.Of course you can't get good distortion with single coils,in fact I use the SG for metal,andthe strat for blues and classic clean sounds.gibson and fender are different,and you can prefer gibson or fender sounds,it's just a preference.But both gibson and fender have some ****in high prices....

[jammer-91]

This guitar dont look like the 50's to me... it looks like ummm... recent!

[CobenBlack]

The best point raised here is that both guitars are made to do different things, i think. as well as this you have to remember that you can get a brand new top of the line strat for 1000 pounds(english) whereas a standard les paul will cost 1500 ish. If you want rock tones then fenders can do it, see iron maiden, hendrix, etc. but gibson's are always going to have an edge when it comes to metal. its preference

[jeordie1]

CobenBlack is right, they are both made to do different things. how and why would u try and compare these 2 if they arent even trying to do same thing. the only thing they are both trying to do is make their own good sound and be sold.

[Mad-Mardegan]

i agree fenders are amazing if your into blues and extremely nice clean sounds and gibsons too but more for heavy destortion and basically high gain sounds. i own a gibson les paul standard and a tokia (a copy of a fender strat, same feel and pretty much same sound)and i have to say the gibson is far superior to a fender as sound goes but the neck is quiet chunky and on the gibson, harder to play those fast solos on but hey i like it!! its really just about choice and what feels and sounds right in your hands! im hoping to buy this guitar fairly soon. keep in mind though the right amp and any guitar can sound good!!

[kurtcobainrocks]

STRATS KICKS ASS =) xD xD xD

[pl0x]

im a fender person but seriosly is there not a pageon this site on gibson or fender without the argument of which one is better!?! there both different types of guitars so geet oot there and see which on is u!
Thank you :P

[myter binsderti]

....strats own

the versatility of the strat surpasses all others...its now predominantly used by todays blues guitarists...one reason why i like the strat is from john mayers music...sounds so mellow sometimes...i dont think he could have puleld that off with a les paul or an SG

[The Final Cut]

you can never go wrong with a strat

[Mahoru]

I hope I can find somewhere here the first Strat (the MIJ one, I mean), I've really fallen in love with that one ^^
(And I also have a Les Paul, so I can have both classic guitars)

[jv_music]

Single coil pickups give a nicer tone to me than a humbucker. for heavy distortion the humbuckers own, but for a less heavy and more of a crunchy tone than strats or any other single coils do great.

[TooFast]

danabis wrote:

i hear fenders play well but this costs too much for such a plain guitar. my friend now plays guitar in his band valour, he had skulls air brushed all over the body and sctarch plate of his stratocastor, it looks awsome. maybe all fenders should hav body art!

No.

[wildchild6660]

Phoenix62187 wrote:

Hey, relax. It's your guitar preference and what sound you are going for that matters. I own a Fender American Strat AND a Gibson SG Standard. They both are excellent guitars in their own right. Your choice of intrument is merely preference, there is no such thing as the best guitar ever. Once again, IT IS PREFERENCE, there is no right or wrong. Chill out....

And THAT, ladies and gents, is the attitude all guitarist should have.

[reilly91]

luyangzheng wrote:
besides... a lot more famous musicians use gibson lespauls and sgs over strats and teles

So you should only want to play a guitar because its popular? Spoken like a true noob.
Your stupidity has left me speechless.

[tmd9314]

I believe people should just focus on what they like and not criticize others if they don't like the same thing. Fenders and Gibsons are both great and have valued places in the music buisiness. I for one didn't know which one I wanted so I got one that's sort of in the middle of both. All musician's should appreciate each other's work and what they like to use! And that is what I firmly believe so shut up with you're little baby arguments about what is better it's all person al preference!

[lespaul#1]

tmd9314 wrote:

I believe people should just focus on what they like and not criticize others if they don't like the same thing. Fenders and Gibsons are both great and have valued places in the music buisiness. I for one didn't know which one I wanted so I got one that's sort of in the middle of both. All musician's should appreciate each other's work and what they like to use! And that is what I firmly believe so shut up with you're little baby arguments about what is better it's all person al preference!

Finally, someone said the right thing.

[cts0209]

why would you want to really play meatal on a strat?
im not saying your uncapable of doing it but 1 its got 21 frets and its got more of a classic sound like santana and jimi hendrix. its a good rock guitar but not metal. gibson is good for rock and some light stuff, fender great for all around and a good classic sound maybe and ibanez is more modern and metal electric guitar, but they also sell semi - hollow guitars which are great for blues jazz and classic rock. i own an artcore and you can play metal with the right accessories but really good for anything

Vapress wrote:

Crap to whoever that says strats aren't good. I have 3 les pauls, 1 JEM77FP, and 7 strats. Why so many strats? Because different era of strats gives you different sound. I have a strat with silver/blue/red lace sensors and I can use that to do heavy metal sound. It still does as good as others less the floating trem. If you have a vintage or reissue strat and expect it to play metal, you are at the wrong planet dude.

[lespaul#1]

jeordie1 wrote:

CobenBlack is right, they are both made to do different things. how and why would u try and compare these 2 if they arent even trying to do same thing.
the only thing they are both trying to do is make their own good sound and be sold.

+ 100.

[clawsofsteel]

luyangzheng wrote:

i would pick a gibson over fender ne day, gibson just has so much more class and quality and better sounds too..

besides... a lot more famous musicians use gibson lespauls and sgs over strats and teles

umm, let's see the famous musicians that come to my mind,

strat= david gilmour, srv, eric clapton,
les paul= alex lifeson, slash

[Alkaline 64]

durrrrr

[Captain Penguin]

I like both Gibsons and Fenders. As has been said before, It depends on what style you want to play.
I love my strat to bits.

[metalonastrat]

i will play ANYTHING on my strat... from santana to job for a cowboy.

[jellieman11]

you guys all talk about eric clapton but noone mentioned how awsone hendrix is at guitar and he had a strat

[lennon_ramone]

jellieman11 wrote:

you guys all talk about eric clapton but noone mentioned how awsone hendrix is at guitar and he had a strat

yeah for sure.

although obviously it is about what you feel comfortable with, or what you can afford/steal.