'Tis a sad day in "Strat-land" for Strat/Joe fans!! (Page 10 of 13)

What's a Strat?

I wouldnt trade mine for the world, I got a MIJ '62 which I love a recently bought 2nd hand for super cheap £250 Deluxe with noiseless pups and ash body, needs some work but the body was flawless although the saddles where naffed so im currently messing around with it hardware wise and a early look highway one which is and always will be my goto guitar it just sits so naturally in my hands and sounds so nice...

Ive tried Gibsons out but I can never justify the money on them, recently tried a Custom with a 60's neck it played really nice but for the best part of £1500 I wouldnt want to play it... Mebe if I could pick a edwards up or somet after all for me a guitars for playing not drooling over although there is a fair amount of that!!

I have a stock standard cherry red Tele, and I wouldn't trade it for any other guitar.

Hey Dr. Dave and anyone else,

The Solidbodies: The Fifty Year Guitar War seems to have some hefty copy protection on board, which may cause issues with some DVD players. I got mine from Amazon and it skipped and acted like it was damaged. They sent me another one and the same thing happened. I tested it in three DVD players before I tossed it in my computer and low and behold it played just fine.

I did manage to make a backup of it, which plays just fine in a normal DVD player. It is a pretty good show, but the manufacturer should warn you about possible compatibility issues.

Back on track, I really don't blame Joe for feeling the way he does about Fender. I am not particular brand wise and have both Gibson and Fender instruments. Which one I play seems to be more of a mood or attitude decision at any given time.

My first guitar was a piece of crap made in Korea out of plywood or something and I don't miss it at all. It is just too bad that sometimes a company will try to capitalize on something without taking into consideration the people it may affect.

Are you kidding?  If it plays sweet, why are you changing the string guage!?

going from 9's to 11's will probably require at least a neck adjustment, but maybe even nut replacement and bridge adjustment depending on your action. the springs on the tremolo will need to be tightened if you tune to 440.

I use 11's on my strat, but that's all I've ever run on it. I'm usually a Gibson guy. You'll be able to tell a difference in bending the strings when you go up to 11's. Do you play acoustics a lot?  It will require extra playing to keep your hands in the kind of shape it needs to play 11's comfortably...at least that was the case for me.  You could not play for one or two years and play a guitar with 9's on it...comfortably. But with 11's it'll be more difficult. Putting 11's on a strat takes away some of it "edge" and "Sparkle." Strats with 9's I always though sounded too jangly and I used the knobs on the amp to adjust. With 11's on it I'm using the amp to intensify the jangle. If that makes any sense. Those crappy Texas Special pickups are part of my problem though.

Let me know how you like your strat with 11's! I love Ernie Ball strings. I use the 10's on all my guitars and the 11's on my strat.

I think one of Joe's quotes was "string guage is not a test of manhood" - it's pretty much a question of how fast you wanna get carpel tunnel syndrome. lol

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

A found that a friend of a friend has one of the masterbuilt 64 gold sparkle strats. We were at this dudes home last night and I was able to play it and took the time to look it over very very close. I just don't see where it's the same as JB's. It's just not the same. In my opinion it's not even close.

Joe if you would like to talk about it, email me and I'll give you my number. Take care of yourself Amigo.

Sincere Respects,
Spider

Something really funny, I've been defending strats (love'm, always will), but I was down in the GAS Chamber yesterday, thinking about this thread,  picked up my Les Paul Standard Gold Top which I convinced myself for the last coupla years played awful, Now I'm in love again, lifes a kick in the shorts!

I understand your frustration Joe. I've had my rounds with Fender also. I dont know where or why the company has has gone south. But they have.(contact me Joe if you want to hear my 3 horror stories) I enjoy whatever your playing.Musicians can undertsand the tonal quest a bit more then fans who just dig the music. Play what sounds good to you as your are doing, and the best will flow from your fingers.Looking forward to your next trip through Illinois. You tore it up in Rockford. I had the pleasure of standing @the stage right in front of you. Your concert was my 16 yrs old sons 1st live show. He dug it. Keep it up your doing great.