Evolution of the Strat tone

[blingdogg]

Lately I've been really into Strats and can't stop playing mine.

I'm most familiar with the later 60s tone of Hendrix, and I'm wondering what are the main differences in tone between the early 1954 Strats, compared to later ones from 60s?

I've been looking around at different aftermarket pickups and keep seeing ones based on '54 Strats, pre-CBS, early 1960s, 1957, CBS, etc...

Can someone briefly explain the differences in tone and pickups of Strats through the years, mainly 50s to 70s? Or maybe share some links to some info?

Thanks.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Great question.
This is going to be an interesting thread.

Lot's of really old, very shop worn Strats hangin around our local GC,, there for the playing.

"Strats are the most imitated, yet-never-been-duplicated guitar"
-Glen Campbell.

[sumitomo]

If you can get ahold of a tape or maybe a CD of Jim Weider in Get that classic Fender sound on homespun tapes it's great and Jim well he's a fantastic player.Sumi

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Here is some fantastic Strat reading: http://www.dickdale.com/history.html

And the subject in action:

[markb]

Here is some fantastic Strat reading: http://www.dickdale.com/history.html

Leo and his right hand man Freddy T

This, I'd assume, would be a reference to Freddy Tavares who has two great claims to fame. First, and most importantly, he played the steel guitar gliss that introduces all of the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoons. Secondly, he sort of designed the body shape of the Stratocaster. Not a bad CV, really.

[wingsdad]

Leo and his right hand man Freddy T

Freddie Taveras, for sure, but I'd have to say that Leo's right-hand man was truly George Fullerton, who just passed away about a month ago. It was Fullerton, a guitar-playing erstwhile budding aerospace engineer, that Leo convinced to throw in with him and start what became Fender Musical Instruments.

[sunvalleylaw]

There is an article on George Fullerton in the Guitar Player mag that just came out.

[msteeln]

There's no disputing Fullerton's importance to the Fender legacy, but without Tavares there would be much less of the legendary even iconic product of steels, amps, and guitars they put out, like the Stratocaster as just one example, and would not be anywhere near the company that we've revered for decades.

[markb]

BTW, I was quoting the Dick Dale article above. It's not my opinion that Freddie Tavares was Leo F's right hand man. There are many people who made Fender what it was and contributed to the final products we know and love.

[msteeln]

Everybody that worked at Fender (same with all the vintage guitar companies) during the glory day's seem's to get forgotten more and more as time goes by, even with it's constantly increasing popularity.
Even Dick's intimate involement get's often overlooked.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

When Leo passed away, I read in Time he was in the final development of the Fender ATS,, which was quickly dubbed on the street by music writers as the "After The Strat".

Wonder what became of that project?

[wingsdad]

When Leo passed away, I read in Time he was in the final development of the Fender ATS,, which was quickly dubbed on the street by music writers as the "After The Strat".

Wonder what became of that project?

Interesting...according to George Fullerton, in his autobiographical 'Guitars From George & Leo', Leo's last project with G&L was developing what they referred to as a 'baritone guitar', tuned 1/2 way between a guitar & a bass.

On Tuesday, March 20, 1991, they finished the first prototype unit. George drove Leo home while the unit was being polished and final assembly checked.

Leo never got to see it. He passed away early the next morning.