The design of the Fender Stratocaster was the brain child of 4 people: Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. In 1954, a 25.5 inch scale, curvy, double horned, ash body with a bolt on maple neck was born sporting 3 pickups, 1 volume, 2 tones, a 3 way switch, and 6 tuners.
These instruments have been so loved by their owners that they have been affectionately named like old buddies in the school yard. Names like Clapton’s “Blackie & Brownie”, Malmsteen’s “The Duck”, Stevie Ray’ s “Lenny & Number One”, Harrison’s Rocky, and if you’ll allow it… Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat”
But what classifies a guitar as a strat? How long did it take to find the right one? What features set it apart from other guitars, and what is the strat sound? Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the tweed couch.
