Fender: The Sounds & Players of the Stratocaster Guitar

The Fender Stratocaster – often referred to as the Strat – is one-half of the iconic Fender guitar duo alongside the Telecaster, though we’d be hard-pressed to make a call on which is more influential of the two. Originally launched in 1954 to great acclaim, the Strat represented a new era of guitar production for Fender.

The Stratocaster might seem like the most ‘standard’ electric guitar possible these days, but it was anything but when it launched. The double cutaway and three pickup configuration was a complete game changer and felt futuristic and inspiring for players worldwide. Additionally, the offer of a pivoting tremolo bridge was a revolution and was used widely by guitarists of the era to great effect. Fender has tweaked and tucked the model a small amount over the years, but the fundamental DNA of the Strat has remained a constant since the original launch into music history over 70 years ago.

What guitarists use Stratocaster guitars?

This section could be an entire article in itself, frankly – it’s only one of the most famous guitars on the planet, right next to the Gibson Les Paul. Let’s just list a few of the greats: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, John Frusciante. We could keep going, but that’s probably plenty.

What makes the Strat special?

It could be the ergonomics and shape of the guitar, it could be the tremolo bridge, but for us it is the pickup configuration and placement. The Fender Strat has such a unique tone compared to its older sibling in the Telecaster, owing to the three single-coil pickups and the five-way selector offering more options than most other electric guitars.

Interestingly, the five-way switch wasn’t introduced until 1977 – 23 years after the first one landed – and was a response to guitarists finding out the original three-way selector could be placed in between the three notches to activate multiple pickups.

Mark Knopfler: Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing (1978)

Mark Knopfler has been a Strat player for the vast majority of his career. It’s a quintessential part of his glassy and precise sound, while the unique fingerpicked technique Knopfler is so well known for adds a unique mellowness to combat that glassiness. It’s nearly unreplicable and anyone who has studied his playing can recognise it in an instant.

Sultans of Swing is undoubtedly one of Dire Straits’ biggest hits and is still a classic, and is perhaps one of the best representations of what a Strat can do. Knopfler served as both the lead singer and the lead guitarist in Dire Straits, which can be heard in his call-and-response approach to vocal melody lines and guitar melody lines in the song.

The intro lead guitar line is tabbed below and sets the stage for what is an unforgettable masterclass in tasteful playing and putting a huge stamp on music history.

How to get the Sultans of Swing tone

Knopfler’s tone uses a surprisingly small amount of gear to achieve. It’s really about the interplay between the hands, the guitar, and the amp that will make the difference. Outside of small amounts of reverb, delay, and compression, Knopfler is mostly pedal free and doesn’t use crunches or overdrives as part of his sound.

• Fender Stratocaster
  • SSS layout – three single coil preferred
• Pickup selector at two (bridge and middle pickups active)
• Volume rolled off on bridge to 75% or so

During our quest to land on the closest tone, this incredible video popped up and it has to be featured. He really nails it and showcases the fingerstyle playing that Knopfler does so flawlessly. Worth the watch.

John Mayer: John Mayer’s Gravity (2006)

John Mayer is among guitar royalty at this stage, quickly rising to prominence during the 2000s and cementing himself as a virtuoso, and rightly so. He’s a mean player when needed, but is just such a confident and measured player, never going overboard and always doing what’s needed to serve the song.

Gravity is among his most iconic tracks from the legendary Continuum album. It’s even been listed among the top 100 guitar songs of all time by Rolling Stone, which is pretty high praise if we do say so ourselves. It’s a straight blues number inspired by the likes of Buddy Guy that flows from the very first bar to the end with ease. It’s largely based on a G major pentatonic scale, so be sure to familiarise yourself before you start jamming away!

It’s important to note that the majority of Thin Lizzy’s catalogue were recorded and performed in Eb standard, essentially dropping each string down by a semitone – Eb, Ab, Db, Gb – and the tab above has been written in Eb standard. To play along with an E standard tuned bass simply move the riff down one fret and you’re there!

How to get the Gravity tone

John Mayer evokes much of the same tendencies as Knopfler in this one, focusing on that clear bell-like tone and avoiding the overuse of effects and distortions to influence the sound. Mayer does have a bit of extra drive at the ready when he digs in, but it’s incredibly subtle and the difference maker between landing the Mayer tone and going too far.

• Fender Stratocaster
• Pick selector at four (neck and middle pickup)
• A reasonable amount of mid scoop on your amp’s EQ
• A bluesbreaker-style pedal engaged to add a bit of light grit to the signal
• Played with fingers

This is a particularly special live performance from Mayer. It’s got tons of extra little licks to dig into that take the already stellar track to a whole new level.

The Bottom Line

The Fender Stratocaster is simply a magical instrument. It is expressive, has a unique character all of its own, and should be a part of every guitarist’s collection. There’s a good reason so many iconic guitarists have used a Strat as their go-to choice, building an entire career and identity associated with the instrument.

We have some real unique Fender Strats in stock at Guitar Guys currently and more coming in every day. If you see something that you like, why not get in touch and book an appointment today?