Here are the two reasons why I love the Fender Stratocaster brand: 1) it’s the guitar my heroes play(ed) 2) they’re affordable for working-class stock boys like the one I was at 15.
The start: I saw the album cover for the Beatles second US album. Cool, so cool. They played Rickenbacker and Gretsch models. I couldn’t find (or afford) those guitars. I went to a library and found books on the Beatles and also read about the musicians who influenced them or worked with them. Buddy Holly, a major influence on the Beatles, played one of the first Strats. Dick Dale, the King of Surf Guitar, played one. Jimi Hendrix played one yet sounded like he was playing two. Eric Clapton played one. So did Stevie Ray Vaughn. These were the guitarists who eventually inspired me to play like them then find my own playing style.
I bought a $25 Strat-copy from a friend. You get what you pay for; we lost touch shortly afterward. I learned to play with this craptastic instrument for a few years. It actually helped: I had to press very hard on the strings because the action was too high, so my hands became very strong and my callouses became very hard to compensate; I created idiosyncratic chords because the strings never stayed in tune.
The guitar: I got my first job and began saving. Within six months, I had enough to buy a new standard Stratocaster from Guitar Center. At this time, only one other guitar had visibility: The Les Paul. Gibson built this solid-body guitar for elite muscians, who have elite savings accounts. I played one and the neck didn’t feel right, the body was uncomfortably boxy, and it cost $2,000. I could buy a $25 sustain pedal to get what every Les Paul owner used as their selling point.
Stratocaster fed my leftist, unionist perspective—a guitar for the masses—that also was the guitar for rock and blues.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Curious, when you bought the $25 Strat-copy, did your friend let you first "test-out" the guitar before buying? When you bought the standard Stratocaster from Guitar Center, did they let you first play on it, test it out, and experience the feel of their product before buying?
ReplyDeleteI find that some buying decisions rely heavily on consumer experience.
I agree. As with first times, I approached the moment with more anticipation than know-how. The second time, I was older, wiser. I knew what I wanted and why, and I made sure the salesmen knew it. They're usually struggling musicians, so they look at their jobs as something to bear until they sign a recording contract. As a result, you have to approach them with a great deal of knowledge and confidence; otherwise, they'll completely dismiss you. Buying an instrument has always been stressful.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. How do you choose a guitar to start lessons with. My 5 year old is begging to have guitar lessons. He tells me "mom I don't want an "old" guitar, I want to play electric guitar. I would like to purchase a "starter" for lessons to begin in the fall. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteDo you think it is easier for beginners to learn on an acoustic or electric guitar? I tried to play guitar at an early age and realized getting past the pain from callouses too difficult, but more importantly I recognized I did not have the talent. For me, an acoustic was too large and might have deterred me from practicing as much as I needed. I still love the look of Willie Nelson's Trigger, his 1969 Martin classical.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear some of your recordings...
ReplyDeleteYou had me with the stock boy reference. Spent the better part of my life working for unions. Never underestimated the value of working with my hands. But I digress.
ReplyDeleteDid your strat have a name?