Sonny Landreth Feature at Chicago Tribune

(photo: www.bobbunce.com)

Click on photo for killer Sonny Landreth youtube video!!!

Chicago Tribune writer Kevin Williams posted a rousing article about Sonny Landreth in anticipation of Sonny's upcoming Aug. 6th gig at the Evanston SPACE (helluva place too-- David Lindley plays there tonight!).

Williams really puts on his guitar geek in the article too, which is always a treat to see in a mainstream media piece.

"...Landreth has technique that is staggering. As slide guitar players go, he is nonpareil, having ginned up a technique that lets him fret notes and chords while he's playing slide. But it's all in the service of the music..."

And that's just a taste, as the writer musters up for a slam on Steve Vai. But all in good fun... although some Windy City Vai fans are probably keying this guy's Prius as I write.

In looking for a good Landreth photo, I also discovered the photography & paintings of Artist Bob Bunce at www.bobbunce.com

Be sure to visit www.sonnylandreth.com and check the tour schedule link, cuz he just might be coming to your area! I missed Sonny's July 2nd Portland gig, and I'm still feelin' mighty LAME.

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Erja Lyytinen - Slide Guitar Chick from Finland

Watch this gal slide! We've featured veteran Strat-o-Sister Erja Lyytinen previously, so click on her name for Erja's web links and more video. A big deal on the Euro Blues circuit, the Italians are calling her the "Bonnie Raitt of Finland". Erja loves G&L semi-hollow T shapes, sometimes playing a red one with P90's (Bluesboy model). The blue one in this video is sportin' the triple Z-Coil config. normally associated with the Comanche S-type model.

This girl must be a petite size considering how big both the guitar and bottleneck slide appear. But she takes no petite approach to rippin' through some Blues! Damn!

CLICK HERE for another MUST SEE Erja jam!

If the girl don't give ya chills-- Jack, you dead!

Enjoy!

Strat-o-Sisters Directory

Guitar Adoptions has hot G&L deals and the Guitar Adoptions girls too!

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Billy Rowe's Rock N' Roll Relics - Strat for Friday #135

Food & Beverage Suggestion:

IN-N-OUT #1- Double-Double, Fries & Root Beer
Strawberry Shake

Click photos for detailed close ups!

This week's Friday feature profiles Bay Area rocker and vintage replica builder Billy Rowe. That's why two separate guitars are pictured above. As a guitarist, Rowe helped found 80's band Jetboy which has recently re-formed after 19 years and is currently recording. After the original Jetboy run, Billy played 5 European tours with the band American Heartbreak. In the late 90's Billy was Chris Isaak's guitar tech and also worked on Isaac's "Speak of the Devil" album.

In recent years, Rowe has been building heavily distressed F-type guitars under the Rock N' Roll Relics moniker. The black model in the top photo was built for Stevie D. of Buckcherry who will be playing this guitar soon on tour with Buckcherry opening for KISS. GNR's Gilby Clarke is also playing one of Billy's guitars.

At www.rocknrollrelics.net be sure to visit the "Pickers" link at the menu and check out the spiffy color palette overlay tool. Also check the galleries.

Billy shares the following about his builds:

"...For all my Rock N' Roll Relics I use reissued Fender hardware, all bodies and necks are sprayed with nitro from Guitar Re-Ranch, the bodies I get hand cut from a local Luthier here in town. I've also used Guitar Mill bodies which are great. I use all Ash and Alder to match vintage specs unless a special request from a customer for say Pine or Mahogany. Necks I get from various sources like All Parts or I get my Luthier to cut them for me, Depends on what the customer is after. Most customers want the vintage profiles and what is the most popular is the standard 7-1/4 C shape neck from All Parts.

With pickups I've used all sorts from Duncan, Fralin to Fender etc, I always leave that up to the customer. But now I have a guy who hand winds me pickups, Nunley Custom and they are hands down the best I've come across and is what I've used exclusively for about 10 builds now, I use em' myself as well ! I also use Luxe capacitors when I do a 'Period Piece' to give it that complete vintage look Inside and out ! Also for a 'period piece' guitars (mainly Tele's) I'll use Glendale milled jack cups and slot head screws..."

Billy has also recently used Slider's Vintage Classic pickups in projects.

Ed note: I'm just diggin' that Converse sticker! What's more American than a well worn pair of black Chuck high-tops-- & a well worn black Strat.

More links from Billy Rowe:

www.rocknrollrelics.blogspot.com
www.rocknrollrelics.net
www.myspace.com/rocknrollrelics
http://twitter.com/RockNRollRelics
www.jetboyrocks.com
www.myspace.com/jetboyrocks
http://twitter.com/jetboyrocks
www.myspace.com/billy_rowe
www.myspace.com/americanheartbreak

Ed update: Rock N Roll Relics are built to order. Contact Kelcey at customguitarboutique.com for details on procuring a Billy Rowe relic guitar that best fits your vintage concept.

Tell Kelcey that Stratoblogster sent ya!

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Art Guitars & Amps by Phil Sylvester

(photo by Phil Sylvester)

The "Fracturecaster" above is a fully functioning Strat "mod" by Phil Sylvester of Portland, OR.

I've featured this before. In fact, we've adopted it into the Strat-O-Blogster theme in the header of this blog. Phil Sylvester, fine artist, art teacher, guitarist and Berklee grad, actually created the Fracturecaster while experimenting with body wood resonance characteristics. He claims to prefer the tone of what resulted above. That's why I referred to it as a mod-- as well as an art piece.

In this respect, I think Fracturecaster is an appropriate symbol for Strat tone geeks and tweakers everywhere, hence a symbol here too.

Sylvester's more recent endeavors can be seen at his website: PheoGuitars.com where guitars are presented more in a fine arts gallery fashion and setting. As odd as they may appear, to me they also give off an unexplainably natural vibe. Before you traditionalists out there shut down, first ask yourselves, "Would Billy Gibbons be seen with a Phil Sylvester guitar?"

I think you know the answer to that question!

And Phil's a total tube freak too. Just wait'll ya see the 50's hair dryer amp! Also, the site's "News" menu link features a video that you absolutely must watch, produced by the local PBS television affiliate. Finally & ironically, the Fracturecaster is strangely absent from the website, even though Sylvester refers to it as his most well known work. I suppose that's why I'm here-- to keep it alive...

Just like the infamous Voodoo Donut, the guitar art of Phil Sylvester represents the art-quirky side of Portland culture.

Check out more Pheo Guitars available for sale at www.destroyallguitars.com

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K-Line Guitars Fiesta Red S-Style at Fat Tone

K-Line Dealers

(photos: www.fattoneguitars.com)

Chris Kroenline of St. Louis, Missouri based K-Line guitars specializes in F-type guitars that look and feel "Worn but not worn out". On the relic scale these days, K-Line guitars tend to be on the mild side with just the right touches in the right places. Licensed body parts and hi-end components are incorporated along with classic vintage color finishes. All quality ingredients-- and not a spec of cereal or cheap fillers! Nope.

This Fiesta Red model is currently available thru K-Line Dealer Fat Tone Guitars, a quality gear outfit who doesn't deal with cereal products. Glance thru the features below.

Features:

* Alder Body
* Rosewood/Maple Neck
* C-Shape .85" Radius
* 21 Tall Thin Frets
* 1 5/8" Width at Neck
* Fiesta Red Finish
* Wilkinson Vintage Bridge
* Steel Block
* 880 Tuners
* Stamped Saddles
* Mint Green Pickguard
* Lollar Dirty Blonde Pickups
* CTS Pots, CRL Switch, Switchcraft Jack
* Kaces Sturdy Nylon Case

Need the weight spec? Just contact Phil at Fat Tone Guitars. He'll weigh it and answer any other burning questions you may have. You can also contact Chris K. at the K-Line link above.

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New Hendrix Release "Live 1968 Paris/Ottawa" Fan Packs!

(banner image: Amazon.com)

1968 Paris/Ottawa Fan Packs can now be pre-ordered exclusively from Amazon.

Here's the scoop from Amazon:

"...Available in both CD and vinyl/CD combo versions, "Live 1968 Paris/Ottawa" not only includes never-before-released, blistering live performances from the Jimi Hendrix Experience in their prime, you also get a T-shirt, poster, exclusive online content, and more. Pre-order one of four "Live 1968 Paris/Ottawa" fan packs today at Amazon.com."

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Singapore Guitar Collector Sniffs Out Strats! Literally.

Kelvin Ho is a guitar collector in Singapore who has turned $10K into $1.3 million by collecting guitars. Apparently, he's got a few nice old Strats, among other instruments, that he reportedly bought from "retired musicians for a few hundred dollars".

In an old online story I had bookmarked (link no longer available), Ho talked about being able to initially determine a guitar's value by smell.



My advise-- stay way from this man and do not let him sniff your guitar!

USA VINTAGE GUITAR DEALERS:

Guitarville By Vegas
"...Quality USA Fender 1954-1974,Pre Cbs Stratocaster Vintage Guitars, Necks, Bodys, Bridges, Pickups, Pickguards, Cases, Tuners,Pots,Neck Plates,and Hardware.Fender Custom Shop.Tele, Telecaster parts. I ship Overseas everyday.Buy from a trusted seller.I know my product."

Vintage-Guitars-Music
"Our shop is dedicated to new and vintage Fender's and Gibson's guitars. Plus, we offer a wide choice of effects and miscellaneous musical items. We're serious on instruments selection, as well when selling them ! So bid and buy with complete confidence and see you soon !"

Fuller's Vintage Guitar
Large Texas based vintage gear dealer with lots of hi-end Strats & Teles.

Warpdrive Music - "World-class dealer of rare vintage instruments, vintage amplifiers, and high quality American and imported guitars. We are your premier destination for Gibson, Fender Custom Shop, Grestch, Taylor, Alvarez Yairi and much more!"

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Mystical Letter Mentions Hendrix

(photo from thehendrixcollection.gobot.com)

It's kind of a Hendrix week, I guess. Here's an interesting item.

Found a website with a letter written by some sort of holy man in India addressing the tribal elders of North America's Hopi indian nation.

Click here to see the letter.

The garment Jimi is wearing, in this Rainbow Bridge photo, is supposed to be a Hopi ceremonial garment.

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Bear Air Guitar

What else does a bear do in the woods?

Exactly.

They play AIR GUITAR !!!

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Audacity Has More Upgrades, But Still Free Download!

Gary at the Not Playing Guitar blog just posted about Audacity, a free multi-track software download. Audacity's been around for awhile. In fact, I've had it in my computer for over 2 years, but just haven't been using it.

In that time, Audacity has added some upgrades to their free download version, that musicians on a budget will really appreciate. Making jam tracks & loops has never been more affordable!

Click on the image or above link for Gary's review and the Audacity download link.

Hi-End Audio Software Deals:

The Audio Pros IK Multimedia, Pro tools

Waves Universe - Waves Authorized Dealer

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Playboy 40th, Marilyn Monroe Strat - Custom Shop, NR Auction

collectible, guitar, anniversary

COLLECTOR ALERT!

This "Diamond Edition" Marilyn Strat listed at eBay as #34 of 175 guitars comes with a framed COA and has a birthdate of February 14, 1994. The John Page built guitar commemorates Playboy's 40th Anniversary and is signed by Pamelina H, who does most of Fender Custom Shop's fine art graphic themes. Check the Pamelina link above for details on this series and all her work.

The seller's photographs are on the blurry side... Actually, they suck. Do your homework on this one kids. Definitely one for the trophy lounge if everything is legit.

Meet the Seller:

clueful - 100% (Feedback 82)
Time left: Aug 02, 2009 11:15:05 PDT

Item number: 230360272699 NO RESERVE

Item location: West Ocean City, MD, United States
Ships to: United States

Super Strat Listings



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Pandora Podcast: "The Guitar Riff"

Pandora "radio from the Music Genome Project" is one of my favorite things in life-- besides Strats, Klondike Bars and Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. You can create up to 100 of your own little radio stations, which Pandora evolves by introducing similar new material as you listen. Great way to discover new music and artists!

Pandora also has well produced podcasts.

Check out their Podcast titled THE GUITAR RIFF in which they feature music analyst, guitarist Will Redmond demonstrating the construction of guitar riffs. The webpage for the podcast also features several song riff sample links from different genres and scales from the original artist recordings.

Another reason to support internet radio!

Up From the Skies... Beam Me Up, That Is.

photo: Used with permission from David Pearcy. Photo from Mr. Pearcy's private collection.

Here's Captain Coconut and his first officer, obviously in violation of the Prime Directive- Starfleet General Order #1, which prohibits interference by Starfleet with other cultures, most importantly those of an inferior technological level...

Photo taken March 26, 1968, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy.

Not necessarily stoned... but logical.

special thanks to David Pearcy @ www.jimihendrixonline.com

Dave Matthews Plays Strat on Letterman

(photo: www.weeklydavespeak.com)

Promoting their new DMB album "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King", Dave Matthews and crew showed up on Letterman last night (7/27/09). Oddly, though there are several Youtube clips of the interview portion, I haven't yet found the performance segment featuring the title cut.

Nevertheless, Matthews was wielding the Strat you see pictured, sporting a coupla mini humbuckers of some kind. No other data.

Both the interview and performance were lotsa fun. The new tune was very cool! DMB fans should be in hog heaven right now.

www.davematthewsband.com

www.weeklydavespeak.com (Fansite,blog,forums)

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Jeff Beck "What Mama Said" - What Movie Line?

The other night I woke up in front of the TV to an old movie, hearing the line, "Did ya'll hear what mama said?!!", as used in this Jeff Beck tune.

Who knows what movie I'm talking about? I know you can research it online, but does anyone already just happen know the movie?

Watch how Jeff Beck picks with his fingers. Y'know, your picking hand fingertips will get tough and callused just like the fretting hand. I keep my nails real short, and either pick downstrokes for sharp attack or hit the strings sideways across the nail & fingertip. Once things toughen up and you get used to it, you gain a lot of freedom over relying upon a pick. I'm also getting a nice callus on the outside of my thumb from the bass strings.

I know that classical, flamenco and many finger stylists really groom their nails to precision for picking, but if you're doing aggressive blues & rock, ya better keep 'em short and even, or they'll be toast.

For clean alternate picking a la "Hot Rod Lincoln", it's still hard to beat a pick though.

FENDER JEFF BECK STRATS @ eBay






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Test Your Ear and Music Aptitude

(photo:www.cosmicscribbler.com)

jakemandell.com features 3 interesting online music perception tests. This is some sophisticated stuff used in researching tone deafness and Alzheimer's disease.

The three tests consist of Tone Deafness, Adaptive Pitch and Rhythm, in that order. When completing the short survey after the first test, ignore the block asking for the test score-- you'll get the score on the next page by clicking the arrow. You'll use that score for the 2nd & 3rd test surveys.

Click on my big groovy ear to visit the site, and scroll down a bit to take the tests.

Stratoblogster Labs

Guitar Teacher's Handbook - How to teach guitar and earn good income.

PRS 305 - A Strat or Not a Strat?

(photo: www.prsguitars.com)

Recently profiled at Rock House Blog (see specs there), the new PRS 305 is now a production model. According to a youtube DEMO VIDEO by UK dealer Chapman Guitars, the 305 started off as a PRS Private Stock instrument.

Obviously PRS is vying for a little Strat-o-marketshare with this one, but how Stratty does it sound? I found the above demo video link puzzlingly amusing... or maybe amusingly puzzling, but hardly curiously refreshing. These Altoid snorting blokes seem to be conducting the demo as if the guitar were a standard PRS humbucker config until beard boy goes clean tones, country picking and totally defaults the guitar into Tele implications; sidestepping any kind of Strat comparisons (no offense intended to Tele fans). I mean, look at the pickup config and the 5 pos switch. Was that an accident?

Then holding a distorted note, beard boy expresses great pleasure with a "...You con't DOO that on a regulah S-type guitah... it won't happen..."

Are you f*#!!ng kidding me?!!!

Also seems like they've got .008 - 038's. Put some real strings on it!!!

Sorry, only 305 demo I can find so far. "Crazy birds, crazy birds..."

No doubt at all that the 305 is a well built guitar. But what identity are they going for??

Shop & Compare PRS 305's at these big box stores:

Musician's Friend - One of the largest online dealers for most major popular guitar lines, effects, accessories and music gear. High rated customer service and probably the best deals on popular brand guitar strings.

GuitarCenter.com - Website for world's largest music gear store chain. All popular gear brands, often featuring custom run gear products manufactured exclusively for Guitar Center.

American Musical Supply - Very large online dealer for most major popular guitar brands, effects, accessories and music gear.

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Gearmanndude's New Strat!

Our old friend Gearmanndude, creator of tenacious gear demo vids, recently acquired a new Strat.

Watch as he tears into the tag, sticker and protective film removal process with gusto and wit! Then in a tender moment, he must retire an older Strat to the home for lost guitars...

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Robin Trower Drummer... Norm Peterson? Cheers?

"Still Too Rollin' Stoned"

I believe this performance was on Trower's 60th birthday. Anyone who uses a Marshall to blow out the candles at their 60th is a true warrior. Makes ya wanna dust off the old phase shifter, huh. These days vocalist Davey Pattison does a respectable job filling the shoes of the late James Dewar-- though Jimmy is still sorely missed.

I dream of Paul Rogers singing with Trower.

Are we just too rollin' stoned, or is that Norm on drums???

I mean, what if it really was Norm, and they just paid him with beer to play drums...

see previous Trower post



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Eric Johnson RW Palomino NR Auction

It's a buyers market right now for high end Strat models! This 2009 EJ RW is barely used and complete with case and all the goodies.

These bound rosewoods are selling new for $2500. So far this one is at $700 with 17 bids and less than a day & a half left (Jul 26, 2009 12:00:00 PDT).

NO RESERVE!

Seller is eBay Store Gravity-Music-Gear in Denver, CO, and they're only shipping within the US.

Watch this one kids!

More EJ Strat Listings


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Quartz Crystal Guitar FRETS by Erich Stone

glass fret
(photo: Stewart Oksenhorn/The Aspen Times)

How poetic that a new agey crystal idea like this would come from some dude in Aspen!

Just ran across a news feed from The Aspen Times about Erich Stone, a guy who is refretting guitars and basses with quartz crystals. Apparently some mainstream musicians are using them and raving too. Maybe some have now found "the missing note".

Coincidentally, as my Strat is currently at the spa getting a re-fret, this story is messing with my aura, my karma and my chi!

I can already see the luthiers out there cringing...

The article is interesting though, especially for a newspaper article. So click the above link for the full scoop.

Here's just one of many ethereal comments to whet your appetite:

“...There are unique advantages: depth of the note, clarity, a more energized sound,” he said. “You wouldn't think so, but it's a really surprising difference.” A Fender Stratocaster that began, in Lawson's estimation, as a good guitar, “became a great one...”

I've thought about glass, ceramic or maybe Pyrex frets before but worry about 'em cracking, especially when trying to install.

Check out the article!

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Dick Dale Hi-Lite

“I would surf from sun up to sun down then go play my Fender Stratocaster at night so loud and fast I would blow up the amp...”

Dick Dale, age 72

Ya gotta love a quote like that!

We try to keep up on the King of Surf. The above quote is from a current article at the www.tcpalm.com news site. Dick is touring these days with son Jimmy.

GO DICK!!!

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G&L Legacy "Rustic" Blonde- Strat for Friday #134

"Rustic" is G&L's term for aged, distressed and the ever popular, Fender registered "RELIC". This Rustic Blonde Legacy features some light ciggy burnage at the headstock, strap wear at upper bout, finish checking overall and dull aged metal hardware. As this sort of stuff goes, G&L's offering stays on the conservative side with their Rustic touches, which is probably more realistic... in a rustic way anyway. Just enough for comfort without becoming a rodeo fatality-- "We tied this guitar to our hi-grit coated mechanical bull for 36 hours! Yee Haw!!!".

Y'know, "rustic" is term cooks like to use when they don't wanna follow all those French rules for preparing everything so perfect and refined. I'm all for that! Toss me a pork chop & let's keep it rustic!

Specs and MUCH better photos are available at Guitar Adoptions via the "Electric Guitars" >> "G&L Guitars" menu links where you can peruse a sizable & tasty G&L selection. Guitar Adoptions is also a dealer for Michael Tuttle custom guitars, Finland's Flaxwood line and other hi-end gear lines.

more Friday Strats

Super Strat Listings

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Ron Kirn Templates for Strat, Tele & Bass Available

Strat Tele body template patterns

Super guitar builder Ron Kirn's templates are currently being posted at eBay by seller pierre302 in a series of "Buy It Now!" listings which include templates for Strats, Teles, Tele Thinlines, Tele Bass, J-Bass & P-Bass.

The seller is Ron's son-in-law and can be verified as such at www.ronkirn.com home page, where these listings are mentioned.

A great friend to the DIY home guitar builder, Kirn is known for providing plenty of tips and resources. Our February '09 profile on Ron features a beautiful shielding example from his Strat Build Tutorial. Premier Guitar's Jan '09 issue included Ron Kirn in their Tele Builder feature. If this is the first you've heard of Ron, check out the PG article.

Ron Kirn Templates

Pimp Your Strat - Directory

Thanks Spider!!!

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Strat Art Posters and Prints

"Stevie Ray Live" by artist Debra Hurd


Check out the guitar category at Art.com for lots of cool Strat stuff!

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World's Lightest Stratocaster?

(photo from www.pizzatherapy.com)

Check out the profile of this Strat and notice how thin the body is!

What's going on here?

Ready for this? Some guy made a Strat pizza peel!
(Click on the photo for more details and pictures.)

Fender Strat Neck Shape & Contour Diagrams

Radius & dimensions specs illustrated

(above images: www.kellyindustries.com)

(image orig. from Musician's Friend Strat Buyer's Guide)
CLICK on chart for better view

Neck Contour & Radius Explained

Above are some handy reference illustrations for anyone in a spin over "soft V, hard V, C, etc..." when reading about neck shapes. The most common & popular shape for Strats overall is "C". The "V" contours are old school and show up mainly in vintage reissues. The "C" shape seems more conducive to modern playing; making it most popular. Ironically though, Eric Johnson prefers a "V". So, try to play all shapes, and discover what's truly best for you!

Radius is the curvature of the fretboard. We won't get into all the various radius specs, but for anyone confused about "Compound Radius", just know that on this type of neck, the fretboard flattens out as it gets wider, higher up toward the guitar body. In other words, the radius changes instead of remaining the same from one end to the other and all points in between-- thus, "compound" radius. Stew-Mac's (Compound Radius Explained) gives ya the full NASA tech briefing complete with geometric-trig diagrams. But you get the idea here...

The benefit of a compound radius is that it permits wider string bending higher up the neck. Too much fretboard curvature at the high end allows for a condition known as "fretting out". This is when a bent string loses its action/height as it is bent toward the crown of the curvature, eventually touching the frets ahead of the fretted note. When this occurs, the note mutes out against the fretboard-- thus the term "fretting out". This doesn't happen on a flat fretboard. Compound radius designs flatten the fretboard at the mid to high end where bending is widest.

Strat-style replacement necks are available from various sources. Below is a cross section of suppliers with interesting neck inventory:

Image: Allparts Fralin Neck- avail. at Angela Instruments.

Angela Instruments eBay Store with tons of guitar parts.

Metal Shop Music (check their birdseye maple necks!)

The STRATosphere (large selection of new Fender necks & bodies, including EJ Strat & Jeff Beck model components)

Birdseye Maple Replacement Necks at Metal Shop Music

Image: Jamerson-Guitars aka Musikraft

I guess the above qualifies as guitar neck p*o*r*n as much as anything ever could!

Jamerson-Guitars a Top-rated Seller, is Fender licensed Musikraft's Official eBay "Custom Shop". Check out their exotic wood neck selection. Another way to give your guitar a unique vibe.

Remember to shop carefully, compare $$ and get the right shape and spec you really need.


Pimp Your Strat Resources

Relic & Refinish Resources

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Slider's Classic 59 pickups

VINTAGE STRAT STYLE PICKUPS!







We just recieved word from Down Under that pickup voodoo master Rod McQueen of Slider's Vintage Classics has graced us with another bakelite clad set of tone wonderment, the Vintage '59 "SRV" config. I'm wondering if the hand winding and magnet charging south of the equator is part of Slider's secret... hmmm...

Check these out at:  sliderspickups  (eBay) where Slider Rod is also currently listing another set of those Classic 57's. Somebody's been busy winding these days!

Here's a word from Rod on the Vintage 59's:

"...This set consists of 3 hand made "scatterwound" Single Coil Pickups with Parchment White vintage correct re-pro "rounded" Bakelite style Pickup Covers. These classic pickup covers alone are very difficult to find and sell for considerable amounts by themselves! You also get a full set of aged 6/32 UNC adjustment screws with natural amber, vintage style rubber spacers.

This set is built with 1959 spec, vintage correct materials and composition. All ready to install with the averaged '59 DC impedances plus the addition of a special 6-7% overwinding to accurately replicate the "mistakenly" overwound set used by SRV in his famed Number 1,

The actual DC Kohms resistance and special winding patterns used on my SRV re-creations is the product of my research and testing and as such remains my personal information

South magnetic polarity, correct for factory post c1958

Winding (clockwise), 42 AWG (.063mm) "Formvar" vintage spec copper wire

AlNiCo 5 etched, staggered height, Hand beveled, individual pole pieces, Low B, high D & G. All individually magnetized by me, using rare earth Neo-dymium Boride polarising magnets to recreate 50 year old Alnico. Exacting, aged replication.

Vintage correct Black vulcanized "forbon" fiber flatwork bobbins with Nickel Silver wiring eyelets

Output wiring is 12" Black (ground) and 12" White active, 22 AWG celanese wrap and waxed braided, cotton outer insulation, vintage pushback wiring

This set is vintage "Straight Up" without a reverse wound/reverse polarity RW/RP middle pickup. All are matched to work perfectly with 3 or 5 way switching and no "out of phase" issues or dramas!

All come with "Relic" Parchment White "rounded" early 50's Bakelite style pickup covers, and a full set of aged 6/32 UNC round head mounting screws with vintage style amber rubber compression spacers. I am happy to fit your color choice (check pic for options)

All are Lacquered, prior to winding to prevent long term corrosion of the wire against the AlNiCo poles (the most common problem I see for killing vintage pickups, check that last pic again!), then Wax potted "post build" to reduce possible high volume microphonics and provide protection to the delicate windings.

All pickups come individually amp tested, labeled and signed with all specs relating to Materials, Polarity and Composition.

These are not an "off the shelf" pickup and are intended for the discerning player or restorer of fine instruments..."

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Top Gun Strat Neck Features F-16 Fighter Inlays

Cruise your Strat thru the danger zone with this neck!

Here's a rare & unique find that I'm excited to feature!

eBay seller fox1sparrow aka Commander Gary Penton, US Navy Retired, has a resume that just doesn't quit. Click here for a fascinating bio including some rather extensive luthier training to boot.

Not surprising that a guy with this background and obvious passions would think to blend the cultures of Strat players and fighter pilots. Anyone who's ever pondered the similarities between Strat contours, sports cars, jets and supermodels can appreciate Penton's aesthetics here. A review of the ITEM LISTING details/photos and Penton's website makes it pretty clear that he's all about integrity and excellence. Even the Custom Shop-like brand, back of the headstock, is a nice touch.

Fender Custom Shop should bring this guy on board for a full military tribute series run!

He's a 100% rated Power Seller with other items listed. Check all the above links for the full scoop!

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