Bryan Pringle v. William Adams Jr et al
Filing
198
DECLARATION of Bryan Pringle in Opposition to MOTION for Summary Judgment 159 filed by Plaintiff Bryan Pringle. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Exhibit 13, # 14 Exhibit 14, # 15 Exhibit 16, # 16 Exhibit 17, # 17 Exhibit 19, # 18 Exhibit 20, # 19 Exhibit 22, # 20 Exhibit 23, # 21 Exhibit 25, # 22 Exhibit 27, # 23 Exhibit 32, # 24 Exhibit 33, # 25 Exhibit 34, # 26 Exhibit 35, # 27 Exhibit 36, # 28 Exhibit 37, # 29 Exhibit 38, # 30 Exhibit 39, # 31 Exhibit 41, # 32 Exhibit 42, # 33 Exhibit 44, # 34 Exhibit 45, # 35 Exhibit 46, # 36 Exhibit 47)(Holley, Colin)
EXHIBIT 12
Fender Stratocaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Fender Stratocaster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as
"Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by
Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie
Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously
by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to
the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an
extended top horn for balance while standing. The
Stratocaster has been used by many leading
guitarists and can be heard on many historic
recordings. Along with the Gibson Les Paul, the
Gibson SG and the Fender Telecaster, it is one of
the most common and enduring models of electric
guitar in the world. The design of the Stratocaster
has transcended the field of music to rank among
the classic industrial designs of all time; examples
have been exhibited at major museums around the
world.[2][3]
In its original form, the Stratocaster was offered in
a 2-color sunburst finish on a solid, deeply
contoured ash body, a one-piece maple neck with
21 frets, black dot inlays, and Kluson machine
heads, until 1956, when Fender started making
bodies made from solid alder.[4] There was also a
set of available custom colors that wasn't
standardized until 1960. These custom colors were
mostly automobile lacquer colors made by Dupont
and could be had for an extra 5% cost. The singleply, 8-screw hole white pickguard was a unique
concept that allowed mounting all electronic
components—except the recessed jack plate—in
one easily removed assembly. Subsequent
Stratocaster designs (by both Fender and
imitators) may or may not have improved on the
original in usability and sound, but vintage Fender
models are still often worth large amounts of
money, and many prefer the timbre of older
models.
The Stratocaster has been widely copied; as a
result, the term "Strat," although a trademark of
Fender Musical Instrument Corporation, is often
used generically when referring to any guitar that
has the same general features as the original,
regardless of manufacturer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
Manufacturer
Period
Fender
1954–present
Construction
Body type
Solid, Double Cut
Neck joint
Bolt-on (set-in neck on certain
models).
Scale
25.5" (24.75" on some models)
Woods
Body
Alder, Ash, Poplar (limited edition
guitars available in a variety of
woods including basswood,
mahogany and koa (none of which
is plywood) with flamed, spalted or
quilted maple tops and black,
cream or ivory body and neck
binding)
Neck
Maple
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It has become popular for music genres like rock,
pop, and blues.
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Fretboard
Ebony (Many models usually have
21 vintage frets, white or black
dots and 7.25" radius; higher-end
Contents
Ŷ 1 Design and popularity changes
Ŷ 2 CBS buys Fender and player
modifications
Ŷ 3 1982/3 Dan Smith Fender
Stratocaster
Ŷ 4 Squier models (1982–today)
Ŷ 5 Fender 1985–1998
Ŷ 6 Current models
Ŷ 6.1 American Deluxe
Series
Ŷ 6.2 American Standard
Series
Ŷ 6.3 Highway One Series
Ŷ 6.4 American Special
Series
Ŷ 6.5 Vintage Hot Rod Series
Ŷ 6.6 Road Worn Series
Ŷ 6.7 Blacktop Series
Ŷ 6.8 Pawn Shop Series
Ŷ 7 Recently Discontinued
Ŷ 7.1 VG Stratocaster
Ŷ
Ŷ
Ŷ
Ŷ
Ŷ
Ŷ
Ŷ
8 Signature models
9 In popular culture
10 Notable Stratocaster players
11 See also
12 References
13 Sources
14 External links
Design and popularity changes
The Stratocaster's sleek, contoured body shape
(officially referred to by Fender[citation needed] as the
"Comfort Contour Body") was markedly different
from the flat, slab-like design of the Telecaster. Its
double cutaways allowed players easier access to
higher positions on the neck.[5] The body features
a recessed "beer gut" curve on the upper back and
a gradual chamfer at the front, where the player's
right arm rests. The one-piece maple neck's wider
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Stratocaster
Maple, Rosewood, Pau Ferro,
contemporary versions had 22
jumbo frets, abalone dot inlays and
9.5" radius)
Hardware
Bridge
Synchronized tremolo (Some
models came with a hardtail bridge
or a Floyd Rose locking tremolo)
Pickup(s)
3 or 2 single-coils, with the latter
having a hot humbucker in the
bridge position,[1] with the
exception of the Acoustasonic Strat
and Stratacoustic models, the only
acoustic Stratocasters.[1] Most
Stratocasters generally came with a
pickguard; on certain high-end
versions, the pickguard is absent.
There are also select models that
come with active electronics and
HSH, HHH, HH or H pickup
configurations.
Humbucker-equipped Strats are
often referred to as "Fat Strats", in
reference to the fact that
humbucking pickups usually tend
to have more bass in the output
signal than single coils, thus
making the sound "fatter".
Colors available
Standard Series :[1] Brown Sunburst, Black, Arctic
White, Lake Placid Blue, Candy Apple Red, Midnight
Wine, Copper Metallic Sunburst
American Standard Series (as of 2008):[1] Black, 3Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Blizzard Pearl,
Charcoal Frost Metallic, Candy Cola (alder), Sienna
Sunburst (ash)
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"dogleg"-style headstock again contrasted with the
very narrow Fender Telecaster's headstock shape.
The strings are anchored on a through-body pivot
bridge attached with springs to a 'claw' in the
tremolo cavity on the back of the guitar.
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American Special Series (as of 2010): 3-Color
Sunburst, 2-Color Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red,
Olympic White
Black Top Series (as of 2010): Black, Candy Apple
Red, Sonic Blue
Original Stratocasters were shipped with five
springs anchoring the bridge flat against the body.
American Deluxe Series (as of 2010):[1] Amber,
Tungsten, Sunset Metallic, 3-Color Sunburst, Tobacco
Players were able to remove the backplate
Sunburst, Midnight Wine Transparent, Aged Cherry
covering the bridge, remove two of the springs
Sunburst, Olympic White Pearl, Black, Candy Apple
and adjust the claw screws to allow the bridge to
Red, 2-Color Sunburst
'float,' with the pull of the strings in one direction
countering the pull of the springs in the opposite
Highway One Series[1] Midnight Wine, Flat Black,
direction. Once in the floating position, players
White Blonde, 3-Color Sunburst, Daphne Blue, Honey
could move the tremolo arm mounted on the
Blonde
bridge up or down to modulate the pitch of the
notes being played. Some players, such as Eric
Road Worn Series: 50s - 2-Color Sunburst, Black 60s
- 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White
Clapton, who dislike the tuning instability of
floating bridge Stratocasters, 'block' the tremolo
Other colors may be available
bridge by wedging a piece of wood between the
bridge block and the inside cutout of the tremolo
cavity and increasing the tension on the tremolo
springs. These procedures lock the bridge in a fixed position. Some Strats have a fixed bridge in place of
the tremolo assembly; these are colloquially called "hard-tails."
The Stratocaster features three single coil pickups, with the output originally selected by a 3-way switch.
Guitarists soon discovered that by jamming the switch in between the 1st and 2nd position, both the
bridge and middle pickups could be selected, and similarly, the middle and neck pickups could be
selected between the 2nd and 3rd position.[6] This trick became widespread and Fender responded with
the 5-way pickup selector (a standard feature since 1977), which allowed these tonal combinations and
provided better switching stability.
The "quacky" tone of the middle and bridge pickups, popularized by players such as David Gilmour,
Rory Gallagher, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan, Scott Thurston, Eric Clapton and Robert Cray, can be
obtained by using the pickup selector into positions 2 and 4. The neck and middle pickups are each
wired to a tone control that incorporates a single, shared tone capacitor, whereas the bridge pickup,
which is slanted towards the high strings for a more trebly sound, has no tone control for maximum
brightness. On many modern Stratocasters, the first tone affects the neck pickup; the second tone affects
the middle and bridge pickups; on some Artist Series models (Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy signature
guitars), the first tone is a presence circuit that cuts or boosts treble and bass frequencies, affecting all
the pickups; the second tone is an active midrange booster that boosts the midrange frequencies up to
25dB (12dB on certain models) to produce a fatter humbucker-like sound.
The volume level on all three pickups is controlled by a single volume knob. The placement of the
knobs allows for relatively easy manipulation of the sound with the right hand while playing.
The three pickups were originally identical in their construction. With the rising popularity of using
pickups in combination, Fender introduced a new feature in 1977 coinciding with the standard 5position switch; a reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup. As the description implies, the
magnetic polarity of this pickup is opposite the other two, as is the direction of the wire winding around
the bobbin. This provides a hum-canceling effect (removing hum induced by poorly shielded, medium to
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high output AC devices) in positions 2 and 4 on the selector switch. This principle had been known for
many years beforehand, being applied in the form of Gibson's humbucking pickup and Fender's own
split-coil pickup used on the Precision Bass. Today, virtually all Fender instruments with more than one
single-coil pickup (most notably the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazz Bass) are wired in such a manner
as to provide a hum-canceling combination of pickups.
At one point, Fender switched to producing guitars with the bridge pickup, located farthest from the
highest-amplitude portion of the vibrating strings, slightly "over-wound", thus increasing the signal
output from that pickup. Even more overwound pickups ("hot-wired" designs) became popular, either
for all three pickups (a "hot" configuration), or for the bridge position only (so-called "Texas Hot" due
to its popularity among Southern Rock guitarists).
The Stratocaster is noted for its bright, clean and 'twangy'
sounds. The neck pickup has a mellower, fuller and louder sound
compared to the brighter and sharper tone of the bridge pickup.
The middle pickup provides a sound somewhere between the
two.
Buddy Holly playing his Stratocaster
on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1958
Buddy Holly was one of the pioneers of the Stratocaster and used
the instrument on virtually all of his songs with the Crickets.
During the recording of "Peggy Sue", rhythm guitarist Niki
Sullivan was not needed for the song, and instead stood next to
Holly, and flipped the selector switch of Holly's guitar from the
neck pickup to the bridge pickup for the guitar solo.
From 1959 to 1967, the Stratocaster was made with a rosewood
fretboard as standard, as well as color choices other than sunburst, including a variety of colorful carlike paint jobs that appealed to the nascent surfer and hot-rod culture, pioneered by such bands as the
Surfaris, the Ventures and the Beach Boys. Fender would paint any guitar from the DuPont car color
range for 5% over purchase price. Dick Dale is a prominent Stratocaster player who also collaborated
with Leo Fender in developing the Fender Showman amplifier. In the early 1960s, the instrument was
also championed by Hank Marvin—guitarist for the Shadows, a band that originally backed Cliff
Richard and then produced instrumentals of its own. So distinctive was Hank Marvin's sound that many
musicians, including the Beatles, initially deliberately avoided the Stratocaster[citation needed]. However, in
1965, George Harrison and John Lennon of the Beatles both acquired Stratocasters and used them for
Help!, Rubber Soul and later recording sessions; the double unison guitar solo on "Nowhere Man" is
played by Harrison and Lennon on their new Stratocasters.[7][8][9][10]
The one-piece maple neck was discontinued in 1958. From 1958 until
summer 1964 the fingerboard was a piece of rosewood milled flat on the
underside and glued to the maple. This has become known as a "slab
fingerboard". The slab fingerboard was approx 4.8 mm at its thickest
point in the centre of the neck under strings 3 and 4. From mid 1964
until 1979 the rosewood and maple were pre radiused and the
fingerboard became known as curved, round laminate or "veneer",
having an even thickness across the neck unlike the previous slab type.
This design change was made because Fender encountered problems
with some of the necks twisting with the slab design and this new
method of construction reduced this problem significantly. Maple
fingerboards were available as a special order only. The following year
the pickguard design changed to a 3-ply (4-ply on some colors) "multi-
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layer" with 11 screw holes. After purchasing Fender in 1965, CBS began
Eric Clapton plays his
to offer both a maple neck with a separate glued-on laminated maple
signature model at the
fretboard in 1967 (known as a "maple cap" neck) and the rosewood
Tsunami Relief concert,
fretboard over maple neck remaining the other neck option. Two years
January 22, 2005
later, the CBS-owned Fender companies re-introduced the 1-piece maple
neck after a 10-year absence. The primary reason for the switch to
rosewood in 1959 was that Gibson guitars had rosewood fingerboards and customers wanted this and
that the maple fingerboards discolored very quickly because the old nitro cellulose lacquer was not very
durable and wore through on the fretboard very fast. Since the introduction of the Fender Stratocaster
Ultra series in 1989, ebony was officially selected as a fretboard material on some models (although
several Elite Series Stratocasters manufactured in 1983/84 such as the Gold and Walnut were available
with a stained ebony fretboard). In December 1965 the Stratocaster was given a broader headstock with
altered decals to match the size of the Jazzmaster and Fender Jaguar
CBS buys Fender and player modifications
Many artists discovered that the 3-way pickup selector could be
lodged in between settings (often using objects such as
matchsticks or toothpicks to wedge it in position) for further
tonal variety, resulting in a unique sound when two pickups are
combined. Jimi Hendrix would also move the switch across the
settings while sustaining a note, creating a characteristic 'wobbly'
sound, similar to that created by the wah-wah pedal. Since 1977,
the Stratocaster has been fitted with a 5-way switch to make such
switching more stable. This switch is the same electrically as the
original 3-way, but with extra detents for the in-between settings.
Other subtle changes were also made to the guitars over the
years, but the basic shape and features of the Strat have remained
unchanged. In the 1970s and 1980s, some guitarists began
modifying their Stratocasters with humbucking pickups,
especially in the bridge position, to create what became known
as a Fat Strat. This was intended to provide a thicker tone
preferred in the heavier styles of hard rock and heavy metal. The
popularity of this modification grew and eventually, Fender
began manufacturing models with a bridge humbucker option
(HSS), denoted and separated from the original triple single coil
A wine red 1979 Stratocaster Leftby the title of "Fat Strat", as a reference to the humbucker's
Handed.
distinct sound, as well as models with dual humbuckers (HH),
better known as "Double Fat Strats". Fender also started making
Stratocaster pickguards specially designed for guitar bodies routed for HSH (humbucker-singlehumbucker) and HHH (humbucker-humbucker-humbucker) pickup configurations.
Since 1998, many high-end US-made Fender Stratocasters such as the American Deluxe, American,
Hot Rodded American, American Special and American Standard series came with an HSH pickup
rout instead of a "swimming pool" (or "bath tub") cavity to increase the total amount of wood that
actually can resonate, producing a more complex tone. The HSH rout allows players to modify their
pickups to the most often seen after-market configurations without re-routing or cutting into their
guitar's body, while maintaining more wood than a "swimming pool" rout.
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Players perceived a loss of the initial high quality of Fender guitars after the company was taken over by
CBS in 1965. As a result, the late-'60s Stratocasters with the large "CBS" headstock and (from the mid
70s) the 3-bolt necked models (instead of the conventional 4 bolts) with the "Bullet" truss-rod and the
MicroTilt adjustment system fell out of fashion. However, many blues-influenced artists of the late '60s
soon adopted the Stratocaster as their main instrument, reviving the guitar's popularity. Also, so-called
'pre-CBS' Stratocasters are, accordingly, quite sought-after and expensive due to the perceived
difference in quality even compared with contemporary post-CBS models. In recent times, some
Stratocasters manufactured from 1954 to 1958 have sold for more than US$175,000.
After a peak in the 1970s, driven by the use of several high profile players, another lull occurred in the
early 1980s. During that time, CBS-Fender cut costs by deleting features from the standard Stratocaster
line, despite a blues revival that featured Strat players such as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert
Cray and Buddy Guy in their choice of the Stratocaster as a primary blues-rock guitar.[citation needed]
Yngwie Malmsteen is known for playing a Stratocaster in the Neo-Classical genre.
1982/3 Dan Smith Fender Stratocaster
In 1981 Fender-CBS hired William Schultz, John McLaren, and Dan Smith away from the U.S. division
of Yamaha. Schultz became the president of Fender-CBS, McLaren the managing director while Smith
was appointed the director of marketing for Fender electric guitars. In a drive to rejuvenate the quality
control and Fender's market position, Dan Smith oversaw an upgrading of the basic production model
Stratocaster and by late 1981 the new production model was unveiled as the 1982 Stratocaster. It
featured a pre-CBS smaller headstock (compared to the 1980 "Strat"), a four bolt neck plate, an
overwound X-1 pickup (introduced on the 1980 "Strat" model) in the bridge position and a body end
truss-rod adjustment without the Bullet nut. These are known today as "Dan Smith" Stratocasters and
prized by collectors for the attempted, albeit brief, return to pre-CBS stylings.
The following year the Standard model received a short-lived redesign seeking to reduce production
costs and price on American Stratocasters. This revised version lacked a second tone control, a newly
designed Freeflyte vibrato system, and a bare-bones output jack. A reshaped ‘Comfort Contour’ body
with deeper forearm and waist contours similar to an early 1960s model was introduced. What it did
retain was the 70s-style headstock decal. The 1982/83 version of the Standard Stratocaster has little in
common with the Dan Smith guitar, apart from the period in which they were sold, but is sometimes
informally (and controversially) presented as a "Dan Smith-era" or "Redesign" guitar. After the Standard
Stratocaster was discontinued in 1984, Fender Japan produced a 22-fret version with a flat 9.5" radius
and medium-jumbo fretwire until 1986.[11]
Squier models (1982–today)
Main article: Squier
After Fender's decision in 1982 to switch Squier's production from strings to guitars, the Stratocaster
was one of the first models put under the Squier production line in Japan. It was the most commercially
successful guitar Fender had produced. Originally in 1982, the headstock had a "Fender" name written in
large script, followed by "Squier series" in smaller script. In 1983, this was later changed to the current
'70s large headstock featuring "Squier" in larger script, followed by "by Fender" in smaller script. Since
then, there have been several variations of headstock size and Squier logos, typically based on what
series the guitar is.
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In 2002, for the 20th anniversary of the Squier line of Stratocaster guitars, that year's model was offered
in a limited-edition green finish, as well as a "Freedom of Expression Since 1982" engraved neck bolt
cover.
In 2008 Squier released its Classic Vibe series. A series of electric guitars and basses mirroring classic
Fender designs of the 50's and 60's. Each roughly reflecting the hardware, woods, color variations,
finishes, body contours, and tonal characteristics of their respective era; although Squier state that the
series was not created to be completely era correct, but rather impart the 'vibe' of a classic Fender
design. Believed to be Squier's attempt at bringing back the vintage-quality feel, look, and sound of their
first series of guitars in 1982.
Fender 1985–1998
When the Fender company was bought from CBS by Bill Schultz in 1985, manufacturing resumed its
former high quality and Fender was able to regain market share and brand reputation. This sparked a rise
in mainstream popularity for vintage (and vintage-style) instruments. Dan Smith, with the help of John
Page, proceeded to work on a reissue of the most popular guitars of Leo Fender's era. They decided to
manufacture two Vintage reissue Stratocaster models, a maple-fretboard 1957 and a rosewood-fretboard
1962 along with the maple-fretboard 1952 Telecaster, the maple-fretboard 1957 and rosewood-fretboard
1962 Precision Basses, as well as the rosewood-fretboard "stacked knob" 1962 Jazz Bass. This project
was very important and critical to the company's survival. These first few years (1982–1984) of reissues,
known as American Vintage Reissues, are now high-priced collector's items and considered as some of
the finest to ever leave Fender's Fullerton plant, which closed its doors in late 1984.
In 1985, Fender's US production of the Vintage reissues resumed into a new factory at Corona, located
about 20 miles away from Fullerton. Some early reissues from 1986 were crafted with left over parts
from the Fullerton factory. These three guitars form an important part of the American Vintage Series
line since July 10, 1998.
Current models
As of 2007, Fender offers a wide line of Stratocasters alongside vintage reissues, as well as maintaining
a "Custom Shop" service that builds guitars to order. Those who wish period-accurate replicas can
request Stratocasters with original cloth-coated wiring, pickup and electronics designs, wood routing
patterns, and even artificial aging and oxidizing of components using the Custom Shop "relic" process.
American Deluxe Series
Main article: Fender American Deluxe Series
The American Deluxe Series Stratocasters came with a variety of high-end options such as a Fender DH
-1 humbucker in the bridge position and an American 2-point locking vibrato bridge (Fender/Floyd Rose
assembly) with LSR Roller Nut, locking tuners on certain models and Samarium Cobalt Noiseless
pickups with S-1 switching. Guitars produced before 2004 featured Vintage Noiseless pickups and 4bolt neck fixing. The contoured neck heel feature on these Stratocasters was added in 2002. The
American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS (also known as American Deluxe Fat Strat) is the same guitar except
for the addition of a Fender DH-1 humbucker in the bridge position and two Hot SCN pickups for a
proper balance with the humbucking pickup. The American Deluxe Strat HSS LT had the same
specifications as the Stratocaster HSS, with an additional feature; the strings lock into the bridge, LSR
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roller nut and locking machine heads. Introduced in 1998 and
upgraded in 2004, the American Deluxe Strat HSS LT has been
discontinued as of 2007. As of March 23, 2010, Fender updated
the American Deluxe series with N3 noiseless pickups for
improved Stratocaster tones. The S-1 switch has been
reconfigured for wider tonal options and the necks now feature a
vintage tint and compound radius fretboards for increased
comfort while chording and soloing. The HSS models also sport
Fender's "Passing Lane" switch, which routes the signal from any
pickup position to the bridge position with the tone circuit
bypassed.
American Standard Series
American Series Stratocasters came with alder or ash bodies,
rolled fingerboard edges, three custom "modern" staggered
single-coils and the DeltaTone system (which includes a high
output bridge pickup and a reverse-wound single-coil in the
middle position). Hardtail versions were discontinued in 2007.
New for 2003 was the American Strat HSS, which features a
Diamondback humbucker (bridge), two Tex-Mex single-coils
(neck/middle) and S-1 switching. An HH model with dual
Sidewinder/Black Cobra humbuckers was offered until 2007.
A 2004 maple fretboard Mexican
Standard Stratocaster next to a Vox
amplifier.
As of 2008, the American Standard Stratocasters (which are updates to the American Series line) come
with hand-rolled fingerboard edges, alnico V pickups, staggered tuners, improved bridge with bent steel
saddles and copper-infused high-mass block for increased resonance and sustain, tinted neck, high-gloss
maple or rosewood fretboard, satin neck back for smooth playability, thin-finish undercoat that lets the
body breathe and improves resonance, and Fender exclusive SKB molded case. Fender offered a 2009
Limited Edition American Standard Stratocaster featuring a matching headstock, a rosewood fretboard
with 22 jumbo frets and a melamine nut (available in Surf Green, Fiesta Red and Daphne Blue).
Highway One Series
The Highway-1 series, originally introduced in 2002 and re-designed in 2006, are made in the U.S. and
incorporate a hybrid of hardware; the tuners and string trees are similar in design and quality to those on
American Series instruments, while the bridge hardware is largely similar to the Standard Series. The
body finish is a thin satin-finish nitrocellulose as opposed to the thick polyurethane coating used on both
Standard and American series models. This coating provides a very vintage look, as nitrocellulose was
the standard lacquer finish for vintage Strats. Highway 1 Strats use hotter Alnico III pickup polepieces
similar to those on American Series guitars, giving a very bright sound compared to cheaper "ceramic"
polepiece elements, and also feature a tone circuit called the Greasebucket, first seen on the Custom Pro
series guitars; functionally similar to a traditional tone control, it provides a more natural roll-off of high
frequencies, without the bass frequencies becoming more present as can occur with traditional tone
circuits. The first two years of Highway 1 instruments resembled "pre-CBS"-era instruments with the
traditional headstock design, small frets and vintage color choices. Beginning in 2006, the line was
redesigned to resemble 70's-era instruments with a large headstock, bigger frets, CBS-era color schemes
and other visual cues. Fender discontinued the series in 2011.
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American Special Series
The American Special series, new for 2010, sports many of the features
found on the Highway-1 and American Standard Series guitars.
Features include a solid alder body finished in a gloss urethane, 9.5"radius maple necks with 22 jumbo frets, CBS large headstock with
black Fender decals and three Texas Special pickups with 5-way
switching and Fender's Greasebucket tone circuit. The HSS models
feature a rosewood fingerboard, a 3-ply black pickguard and an Atomic
humbucker pickup in the bridge position.
Highway 1 Stratocaster
The American Special Series included Stratocasters with features that
span the bridge between traditional and modern technology, either in
specifications, design or both. Fender American Special series models
were made in Corona, California (USA). The Floyd Rose Classic
Stratocasters (made from 1992 to 2003) featured an original Floyd Rose
locking tremolo bridge. They came in HSS (Fender DH-1 humbucker
and 2 DeltaTone single-coils) and HH (dual Fender DH-1 humbuckers)
configurations. Models manufactured before 1998 had DiMarzio PAF
Pro humbucking pickups. The range also included the Honduran
mahogany-bodied Strat-O-Sonic guitars with the choice of Black Dove
P-90 soap-bars and Atomic II humbuckers, which lasted until 2007.
Vintage Hot Rod Series
The Vintage Hot-Rod Series feature authentic '50s and early '60s designs paired with some hot-rod
modifications, including flatter fretboards and larger frets to increase the playability of necks and
modern pickups.
Road Worn Series
The Road Worn series includes a '60s Stratocaster (with rosewood fretboard and C-Shape neck) and a
'50s Stratocaster (with maple fretboard and Soft-V neck), Tex-Mex pickups, Alder body, nitrocellulose
lacquer, and 6105 frets. These guitars are deliberately aged to produce the "road worn" look of a vintage
Stratocaster. In 2011 the Roadworn Player series was introduced, and it includes two Stratocaster
models sporting 3 Texas Special single-coils or 2 Texas Special single-coils (neck/middle) and a
Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbucking pickup (bridge).
Blacktop Series
In September 2010 Fender introduced the Mexican-made Black Top Stratocaster HH. This twinhumbucker model sports a pair of hot vintage alnico humbucking pickups with chrome covers, a 9.5"radius maple neck with either rosewood or maple fingerboard and 22 medium-jumbo frets. Other
features include a solid alder body with a gloss polyester finish, black skirted amp control knobs and
chrome hardware. This guitar is also available with a Floyd Rose Special locking tremolo since 2011.
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Pawn Shop Series
In March 2011 Fender released the Fender Pawn Shop Series guitars, which were manufactured with
components and the appearance of instruments that might be found in a typical pawn shop in the 60's or
70's. Three models were released, two of which were Stratocaster based. The Fender '51 features a Strat
body and a "C"-shaped Telecaster neck, with a single-coil Texas Special neck pickup, Fender Enforcer
humbucking bridge pickup, maple fretboard, a 1970's-style hard-tail bridge, and a white pick guard. The
Fender '72 has a semi-hollow Strat body with an f-hole, a Telecaster style neck, two humbucking
pickups, and dual-knob chrome control plate with master volume and pickup blend.
Recently Discontinued
VG Stratocaster
The VG Stratocaster (designed by Fender and Japanese synthesizer giant Roland) is an American Series
virtual modeling guitar with a Roland VG pickup and two extra knobs for Tuning and Mode control.
The tuning knob allows the player to switch between standard, Drop D, D Modal, open G, baritone, and
twelve-string tunings. The Mode control knob allows the player to choose between Stratocaster,
Telecaster, humbucking pickup, and acoustic guitar sounds.[12] The VG Stratocaster was introduced in
2007 where it won "Best In Show" at the NAMM show; Fender discontinued this model as of April 1,
2009.[citation needed]
Signature models
Fender also supply a variety of signature models, each with specifications similar to those used by a well
-known performer. Custom Artist guitars are the Custom Shop versions of the Artist Series line, which
significantly differ from the standard production models in terms of quality and construction, making
these instruments much more expensive. As well as the other Custom Shop instruments, the Custom
Artist guitars are available either as Team Built or Master Built items, some being exact replications of
the specific artist's original instrument, better known as "Tribute" series (featuring various degrees of
"relicing", such as Closet Classic, New Old Stock, Relic and Super Relic treatments, depending the
model). Artists with models available in the signature range include:
Ŷ Jeff Beck: select alder body with a thinner C-shaped maple neck, contoured neck heel,
rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets, three dual-coil Ceramic Vintage Noiseless
pickups with 5-way switching, LSR Roller Nut, Schaller locking tuners and an American 2point synchronized tremolo with stainless steel saddles. Available in Olympic White and Surf
Green finishes (Artist Series, Custom Artist), as well as a "Custom Thinskin Nitro" version
with a "Thinskin" nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
Ŷ Ritchie Blackmore: a variety of versions, each with a 22-fret neck, CBS large headstock with
'70s-style decals and two Gold Fender Lace Sensors; some variants have the neck set into the
body rather than bolted on and a Roland GK2A synth pickup. Reintroduced in 2009 with a 21fret maple neck, graduated scalloped rosewood fingerboard, Bullet truss rod nut with 3-bolt
neck plate and Micro-Tilt neck adjustment, flush-mounted Jim Dunlop locking strap buttons
and two Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Flat single-coil pickups (the middle pickup is
omitted, but the pickup hole for the middle pickup is still present).[13]
Ŷ Eric Clapton: select alder body with a special soft V-shaped maple neck/fretboard, 22 vintagestyle frets, three Vintage Noiseless pickups, 25dB active mid-boost circuit and a "blocked"
original vintage synchronized tremolo. Available in olympic white, pewter, candy green,
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torino red (Artist Series), Antigua burst, gold leaf, EC grey, daphne blue, graffiti canvas,
mercedes blue, black and midnight blue (Custom Artist), as well in olympic white, torino red
and pewter with a "Thinskin" nitrocellulose lacquer finish (Custom Thinskin Nitro).
Billy Corgan: Available in Olympic White or Black satin nitro finishes with a hardtail, string
through body bridge. Other unique features include a large '70s-style headstock, alder body,
and three DiMarzio humbucking pickups (BC-1, Chopper and BC-2 models), two of which
are signature Billy Corgan models wound specifically for this instrument.
Dick Dale: white pickguard with a rosewood fretboard. The whammy bar is optional.
Tom Delonge: Single humbucking Strat with pearloid pickguard, a Seymour Duncan Invader
humbucking pickup, single volume, hardtail bridge and a maple neck with a 21-fret rosewood
fingerboard and a CBS large headstock.
David Gilmour: Two models of Gilmour's famous "black Strat" are available from the Fender
Custom Shop: One is an American '69 Strat body with an '83 remake C-shaped '57 RI maple
neck (labeled as New old stock) with electronic and cosmetic modifications. The other is
a"relic" style guitar that replicates the "black Strat" down to every scratch and dent. The relic
version has two completely different coats of paint, just like the original.[14]
Buddy Guy: ash body with a V-shaped maple neck featuring a 22-fret fretboard, three Lace
Sensor "Gold" single-coil pickups and a 25dB active midrange boost circuit (USA,
discontinued as of 2010), alder body with a V-shaped maple neck featuring a 21-fret fretboard
and three standard alnico single-coil pickups (Mexico). Available in a variety of finishes,
including black with white polka dots (Mexican Artist Standard), 2-color sunburst and honey
blonde transparent (USA Artist).
Jimi Hendrix: Left-handed vintage white body with a reverse headstock oval profile maplecap neck. The controls and electrics are vintage-modern to ensure stability. The guitar is
strung upside down with the strap button on the lower horn, the backwards 68 thick black
CBS headstock decal also ensures that you will appear as Jimi in front of a mirror, projecting
the image back into your eyes the "right" way round. As well as this upside-down lefty Strat
for right-handed players, Fender also made four exact copies of the Vintage white Stratocaster
he used in many performances, the most famous being Woodstock (1969). They dismantled
the original to make as close a copy as possible, every little detail perfect. Although only one
of these guitars is owned by a public person, the other three are owned by Fender, The
Danneman Family and The Hendrix Estate. Fender also made a VoodooCaster, which has a
right-handed body with a reverse headstock and reverse staggered-pole bridge pickup for the
same effect without knocking your arm on upside down controls.
Eric Johnson: highly contoured two-piece select alder body finished in a "Thinskin Nitro"
lacquer, one-piece quarter-sawn maple neck with a V-shaped profile, 12" fingerboard radius
and 21 polished frets, Fender/Gotoh staggered vintage-style machine heads eliminating the
need for a string tree and three special-design custom-wound single-coil pickups with
countersunk mounting screws. Other features include a parchment '57-style pickguard, fivespring vintage tremolo, silver-painted block and '57-style string recess with no paint between
the base plate and the block. Colors include White Blonde, 2-Color Sunburst, Black and
Candy Apple Red. Also available as a rosewood neck version with a bound round-laminated
12"-radius rosewood fretboard, a three-ply parchment pickguard, staggered vintage-style
tuners, a custom tremolo block and four brand-new finish options (including Dakota Red),
three of which (Lucerne Aqua Firemist, Tropical Turquoise and Medium Palomino Metallic)
are exclusive to this model.
Mark Knopfler: 57-style ash body with 62-style C-shaped maple neck, rosewood fretboard
and 21 medium-jumbo frets, gold "transitional" headstock decals and three Fender "Texas
Special" single-coil pickups with 5-way switching. Introduced in 2002.[15]
Yngwie Malmsteen: select alder body with a C-shaped maple neck, scalloped rosewood or
maple fingerboard, 21 super-sized Jim Dunlop 6000 frets, large headstock with Bullet truss-
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rod and brass nut, Seymour Duncan YJM Fury single-coil pickups with 3-way switching, 3ply W/B/W pickguard, aged plastic parts and American Vintage hardware.
John Mayer: features a select alder body, a thick C-shape maple neck with African rosewood
fingerboard and 21 Jim Dunlop 6105 narrow-jumbo frets, American Vintage hardware and a
trio of "Big Dipper" single-coils with a special "Scooped" midrange voicing and 5-way pickup
switching. Available in a variety of finishes, including black with 3-ply mint green pickguard
and gold hardware, 3-tone sunburst and olympic white with brown shell pickguard and as a
limited-edition version with a cypress mica finish, white vintage amp knobs and a 3-ply
parchment pickguard. In 2010, Fender also released a limited 500 run of John's personal
BLACK1 strat.
Dave Murray: select alder body with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, flat soft V-shaped maple
neck with satin back, 21 medium-jumbo frets, American Vintage hardware and a
humbucker/single-coil/humbucker configuration - DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (bridge),
American Vintage '57/'62 (middle), DiMarzio PAF DP103 (neck) - with 3-way switching.
Other features include chrome pickup bezels, synthetic bone nut and aged white plastic parts
with black switch tip. Available in Black only and as a Japanese "Tribute" version with an
original Floyd Rose locking vibrato system, dual DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100
humbucking pickups (Neck/Bridge) with a Fender Texas Special single-coil pickup (Middle),
3-way switching and an oval neck profile.
Bonnie Raitt: features an alder body, a narrow C-shape maple neck with a late 1960's large
headstock, rosewood fretboard, 9.5" radius and 22 medium jumbo frets. Other refinements
included a 3-ply white shell pickguard, three Texas Special single-coils with 5-way switching
and American Vintage hardware. Available in 3-colour sunburst and desert sunset.
Discontinued in 2000.
Jim Root: Featuring mahogany body, maple Modern C shaped neck, ebony fretboard in Flat
Black finish, maple in Flat White, 22 Jumbo frets, EMG pickups, EMG 81 in bridge position,
EMG 60 in neck position, strings-through-body hardtail bridge, locking tuners, 3-way switch,
single volume knob and large headstock.[16]
Richie Sambora: features an alder body, a 22-fret neck with maple fingerboard, mother of
pearl "star" fingerboard inlays, Floyd Rose "Original" locking tremolo, 25dB active mid-boost
circuit with active/passive switch, two Fender Texas Special single-coil pickups (neck/middle)
and a DiMarzio PAF Pro humbucker in the bridge position. Updated in 1999 with American
Vintage hardware, dual-coil Ceramic Noiseless pickups and a 12dB active mid-boost preamp
with "no-load" tone circuit and bypass switch. Also available as a "standard" version with a
poplar body, rosewood fingerboard with 21 medium-jumbo frets, DiMarzio PAF Pro
humbucker with two standard alnico single-coils and a Floyd Rose II locking tremolo.
Discontinued in 2002.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd: based on Shepherd's own '61 Stratocaster, it features an alder body,
maple neck and rosewood fretboard as well as custom-voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd
pickups. Comes in 3-tone sunburst, white with a cross graphic, or black with a racing stripe
graphic.
Eddie Van Halen: Van Halen's "Frankenstrat" has been issued as a special issue.
Stevie Ray Vaughan: a reproduction of "Number One", Vaughan's favorite guitar. First
offered in 1992, has a black pickguard with Vaughan's initials, three Fender Texas Special
pickups, and a pau ferro fretboard.[17]
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In popular culture
Fender has licensed the appearance of the Squier Stratocaster to Electronic Arts for a replica guitar
controller for EA and Harmonix's Rock Band rhythm video game. A real Squier Stratocaster, retrofitted
with controller electronics, is available as a "Pro Guitar" controller for Rock Band 3.
Notable Stratocaster players
Main article: List of Stratocaster players
See also
Ŷ Superstrat
Ŷ Fender VG Stratocaster
Ŷ Squier Stratocaster
References
1. ^ a b c d e f Stratocaster (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?section=guitars&cat=stratocaster) ,
Fender.com. Retrieved August 2011
2. ^ D'arcy, David (November 12, 2000). "ART/ARCHITECTURE; Strummed by One Hand, Sculptured by
Another" (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?
res=9405E2DD1139F931A25752C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all) . The New York Times.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?
res=9405E2DD1139F931A25752C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
3. ^ The Fender Stratocaster: History and Overview
(http://www.samash.com/opencms/opencms/samash/buyers-guides/fender-stratocaster-history.html/) Sam
Ash Resource Center
4. ^ Balmer 21.
5. ^ Balmer 20.
6. ^ Balmer 23.
7. ^ Balmer 154.
8. ^ Babiuk, Andy (2002). Beatles gear (http://books.google.com/books?id=zQ-5ZpoMn1AC&pg=PA157) .
Hal Leonard. p. 157. ISBN 9780879307318. http://books.google.com/books?id=zQ5ZpoMn1AC&pg=PA157.
9. ^ Bacon 84.
10. ^ Riley, Tim (2002). Tell me why: a Beatles commentary (http://books.google.com/books?
id=lHvx9QnnorYC&pg=PA413) . Basic Books. p. 413. ISBN 9780306811203.
http://books.google.com/books?id=lHvx9QnnorYC&pg=PA413.
11. ^ Duchossoir, A. R., The Fender Stratocaster (http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/a-r+duchossoir/the+fender+stratocaster/4901813/) , January 2008, Hal Leonard Corporation, ISBN
9780793547357
12. ^ [1] (http://www.fender.com/vgstrat/home.html)
13. ^ "Fender Products: Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster" (http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?
partno=0139010305) . Fender.com. 2010-01-22. http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?
partno=0139010305. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
14. ^ "The David Gilmour Signature Series Stratocaster : By The Fender Custom
Shop" (http://www.fender.com/features/gilmour/) . Fender.com. http://www.fender.com/features/gilmour/.
Retrieved 2010-07-29.
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15. ^ "Fender Products: Mark Knopfler Stratocaster" (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?
partno=0117800815) . Fender.com. 2010-01-22. http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?
partno=0117800815. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
16. ^ "Fender Products: Jim Root Stratocaster" (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?
partno=0114545706) . Fender.com. 2010-01-22. http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?
partno=0114545706. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
17. ^ "Fender Products: Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster" (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?
partno=0109200800) . Fender.com. http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0109200800.
Retrieved 2010-11-30.
Sources
Ŷ Balmer, Paul (2007). The Fender Stratocaster Handbook: How to Buy, Maintain, Set Up,
Troubleshoot, and Modify Your Strat (http://books.google.com/books?id=EiySv-2E8tUC) .
MBI. ISBN 9780760329832. http://books.google.com/books?id=EiySv-2E8tUC.
Ŷ Bacon, Tony. The Fender Electric Guitar Book: A Complete History of Fender Instruments.
3rd edition. Backbeat Books, 2007. ISBN 978 0879308971.
Ŷ Kelly, Martin, Foster, Terry & Kelly, Paul. Fender: The Golden Age 1946-1970 London &
New York: Cassell, 2010. ISBN 1-844-03666-9.
Ŷ Wheeler, Tom. The Stratocaster Chronicles: Celebrating 50 Years of the Fender Strat. Hal
Leonard, 2004. ISBN 978-0-634-05678-9.
Ŷ U.S. Patent No. 2,741,146 (http://www.google.com/patents?
id=jPdmAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepa
(Tremolo device for stringed instruments; Stratocaster Tremolo system)
Ŷ U.S. Patent No. 2,960,900 (http://www.google.com/patents?
id=Up1UAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onep
(Utility patent for offset body styled guitars (Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster))
Ŷ U.S. Patent No. D186826 (http://www.google.com/patents?id=xZxAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=
(Design Patent for Fender Jazzmaster)
External links
Ŷ Fender (http://www.fender.com/) official website
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fender_Stratocaster&oldid=461938658"
Categories:
Fender electric guitars Industrial designs 1954 introductions
Ŷ This page was last modified on 22 November 2011 at 14:02.
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