5 Famous Myths of the Fender Stratocaster debunked!

Since its inception in 1954, The Fender Stratocaster has been described as The Perfect Electric Guitar. Its virtues are well documented, not least on these very pages, but does the image always live up to reality? Let’s look at my top 5 Fender Stratocaster myths…

Fender Stratocaster Myths #1: It’s the easiest guitar to modify

Myth: The Fender Stratocaster was designed from the ground up to be the easiest guitar to modify.

Reality: Getting at the electrics requires the removal of all scratchplate screws and a slackening of the strings, which is a pain. A Gibson Les Paul, for example, is much easier, with dedicated control plates, fewer screws, and no need to touch the strings. True, it’s always going to be easier removing a bolt-on neck, but how many times will you do that?

Fender Stratocaster Myths #2: It’s the most versatile guitar ever made.

Myth: With its 3 single coils, in-between sounds, and tremolo, the Fender Stratocaster can cover more sonic ground than any other guitar.

Reality: The Strat has only 5 core sounds. That falls way short of something like the Brian May Red Special and even lags behind a coil-tapped Les Paul.

Of course, it’s not all just about pickup configurations, but In its purest, unmodified form, the Strat. with its low output electrics, also has a harder time with gain (Hendrix being the exception to the rule).

Fender Stratocaster Myths #3: It’s the most ergonomic and well-designed guitar ever made.

Myth: With its contoured body, easily accessible controls, and straight string pull, the Fender Stratocaster’s design and ergonomics are unmatched.

Reality: …. Apart from that ugly and intrusive 4-bolt heel which has been improved since by other manufacturers. But it’s not just high fret access that is compromised on a strat, some hate the location of the volume knob and switch, it just gets in the way.

There is no doubt that the Fender Stratocaster is an inspired design way ahead of its time, but there are still a few problem areas that have never been addressed by Fender outside of their more exotic instruments.

Fender Stratocaster Myths #4: It’s the easiest guitar to play.

Myth: With its ubiquitous 9.5-inch radius, medium C-shaped neck, together with the above design and ergonomics, the Fender Stratocaster has always been easier to play than any other guitar.

Reality: Lower string tension (with a shorter scale length), lower action due to a flatter radius, and much better upper fret access can all be enjoyed elsewhere, from Gibson (still a bit cramped up high), via PRS, and all the way through to Ibanez and their SuperStrat variants.

Fender Stratocaster Myths #5: It has legendary robustness and tuning stability.

Myth: The Fender Stratocaster is unbreakable and has rock-solid tuning.

Reality: By design, the Fender Stratocaster will never stay in tune while bending and with a floating bridge setup, and snapping a string in this scenario is a nightmare I never want to experience again. From a toughness point of view, yes it’s tough but not as tough as something a lot simpler with fewer moving parts (ie. a Telecaster).

What’s your take? Myth or Reality? Drop me a comment below…