Full Answer
Who designed the Fender Stratocaster’s headstock?
Dan Smith’s arrival at Fender in 1981 signaled the start of his two decades as Fender’s chief guitar designer, and he knew right away that the Strat’s small headstock was off the mark. In an interview mentioned in The Stratocaster Chronicles, he called it “that misguided smaller headstock.” “I don’t know where they got that shape,” he said.
Do all Fender guitars have the same headstock?
It’s worth noting here that CBS standardized the headstocks of all Fender guitars except the Telecaster using the larger Strat-style design in 1966, so that the Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Mustang and Duo-Sonic guitars all had the same headstock, whereas they all had slightly different ones before 1966.
Why do all Fender guitars have string trees?
The added pressure also means you'll get more sustain when the string is played open. All guitars don’t need string trees. Guitars without string retainers feature headstocks that tilt backwards at an angle from the neck, creating the proper break angle to keep the strings firmly slotted. But that’s not the general Fender aesthetic.
What did Dan Smith call Fender’s small headstock?
Dan Smith’s arrival at Fender in 1981 signaled the start of his two decades as Fender’s chief guitar designer, and he knew right away that the Strat’s small headstock was off the mark. In an interview mentioned in The Stratocaster Chronicles, he called it “that misguided smaller headstock.”
What is the termination of a guitar string called?
What are the accessories that come with an electric guitar?
How does a capo work?
What is a capo nut?
How many strings can a partial capo be used on?
Does the pitch of fretted notes change?
Do capos have grooves?
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About this website
What are those fret clips called?
A capo is essentially a small device that clamps onto the neck of a guitar to shorten the length of the strings. A guitar is not the only string instrument this device can be used on. Capos can also be useful on any other fretted instruments such as mandolins, mandolas, banjos, ukuleles, and bouzoukis.
What is a guitar string clamp called?
--is the capo. Taking its name from the Italian word for "head," a capo is a small device that clamps onto the neck of a guitar and shortens the length of the strings, raising their pitch.
What is the purpose of a string retainer?
This is a metal bar that is typically placed behind a guitar's locking nut. Its function is to seat the strings over the curved surface of the nut prior to locking. In rare instances, it may also serve the same purpose as a string tree.
What is a guitar string retainer?
Maybe the problem lies at the headstock. String trees are tiny and often go unnoticed, but they play a vital role on flat, Fender-style headstocks. Also called string retainers or guides, they secure the first two (or sometimes four) strings between the nut and tuners.
Is a capo necessary?
It changes the overall tone of the guitar. The higher up the neck you go, the “lighter” the guitar will sound. You can change keys instantly simply by moving the capo up the neck. This is great for adjusting a song to suit your (or someone else's) vocal range.
What can I use instead of a capo?
If you can't find rubber bands, a good alternative is a hair band.
Are string trees necessary on Stratocaster?
All guitars don't need string trees. Guitars without string retainers feature headstocks that tilt backwards at an angle from the neck, creating the proper break angle to keep the strings firmly slotted.
Where do you put the string tree on a Stratocaster?
0:213:11How to Install a Fender String Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat holds a string tree in place. The drill is going to be in the middle of the two strings.MoreThat holds a string tree in place. The drill is going to be in the middle of the two strings.
Why do some Strats have 2 string trees?
On vintage stratocasters (and telecasters) there is only on string tree. The string tree is there to create more back-angle at the nut, because stratocaster heads are straight (unlike e.g. les pauls). Later on they made guitars with two string trees. Another one that pulled the D and G string down.
How do you put a string in a retainer bar?
3:4812:02Installing a Floyd Rose String Retainer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis way i know that i am gonna be able to gonna hit the strings when i put this. On. Actually okayMoreThis way i know that i am gonna be able to gonna hit the strings when i put this. On. Actually okay i've got one line marked really good. And i'm going to get a drill and drill a hole.
What is guitar nut?
A nut, on a stringed musical instrument, is a small piece of hard material that supports the strings at the end closest to the headstock or scroll.
How do string trees work?
The main function of string trees is to increase the strings' break angle which is the angle of an individual string going over the nut. This increased angle ensures that those strings don't break out from the nut as well as they have increased tension so they are more evenly tense along with other strings.
Beginner’s Guide To Capos (Plus 7 Reasons You NEED One!)
Unlike the trigger design above, the tension of a screw capo can be adjusted. This is done by rotating the screw to either add or remove clamping strength. This gives a big advantage as you are able to dial in the exact pressure needed to get good clean notes.. The downside to this type of capo is that they are more cumbersome to use than most of the others.
Boudicca | History, Meaning, Statue, Facts, & Death | Britannica
Boudicca, also spelled Boadicea or Boudica, (died 60 or 61 ce), ancient British queen who in 60 ce led a revolt against Roman rule. Boudicca’s husband, Prasutagus, was king of the Iceni (in what is now Norfolk) as a client under Roman suzerainty. When Prasutagus died in 60 with no male heir, he left his private wealth to his two daughters and to the emperor Nero, trusting thereby to win ...
When did the Stratocaster headstock change?
But in December 1965 , an even more significant—and visible—change was implemented. The Stratocaster’s headstock was enlarged and slightly re-shaped.
How many headstocks does a Stratocaster have?
Alone among Fender electric instruments, the Stratocaster has two different headstocks. Same shape, basically, but two sizes—the original smaller design and a larger one, which came a decade later.
What is the 70s era headstock?
Someone decided to enlarge the headstock on the Stratocaster and unintentionally ruined its visual balance.”. And that’s how it stayed for the next 15 years. Many actually refer to the larger Strat headstock as the "'70s” or "'70s-era” headstock even though it was in production for the latter half of the 1960s, too.
What guitars had the same headstock?
It’s worth noting here that CBS standardized the headstocks of all Fender guitars except the Telecaster using the larger Strat-style design in 1966, so that the Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Mustang and Duo-Sonic guitars all had the same headstock, whereas they all had slightly different ones before 1966.
What year did the Gold Stratocaster have the wrong headstock?
Also during this period, the fancy Walnut Strat and Gold Stratocaster models of summer 1981 both had the “incorrect” small headstock of The Strat.
When did the Stratocaster come out?
In its original incarnation, introduced in 1954 and largely solidified by 1957, the Stratocaster had what is referred to in the modern era as a small headstock. That design was in production through late 1965. CBS bought Fender in a deal that took effect on January 5, 1965.
When was the Stratocaster redesigned?
Smith re-designed the basic Stratocaster in late 1981. Even then, he still didn’t have the resources at his disposal to get the original small headstock design exactly right, but he got closer than any previous effort.
Who makes Fender guitar strings?
Fender, being one of the oldest names in the electric guitar market, started at a time when aftermarket and third party parts and components weren’t exactly widely available. When Leo first started mass producing the Broadcaster, he needed to make every component himself. This philosophy has prevailed with the Fender brand, and to this day everything up to and including the strings is made by Fender.
What is the Fender guitar's aim?
It’s clear that Fender’s aim with this selection is to make guitars that appeal to the biggest possible demographic, while recognizing that strings are generally a personal choice, and of course, players can, and do change to different string gauges, coatings and alloys based upon their preferences all the time.
What gauge strings are used on the American Performer?
For maximum flexibility, they are equipped with Fender’s USA made 250L Nickel Plated Steel strings in .009 to .042 gauge. Models more focused on heavy styles like metal, the Jim Root Strat, for example, ship with Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated strings in .010 to .046.
What gauge is a Fender 250L?
These guitars are designed for guitarists of all styles and ability levels, and ship with light gauge Fender USA 250L .009 to .042 strings. If you’re looking for an Artist Edition, for example, the Jimmy Page Mirror Telecaster, you’ll find that it comes equipped to the artists specifications, which in this case is Fender USA 250R .010-.046 gauge.
What gauge strings are used for telecasters?
Like the Bullet Strats, they’re targeted towards new and novice players. They are fitted with 9 gauge (.009-.042) Fender Nickel Plated Steel Strings, which are perfect for the Telecaster “twang”.
What is the standard gauge of a bullet Stratocaster?
One of the most surprising features of these guitars is that they ship with a set of Fender USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel strings. The standard gauge is .009 to .042, which is the ideal setup for new players.
What is the most famous guitar in music history?
The American made Fender Stratocaster is arguably the most iconic guitar in music history – the standard by which all other guitars are judged. USA made models are as varied as the players who purchase them, meaning hardware and consumables like strings change between the various series.
What does a flat Fender headstock do?
Sitting atop flat Fender-style headstocks, these little widgets provide the correct amount of tension where the strings break over the nut. Essentially, they increase the string’s break angle—the angle a string makes where it bends over a nut or a bridge—from the from the nut to the tuning machines and ensure that the strings won’t come unseated in the nut slot. The added pressure also means you'll get more sustain when the string is played open.
Do all guitars need a string tree?
All guitars don’t need string trees. Guitars without string retainers feature headstocks that tilt backwards at an angle from the neck, creating the proper break angle to keep the strings firmly slotted.
When did the big headstock come out on the Stratocaster?
The so called “big headstock”, which appeared on the Stratocaster in December 1965, was one of the more evident changes of the new CBS management. In general, Stratocaster headstock gradually became even thicker, with substantial differences in 1963, 1967 and in 1971.
What is the decal on a Fender guitar?
Until 1960, only the " STRATOCASTER " decal appeared on the headstock near the Fender logo and, in the guitars equipped with vibrato, also the " WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO " one (abandoned at the beginning of 1971). They were both drastically enlarged in 1968 with the advent of the CBS Logo.
What is the lead 2 headstock?
The latter headstock, often called Lead II headstock or Atrophied headstock, was also used in the Gold Stratocaster and in the Walnut Strat. Finally, although it is a rare event, it is also possible to find Stratocaster or Precision Bass from the '60s with a matching headstock.
When did Fender abandon the Spaghetti logo?
Finally, they were all abandoned at the end of 1976, simultaneously with the patent numbers, when Fender moved the serial number from the neck-plate to the front of the headstock. Spaghetti logo, two patent numbers and "Original Countur Body" decal with "Pat. Pend." on a 1961 Stratocaster.
When did the silver logo come out on the Strat?
In mid-1983 the new silver Modern Logo, sometimes called Whitish Logo or Silver Logo, started to be applied on the headstock on the second version of the Standard Stratocaster and on that of the Elite Stratocaster (although it had previously appeared on the 1980 Strat).
What does the R stand for on a CBS logo?
Since its first appearance, CBS logo has always been accompanied by a circled “R” standing for “registered”. The same symbol has appeared also next to the " STRATOCASTER " decal since the end of 1976, when the serial numbers moved from the neck plate to the headstock and the " ORIGINAL Contour Body PATENTED " decal disappeared.
KATMAN
Man,they were some ugly guitars! I just couldn't get over the strat style headstock. I never played one,but I see them played in old country videos. I guess they were good for something. I never liked the looks of them. Has anybody ever played one? How did they feel? And does anyone still have one?
Treborklow
Man,they were some ugly guitars! I just couldn't get over the strat style headstock. I never played one,but I see them played in old country videos. I guess they were good for something. I never liked the looks of them. Has anybody ever played one? How did they feel? And does anyone still have one?
Hudman
They still make them. In fact, they are featured in the current MF sales catalog. They get good reviews.
KATMAN
I had no idea they still made them. The two music stores that carry Fender products haven't had them in years.It must've been at least twenty years since I'd seen them. I had seen a old Fender twelve string with a sound hole pickup on it,it had a slimmer version of the same neck.An older gentleman had it. It sounded pretty good thru a tube amp.
KarlG
I have a friend who has a Capistrano model that he has had since the 1980's. Itis a nice playing and nice sounding guitar. Not outstanding, but nice. I have also played a 1990's Redondo model that was not as impressive. The necks on both guitars were very nice.
Tony Burns
a few of friends back in the early seventies had them , always thought as guitars they sucked - it was a poor atempt at a guitar that was sopose to play like a electric and sound like a acoustic - never really liked they way they played - think Johnny Cash played a version of one think it had the bigsby name on it ( looked like a fender thou )
recordingtrack1
I know this is a cheap shot because I never played one, but I always thought they looked stupid. I never understood it. My opinion was that Fender had a WHOLE BUNCH of Strat necks laying around that they needed to do something with and this was the answer they came up with.
Wylde Horses Strat-Talk Member
So tonight towards the end of my practice session I tuned my ‘93 Am. Std. up to standard from Eb standard. It’s been tuned down a half step for over a year now, and I had no issues with the setup. However, after tuning it up to standard, I got a nasty rattle coming from the headstock when I play an open E or A, but especially when I play an open A.
3bolt79 Dr. Stratster
Check the nuts around the tuner shafts. Sounds like one or more might be loose. Make sur they are tight, as well as the screws on the buttons and the back of the headstock.
Afishman9 Strat-Talker Gold Supporting Member
To add to what 3bolt said might as well check the tightness of the string tree. A coupon tuner can also cause the problem.
Baelzebub Dr. Stratster
Check the nuts around the tuner shafts. Sounds like one or more might be loose. Make sur they are tight, as well as the screws on the buttons and the back of the headstock.
Wylde Horses Strat-Talk Member
Unbelievable! Locking tuners… the 6th string lock had come loose and the thumb wheel was rattling around. Could have happened at any time, but I guess changing the tuning made it that much worse.
ibdrkn1 Senior Stratmaster
Unbelievable! Locking tuners… the 6th string lock had come loose and the thumb wheel was rattling around. Could have happened at any time, but I guess changing the tuning made it that much worse.
Wylde Horses Strat-Talk Member
I was wondering if it had lockers. I don't think those would be stock. It also means they aren't being used right.
What is the termination of a guitar string called?
On the headstock end of a guitar, the termination of a string’s vibrating length (or scale length) is a thin strip of plastic, metal or bone called the nut.
What are the accessories that come with an electric guitar?
One of the more common acoustic and electric guitar accessories--along with tuners, string winders, humidifiers, etc.--is the capo.
How does a capo work?
An important distinction worth noting about capos is that they’re used to change the pitch of open strings without adjusting the tuning keys. This means that the pitch of fretted notes does not change; only the pitch of the open, unfretted strings.
What is a capo nut?
The nut has grooves that, along with the bridge at the body end of the scale length, ensure the correct lateral placement of the strings along the length of the fretboard. A capo functions as a sort of moveable nut, as it can be affixed to any fret below the neck joint and provide the same kind of vibration termination.
How many strings can a partial capo be used on?
A more recent innovation is the partial capo, which does not completely encircle the neck and which can be applied to only two, three, four or five strings rather than all six. This allows dozens of tonal variations without changing the tuning of the instrument.
Does the pitch of fretted notes change?
This means that the pitch of fretted notes does not change; only the pitch of the open, unfretted strings. Consequently, not only the pitch but also the timbre of the strings is affected, imparting the tonality of instruments with shorter scales, such as mandolins.
Do capos have grooves?
Unlike the nut, however, capos don’t have string grooves, as their only purpose is to change pitch rather than maintain lateral string placement (a function still ensured by the nut and bridge even when a capo is in use). A capo thus works in addition to the nut, rather than instead of it.