Johnny;you almost seem embarrased that this thread has been revived.
Your just not a Strat guy!! Actually, as far as my own personal taste go, the Buddy Holly turnaround riff he uses to open "That'll be the Day", still sends chills down my spine. Crank it up baby, classic Strat tone. Also,Clapton's tone on the Layla album with "Brownie" is wonderful. Like Cliff Gallup once said refering to his preference of Gretch's over Fenders," Some people like Chevy's, some like Ford's."