why are stratocasters more popular?

[zoso]

The telecaster was made first and in my opinion is the better of the two. Why is the stratocaster such an icon and not the telecaster?

[highwayone3tone]

Originally Posted by zoso

The telecaster was made first and in my opinion is the better of the two. Why is the stratocaster such an icon and not the telecaster?

I'm a rock/indie/hip-hop/ambient etc player. And for years I didn't even look at Telecasters because of my ingrained bias against commercial country music.

Strats were more 'bad ass' because of their 'Rock' image. Teles weren't as cool because of the sad "dog got ran over and woman left me" stigma that's on popular country music.

Since that time I've developed an appreciation for some country music (more of the underground or roots variety than the stuff on the radio), and I've also realized that TONE matters over IMAGE, and the Tele was now my choice. But my first four guitars were a Strat, a Strat, a Strat, and a Les Paul.

Go figure.

[The String King]

Highway is right about the "rock" thing. Alot of the guitar greats used Strats, not strictly though... For example, Clapton, Gilmore, Hendrix, SRV, Gary Moore used one as well I think... But then again, they all played Tele's as well...

I think its because strats are more "wacky", and the Tele is the Strats non-chalant 2nd cousin.

[skydawg]

I was in a GC yesterday and they had 14 Teles and over 50 Strats. I was thinking the same thing; why?

[edwardjeffrey]

Jimi Hendrix
Old fool

[Five Finger Fender Fiend]

Strats are easier to play too. This is not so much a set-up reason, but simple ergonomics. The shape of a strat melts into your body due to it's curves and it's obvious cutaway or gut-away as i like to call it.

[Teleblooz]

IMHO Basically one guy - Jimi Hendrix. He's the 500-pound gorilla in the room that nobody can ignore.

For my money the Tele is the superior guitar, and if you look behind the scenes on a huge number of records, that's what's being played. Case in point: Led Zeppelin - while Page was known for Les Pauls and SGs onstage, the lion's share of the guitar work on their records was recorded on a Tele.

I suppose ultimately it's a matter of taste, but my experience is that the Strat tone is kind of thin in comparison. It's distinctive in its own way, but it really takes "the touch" to bring it to life. In the hands of someone like Mark Knopfler, Clapton, or Dave Gilmour, The strat can rip your heartstrings out, but these guys could make a $25 pawnshop guitar sound good.

I'm not generally a fan of Country music either, but you don't HAVE to play it with drawl & twang. Image-wise, for me the cornball of Buck Owens was more than offset by the cool of Keith Richards, Muddy Waters, Steve Cropper, and Bruce Springsteen.

[Jellecaster]

The Strat is more accessible. It has a better image and is just plain easier to play. The Tele covers no flaws. Someone here called it the "polygraph of guitars" and I love that! * If you can play it, it has the best tone on earth. Most people can't play it!

Its like the difference between Faith Hill and Reba McIntyre, one is more obviously pretty and one is a REAL WOMAN... Okay, maybe I'm just getting old!

I also like the fact that Teles aren't the most popular guitar. I like being different from all of the sheep - especially in GC!

I used to think that a tiger-striped Les Paul cherry sunburst was the most beautiful thing on earth. Now I'd MUCH rather have this:



It's all in the eye of the beholder!




* Sorry, I can't give credit because I don't remember who said it.

[stevieboy]

Strats are sexier, curvier, more comfortable, more widely perceived as cool, and have more, though different, tone options than teles.

I hardly ever play mine.

[Preacher]

All the greats in the 60s and 70s seemed to have a strat in their hand.

Jimmi Hendrix
SRV
Eric Clapton
Robert Clay

it seemed the Tele became the country western weapon of choice and the strat became the rock and roll icon...

All in all, great guitars, each has its own niche and sound, thats why they exist today.

[Jellecaster]

Originally Posted by Teleblooz

I'm not generally a fan of Country music either, but you don't HAVE to play it with drawl & twang. Image-wise, for me the cornball of Buck Owens was more than offset by the cool of Keith Richards, Muddy Waters, Steve Cropper, and Bruce Springsteen.

I know you didn't mean to insult anybody, but you need to rethink the "cornball" comment. Hee Haw did a major injustice to a man who was a MONSTER guitar player. Truth be told, Buck could play rings around Keith and absolutely torch Springsteen (on guitar). It's a crying shame that the vast majority of people will only remember him for that show.

Back in the day, there was nobody cooler or more bad-ass than Mr. Owens, may he rest in peace.

[Pete Galati]

I like the Tele better, but the Strat's a great guitar too.

Tele and Strat players shouldn't waste their time trying to convince everone that their choice is better. Strats sell really well because a lot can be done with three pickups, and it's a very good looking guitar.

Who cares? If more Strats are sold, and it's not your company making the money, why should it matter? It's a good design, and it's a classic!

Pete

[rand z]

first, imho i believe teles are easier to play than strats. and ive had and played both for over 30 years. strats are easier to HOLD from the cutaways in the body. but they are NOT easier for ME to play.

secondly, i believe the image strats have received, started with BUDDY HOLLY and rock and roll. they fell out of favor for awhile in the sixties as gibsons became more associated with rock music. hendrix brought them back to favor for young rock guitarists. it was hard to overlook what he did for strats and everybody, including clapton and harrison started playing one.

imho as always.

these things have appeared on tdpri before...

rand z tropicalsoul.net

[The String King]

Originally Posted by skydawg

I was in a GC yesterday and they had 14 Teles and over 50 Strats. I was thinking the same thing; why?

Because no one buys the Strats?

[Teleblooz]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

I know you didn't mean to insult anybody, but you need to rethink the "cornball" comment. Hee Haw did a major injustice to a man who was a MONSTER guitar player. Truth be told, Buck could play rings around Keith and absolutely torch Springsteen (on guitar). It's a crying shame that the vast majority of people will only remember him for that show.

Back in the day, there was nobody cooler or more bad-ass than Mr. Owens, may he rest in peace.

I admit that my introduction to Buck was through Hee Haw which, you have to admit, was over-the-top cornball. But I did preface the comment with the words "Image-wise". And from that standpoint, I'm letting the comment stand.

Roy Clark & Glen Campbell were monster players as well, but how does the world remember them?

[Wally]

Jimi Hendrix, straight and simple. Eldon Shamblin played a Stratocaster in Bob Wills band. Very few people in country/swing/C&W followed him. Many R&B people played the STrat, but they did not reach the wide audience. Hendrix took guitar playing to another level. He brought R&B, rock, black, white, brown, whatever together and exposed a huge audience to the Strat. Every rock guitarist had to try one. Clapton began using one almost exclusively (some feel to the detriment of his tone...that's another thread, right?)...in the early '70's. As mentioned, David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler pushed the strat hard in the '70's. SRV exploded the 'gotta play a Strat' thing in the
'80's....and here we are.
That said, I see more Teles being played today than ever before. I also see players keeping Teles. I rarely have a used one on the wall. I almost always have a Strat. Tele players may be more loyal???
I will agree that the ergonomics of the STrat are superior. that was one of the elements of the design that Bill Carson pushed for in the developemental stages. And Although you rarely see a hardtail Strat, when you do you might notice that it has an attack and bite that leans more toward the Tele than to the sonics of the vibrato-bridge Strat.
Here's the only 'strat' that I have ever wanted to keep...built it for myself. IT does Gibson h'bucking sounds, Strat sounds, and bit of Gretsch if so inclined.

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by Wally

Jimi Hendrix, straight and simple. Eldon Shamblin played a Stratocaster in Bob Wills band. Very few people in country/swing/C&W followed him. Many R&B people played the STrat, but they did not reach the wide audience. Hendrix took guitar playing to another level. He brought R&B, rock, black, white, brown, whatever together and exposed a huge audience to the Strat. Every rock guitarist had to try one. C..
Here's the only 'strat' that I have ever wanted to keep...built it for myself. IT does Gibson h'bucking sounds, Strat sounds, and bit of Gretsch if so inclined.

I suppose it depends on when and where you lived. For me it was Hank Marvin and Buddy Holly before him, who made me want to check out the Strat. I had one before Hendrix came along, and to be honest, never really liked what he was doing anyway.

To me, Strats are more versatile and certainly more comfortable to play. That's why my Strat to Tele ratio is 4:1


BTW nice Strat

[PrudyMuskethead]

It all started with Jimi...

I remember reading somewhere that in the mid-sixties Strat sales had totally bottomed out...then Jimi picked up the strat and the rest is history.

If only he'd kept playing his Jazzmaster!

I personally like the tone of the strat, but can't play one...I hate the control setup and find them uncomfortable to play.

I also think the tele tone is purer and is one of the only ones that shines through regardless of amp, pedals, what-have-you.

Prudy

[thaus]

If you read a little Fender history, Leo wanted to make the Tele obsolete before his competitors did that for him. Thus the idea of a BETTER guitar was born and the Stratocaster became that guitar. Even the father of the tele admitted that the Strat was/is the better, more well-rounded instrument. That said, I love my tele and I love my strat!! Both are great instruments........

[AnthonyV]

IMO Buddy Holly was the guy who started the Strat engine to where it would become (especially in the UK) - while Jimi Hendrix was the all-impotant driver who brought it to where it is!

[boris bubbanov]

Many in the young indie crowd, a lot of the newer UK and Irish bands play Telecaster if they play Fender at all, almost as though the strat was symbolic of something they did not understand or didn't care for.
Don't too surprised if the Tele form begins to catch up with the Strat form in popular guitar sales. Image is a surprisingly powerful weapon; I think FMIC tribute and signature Teles will soon outnumber the Strat tribs and sigs. Given the relatively small number of folks who genuinely earn their wages playing music, with so many guitar sales being 'discretionary', no reason to be totally shocked if it is 50 Teles, 14 Stratocasters on the walls of GC in seven years' time. And it won't be because no one is buying the Teles, either.
But careful of what you wish for; as I was trying to say on the Jim Root thread, when every guitar you see in popular media is a Telecaster, you won't necessarily be indie, hip, country or anything seen playing one. It'll just be you and whether you can actually play the thing. Uh-oh.

Bubbanov

[PrudyMuskethead]

"If you read a little Fender history, Leo wanted to make the Tele obsolete before his competitors did that for him. Thus the idea of a BETTER guitar was born and the Stratocaster became that guitar. Even the father of the tele admitted that the Strat was/is the better, more well-rounded instrument."

Ah, yes...but that is very subjective. Tonally, the Strat is far inferior in a lot of people's opinions. Even with the more modern 5 pickup option, staggered pole pieces, etc.

There's something to be said for simplicity of design, quality of craftsmanship and acoustics, too. I'm a big fan of the Nocaster, which is quite simply a great piece of ash, 3 pickup positions (flat! pole pieces), simple bridge design, 3 brass saddles, a big arse neck and that's about it. But, acoustically and plugged in, that style guitar kicks Strat tone to the curb any day of the week to me.

Lots of times, the original idea/inspiration is the best one...everything that follows can sometimes be digression or deconstruction of the original intent.

Anyway...its all relative to the individual, no?!?

Cheers,

Prudy

[endzone]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

I know you didn't mean to insult anybody, but you need to rethink the "cornball" comment. Hee Haw did a major injustice to a man who was a MONSTER guitar player. Truth be told, Buck could play rings around Keith and absolutely torch Springsteen (on guitar). It's a crying shame that the vast majority of people will only remember him for that show.

Back in the day, there was nobody cooler or more bad-ass than Mr. Owens, may he rest in peace.

.....in your opinion.

"Back in the day", Buck was one of the main reasons I absolutely hated country music. He was also one of the driving forces that made me NOT want to play a Telecaster. But to be fair, I didn't play a Strat either back then. It had to be a Gibson or nothing.

[aunchaki]

Originally Posted by thaus

If you read a little Fender history, Leo wanted to make the Tele obsolete before his competitors did that for him. Thus the idea of a BETTER guitar was born and the Stratocaster became that guitar. Even the father of the tele admitted that the Strat was/is the better, more well-rounded instrument.

I believe the same is true of the Les Paul. I read somewhere (maybe here on TDPRI) that the SG was designed as a Les-Paul-Killer, and that they stopped producing the Les Paul for a few years after the SG's introduction. Then, a few influential players started using the older Les Pauls and they caught fire once again (and are still burning).

For me, it's always been the Telecaster. The body shape, the control plate and bridge, the simple electronics, the 6-in-line tuners, and most of all, the headstock shape. That said, Strats are so comfortable to play.

[skydawg]

The Strat has sexy curves and the Tele has a ghetto bootie! That being said, I like them both for the same and for different reasons.

[blue metalflake]

Hendrix, Clapton, Buddy Holly, Hank Marvin of the Shadows, all guitar gods and highly inspirational as theguitar became popular, and they all played Strats.

As they say success breeds success, and its hard to overtake. To the average public, it looks sexy, the ideal guitar shape.

Interesting that now many more Teles are on view in the bands, and in my two local music shops they seem more popular.

[TelZilla]

I think strats are more versatile and more of a do-it-all guitar than Teles.

My 92 Am Std strat does seem "easier" to play, I'm not sure why.

But teles can do thing strats cant do, and I just like the feel of my Tele better.

I think the whole deal about "it takes a real man to play a tele" is a bit overblown around here sometimes... But I'm sure there are boards with "It takes a real man to play a Strat" all over them too.

[TelZilla]

Originally Posted by aunchaki

I believe the same is true of the Les Paul. I read somewhere (maybe here on TDPRI) that the SG was designed as a Les-Paul-Killer, and that they stopped producing the Les Paul for a few years after the SG's introduction. Then, a few influential players started using the older Les Pauls and they caught fire once again (and are still burning).

For me, it's always been the Telecaster. The body shape, the control plate and bridge, the simple electronics, the 6-in-line tuners, and most of all, the headstock shape. That said, Strats are so comfortable to play.

I've heard a similar story- The SG was originally intended to be the improved Les Paul but was designed without the help of the man himself. When Les Paul saw it, he didn't want his name on it, thus the very standard utilitarian name ("SG" stands for Solid Guitar). I think Gibson might have stopped even making LPs for a while.

Then Came Peter Green and Beano-era Clapton (among others) playong those late 50's 'bursts, and the real Les Paul soared in popularity.

[Wally]

To stray form the thread.....the original Les Paul was not sellling well. That is why Gibson sought a different guitar to become its top of the line solidbody guitar. LEs Paul the player did indeed dislike the new 'Les Paul' and so Gibson took his ;name off of it. The SG has never been out of the Gibson line since '61. I guess that makes it Gibsons longest continuous running line of solidbody guitars. I am thankful that Gibson brought the original back and has recreated the machine they put out in the '50's.
My '99 R9....

Flame on ...a L.P. in the Strat forum....

[xjazzy]

The Strat was my main guitar for years although I wanted a Tele I never thought that it could replace the Strat as nº1. I was 1 week without my Tele and hardly played the Strat.
I have a new nº1.

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by Wally

To stray form the thread.....the original Les Paul was not sellling well. That is why Gibson sought a different guitar to become its top of the line solidbody guitar. LEs Paul the player did indeed dislike the new 'Les Paul' and so Gibson took his ;name off of it. The SG has never been out of the Gibson line since '61. I guess that makes it Gibsons longest continuous running line of solidbody guitars. I am thankful that Gibson brought the original back and has recreated the machine they put out in the '50's.
My '99 R9....

Flame on ...a L.P. in the Strat forum....

Nice bookmatch on that top.

What kind of pickups are you using? I just installed a set of unpotted Duncan '59s in my mahogany Tele recently, and they're freakishly good pickups. Instantly turned me into an unpotted fan. I ordered another set for my Les Paul, but I accidentally made too many people aware of them, and now I have to wait. Again.

Pete

[Jellecaster]

Originally Posted by endzone

It had to be a Gibson or nothing.

So when did you realize what a HORRIBLE mistake that was?

I certainly understand anyone not liking another artist for any reason, but can we at least agree that Buck's legacy reaches beyond the corn fields of Hee Haw?

[endzone]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

So when did you realize what a HORRIBLE mistake that was?

I certainly understand anyone not liking another artist for any reason, but can we at least agree that Buck's legacy reaches beyond the corn fields of Hee Haw?

Obviously, I was a young foolish idiot. My taste in music has change a whole lot since then, as has my choice of guitars. While I don't own any Buck Owens Cd's, I do appreciate and enjoy his music. But the biggest thing is I now have a few Telecasters....and I'd kill to just hold that silver sparkle Tele that Don Rich played. The one thing I will disagree with you on is Buck's playing. While he was decent, I don't think he quite qualifies as a "monster" player. IMO/YMMV

[Teleblooz]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

I certainly understand anyone not liking another artist for any reason, but can we at least agree that Buck's legacy reaches beyond the corn fields of Hee Haw?

His influence is undeniable, as there's a whole subculture in C&W that revolves around it. The fact that I'm not a fan of Country music doesn't lessen my respect for an accomplished player. My jaw drops every time I hear Ricky Skaggs (or Steve Vai for that matter) too, but I don't see them establishing a presence in my record collection either.

[boris bubbanov]

Does FMIC release numbers anywhere, indicating how many of what model Fender, Squier, Guild, Gretsch, Charvel or Tacoma got sold that year, either at large or in North America? Like the car makers do?

I'm imagining the Strat overtook the Tele in sales within twelve months of its release, and that Strats outsold Teles 7 to 1 in 1977, but these are wild guesses.
Is it not possible that ratio is already down to 4 to 1?


Bubbanov

[Teleblooz]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

The Tele covers no flaws. Someone here called it the "polygraph of guitars" and I love that! * If you can play it, it has the best tone on earth.

Well said, whoever it was!

[LDM]

Originally Posted by stevieboy

Strats are sexier, curvier, more comfortable, more widely perceived as cool, and have more, though different, tone options than teles.

I hardly ever play mine.

+1

There's no doubting that the strat IS a beautiful design; I fell in love with mine the moment I saw it, but I've owned it for almost 20 years and I never play it. I pick it up, strap it on, start strumming.. but it just doesn't satisfy. It's had the pro set-up, it's had the expensive pick-up upgrade, and while those steps certainly improved it, it just lacks the honesty and substance of the tele (a Tokai tele in my case) IMHO. But if you had to choose an icon to represent R'n'R, it would have to be the strat.. What a body!!

[dobrodoc]

Simple---You have to know how to play a Strat, you gotta know how to OPERATE a Tele!

[TWANGNUT]

Originally Posted by zoso

The telecaster was made first and in my opinion is the better of the two. Why is the stratocaster such an icon and not the telecaster?

Who said the Telecaster isn't an icon? Round these parts it's (Strat) not more popular than the Tele. Oh and for the Hendrix nuts, two words: James Burton

[TWANGNUT]

Hey Wally! Move that bike and guitar and tell us about the cheerleaders!!!