Fender Stratocaster Guitar Quiz

Questions and Answers

Who were the main designers behind the Fender Stratocaster?

Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares.

What features distinguish the Stratocaster from its predecessors?

The Stratocaster features a double-cutaway design, elongated horns, and a heavily contoured back for balance and comfort.

What was significant about the Stratocaster's pickup design?

The Stratocaster introduced a three-pickup design, allowing for increased versatility and choice in tone quality.

Which rock musicians are notably associated with the Stratocaster?

Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Stratocaster influence the design of electric guitars in the mid-20th century?

The Stratocaster's innovative shape and features became industry standards for electric guitars. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of tightening the springs in a Stratocaster's bridge system?

To anchor the bridge against the guitar body, allowing for a 'dive-only' configuration. Signup and view all the answers

How does the wiring of the middle pickup affect the sound when combined with other pickups in a Stratocaster?

It creates a spaced humbucking pair that reduces hum due to its reverse wiring and opposite polarity. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the key features of the Strat Plus introduced in 1987?

The Strat Plus featured Lace Sensor pickups, a roller nut, locking tuners, a TBX tone control, and a Hipshot tremsetter. Signup and view all the answers

What tone characteristic is produced when the bridge and middle pickups are used in parallel?

It creates a 'quacky' or 'doinky' tone resulting from phase cancellation. Signup and view all the answers

What modification do some players make to fix the bridge in place?

They use a chunk of wood to inhibit the bridge's movement and increase the tension on the tremolo springs. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates the Strat Plus Deluxe from the original Strat Plus?

The Strat Plus Deluxe had variations in pickups and tremolo systems compared to the original Strat Plus. Signup and view all the answers

Which unique element did the Strat Ultra introduce when it was launched in 1990?

The Strat Ultra introduced an ebony fingerboard, along with various pickup variations. Signup and view all the answers

Which features of modern Stratocasters enhance the versatility of tone controls?

Many have a shared tone capacitor for neck and middle pickups and an active midrange booster for a fuller sound. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Fender Custom Classic Strat, and what features did it include?

The Fender Custom Classic Strat combined vintage and modern elements, featuring 3 Modern Classic pickups and a Custom Classic 2-point tremolo. Signup and view all the answers

List three color options available for the Custom Classic Strat.

Three color options included three-color sunburst, daphne blue, and black. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change was made to the Fender Stratocaster fretboard in 1962?

The fretboard transitioned to a thinner 'veneer' of Brazilian Rosewood. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jimi Hendrix influence the popularity of the Fender Stratocaster?

Hendrix's remarkable playing style and visibility on TV drove a dramatic increase in sales of the Stratocaster. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the reasons for the drop in Fender Stratocaster sales after 1965?

After 1965, the company was sold to CBS Instruments, leading to decreased focus on the Stratocaster compared to the Jazzmaster. Signup and view all the answers

What design feature was used in the original Stratocaster's vibrato mechanism?

The original Stratocaster used a fulcrum design with a six screw bridge plate for its vibrato mechanism. Signup and view all the answers

What was the standardity change made in 1960 regarding the custom colors of the Stratocaster?

In 1960, the custom colors were standardized with a paint chip chart, many based on DuPont automobile lacquer colors. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of bridge designs are commonly found on the Fender Stratocaster, and how do they differ?

The two common bridge designs are the pivoting 'tremolo' bridge and the 'hardtail' fixed bridge. The 'tremolo' bridge allows for pitch variation, while the 'hardtail' provides more tuning stability. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the significance of the Stratocaster's contoured body design.

The contoured body design of the Stratocaster allows for greater comfort and ease of playing, especially for reaching higher neck positions. This contrasts with the flat design of the Telecaster. Signup and view all the answers

What modifications have been commonly made by players and luthiers to the Fender Stratocaster?

Players and luthiers often change out pickups and necks to customize their guitars. The switching from a 3-position selector switch to a 5-position switch is also a common modification for more tonal variety. Signup and view all the answers

What year did the first Fender Stratocaster model become available for sale, and what were its key features?

The first Fender Stratocaster was offered for sale in 1954, featuring a contoured ash body, a 21-fret one-piece maple neck, and black dot inlays. Signup and view all the answers

How did the material used for the Stratocaster body change over the years, and what were the reasons?

Initially, ash was used for the body, but in 1956, Fender began using alder for most custom-color models due to the easier sanding process for the contoured shape. Ash was still used for some translucent finishes. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred regarding Fender Stratocaster production in 1985?

The Fender company was bought from CBS by a group of investors, and manufacturing resumed high quality. Signup and view all the answers

How did the 1987 American Standard Stratocaster differ from earlier models?

It featured a flatter fingerboard, a thinner neck profile, and an improved tremolo system tailored for modern players. Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable characteristic of the '57 American Vintage Reissue Stratocaster?

It was crafted using original specifications from 1957, including aged 57/62 pickups and a 21 fret maple neck. Signup and view all the answers

What were the differences between the American Performer and American Ultra Stratocasters introduced by Fender?

The American Performer was more affordable and succeeded the Highway One series, while the American Ultra was a premium model with advanced features. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the CBS era have on the perception of Fender guitars?

During the CBS era, particularly in the 1970s, the perceived quality of Fender instruments fell, increasing the popularity of vintage pre-CBS models. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fender Stratocaster Overview

Designed between 1952 and 1954 by Leo Fender and team, the Stratocaster has been continuously made since 1954.
Known for its double-cutaway design, featuring an asymmetric body shape and extended upper horn for improved balance and comfort.
Trademarked terms "Stratocaster" and "Strat" belong to Fender; S-Type or ST-type guitars are imitations from other manufacturers.

Prominent Users

Iconic musicians associated with the Stratocaster include Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and David Gilmour, who contributed to its popularity in rock music.
Alongside the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecaster, it is one of the most emulated guitar shapes.

Innovative Features

Introduced features in the mid-1950s like a contoured body, three single-coil pickups for tonal versatility, and a responsive vibrato arm.
Design elements of the Stratocaster became industry standards and set benchmarks for future electric guitars.

Evolution of Design

Original Stratocasters had a solid body, typically made of alder or ash, and were assembled with screws for the neck connection.
The iconic contouring and double-cutaway body design improved playability, especially for accessing higher neck positions.
Early models featured a dark brown-to-golden yellow sunburst finish with custom colors available starting in 1960.

Changes Over Time

During the CBS era (post-1965), the quality perception dropped, but notable musicians like Jimi Hendrix revived its popularity.
Key design changes included the introduction of a five-way pickup selector in 1977 and the move to different fretboard materials, including Brazilian rosewood.

Technical Specifications

Scale length of the Stratocaster is 25.5 inches (648 mm).
Comes standard with three single-coil pickups, a pickup selector switch, and volume/tone controls.
Two bridge types are available: pivoting "tremolo" and "hardtail" fixed bridges, both featuring adjustable saddles.

Customization and Variations

The modular design allows for easy modifications, enabling players to change pickups, necks, and components to suit personal styles.
Various models, such as the American Standard and American Professional Stratocaster, have catered to modern playing preferences.

Notable Collaborations

Fender has produced signature models for artists like Eric Clapton, showcasing unique features and personal touches based on their specifications.
Collaborations reflect the guitar's versatility and appeal across different musical styles and preferences.

Current Models and Series

Fender continues to innovate with models like the American Performer Stratocaster and American Ultra Stratocaster, targeting both affordable and high-end markets.
The Player series, manufactured in Mexico, offers accessible models without sacrificing quality.

Conclusion

The Fender Stratocaster remains a cornerstone in the electric guitar industry, revered for its design, versatility, and cultural significance in music.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the iconic Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, designed by Leo Fender and others in the early 1950s. This quiz covers its design, history, and significance in music. Find out how well you know one of the most popular guitars in the world!