What is a Superstrat?

RVA

RVA

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According to Wikipedia, a Superstrat is a name for an electric guitar design that resembles a Fender Stratocaster but with differences that clearly distinguish it from a standard Stratocaster, usually to cater to a different playing style. Differences typically (but not necessarily) include more pointed, aggressive-looking body and neck shapes, different woods, increased number of frets, usage of humbucking pickups and locking tremolo systems, most commonly the Floyd Rose

To me, the above definition means that it is a Strat that is not a Strat, which means..not that much. By this definition, I may own 3, but really, I think I only own 1, and I am not sure why I feel that one is one. I may own more. Are any of my PRS "Superstrats? They would fit the above definition, but I say no. Is my Strat with 2 P90s a Superstrat? Again, it fits the above definition, but nope, not to me.

Although I think this is guitar is a Superstrat, I hate calling it that

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So what do you think a Superstrat is?
 
RVA said:
According to Wikipedia, a Superstrat is a name for an electric guitar design that resembles a Fender Stratocaster but with differences that clearly distinguish it from a standard Stratocaster, usually to cater to a different playing style. Differences typically (but not necessarily) include more pointed, aggressive-looking body and neck shapes, different woods, increased number of frets, usage of humbucking pickups and locking tremolo systems, most commonly the Floyd Rose

To me, the above definition means that it is a Strat that is not a Strat, which means..not that much. By this definition, I may own 3, but really, I think I only own 1, and I am not sure why I feel that one is one. I may own more. Are any of my PRS "Superstrats? They would fit the above definition, but I say no. Is my Strat with 2 P90s a Superstrat? Again, it fits the above definition, but nope, not to me.

Although I think this is guitar is a Superstrat, I hate calling it that

View attachment 7479


So what do you think a Superstrat is?
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Every time I see this guitar, I wanna go swimming. Then I remember how you worked on this with your Dad and it makes it that much cooler!
 
WavMixer said:
Every time I see this guitar, I wanna go swimming. Then I remember how you worked on this with your Dad and it makes it that much cooler!
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No, that is a different guitar. This is all the work of Tom Anderson. So I have 2 pools!
 
Is a guitar that resembles the looks of a strat, has a different than normal strat pickup config and has other different appointments like maybe a copy Floyd Rose or Kahler bridge/trem, but costs less than a Strat a Super Strat or a Pooper Strat?
Surely anything that costs less is not Super? :facepalm:
 
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RVA said:
The comments say it is a wanna be PRS...24 frets. But as I said above, a PRS fits the superstrat definition
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Yeah, I've read those comments. Not sure I really agree with many of them but each to their own I guess.
I see it more as a wonky Les Paul DoubleCut than a PRS wannabe
 
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I think ultimately, there are only so many functional shapes. After nearly 70 years of the electric guitar, there is bound to be substantial overlap.
 
RVA said:
No, that is a different guitar. This is all the work of Tom Anderson. So I have 2 pools!
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Did I mention that the weather here has been between 95 and 105 degrees lately? So how about a picture of your 2 pools for us to drool over?
 
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RVA said:
IS this a Superstrat...compliments of the Gibson Custom Shop!
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Nope.

RVA said:
The comments say it is a wanna be PRS...24 frets. But as I said above, a PRS fits the superstrat definition
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I would disagree that PRS fits the superstrat definition. Don't get me wrong, PRS are great guitars and can very effectively be used in the genre associated with the superstrat, but the body style of a PRS is distinctive enough from a Stratocaster so as not to be considered a superstrat. Keep in mind where the superstrat came from. It originated with the Stratocaster design and made subtle modifications to the body styling to make it more aggressive-looking. Wayne Charvel started doing this with Strat bodies and necks. Then Grover Jackson took it further with Jackson guitars by elongating the upper and lower horns. Around the same time, Kramer was putting their own twist on things. But, the shape has always been very close to the traditional Stratocaster.

I do like the look of PRS guitars, but they are their own class of body style and it is different from Strats, of any flavor. The main commonality is the double cut-away design. Beyond that, they just look too different from a Strat to be associated with it in styling.

In my opinion, your Anderson ~just~ qualifies as a superstrat. My opinion is kind of "iffy" on that, though. Having a Floyd Rose would more decidedly place it in that camp.

As for the question about P-90s, that's a little different, and harder to address. Superstrats have had one, two, or three pickups. But, they almost always have, at least, a humbucker in the bridge. The others may be single coils or humbuckers. I've never seen a superstrat with anything other than Strat-type single coils, if it has single coils. That's not to say a P-90 couldn't be used, but the aesthetic isn't right. P-90s usually have a more traditional, retro appearance. They look great on Les Pauls and SGs, but don't really fit the superstrat appearance. Maybe if an open coil type of P-90 could be produced it would fit the aesthetic better.

That's another thing, covered pickups (unless they are active pickups) don't really fit the superstrat image. Uncovered pickups fit the vibe better.
 
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smitty_p said:
Nope.



I would disagree that PRS fits the superstrat definition. Don't get me wrong, PRS are great guitars and can very effectively be used in the genre associated with the superstrat, but the body style of a PRS is distinctive enough from a Stratocaster so as not to be considered a superstrat. Keep in mind where the superstrat came from. It originated with the Stratocaster design and made subtle modifications to the body styling to make it more aggressive-looking. Wayne Charvel started doing this with Strat bodies and necks. Then Grover Jackson took it further with Jackson guitars by elongating the upper and lower horns. Around the same time, Kramer was putting their own twist on things. But, the shape has always been very close to the traditional Stratocaster.

I do like the look of PRS guitars, but they are their own class of body style and it is different from Strats, of any flavor. The main commonality is the double cut-away design. Beyond that, they just look too different from a Strat to be associated with it in styling.

Your Anderson does qualify as a superstrat, though having a Floyd Rose would more decidedly place it in that camp.

As for the question about P-90s, that's a little different, and harder to address. Superstrats have had one, two, or three pickups. But, they almost always have, at least, a humbucker in the bridge. The others may be single coils or humbuckers. I've never seen a superstrat with anything other than Strat-type single coils, if it has single coils. That's not to say a P-90 couldn't be used, but the aesthetic isn't right. P-90s usually have a more traditional, retro appearance. They look great on Les Pauls and SGs, but don't really fit the superstrat appearance. Maybe if an open coil type of P-90 could be produced it would fit the aesthetic better.

That's another thing, covered pickups (unless they are active pickups) don't really fit the superstrat image. Uncovered pickups fit the vibe better.
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Good analysis! So this is a Super Strat

PicsArt_08-10-06.59.03.jpg
 
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