What is a Superstrat?
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RobV
Ambassador of Bedroom Wankery
I likes Super Strat's! Love my current Strat so far but it's not Floyd loaded. I don't really use the wiggle bar but love how they stay in tune. My current Strat is doing well with that to 
My entries or guitars I wish I would have kept.....as I have said I have owned/traded ALOT of guitars finding out what I really like
My entries or guitars I wish I would have kept.....as I have said I have owned/traded ALOT of guitars finding out what I really like
RobV
Ambassador of Bedroom Wankery
That Red one I posted was a 2002 MIA Dlx Stratocaster according to Fender? They even put it on the headstock. I also had a beautiful MIA Surf Green Metallic Lonestar Stratocaster. H/S/S
83 blazer
Well-Known Member
Les Pauls started life as P90 guitars
Anything other than something without a Fender brand in the headstock isn't a Strat, Super or otherwise, though there's plenty of kickass guitars out there that are shaped kinda like a Strat.
An odd twist with the idea of the "superstrat" is that the term, ironically, generally doesn't refer to guitars made by Fender!
The idea usually has in mind non-Fender guitars which took the Stratocaster design to a more extreme edge, both visually and functionally. This genre of guitars was mostly occupied, to greater or lesser degrees, by Jackson, Charvel, Kramer, Ibanez, and others.
Fender, itself, was actually a little late to the superstrat game and sought to get in on the act when they released the HM Strat (Heavy Metal Strat). It was only made from 1988 to 1992, in a few variants.
The idea usually has in mind non-Fender guitars which took the Stratocaster design to a more extreme edge, both visually and functionally. This genre of guitars was mostly occupied, to greater or lesser degrees, by Jackson, Charvel, Kramer, Ibanez, and others.
Fender, itself, was actually a little late to the superstrat game and sought to get in on the act when they released the HM Strat (Heavy Metal Strat). It was only made from 1988 to 1992, in a few variants.
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Yeah. It seems that is where Fender went. The HM Strats never really took off. The HM Strats had a slightly altered control layout, no pickguard, and a black headstock. They also had 24 frets.
But, they ended up discontinuing the series, altogether. Today, you do see a few Fender Stratocaster models that are available stock with a Floyd. But, the rest of the guitar retains the traditional Stratocaster appearance.
In a way, I suppose it was inevitable. Other, newer, guitar makers had already become the predominant builders of the guitars that would be known as, "Superstrats." I can't blame Fender for wanting to capture part of that market, especially since the term, "strat" was such a common descriptor of the new breed of guitars! But, for better or worse, it was a bridge too far. But, since the whole superstrat genre has really taken a decline in popularity as compared to other guitars, it probably has worked out better for Fender, that way.
In the end, Fender got in on the superstrat game by buying Jackson!
Good observations....
For me, the traditional "Strat-Esque" guitar has one major advantage - the body shape is super comfortable. While the bolt-on construction and top rout/pickguard configuration are also advantages, that's really all I consider good or desirable about any " Stratocaster. "
Having said that, its a great modification platform.
Starting with 100% high grade Mahogany construction, and then adding the fat 50's 'U' profile neck, with a 12" radius, 24.75" scale neck, thus begins the transformation, into one instrument, the only qualities of Gibson and Fender that I like.
And then there are the Wolftones.... the dreaded Strat anomaly.
I've endured Wolftones on my Squirecaster since 1988. I have changed pickups, lowered pickups, even used the weakest output/magnet neck pickups possible and still the Wolftones persist - and I regularly encounter them on other Stratocaster guitars too...and there are hundreds of videos of people trying to get rid of them, and still others say the Wolftone anomaly is just an endearing quirk of a Stratocaster, like the shrill single coil quick.
Wolftones are highly noticeable on the intro to Gary Moore's "Still Got The Blues," which I frequently play. I have to use constant vibrato to mask the anomaly and it detracts from the feel of the song.
Guess what??? With a 24.75" scale, even with the neck pickup 2/64" from the strings, there are no Wolftones - zero.
The Wolftones are a byproduct of the scale length and pickup placement - change these factors and every note is crystal clear and in perfect pitch.
That factor alone made my own "Studiocaster" (Strat Hybrid) project worthwhile. The functionality of the Stratocaster shape, seated playing comfort, bolt-on construction, ease of modification and vast amount of custom parts, make it a really excellent guitar.
More importantly, to me, is the ability to combine every feature I like into a single guitar...
RobV
Ambassador of Bedroom Wankery
The red one is a 2002 MIA Fender Deluxe from the factory with a OFR & the Black one is a MIJ Charvel before Fender moved them to Mexico. The neon yellow one is a RG2XXV I had the swirl guard made and all new wiring orange caps/pots/knobs and an EVO set installed. I honestly don't like single coil bridge pups and soon will be changing mine out on my current strat. I really wish I would have kept that Red one but I traded it for a new 2013 SG std......I paid $750 for the Strat
Dave Sloven
Ambassador of DOOM!
This is a classic superstrat from the '80s. An old HSS Kramer with a 'hockey' headstock and a floating tremolo.
That's Unseen Terror, '88 or '89
That's Unseen Terror, '88 or '89
OP
RVA
Ambassador
awesome photo!!This is a classic superstrat from the '80s. An old HSS Kramer with a 'hockey' headstock and a floating tremolo.
That's Unseen Terror, '88 or '89
Yup! Believe it or not, I have friend that has a Kramer just like that. His is even the same color. His also has the angled humbucker. Those were cool guitars.