# Tell me about Stratocasters **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 9, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863 "2009-03-09T19:26:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/61 "2009-04-07T18:31:24Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Many people also apply a tiny drop of lubricant to the slots to let the strings slide more freely. A drop on the bottom of the string tree is good too. I use graphite lube, some use petroleum jelly. Very small amounts! Just running the point of a sharpened pencil through the slots can help. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/62 "2009-04-07T18:47:03Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Consider blocking the trem - heck, Clapton does it. I did it, too - you basically go in through the back plate and use a wedge of wood to force the tremolo block (the metal thingie the strings are passing through) against the body of the guitar, rendering the whammy inoperative - so you are “hardtailing” your Strat. This can be a temporary thing while you get to know the guitar or a permanent one if you don’t want / need a whammy in your vocabulary. There’s no right or wrong answer… Yes that is the Clapton method. The simpler and more popular method is to go into the trem spring cavity on the back, make sure you have all five springs on and crank the claw screws until the trem is tight against the body. Many people claim the Clapton wood block method gives better tone but I’d think it would be pretty subtle. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/63 "2009-04-07T18:48:13Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > Just running the point of a sharpened pencil through the slots can help. Yes, I’ve done that too. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/64 "2009-04-07T20:48:21Z")
Thanks for all of the answers. This is – well, too much information. So much to think about. I’ll get some of the springs and see how they work out. I’m not about to start messing with screws and stuff, but I do have a crappy Squier that I can monkey with. If I kill it, no big loss. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/65 "2009-04-07T21:19:06Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Thanks for all of the answers. This is – well, too much information. So much to think about. > > I’ll get some of the springs and see how they work out. I’m not about to start messing with screws and stuff, but I do have a crappy Squier that I can monkey with. If I kill it, no big loss. Sorry - we can sometimes over-geek 😉 Sounds like you have the right idea - mess around with your guinea-pig guitar, go with what works and come back with thoughts and questions as needed… ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/66 "2009-04-07T22:07:01Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Sorry - we can sometimes over-geek 😉 Yep, that’s me, guitgeek! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/67 "2009-04-08T03:13:42Z")
I was thinking of learning to play just for my own enjoyment, would this be a good idea? [http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123](http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/68 "2009-04-08T13:11:47Z")
> [@akira5822](#): > > I was thinking of learning to play just for my own enjoyment, would this be a good idea? [http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123](http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123) To be clear: I am an old-school, no-substitute-for-putting-the-practice-time-in, but-make-it-fun-to-keep-you-engaged kinda guy. With that as background - nah, it looks like a terrible idea - it isn’t real and there’s no way it can sound or play like the thing you \*want \*to be playing. Learning an instrument should involve establishing a feedback loop with your instrument of choice - learning to coax the best sounds out of that instrument is a key part of developing your playing. I don’t see how this proxy thing can help with that. Now get off my lawn. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/69 "2009-04-08T13:43:31Z")
> [@akira5822](#): > > I was thinking of learning to play just for my own enjoyment, would this be a good idea? [http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123](http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-EZAG-Self-Teaching-Electronic-Training-Guitar-519042-i1275598.Music123) Agreed. No. If you want to learn how to play the guitar, you’d be best off buying an actual guitar and learning how to play it. > [@](#): > > No sore fingers because there are no strings to press Learn to cook by playing with simulated plastic food. No burnt food because the stove produces no heat! ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/70 "2009-04-08T21:07:45Z")
Thanks guys for the imput, with that in mind what should i be looking for when shopping for a budget guitar? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/71 "2009-04-09T13:21:52Z")
> [@akira5822](#): > > Thanks guys for the imput, with that in mind what should i be looking for when shopping for a budget guitar? What type of music do you want to be playing? And are you thinking acoustic or electric guitar? It kinda doesn’t matter - the bottom line is to fine a reputable brand and a model that is as simple as possible (few bells or whistles) that you know (ask the clerks) can be set up easily and hold it’s set up. Set up = neck angle, action (distance of strings above fretboard) and intonation. If the guitar feels good in your hands and it can hold a set up (so it plays easily and sounds good) and you can get it for cheap - go for it. If you truly enjoy guitar you will want a newer, better one within 12 months anyway…😉 Cheap Taylors, Yamaha’s, Takamine’s and the usual suspects at Guitar Center should be fine… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/72 "2009-04-09T17:07:26Z")
> [@akira5822](#): > > Thanks guys for the imput, with that in mind what should i be looking for when shopping for a budget guitar? Once again, **WordMan** speaks the truth. When I was at GC the other day, I was thinking about **Robot Arm** getting a basic setup. You can get a Squier Strat for $119, a little Fender amp for about $75, a cable for about $15, and a pick for $0.50. Just over $200 and you’re off to the races. And if it turns out that you don’t like it, it’s not like you spent all of your rent money or anything. The Squier does come with a whammy bar, though, and that might not be a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/73 "2009-04-09T21:14:10Z")
Thanks again gentlemen, rock and punk are my music of choice. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/74 "2009-04-09T21:18:09Z")
> [@akira5822](#): > > Thanks again gentlemen, rock and punk are my music of choice. You want a Telecaster - IMHO. Could be a Squire, per **tdn** , or a Made in Mexico… Read these and come on back with questions: > **[Please explain today's Gibson and Fender guitar lineup?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=463804)** > > OK, so I used to play guitar a decade or more ago. I’ve recently taken it up again, using a couple of old guitars I never got rid of, and have bought minor things like picks and cables and and such, some of it online. So, now I get a zillion catalogs... > **[Guitar shopping!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=465550)** > > This might belong in MPSIMS, but Guitar threads have been hanging around the Cafe lately. First of all, thanks much to all who participated in my “Please explain Stratocaster models, I’m sooo confused!” thread. The guitar wisdom was very very much... > **[If you learn to play acoustic guitar have you also learned electric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=463836)** > > In other words, how much of your skills are compatible, and how much would you need to learn? Could you pick up an electric and play respectably, or not? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/75 "2009-05-18T23:12:40Z")
For those anxiously waiting for an update (or even dimly remember), I went shopping with **tdn** last week and came home with a Mexican standard Stratocaster, midnight wine with maple fretboard. (Looks just like [this](http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/fe/fender-standard-strat-maple-midnight-wine.jpg).) I’m in a class at the Boston Center for Adult Education. Most everyone else has accoustics, so nobody else can hear a thing that I’m playing. I ordered a little practice amp and small speaker, so that should even the playing field a bit. I love it so far; just finished practicing for an hour. **tdn** , next time, dinner’s on me. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/76 "2009-05-19T02:05:28Z")
Hey, congrats! Happy new guitar! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863/77 "2009-05-19T11:57:48Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For those anxiously waiting for an update (or even dimly remember), I went shopping with **tdn** last week and came home with a Mexican standard Stratocaster, midnight wine with maple fretboard. (Looks just like [this](http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/fe/fender-standard-strat-maple-midnight-wine.jpg).) > > I’m in a class at the Boston Center for Adult Education. Most everyone else has accoustics, so nobody else can hear a thing that I’m playing. I ordered a little practice amp and small speaker, so that should even the playing field a bit. > > I love it so far; just finished practicing for an hour. **tdn** , next time, dinner’s on me. Hey, congrats! That looks really cool! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-stratocasters/488863.md?page=3)