Members Spike Li Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 What exactly is it about strats/superstrats that makes them so appealing to shredders? One would assume that a 24.75" inch scale would be more suited to shredding cause the frets are closer together and the strings are looser, but apparently is isnt... Im definitely no shredder so could someone shed some light on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve_man Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 It's the "monkey grip" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members w00dsy Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 thin necks, whammy bars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members themachineisgod Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I've wondered about this as well. It seems like all the uber shredders have strat style guitars. Why not go to a 24" scale with 24 frets like Brian May? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EADGBE Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 The 25.5 inch scale allows for faster playing. Because after you hit the string it goes back into place faster for more speed. And then there's the Floyd Rose. You can pull up or dive bomb with it. And let's don't forget the bridge humbucker. Most of us like 'em a little hotter than a regular PAF. For more crunch and sustain. A lot of people don't know it but strats and teles were designed for country and western music. But shredders were made for rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cross.bones Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 One would assume that a 24.75" inch scale would be more suited to shredding cause the frets are closer together and the strings are looser, but apparently is isnt... Because the guitars they used originally in the late 70's and early 80's were strat based guitars. Things like Charvels and Kramers were built because people were already taking strats and modifying them. The reason being was things like the fact it has a pickguard so it was easy to change electronics, they already had some tremolo routing, removable necks to get the setups right so they string action is low etc. I guess it just followed. Plus in reality the difference in fret width is minimal, however for holding a tune the longer scale is better for the light strings which are better for bending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Head Creeps Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 necks, tremelos, pups... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scythe001 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Deep cutaways and modified heels for good upper-fret access, slim necks (unfinished or only oiled in most cases), hot pickups, locking trem, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members radomu Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 super strats are so ugly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cylon Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 comfort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bengerm77 Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 How is one supposed to have a pointy shredder headstock if one doesn't have all the tuners on one side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members csm Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 . A lot of people don't know it but strats and teles were designed for country and western music. True ... with the Strat's wigglestick as a means of faking pedal steel licks. And Les Pauls for jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members matt rhoades Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I love a good super strat you get alot of tones, necks are usually very fast, and the hsh is good pickup combo imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ferdinandstrat Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 The only thing on my guitar that says shred is the 24 frets and the Floyd Rose. And it's not a superstrat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poolshark Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'd always been told the 25.5" scale on super strats is to afford a little more space between the uppermost frets, to avoid 'tripping' over your own fingers when you make with the weedly-weedlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members captainultimus Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'd always been told the 25.5" scale on super strats is to afford a little more space between the uppermost frets, to avoid 'tripping' over your own fingers when you make with the weedly-weedlies. i make all the girls go weedly weedlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Maybe guitarists of that era wanted their own style? Didn't feel like being locked in by tradition? Wanted their own sound? Obviously there were physical things about the guitars that made playing more comfortable. I prefer strats teles les pauls and SG's but one need only pick up a jackson soloist once to know the ergonomics of it are way better than all of those aside from maybe the SG. And lets face it...80's guitarists beat the shit out of there guitars more than anyone before while still expecting it to finish the gig..so floyds were a necessary invention. It's not like you can't shred on the others. Malmsteen plays just as fast as anyone on a strat and I've seen Batio play a Les Paul as fast as he plays anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MorganB Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 "It's the "monkey grip"" Close, it is the Monkey see monkey do. EVH mad it popular RR brought a few a back to LP's & V's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peavey_impact Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Because they are super comfy to play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gt_jumper Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'd always been told the 25.5" scale on super strats is to afford a little more space between the uppermost frets, to avoid 'tripping' over your own fingers when you make with the weedly-weedlies. this is why i play longer scale necks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frankenstone Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 You're all wrong. Superstrats looked cooler in music videos. :poke::poke::poke: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members humbuckerstrat Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 Cuz they look kewl:rawk: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BIGD Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 EVH. He did it, so that's where many people started. The strat body is lighter and more easy to wield on stage, strats have whammy bars, and it's easier to swap parts in and out. Without EVH, no super strat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members humbuckerstrat Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 You're all wrong. Superstrats looked cooler in music videos. :poke::poke::poke: Touche:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cold Gin Posted November 4, 2009 Members Share Posted November 4, 2009 It's the combination of the longer scale neck, easy fret access, extra frets, the fact that it's easy to swap out pickups and electronics, they look cool, most have FR's, great playability. Superstrats are designed for heavy rock/metal and shred. You don't absolutely need a superstrat to play that kind of music though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.