22 Frets vs 21 Frets?

[muso.greg]

Originally Posted by Strato

Personally I can't imagine not using the 22nd on a guitar during solos just because I had another guitar with 21 frets. To expand that thought I have lots of solos that pretty much single coil and others that are targeted for humbuckers. When you don't play them on the right guitar they just don't have the magic.

That's why so many of us have more than one guitar to begin with.

Call it laziness if you will (or lack of mental capacity!! I am getting older!!) but I made the call a few years ago that all of my guitars had to be 22 fret (where it is sensible - I agree with tonyw) so I didn't have to think about fret positions too much. I do find that because the 21 and 22 fret Strat necks are essentially the same dementions my hand will automatically got to the correct area of the neck regardless (eg the 12th fret is the same 'feel' place on both necks). Gibsons, etc follow much the same 'feel' pattern.

I have a 24 fret PRS copy and I find that where I 'feel' the 12th fret would be on a Strat is around the 16th fret on it, and it throws me every time. Man! I have to concentrate to play that thing!

21 or 22 fret is not a biggie, but I like to keep things simple where I can. A different feel and a different sound can inspire me, so it doesn't have to be a bad thing. I agree with Strato - that why we need more than one guitar!

[fenderkev]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

hmm...never had a 22-fret neck. maybe it's time i got one!

You'll have to buy an American Fender if you do cos MIM and Squier Strats have only ever had 21.

[gliderider22]

I like em' both.

[gliderider22]

...and permission from his old lady.

Originally Posted by peskypesky

hmm...never had a 22-fret neck. maybe it's time i got one!

Originally Posted by fenderkev

You'll have to buy an American Fender if you do cos MIM and Squier Strats have only ever had 21.

[Moose Studio]

It looks like the Squier Standard and Deluxe have 22 frets. I've never played either of these though. I feel like I need 22 for some reason. I don't know if I really do though.

Standard -
Squier Standard Stratocaster | Sweetwater.com
Deluxe -
Squier Deluxe Strat | Sweetwater.com

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by Moose Studio

It looks like the Squier Standard and Deluxe have 22 frets.

they do....

[Blackmore Fan]

Originally Posted by Moose Studio

It looks like the Squier Standard and Deluxe have 22 frets. I've never played either of these though. I feel like I need 22 for some reason. I don't know if I really do though.

Standard -
Squier Standard Stratocaster | Sweetwater.com
Deluxe -
Squier Deluxe Strat | Sweetwater.com

Unless the Standard is made in China/out-of-a-strat pack? I bought what appears to be a Standard--there are no "Bullet" markings nor does the word "Affinity" appear anywhere on the headstock. Nor are their any markings to indicate that anyone attempted to remove either of those terms (the teenage girl who was selling it got it for Christmas a year ago and didn't seem to know enough to have taken any interest in committing small-scale fraud). It came from a strat pack, has a serial number of CXS 040XXXXXX, and has only 21 frets. This things got a GREAT sound, thick neck, sounds good without even plugging it in--am I wrong in thinking this is a Standard?

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by Blackmore Fan

Unless the Standard is made in China/out-of-a-strat pack? I bought what appears to be a Standard--there are no "Bullet" markings nor does the word "Affinity" appear anywhere on the headstock. Nor are their any markings to indicate that anyone attempted to remove either of those terms (the teenage girl who was selling it got it for Christmas a year ago and didn't seem to know enough to have taken any interest in committing small-scale fraud). It came from a strat pack, has a serial number of CXS 040XXXXXX, and has only 21 frets. This things got a GREAT sound, thick neck, sounds good without even plugging it in--am I wrong in thinking this is a Standard?

is it a small or large headstock? Bullets are small, Standards are big.

also, how many points at the trem? Standards have 2-point trems, while Bullets and Affinitys have 6-point trems.

[Blackmore Fan]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

is it a small or large headstock? Bullets are small, Standards are big.

also, how many points at the trem? Standards have 2-point trems, while Bullets and Affinitys have 6-point trems.

I don't own a Bullet to compare it to, but I'd say "large". It also has a 3-ply tortoiseshell pickguard--appears white/black/white when viewed from the side.

I'm not sure how to answer you tremelo question--what are "points"?

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by Blackmore Fan

I'm not sure how to answer you tremelo question--what are "points"?

how many screws holding the bridge down?

[Blackmore Fan]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

how many screws holding the bridge down?

Its got 6.

I'm perplexed--I realize that the current Standard link says 6 point tremelo--I wonder how far back that goes? This guitar was a Christmas of 2008 present according to the girl I bought it from.

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by Blackmore Fan

Its got 6.

I'm perplexed--I realize that the current Standard link says 6 point tremelo--I wonder how far back that goes?

nope. standard has 2, not 6. sounds like you got an Affinity. or maybe an SE.

post a photo?

[Blackmore Fan]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

nope. standard has 2, not 6. sounds like you got an Affinity. or maybe an SE.

post a photo?

Found a link--its an SE. Squier SE Special Strat Pak with SP 10 Close-Up | Sweetwater.com

That's the exact guitar I bought--to a "T".

What do you know about SEs?

[strat.tenor]

German Shepherds universally prefer the 22 fret neck.

If you have a 21 fret neck and your dog is often moody and sad, now you know why.

[fenderkev]

[quote=Moose Studio;150481]It looks like the Squier Standard and Deluxe have 22 frets. I've never played either of these though. I feel like I need 22 for some reason. I don't know if I really do though.

Hey peskypesky looks like you're in luck after all. Even Squiers are getting in on the 22 fret act now.

[Malikon]

that post was absolutely insane Strat.Tenor

I Loved It!!!!

[Diocletian]

I don't mind much, but I DO find it much easier playing certain songs on one of my 24 fret Jacksons.
Take the final part of Dave Murray's solo in "The Trooper" - you can do it on a 21 fret neck with a bend, but it's simpler to play with an extra fret (or three!)

[67Strat]

I've had 21, 22 and 24 on electric guitars and it's not something I have a preference for, I play whatever is in my hands and rarely have a need to take things that far up the neck. I spent so much time early on playing cheapy 12 fret acoustics that anything beyond that is a bonus. I have no doubt there are some things that require it, but anything can be played differently on the fly to overcome lack of high notes up the neck.

[Uberstink]

I spent my first 10+ years playing on 22 fret necks so when I finally did get an actual Fender product the muscle memory and thought patterns were already firmly established and that missing fret was a constant source of anxiety whenever I crossed over the 15th fret. Not terribly rational, but anxiety, however mild, isn't good for one's playing.

I'll definitely be building my Fenders with 22 frets. Nothing wrong with 21, I'm just used to 22.

[Diocletian]

I think it matters more if you're playing something that was originally done on a guitar with 22 (or even 24) frets. Trying to play it is going to be that extra bit harder.

Possible, yes, but harder.