What Tone Qualities Do You Listen For…

[Stratstrangler]

…when you pick up a Strat (either your own or someone else's)? I own two stock Strats; one being a 2001 Amer. Series and the newer one , a 2012 stock Amer. Standard with the Fender ”Fat 50's” pickups. Despite pickup differences, weight, and rosewood as opposed to maple boards, they each exhibit that “fat” Strat tone. The bottom strings chewy, meaty tone offset by the top strings chime. IMHO, it is almost like having two different guitars in one; and this applies when using any of the 5 pickup switch combinations. One of my favorite exponents of my description was Hendrix's playing on a relatively clean amp without much in the way of pedals.

What tone qualities do you seek out when testing out or dialing in a Strat; before adding modulation, OD or distortion to its inherent tone?

Stratstrangler

 

[guitarface]

I like when they sound good.

 

[Ronkirn]

I like when they sound good.

Much like what taste qualities do I look for when eating... If it tastes good, Yum...

Some things cannot be quantified... like Tone or more precisely the Voice of the guitar...

 

[Bob the builder]

I go more by how it feels in my hands.
I got a couple decent amps + pedals to get what I want.

 

[Guitarchaeologist]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Likewise, tone is in the ear of the belistener.

 

[RL21980]

Can't be "weak or thin sounding" There are tons of anemic sounding strats out there. Even with lower output vintage pickups you can get a good fat single coil strat tone. Thats what I look for.

 

[Ebidis]

I just make sure it plays well, and has no annoying anomalies, like dead spots, wolf tones, or bad intonation.

As far as "tone", it should sound like an electric guitar.

 

[Ebidis]

I like when they sound good.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[crankmeister]

There’s a range of acceptable Strat-ness for me. And pretty much every Strat I’ve heard/played fits within that range with the exception of those with noiseless pickups.

Fatness, warmth, clarity, and chime are words that I recognize.

 

[albala]

with electric guitars, it's all about feeling.

how does this guitar feel?

I make it sound like whatever I want but I can't make it feel right.

Either it does or it doesn't.

 

[El Gobernador]

I look for good qualities. Bad ones turn me off.

 

[tygr1]

Have to agree with the 'feel' thing. That's what it's all about.

 

[Murdog]

Much like what taste qualities do I look for when eating... If it tastes good, Yum...

Some things cannot be quantified... like Tone or more precisely the Voice of the guitar...

This is a great analogy! I don't try to assign "words to sound". I'm not good at that. I play something and it either sounds good or it doesn't.

 

[PlayerOne]

Unplugged, I want to hear a decent amount of sustain and enough volume to allow me to hear what I'm playing. Plugged in I want to hear a strong full ballance all across the neck.

 

[EC Strat]

I listen for a great mellow sounding neck that’s scooped and glassy with a fat bottom end, spanky 2 and 4 and a bridge that cuts thru (and maybe overwound)

 

[ETucc]

Unplugged, I want to hear a decent amount of sustain and enough volume to allow me to hear what I'm playing. Plugged in I want to hear a strong full ballance all across the neck.

I play my Strat unplugged very often, I love how much it chimes acoustically.

 

[StratoMutt]

That which does not suck. Think I know it when I hear it.

Unplugged electric playing is no longer an option for me. Tinnitus and all...

 

[Ocaster Ben]

A good bright sounding neck pickup, that is also versatile. Lots of guitars out there that are warm sounding.

 

[Jimbo99]

Clarity, muddy pickups are just the worst. OD & distortion is the pedal or amp.

 

[Sartrewasright]

…when you pick up a Strat (either your own or someone else's)? I own two stock Strats; one being a 2001 Amer. Series and the newer one , a 2012 stock Amer. Standard with the Fender ”Fat 50's” pickups. Despite pickup differences, weight, and rosewood as opposed to maple boards, they each exhibit that “fat” Strat tone. The bottom strings chewy, meaty tone offset by the top strings chime. IMHO, it is almost like having two different guitars in one; and this applies when using any of the 5 pickup switch combinations. One of my favorite exponents of my description was Hendrix's playing on a relatively clean amp without much in the way of pedals.

What tone qualities do you seek out when testing out or dialing in a Strat; before adding modulation, OD or distortion to its inherent tone?

Stratstrangler

It takes time to develop a sophisticated ear....most tones sound fine but others will have slightly more appeal. I like slightly diminished treble (7-8), full bass at lower volumes (10) Full middle (10) on a Fender Blackface amp (I have a 1967 DR and a 1967 SR). When loud and dirty, I lower the bass, and blast the high end.