strumstrum™

The 1960's model Fender Stratocaster guitar

Who, exactly, has laid hands on a Fender Stratocaster in the rock-o-sphere? Here’s a list of some of the most influential Strat players.

1. Dick Dale. Dale was one of the original players in “Strat pack,” and also one of the very first owners of a Fender Stratocaster. Leo Fender gave Dale his strat in 1955, which he used to popularize surf rock.

2. Eric Clapton. A great guitarist and genuine asshole, Clapton grew up on Gibson guitars but transitioned to the Strat (which he nicknamed Brownie) in 1970. He has used nothing else since then.

3. Jeff Beck. Jeff Beck rose to fame with the all star band The Yardbirds, but you also may know him from his more recent band, The Jeff Beck Group. Jeff stopped using the Les Paul in 1975 in favor of the Stratocaster for its unique tone.

4. The Edge. You know Bono. You’ve heard of U2. If you’re a fan, chances are you’ve heard of The Edge, U2’s lead guitarist. He prefers the Fender Strat.

5. Jimi Hendrix. The man that reinvited the blues guitar style into the rock scene, Hendrix used nothing but a Fender Strat. Interestingly enough, he played in the same way that my buddy John does. He played a right-handed guitar left-handed and upside down, with the strings reversed.

6. Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore’s most notable historical achievement was his part in the bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. After using Hofner and Gibson for years, Blackmore switched to Fender guitars in 1968 after being wooed by Hendrix’ talent.

7. David Gilmour. Pink Floyd’s guitarist, David Gilmour, prefers a custom modified Fender Stratocaster. He owns the model #0001 Strat manufactured in 1954.

8. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Simply put: Vaughan was one of the meanest players ever, and all the magic happened on his signature Fender strat.

9. Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Although I despise Malmsteen as a musician, he is definitely the most “metal” of Stratocaster players.

10. George Harrison and John Lennon. Despite Don Randall’s, Leo Fender’s son, work to convince the Beatles guitarists to convert to the Fender way, Harrison and Lennon used the Fender Stratocaster sparingly. None the less, they used it on occassion and made it their own.

11. Ronnie Wood. This Rolling Stones guitarist has been using the Sunburst Strat since 1975.

12. Buddy Holly. Essentially the poster child of the Fender Strat, Holly brought the guitar model into the spotlight when he took it to the Ed Sullivan Show in 1957.

13. John Mayer. The recently popular singer/songwriter has used a Stratocaster for his entire career.

14. Pete Townshend. Serving as the lead guitarist for The Who, Townshend uses a modified version of the Clapton model Fender Strat.

15. Alex Lifeson. Lifeson started using a Strat on Rush’s 1977 album A Farewell to Kings. He continued to use the guitar throughout the 1980’s.

There you have it. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s list of famous Gibson Les Paul players!