Heavy sound with strat.

[Lopp]

Lopp —
Hadn't thought of the argument for mahogany bodies and shorter string length. Does the string length make that much of a difference? I don't doubt your veracity; it just seems like an inch and a half longer neck wouldn't be that much of a factor. Spoken like a true English major who hated physics . If it *is* a major factor, I wonder what the implications would be for a Warmoth LP styled guitar that has the 25 scale neck? Maybe something in between? I'd be interested in your opinion.

Wood choice is well accepted as making a big tonal difference in a guitar's sound. Regarding string length, I came pretty close to having a physics minor , but the best analysis I can give you is here:
http://www.netwiz.net/~novax/techinfo.html
(Saves me a lot of typing).

The 25" scale you mentioned would approximate the tone of a PRS which has the same scale.

 

[Lopp]

Maybe im crazy but im pretty sure Kirk Hammet (Hammett? Hamett?) has been known to wield a Strat from time to time.. in fact thats exactly what he uses in the video for "One".... and im fairly certain you can see him using one in both the Cunning Stunts and S&M vids as well... if i could be bothered checking id have a look at the Cliff Em All vid as well....

That's nice, but the rhythm guitar is almost always a LP-style guitar. Especially in recordings. I'm sure Dunder is looking for the tone of Metallica's recordings, not a prop in a video.

 

[Lopp]

That's nice, but the rhythm guitar is almost always a LP-style guitar. Especially in recordings. I'm sure Dunder is looking for the tone of Metallica's recordings, not a prop in a video.

Just noticed that Matty-boy posted the same thing.

 

[Lopp]

i also played a Hot Rails for several years on an SG in the bridge position, but i never liked it. i never felt it distorted cleanly, always seemed muddy. i think i still have it in my spare/old pickups box.

For what it's worth, I have a Hot Rails in the bridge position on my Strat. I prefer it over the single coil as having a thicker tone with less noise. Yet, it is still brighter than my guitars with standard humbuckers. It must sound better on a Strat than an SG.

 

[Dunder XIII]

About buying a new guitar, its not something I woudn't do and I'll probably buy a humbucker type solid body as my next guitar (Ibanez, Jackson, LP, SG, whatever, I'm not currently searching for one so I've not stopped on any type now). But I want so many other stuff such as a tube compressor and keyboard that I can't see the day when I'll be able to buy that. Also if I do, I fear I'll never use my Fender again That's basically why I asked for a quick hack to add bang to my strat.

That said, I do enjoy reading all your posts and I do take in account everything said about how guitars sound when where and how. It very appreciated.

 

[beaverbiscuit]

Hey Lopp, thanks for the link. It was very instructive to my question.

I'm looking at getting the Warmoth mainly because I want the density of the mahogany body without having to mess with the shorter scale. I've never been able to play a regular LP with any facility; in fact, the only Gibson I've ever played that felt comfortable was an Explorer. Maybe it has more to do with the cutaway, since the scale is the same. In any event, it's gonna be a while before I have the means to get *any* new axe .

Thanks again!

 

[Lopp]

No prob.

Enjoy your quest for an axe. PRS is probably right up you alley with a mahogany body and 25" scale. Too bad the price and the wait sucks. However, the PRS would keep a better resale than the Warmoth. Also, you can play the PRS you are considering before you buy it if you know of a shop with a good supply.


Matt

 

[beaverbiscuit]

Lopp, thanks for the suggestion on the PRS. I guess I've never seriously considered them because of the prohibitive prices, but by the time I get enough cash together to begin assembling a Warmoth I could probably hold out a bit longer for one. You know, like when I'm about 60 (and I'm 35 now) .

Anyway, I looked at their site for info about retailers in my area (Evansville, IN) but came up with nothing. Probably gonna have to hit Nashville to find one. Is there some kind of hotline or network I could contact for more info on dealers?

 

[OneLouder]

Ok maybe im even crazier for not letting this go BUT nobody mentioned anything about RHYTHM guitar sound prior to my posts in this thread... sorry for maybe looking at things from a different angle...

Secondly as Cunning Stunts and S&M are both live performances my assessment wasnt based on a "prop in a video"... i know im dumb but not that dumb...

I think my point was that strat type guitars can sound heavy. I dont think its a given that they wont.

I'll keep my mouth shut in future.

 

[beaverbiscuit]

OneLouder —

I understand what you're saying, and I don't think you're dumb (not based on your last post, anyway ). I have a Strat that the previous owner "ruined" by turning the bridge pickup into a humbucker. To me it's plenty heavy for most of what I do. I think what the others may be saying is that, ideally, somebody looking to bust listeners' heads with really heavy sound is probably not going to select a Strat as their first choice. (At least I wouldn't, not when there are so many other ready-to-kill options available.)

It's not that it's *impossible*, it's just not the easiest way to achieve that heaviness if that's the goal. I tend to play my Strat more than my Kramer because there's more sonic variety available, but if I were doing a gig in a metal band I'd probably use the Kramer, at least live, because it has EMG-licensed pickups which have more crunch.