Years ago, my gorgeous cherry red LP Standard was stolen, but I replaced it with a Strat, then I replaced that with a Guild Starfire, and stupidly sold it at a time that I no longer wanted to play guitar, and switched to e-bass. During the last pandemic, I decided that I wanted to start learning Jazz guitar, stumbled across a few YT channels of people playing Teles for Jazz - which I never thought possible - and so I decided to buy one, a Player HH because I thought I could get a thicker warmer tone out of those pickups instead of single coils. For amps, I used to have a Twin Reverb, but it was so damn heavy, and when I picked up guitar again a few years ago, I went with a Quilter SuperBlock US, that I slapped on top of a Toob METRO 6.5 cabinet. Very light / durable setup, with a great sound to my ears, because the Quilter amp emulates three classic Fender amps, and the reverb sounds good as well.
It's all very subjective. After not using a Stratocaster for years, I've been getting back into it lately. A lot depends on the amp and setup, but the Stratocaster can really deliver a great jazz tone. Regarding thick and flatwound strings on Fender guitars, my experience has been very positive, and I've noticed that thicker flatwound strings allow for more precise intonation, especially on the G string. 🎶
I put dimarzio 36th anniversary paf’s into an Ibanez Sabre super Strat with a Floyd. Sounds freaking great is really like and small with a shredder neck. Makes playing and staying in tune so much easier. Yes, I do get weird looks showing up to an open mic and playing a couple standards on it 😂 but I decided to quit fighting technology and modern specs that make it so much easier.
I've stopped using amps entirely, due to tinnitus and over sensitive ears . I get a great amp sound with just 2 pedals - a clean boost going into an overdrive - and that's my amp sound. For small gigs I play through a 30watt Roland monitor, for anything bigger I will either plug my pedalboard straight into the desk, or just mic up the little Roland. It's the best sound I've ever had too!
With the Strat, I find it’s about embracing it as it is - I love the thinness of the bridge pickup and I love the neck pickup with the tone rolled right off, and I love being able to quickly switch between those two sounds. I can’t get into the other positions at all. But I also agree that the Telecaster neck and bridge pickups are really great, in a very different way to the Strat. I’m with you on delay - I just can’t use it… I love Rockabilly but I’d still always go with reverb.
Would love to know what it is about flats on a solid body that doesn't work for you? Is that they don't have the same effect on a solidbody as compared to a hollow body?
Good question. It’s hard to say - maybe I’m just a traditionalist which is why I like using 10s on Teles so much and anything else just feels off! I love flatwounds but they’re only really useful for a straight ahead jazz sound and that’s it.
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Definitely agree with you on not using larger amps anymore.
Years ago, my gorgeous cherry red LP Standard was stolen, but I replaced it with a Strat, then I replaced that with a Guild Starfire, and stupidly sold it at a time that I no longer wanted to play guitar, and switched to e-bass.
During the last pandemic, I decided that I wanted to start learning Jazz guitar, stumbled across a few YT channels of people playing Teles for Jazz - which I never thought possible - and so I decided to buy one, a Player HH because I thought I could get a thicker warmer tone out of those pickups instead of single coils.
For amps, I used to have a Twin Reverb, but it was so damn heavy, and when I picked up guitar again a few years ago, I went with a Quilter SuperBlock US, that I slapped on top of a Toob METRO 6.5 cabinet. Very light / durable setup, with a great sound to my ears, because the Quilter amp emulates three classic Fender amps, and the reverb sounds good as well.
I agree with your assessment Jamie. The basic gear is great. A Telecaster and good clean amp.
Agreed!
It's all very subjective. After not using a Stratocaster for years, I've been getting back into it lately. A lot depends on the amp and setup, but the Stratocaster can really deliver a great jazz tone. Regarding thick and flatwound strings on Fender guitars, my experience has been very positive, and I've noticed that thicker flatwound strings allow for more precise intonation, especially on the G string. 🎶
I put dimarzio 36th anniversary paf’s into an Ibanez Sabre super Strat with a Floyd. Sounds freaking great is really like and small with a shredder neck. Makes playing and staying in tune so much easier. Yes, I do get weird looks showing up to an open mic and playing a couple standards on it 😂 but I decided to quit fighting technology and modern specs that make it so much easier.
I've stopped using amps entirely, due to tinnitus and over sensitive ears . I get a great amp sound with just 2 pedals - a clean boost going into an overdrive - and that's my amp sound. For small gigs I play through a 30watt Roland monitor, for anything bigger I will either plug my pedalboard straight into the desk, or just mic up the little Roland. It's the best sound I've ever had too!
With the Strat, I find it’s about embracing it as it is - I love the thinness of the bridge pickup and I love the neck pickup with the tone rolled right off, and I love being able to quickly switch between those two sounds. I can’t get into the other positions at all. But I also agree that the Telecaster neck and bridge pickups are really great, in a very different way to the Strat.
I’m with you on delay - I just can’t use it… I love Rockabilly but I’d still always go with reverb.
Good points - thank you for sharing! Yes delay is great for rockabilly
Great analysis
Strats all the way for me!
Would love to know what it is about flats on a solid body that doesn't work for you? Is that they don't have the same effect on a solidbody as compared to a hollow body?
Good question. It’s hard to say - maybe I’m just a traditionalist which is why I like using 10s on Teles so much and anything else just feels off! I love flatwounds but they’re only really useful for a straight ahead jazz sound and that’s it.
Given up on ore than one big box guitar- don't play them enough. given up on good-for-the-price but not great cheap guitars.