The Stratocaster Chronicles: Celebrating 50 Years of the Fender Strat

The world's most famous guitar has a golden anniversary in 2004, and this official, authorized book/CD package offers the best photos, quotes, facts and sounds to properly celebrate this achievement. From Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix to todays' hottest players, the Fender Stratocaster defines rock'n'roll for generations of fans and players.Special features include exclusive photos from the world's greatest guitar collection, as well as a CD with musical examples of famous Strat sounds and styles - even spoken excerpts from the author's interviews with the Strat's beloved inventor, Leo Fender.This book also recognizes that the Stratocaster's deeper significance lies in the music that guitarists have created with it. You'll hear what Strat players have to say about their instrument, their music and each other. The Fender Stratocaster both reflects and influences popular culture worldwide. The Stratocaster Chronicles focuses on the people who brought it into the world, the designers and builders who refined it, and the players who have taken it from there.
Customer Review: Will make you a Strat fan for life
If you are a fan of just about any kind of music, you've heard a Fender Strat. This book covers all the details of one of the music world's most iconic images, the Fender Stratocaster. This is another book that I can't seem to put down. This book will make you want to run out and buy a Strat even if you can't play. I am just really learning the guitar after first picking one up over twenty-eight years ago. Buying this book really helped my decision to buy my first Strat, and it probably won't be my last. This is a must-have book if you are a collector, musician, or a fan of Strat-playing musicians.
Customer Review: Great book. Great fun!
This is a very well researched and well written book. All of Tom Wheeler's guitar and amp books are terrific. I also have the companion Fender Amp book which is a "must have" for enthusiasts and collectors.

You know your Festival is a success when the tickets numbering 137, 500 are sold out within 90 minutes and the line up of artists hasnt been announced as yet. Two months after the record sell-out, the line up has finally been announced and festival goers will not be disappointed, as in past years, big names have been signed up.

The Glastonbury Festival started in September 1970, had an attendance of 1 500 at an entrance fee of 1 which included free milk from the farm on which it was being held. The Festival is a camping type of happening! The next one was held in June 1972 and was free this time around. Attendance was estimated at 12 000. Since then there have been some gaps due to lack of finances or having to allow the meadows to recover and provision made to keep gate crashers out and other logistic dilemmas.

From almost its inception, awareness has been created and funds raised for local charities and from 1992 included international ones such as Green Peace, Water Aid, Oxfam. Issues about caring for the environment are promoted and this years campaign is to appeal to Festival attendees to personally make a difference with efforts to stop climate change.

The event features multiple stages, a Dance Village, JazzWorld Stage, John Peel Stage for new bands, the famous Pyramid Stage which in its first form acted as a barn yarn during the rest of the year and Other Stage. But there is so much more to Glastonbury than the music.

There are special spaces either open or covered that feature poetry, bars and markets, a space where you can get married, get dressed up to promenade, a political space where you can argue, a Kidz Field, an open area The Glade where impromptu artistic collaborations take place. And so much more. There is the area covering three fields called Theatre and Circus. The actual program of what is on offer is mind blowing and worth marveling at by visiting the website.

The Glastonbury Festival is a prime example of what can be done when an event is patiently built up over many years. It also shows how one can learn from previous mistakes and improve on them. Reading the brief history of this Festival one is amazed at some of the set-backs the organisers have had to contend with. For instance, during the 2005 event, two months worth of rain came down over a period of several hours. This was a once in a hundred year occurrence. Those who attended that year, dinghys and all, still had a fabulous time. There is no doubt that this years lucky ticket holders will have a wonderful three days, rain or not.

Anja Merret lives in Brighton, UK. Her personal blog http://www.anjamerret.com allows her to voice opinions on issues that interest her and observations she makes.

She has started a new blog http://www.pinkblocks.com that deals with observations on self development and personal power.

Her recommendation for self help tools may be found on http://www.anjamerret.blogspot.com

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Live at Montreux 1997/1999

Playing his Fender® Stratocaster® flat on his lap Jeff Healey has developed an instantly recognizable guitar sound and image. Blind since the age of one he burst into the big time with The Jeff Healey Band's platinum selling debut album "See The Light" and the hit single "Angel Eyes" in 1988. This concert filmed at Montreux on July 3 1999 features many of the band's most popular tracks.Tracks:1. My Little Girl2. Stop Breakin' Down3. Third Degree4. I Think I Love You Too Much5. Stuck In The Middle With You6. I Can't Get My Hands On You7. Angel Eyes8. Roadhouse Blues9. See the Light10. Hoochie Coochie ManFounded in 1967 the Montreux Jazz Festival has established itself as one of the most prestigious annual music events in the world. The extraordinary list of artists who have played there is drawn form across the musical spectrum and from around the world. Now with the consent of the festival and the artists Eagle Vision is making these concerts available on DVD for the first time.System Requirements:Running Time: 100 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS Rating: NR UPC: 801213913299 Manufacturer No: EE39132-9
Customer Review: RIP Jeff Healey...you were sent down from heaven you just went back home..
No words to describe this man, just watch him live and you will know what I mean. I want more and more and more and more from this man, I can't get enough.....amazing talent

There are many factors to consider when choosing an electric guitar and each factor will impact your choice of guitars available for you to buy in the marketplace.

Perhaps one of the first things to consider is whether you are looking for a famous brand, such as a fender electric guitar, an Ibanez electric guitar, a Gibson electric guitar or you may not have a preference regarding the brand of guitar that you are looking to purchase.

You then need to consider whether or not you want an acoustic electric guitar. Once you've deciphered that, even if you do choose a specific guitar maker, the following list of factors will need to be considered.

Body style

There are three basic body styles of electric guitars - solid body, semi hollow/semi solid and hollow body.

Guitar Body Shape

There are various different guitar shapes to choose from and you should try a few different ones for comfort and feel before making a decision when buying your electric guitar. Shapes available include the Strat shape designed by Fender, the telecaster shape, again designed by Fender, and also the Les Paul and SG shape designed by Gibson guitars.

The Fender strat and Telecaster shape guitars are favoured by famous guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt. Guitar heroes such as Joe Perry and Slash prefer the Gibson Les Paul shape of guitar. Guitar shape does not have a direct effect on sound when played.

Neck

The style and type of neck for your guitar is dependent upon your hand size and what is most comfortable for you to play with. There are a variety of shapes including wide, thin and C-shaped.

Scale length

The scale length impacts the tone quality of the notes and the string tension at a particular pitch. The scale length is determined by the distance between the bridge saddle and the nut. There are most often two common scale lengths to choose from - the Gibson scale and the Fender scale. There is a third scale as well, which is used by Paul Reed Smith as well as others, which produce a different sound from the two most common scale lengths.

Intonation

Intonation is the term used to describe if the notes are in tune as you move up the neck of your guitar. Intonation can be affected by different factors such as playing style. Pressing harder on the strings can create a bow and this in time can affect guitar intonation.

Set neck/Bolt on neck

The choice between these two may leave you with less choices of the instrument you choose - Stratocaster electric guitars are bolt on necks, while the Gibson Les Paul is a set neck.

Number of frets

Most electric guitars have 22 frets, however you may choose a 24 fret as well that will give you another octave.

Finish

Even if you are looking for a pink electric guitar, the finish on the guitar doesn't impact the sound as it does with acoustic guitars.

Bridge

The choice between tremolo bridge and stop tail bridge.

Pickups

Most electric guitars have two pick ups. A 3-position switch allows you to choose between these pick ups, while others have a 5-position switch.

Ray is interested in Guitars, SEO and Internet Marketing.

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Guitars Guitar Strummin Fender Gibson Cotton Throw Blanket

This is a lovely high quality Woven throw, made in USA. Great decoration for you home, office, excellent to hang on wall, fold on bed, etc.
Customer Review: Unique Gift
This gift was ordered as a Christmas gift to my teenage brother who loves guitars. I searched everywhere for guitar blankets, and this was the only one I could find. I was very pleased with the seller (Cjicollectiables, LLC)as the product arrive on time and came with a customer satisfaction garentee. Needless to say, I was very satified with the blanket throw, as was my brother. I would recommend the blanket as a unique quality gift for any guitar lover, and the seller as reliable.

The Gibson Firebird was made from 1963-65 in the initial reverse body shape, and from 1965-69 in the non-reverse shape. The two models were later reissued and are still on sale. Gibson had been accused of being overly conservative in the 1950s, only marketing the Les Paul solid-body electric guitar and its various semi-acoustic guitars such as the ES series. This meant that, to the younger market Gibson were at a disadvantage to Fender's more modern designs, the Stratocaster and Telecaster. As a riposte to all the people who claimed Gibson were being too conservative, the company released the Explorer and Flying V models in 1958 as part of an angular three-guitar "Modernistic series", along with a third guitar, the Moderne, of which none were ever built until the model was "reissued" in 1982. The three modernistic guitars were very unsuccessful. In the original 1958 series of guitars, no Modernes were built, (although some eager collectors are still waiting for a 1958 Moderne to surface), and less than 150 Flying Vs and Explorers were built in total. The Modernistic series was discontinued in 1959, having been a complete failure.

Gibson decided in 1963 that they needed another foray into more modern styles of guitars, although they were careful to avoid another failure like the Modernistic series had been. They enlisted the help of Ray Dietrich, an American car designer. Dietrich decided to use the Explorer model as a base and came up with what would become the Firebird shape, basically an Explorer with rounder edges and a softer shape overall.

Gibson released the Firebird in "reverse-body" format in mid-1963. It was much more successful than the Modernistic series was, although 1960s guitarists still found the shape too radical for their tastes. It was decided in 1965 that the bold Explorer-esque shape was to blame. Gibson designers put the body on the other way around, and the more conventional "non-reverse" body style was born. This was sold from 1965 to 1969, when the Firebird was discontinued altogether.

In 1972 the "reverse" Firebird was reissued. The "non-reverse" body was not reissued, although it was added as a Gibson Custom Shop guitar in 2002.

In the Firebird's original range there were four models, all unusually named using Roman numerals. The Firebird I had one humbucker pickup and chrome hardware. The Firebird III had two humbuckers, a Gibson Vibrola tailpiece and chrome hardware. The Firebird V was the same as the III, but with a Tune-O-Matic bridge. The Firebird VII had three humbuckers, a Vibrola tailpiece, a Tune-O-Matic bridge and gold hardware. Later the Firebird XII was added to the range. It was a "non-reverse" shape with 12 strings and two pickups. The pickup options were Gibson's old-fashioned P-90 singlecoil, humbuckers, or mini-humbuckers.

The "reverse" Firebird is noted for its' radical shape and the fact that the tuners are on the back of the headstock, hidden from view. The more conventional "non-reverse" shape eschewed both of these traits.

Famous Firebird players include Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Johnny Winter and Brian Jones, original lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones. Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd also used a 1964 Firebird to record the famous solo in Free Bird.

Mark Flys is webmaster for the online guitar guide. The online resource for all guitar and bass information, online lessons, tabs and cheap instruments. http://www.onlineguitarguide.co.uk

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Fender '57 Stratocaster 8 Hole Pickguard - White Pearl

Guitar Replacement Pickguard. Made by Fender.

One of the really nice things about Fender instruments is that you can change the look of your instrument with relative ease.

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to replace the pickguard! Fender offers a variety of pickguards with different pickup configurations and materials to help you add a personal touch to your favorite Fender instrument.

4-Ply, 8 Hole Stratocaster Pickguard for 3 single coil pickups

Fits:

• '57 American Vintage, SRV and Eric Clapton Stratocasters (USA)
• '50s Stratocaster (Mexico)

Stevie Ray Vaughan hailed from Dallas Texas, and his name is synonymous with fender electric guitars. Stevie predominantly played a late fifties or early sixties version of the Strat (opinion is divided on its exact date), but there is no doubting that it was a Fender Stratocaster (Strat) guitar. Stevie seemed to favour this guitar over most others, and the sound is distinctly Fender, and Strat in particular, in quality.

The sound produced by Stevie Ray is almost classic Fender. The Strat is very distinctive, and adds a beautiful tone, especially to Stevie Ray's blues playing. There is a lot of recorded music by Stevie Ray, and all of it is great to hear. I certainly recommend that you seek some out and enjoy the Texas blues at its very best.

Stevie's background was steeped in the blues, so it is no surprise that his recordings feature many blues cuts. The video of Stevies' performance of Texas Flood is a great example of his feel for the blues. Stevie didn't stop with the blues though, and he used his Fender Guitar to great effect on many of his own compositions, as well as blues classics. He played a kind of shuffle exquisitely, as demonstrated on brilliant tunes such as 'Pride and Joy' and 'Cold Shot'. SRV also covered many rock classics, and could do anything song he turned his attention to justice.

I had the great privilege of seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble at the Hammersmith Odeon (it's now called something else I think) in London, in the late 1980's. Apart from the pleasure of seeing SRV play, the event was doubly memorable for me because Eric Clapton came in, accompanied by Ringo Starr and other halves, and sat down in front of me! How cool was that.

Stevie wrapped his Fender around all his classic cuts, including some specialty rocks songs that he covered, in honour of his peers. I am thinking here of Jimi Hendrix, for whom SRV covered Little Wing and Voodoo Chile. And Stevie's renditions of these songs were spectacular. However, remembering Eric Clapton, reminded me of another SRV cover, which I recall EC getting very animated about, And that was a version of Stevie Wonder's classic song 'Superstition', played with all the panache you would expect from a super showman like Stevie Ray Vaughan. And if Eric Clapton loved it, who am I to argue?

I am very grateful to the likes of Google's You Tube that allows us to see late great artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan plying their trade. Seeing these great performers, many on stage where they were in their element. is a chance to see great workmen use their tools of trade, which in Stevie Ray's case, was a Fender Electric Guitar!

Fender electric guitars rock! Stevie Ray Vaughan played them, so could you! Great music, great guitars, great time!

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Fender Custom Shop No Way Out Skull Studs Rocker Shirt. Black Short sleeve Button Front Fender Guitars Shirt

New Fully Licensed Mens Fender Guitar Tour Wear Shirt. Fabulous rock band stage wear shirt for Musicians or a just a great shirt for Fender Guitar lovers. Great Rocker shirt for those special nights on the town. From the Fender Custom Shop. This Design is Killer - it is called No Way Out. It is a short sleeve Black Cotton shirt with a small Fender Custom Shop Skull embroidery design on the front. The front features Fender Snap closures in a Rockabilly style. The back has a large print of the Fender Skull and crossed Fender Guitars Design and says Rock n Roll Religion on it. The Skull has Metal Studs in his eyes and there are Metal Studs between the words. Great for all musicians from Heavy Metal to Rockabilly and as a clubbing shirt for anyone. These shirts are new but made to look vintage with wicked cool detailing. Fabric is 100% Cotton for a soft comfortable fit and ease of care.Sizing on This Mens Short Sleeve Button Front Cotton Fender Guitar Shirt:Medium: 43 inch chest.Large: 45 inch chest.XL: 47 inch chest.XXL: 49 1/2 inch chest.

These days there are a ton of electric guitars on the market from the prestige instruments such as the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul through to their myriad of replicas. With so much similarity in instruments available it takes something a little special to get you noticed or to produce a sound thats different thats why you should look at Rickenbacker guitars.

Rickenbackers have a tradition that harks back to the 1930s and they have produced many famous and innovative models since. For example the Rickenbacker 325 Electric guitar, famous for its association with John Lennon and the Rickenbacker 360 12 string guitar associated with the 60s band The Byrds. These guitars remain iconic to this day and their sound is instantly recognizable.

Visually they look kind of like a Stratocaster on speed with their big flat bodies often with a traditionally shaped go faster sound hole, Ricky R bridge and unique headstock. Strap one of these on and youll stand out from the crowd. They really have that wow factor.

But what really makes the Rickenbacker so special?

The sound! Sonically, Rickenbacker guitars have a unique sound partly due to their quality construction but mainly due to the unique Rickenbacker pickups. During the 1960s Rickenbacker used their now famous toaster pickups which looked like the top of a bread toaster recently theyve used more high-gain pickups both have emphasised the higher frequencies and have contributed to a magical chiming sound. Another attribute is that Rickenbackers are often equipped with a "stereo" output socket (known as rick-o-sound) which allows the guitar to be connected to different effects chains and amps . Finally the most subtle option available on Rickenbacker guitars is the blender control When either pickup is : slected, you can use it to blend the other pick-up in. So if you think the neck pickup is too dull then mix in some honk from the bridge pickup this is really tremendous and adds some great tones to your instrument.

All these attributes make for an extremely versatile instrument and while you dont often find Rickenbacker guitars in heavy rock they cover everything in between. Rickenbackers evoke lovely tones suitable for Pop or alternative rock music right through to Jazz and country and there have been tons of guitarists who use these instruments from U2s the Edge and Peter Buck of REM through to Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Given such a heritage youll find the sounds it produces really useful whether youre a rhythm player or virtuoso soloist.

So in summary if you want a unique look together with a unique sound the next time your down a guitar store be sure to try out a Rickenbacker guitar.

Adrian Martin runs ShanzuGuitars.com. The site offers the latest guitar news, gear resources and reviews, tools and tips for budding guitarists everywhere.

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Fender '57 Stratocaster 8 Hole Pickguard - White Pearl

Guitar Replacement Pickguard. Made by Fender.

One of the really nice things about Fender instruments is that you can change the look of your instrument with relative ease.

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to replace the pickguard! Fender offers a variety of pickguards with different pickup configurations and materials to help you add a personal touch to your favorite Fender instrument.

4-Ply, 8 Hole Stratocaster Pickguard for 3 single coil pickups

Fits:

• '57 American Vintage, SRV and Eric Clapton Stratocasters (USA)
• '50s Stratocaster (Mexico)

Between 1817 and 1823, Ludwig van Beethoven composed Symphony No.9 in D Minor, Opus 125 "Choral." Nestled in the fourth movement of this classical masterpiece is 'Ode to Joy.' It's a composition of exquisite beauty, which to this day continues to give pleasure to listeners of fine music.

Beethoven finalized this masterwork of symphonic construction in 1824. The Ninth Symphony was the last complete symphony he composed.

The Ode to Joy section of the music originates from a work by Friedrich von Schiller. This German poet, playwright, and historian wrote a poem entitled 'Ode to Happiness' in 1785. Beethoven, inspired by this poem, used it as the basis for Ode to Joy as the finale of his great symphony.

Beethoven's attraction to Schiller's poem began in his more youthful days. When he was twenty-two, he had a desire to put music to the poem. In fact, by 1811, some of the text of Ode to Happiness found its way into the sketches for Beethoven's seventh and eighth symphonies.

Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770. He was the second-oldest child of Johann van Beethoven, a man of musical background himself. Johann was a court musician and tenor in Bonn's Electoral court. Ludwig followed into music and gave his first piano performance in public at the tender age of eight.

For a short period, Franz Joseph Haydn taught Beethoven. The young Beethoven even had the opportunity to play for Mozart. By 1795 Beethoven's reputation as an excellent pianist was solid. His talents as an improviser were impressive, and he had the gift of composing 'off-the-cuff' with flair.

Beethoven began to notice signs of hearing loss around 1798. In 1801, he wrote a letter to his friend Karl Ameda that stated:

"My greatest faculty, my hearing, is greatly deteriorated."

When his Ninth Symphony premiered on May 7, 1824, he could not hear its performance. This first public performance took place in Vienna's Karntnertorm Theater. Of necessity, Beethoven's deafness required another conductor to direct the symphony orchestra. Beethoven did stand next to this conductor during the performance in order to give tempo directions.

When the performance ended, and the audience erupted with emotion and applause, Beethoven didn't notice. He stood with his back to the audience, facing the orchestra, still regulating tempo. Not until Fraulein Unger, a contralto, had him turn around did Beethoven witness the reception to his masterpiece.

The symphony as a whole is the work of a musical genius who labored over every facet of it. The famous Ode to Joy choral melody involved nose-to-the-grindstone work by Beethoven. It developed over many years draft by draft until he deemed it right. Although written for solo voice and chorus, Beethoven did consider an instrumental only version of the melody.

Through the years, the Ode to Joy has been a source of inspiration to peoples and cultures around the world. During China's Cultural Revolution, it received some distinction as a work that speaks of progressive class struggle.

It was the Ode to Joy that provided musical inspiration in Europe in 1989. That year, after the Berlin Wall came crumbling down, Leonard Bernstein performed the piece in Berlin. It was renamed Ode to Freedom, the word 'freedom' replacing the word 'joy' in the text. This beautiful melody filled the air to celebrate the end of the dividing wall between East and West Germany.

Today the music of Ode to Joy is the official anthem of the European Union. Its German lyrics, however, are not, out of deference to the many languages that make up the Union.

Ode to Joy remains a piece of pure art. It continues to give hope, inspiration, and plain old musical joy to peoples all over the world.

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular DVD home study course on playing piano titled The 52 Week Crash Course In Exciting Piano Playing!

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Fender Stratocaster 3 Pack Pickup Covers, Black

We have just what the doctor ordered. Pickup cover sets to spruce up your favorite Fender(R) instrument. Includes three black pickup covers for Fender Stratocasters(R).

Youve made the decision to take up the guitar, but arent exactly sure how to use it. This lesson is the perfect place to start your guitar career. Youll learn all about Electric and Acoustic guitars, their parts and the slight differences between the two.

Lets start with the body of the Acoustic and Electric guitar. This is where any electronic hardware (such as in the Electric guitar) is located. The Acoustic guitar, unlike the Electric, has a sound hole. This is where the sound that you hear comes from when you hit a string. A sound hole serves to amplify the vibration (sound) produced by the strings. Without a sound hole, the sound produced by the vibration of strings on the Acoustic guitar would be minimal.

The Electric guitar, on the other hand, does not have a sound hole. As a result, when you hit a string on the Electric, the sound is very low because the vibration isnt amplified like on the Acoustic. If the Electric guitar is plugged into an amplifier, the sound produced will be as loud or as low as you need it.

On the body of the guitar, youll also find the bridge. The bridge is where the strings on the guitar are threaded through. On the Acoustic guitar, there are also bridge pegs in the bridge which hold one end of the string in place. This isnt the case with the Electric, as the strings are secured to the bridge without the use of a peg.

Attached to the bridge is what is known as a tremolo or whammy bar. This mechanical device, found only on Electric guitars, allows a guitarist to reduce tension on all 6 guitar strings at once.

Also located by the bridge are pick-ups, found in Electric guitars, which amplify the vibrations the strings make. These are used in conjunction with an amplifier. Electric guitars may have as many as three pick-ups, with each having a distinct function.

On Electric guitars, there are a set of Control knobs. Each knob represents a control for the guitar. There are two types of knobs: volume knobs and pick-up knobs. You use the volume knobs to control how much noise the guitar makes, while the pick-up knobs are used to control the pick-ups.

Finally, located by the bridge on most stratocaster Electric guitars is a socket. On other styles of Electric guitars, the socket is located on the side of the body. This small hole, typically found only in Electric Guitars, is where you plug in one end of a guitar cable. The other end of the cable is plugged into an amplifier or computer.

Next, there is the neck, a long piece of wood that is attached to the body and Nut of the guitar. On the neck is the fretboard. There are 20-24 pieces of metal on the fretboard, each representing a fret. Each fret represents a musical note. Additionally, there are inlays (either dots or special designs) on the fretboard. Like the pieces of metal on the guitar, these also serve as a guide to notes. The 12th fret on the guitar, for instance, is commonly represented by two dots.

Connected to the neck is the nut which is connected to the Headstock. On the headstock youll find tuning pegs. The other end of a string is slid through a tuning peg. A tuning peg allows you to either increase or decrease the tension of a string, thereby raising or lowering the sound of the guitar. More information on tuning can be found in our tuning article.

And there you have it. Youve covered a lot of things in this lesson, all of it helpful to your guitar studies. You can now move on to the next lessonlearning how to play the guitar.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for GuitarsLand.com. If you're interested in learning how to play the guitar, then be sure to check out Jamorama for some great lessons.

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