Superstrat

, red-painted version Superstrat is a name for an electric guitar design that resembles a Fender Stratocaster but with differences that clearly distinguish it from a standard Stratocaster, usually to cater to a different playing style. Differences typically include more-pointed, aggressive-looking body and neck-shapes with increased cutaways to facilitate access to the higher frets, an increased number of frets on the fingerboard, a contoured heel at the neck joint facilitating easier higher fret access, the usage of humbucking pickups, and locking vibrato systems, most commonly the Floyd Rose. There is no formal definition of a superstrat; the categorization is still largely left to popular opinion and depends greatly on the artist(s) associated with a particular model and how it is marketed.

]] , red-painted version]] Superstrat is a name for an electric guitar design that resembles a Fender Stratocaster but with differences that clearly distinguish it from a standard Stratocaster, usually to cater to a different playing style. Differences typically include more-pointed, aggressive-looking body and neck-shapes with increased cutaways to facilitate access to the higher frets, an increased number of frets on the fingerboard, a contoured heel at the neck joint facilitating easier higher fret access, the usage of humbucking pickups, and locking vibrato systems, most commonly the Floyd Rose. There is no formal definition of a superstrat; the categorization is still largely left to popular opinion and depends greatly on the artist(s) associated with a particular model and how it is marketed.

History

Mass-production

Starting about 1983–1984, companies such as Kramer, Jackson, Charvel, Yamaha, Cort, Aria, Ibanez, Washburn, and Hamer started mass-production of superstrat-design guitars due to growing market demand. The rising popularity of heavy metal music led to a new generation of guitarists that employed fast and complex techniques which demanded thinner and more versatile guitar necks and stable tremolo systems. Some examples of guitars marketed to this specific audience include: Kramer Baretta (1983–1991) – an early guitar with Floyd Rose, one slanted humbucker, but more traditional neck and body contours. Baretta has a close connection to Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat – it was designed to be marketed as Van Halen's signature model, but Eddie never endorsed the Baretta in terms of playing it on stage. Dean Bel Aire (1983–1984) – an early HSS guitar dubbed "superstrat", despite still using bolt-on neck construction with 22 frets and vintage tremolo). Jackson Soloist (officially-produced starting August 28, 1984 ) – HSS guitar with neck-through construction, 24 frets, and Floyd Rose/Kahler bridge – the fullest embodiment of Superstrat features to date in a mass-produced guitar, considered by many the first "definitive" superstrat. During the rest of the 1980s, due to the style's huge marketing success, most guitar companies had at least one model of superstrat in mass production. Makers of superstrat models besides the companies mentioned elsewhere in this article also included Fernandes, Schecter, Carvin and ESP.

Fender's response

Fender responded to the superstrat fashion in the mid-1980s, producing a number of models based on the standard Stratocaster. Fender Contemporary Stratocaster Japan (1984-1987) Fender Performer (1985-1986) Fender HM Strat (1988-1992) Fender Prodigy (1991-1993) Fender Showmaster (1998-2009) Fender also released several superstrat models, such as Talon, under Fender/Heartfield name from 1989¹ to 1993.

Gibson's response

Gibson also produced some models inspired by the superstrat: Gibson Victory (1981–1983) Gibson WRC (1985–1986) – an early and rare Wayne Charvel model, a line of guitar manufactured exclusively by Wayne Charvel and branded as Gibson. Gibson US-1 (1986 –1991 ) – first Gibson mass-manufactured try at the superstrat market Gibson U-2 (1987 –1992) – second Gibson's superstrat, a somewhat stripped-down version of US-1, featuring basswood body without a figured top, dot inlays, and regular pickups. Gibson Q series Gibson M-III (1991–1994; reissued 2013)

References

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361577896 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.