Talk:List of Stratocaster players

Hi I am the creator of this article...If you have any ideas go for it!__Seadog ^♪ 01:28, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Notable users? list from the main article

Just pasting the notable users list from the main Strat article.

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Tommy Bolin, Fast Eddie Clarke, The Edge,Tim Farriss, John Frusciante, Hillel Slovak, Janick Gers, Mick Green, Albert Hammond, Jr.., George Harrison, Mary Kaye, Terry Kath, Ed King, Alex Lifeson, Nils Lofgren, Dave Murray, Mike Oldfield, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Ramone, Uli Jon Roth, Steve Rothery, Adrian Smith, Richard Thompson, Pete Townshend, Henry Vestine, Joe Walsh and Frank Zappa

Some of these names are already included in this article and can be deleted. The others can be added to this article when anyone has time to do so. Once all the "notable users" have been properly added into this list(and cited???) It will be safe to delete the list from back on the main Stratocaster article. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 18:37, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, the sooner the better. In fact, I would support just adding those who aren't already here (regardless of citation status) and deleting the list from the Fender Stratocaster article. We can do a summary style thing so people are pointed in the right direction. --Aguerriero (talk) 18:58, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Check out what I did and tell me what you think - moved the Artist Series stuff up to the model section, and just referred the "Famous Players" here. --Aguerriero (talk) 19:10, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Looks good. There are notable users sprinkled throughout the main article(including the 2 most involved in it's original developement) I just project templated them. Most of the others are already mentioned in this article but ther may be a few stragglers that shouldn't be forgotten. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 19:22, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

Good job guys! Umm...I probably forgot some notable strat players, If you know any more please add. Also...We need citations (lots), if anyone has any please add. I would love to see this list become featured like its sister!__Seadog ^♪ 19:29, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

• How about Mike McCready and Kenny Wayne Shepherd? 86.17.247.135 02:28, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

Good Idea, but we should hang off of that idea until we can find some adequate references.__Seadog ^♪ 14:04, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

I would really like to see Buddy Holly added with the same reference from the main strat article. I'll do it tonight as soon as I check up the reference.

Hey, all. I would just like to add one thing which is of trivial importance in a world gone mad, but of interest to us Strat lovers. The main article says that Mark Knopfler originally played Les Pauls but switched to Strats in the 80's. I don't think that's quite true. The famous solo in "Sultans of Swing" (1979)is almost certainly a Strat from the sound of it. Here are several URLs which buttress that opinion (the Mark Knopfler bio page in particular says he was playing a red strat a lot in the 70's before they hit it big): http://www.mark-knopfler-news.co.uk/biogs/mark.html http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa091000a.htm http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2002/aug12a.html thanks, MachDr 00:22, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Unreferenced List

Here is the list of the unreferenced players of the list, if anyone finds a proper Citation please add the player from here to the list, and then remove the player from this unreferenced list. Cheers and good luck. Arjun 03:40, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

• "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Paul Collins, Robert Cray, Tom DeLonge, John Frusciante, Ian D'Sa, Tim Farriss, Janick Gers, Terry Kath, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Mike McCready, Dave Murray, Bonnie Raitt, Richie Sambora, Adrian Smith, Richard Thompson.

Please see this site that I used as a reference for John Frusciante. Scroll down to Trade mark section, and all it says was that he used old Fenders. Is that good enough information? --Tohru Honda13^{Sign me!} 04:12, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Ack, I would think not, it is too vague, Fender could apply for Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster, and more. Arjun 04:20, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

You're right. I've removed him. Shouldn't we remove his picture as well? Cause I did...was that the right thing to do? --Tohru Honda13^{Sign me!} 04:23, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

For now, sure it is logical to do it that way. But all this work will pay off soon...I have been working on this list since November! Cheers. Arjun 04:51, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Semi-protection

This was semi-protected for repeated addition of uncited information by an IP range. When everyone's ready to start playing by the rules, we'll unprotect. --Spangineer^ws (háblame) 04:39, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Table format

Questioning the switch to table format for the list. All featured lists are not in table form including the 3 Featured lists falling under the Music category. The table format also introduces errors in the citations for the entries that had multiple refs. In the alpha format citations were placed directly inline with the text they were meant to reference...specifically quotes. Now in table format they are stashed into a cold column. From previous discussions I believe that this list, along with a number of other "player" lists, are being pushed forth with an attempt to mirror the already featured Tele list in order to have consistency among these particular groups of lists. I disagree with the new "stiff" format and believe it should be changed back. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 14:17, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I like the list format too, but I kind of like having all the images on the right side. See also my comments in the peer review. --Spangineer^ws (háblame) 14:28, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

The "wikitable sortable" class is quite a new and unused class, and therefore it isn't expected that other lists will use it quite yet. Changing the list to a table form would be unnecessary, but it was converted specificly to this class as it helps pass criteria 1f of WP:WIAFL. Please see the Inductees of Canada's Walk of Fame featured list candidacy for further details. Michaelas10 (Talk) 14:39, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

My main concerns are the loss of 'cite'=>'cited text'. The list is meant to mirror the Tele list which does not use the table format.(and never will) Any "instrument user list" can really just spiral into a POV favourites list. That is what happened to the Tele list originally. But strict criteria for notability/citations elevated it to a valuable resource and an excellent companion the main Telecaster model article. A simple player list is really just a glorified equipment list. The Tele list took it to the next level by including direct quotes for notability using inline refs...sometimes multiple ones. The embedded images to pair up with their list entries made it that much more attractive. IMO the SRV photo parked adjacent to the Malmsteen entry looks rather awkward. Thoughts? Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 15:39, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I fail to see how a sort table makes this "easier to navigate". The Walk of Fame list could conceivably be sorted in two different ways (alphabetically or by year of entry) but for this one that doesn't make sense—the only intuitive way to sort this is by name. Thus it's unnecessary, and Anger's point stands (that the citations are ambiguous). --Spangineer^ws (háblame) 16:27, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I will have to agree with anger and spang, I think that the older format suited this better as it is on par with List of Telecaster players, also worth noting is the fact that the only real way to sort this list is by name. Arjun 16:42, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Some people might also want to sort the list by the age of the players, what would be very difficult to do when the list isn't sortable. Making the list a table also gives it a more professional outlook with clearer borders among items as opposed to plain bullets. A list shouldn't be a mirror of an other list, and I'm quite sure the Telecaster players list would fail an FLC right now per the exact same reasons. As for the references, I suggest the reference column will be removed and the references would be put into the remarks. Michaelas10 (Talk) 16:44, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree with Arjun. I liked the older formatting myself. I do agree with Michaelas on one thing: citation moves. It seems sort of odd how it is now. How do you know what is referenced. I suppose just clicking the cite would tell you (I think) but that's not very good. Move the citations to their proper place, remove the cites column, and drop the table. That's what I'm saying, in a nutshell. --Tohru Honda13^{Talk•Sign here} 22:20, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Ahh, yes you bring up a whole new point to the table, the ref thing will basically be flawed since if there is more than one ref they are reffing two completly different subjects. Arjun 22:23, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Exactly my point. How do you know if it's referring to the same thing? --Tohru Honda13^{Talk•Sign here} 22:54, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Concensus is pretty clear as far as format goes. I don't have time to take on the task of "re-listing" just now. If anyone restores the preferred format...please be sure not to lose Michaelas10 or Llama Man's very valid wording changes. Also, the lead should read pretty much like the Tele list lead...with the obvious word swaps :) Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 23:20, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Of course, the grammar fixings are great, I just think for this *subject* the table is not needed :). Oh and yeah I personally think that the intro to this article is the only thing really holding it back from a featured list. Arjun 02:27, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Not wanting to be one to pop any balloons but to reach FL it needs more work than just getting rid of the useless table. The list verifies use very well. But the text...and most of the references do not not emphasize notability/history/longevity...etc. That will be the next phase the list will have to go into. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 12:08, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Personally, I think this intro is significantly better than the one at List of Telecaster players, if only because it doesn't have the extremely vague and worthless phrase, "musicians who have made notable use of the Fender Telecaster, Broadcaster or Esquire in live performances or studio recordings." By all means, increase the length of this lead, but don't add that phrase please. --Spangineer^ws (háblame) 15:22, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

That phrase is somewhat vague, perhaps, but the meaning of "notable use" is defined in the very next sentence. It's certainly not worthless--that's what explains why notable guitarist So-and-so who happens to have played a Strat in a video once shouldn't be on the list. Nick Graves 15:34, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

I see that the "notable use" sentence has been taken out, and I have to agree now that this is better. The "significant use" sentence makes the "notable use" sentence redundant. Nick Graves 15:38, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

I've just restored the old list format. No-Bullet (Talk • Contribs) 19:40, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Looks good....again. Thanks for taking the time to do that. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 20:54, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Names missing

After a quick read through I am noticing 2 names missing from the article. Not from the main alpha-list...but from the lead-in. Rex Gallion and Bill Carson were 2 guitarists instrumental(pardon the wording) in the overall design of the Stratocasters body shape. Their contribution should not be overlooked...either in the lead or as notable Strat players...which they certainly were. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 21:03, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

It might be a thought to mention them in the lead, thanks for bringing this up. Arjun 21:29, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Albert Hammond Jr.

I know Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes plays a Fender and I think it's a Strat but I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone know for certain? Thanks! --74.34.217.222 23:11, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

Actually, under this section, Albert is mentioned but for some reason, he's not listed on the main article. I guess I'll add him. --74.34.217.222 23:15, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

Hendrix' guitar in flames twice?

"Frank Zappa (1940-1993) usually played a Gibson SG, but in the late 70s and into the 80s also played Les Pauls and Stratocasters, including the Strat that Jimi Hendrix had set aflame at the Miami Pop Festival in 1968."

We all know that Hendrix set aflame his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival, in 1968. Did he do the same for the Miami Festival? Nazroon 17:46, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

Why Not Murray Cook?

I added the guitarist of probably the biggest childs band in the world, the Wiggles's, Murray Cook who frequently uses a stratocaster and it was deleted. Why is he not considered famous enough? He is possibly the first guitarist children take real notice of and has inspired many children to play the guitar (me and 2 of my guitarist freinds included.) Also his band The Wiggles has world wide acclaim for being great music for children both for their enjoyment, education and getting them up to do physical activity. Just because he isn't a rockstar famous for his amazing solos doesn't make him an un-notable guitarist. Also if you listen to any of his solo work he is a quite good blues guitarist in his own right. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Skam127 (talk • contribs) 01:54, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

He doesn't meet the criteria set in the article lead-in. 202.160.48.156 02:38, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

WikiProject class rating

This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as start, and the rating on other projects was brought up to start class. BetacommandBot 16:37, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Dec 2007 unreferenced players

I'm making this heading as a placeholder for players on this list without references. I'm going to take them from the main article and place them here until references can be found proving their notable use of the Stratocaster. If you find a reference, please move the player back to the main page with a proper citation. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 21:46, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

• Marc Bolan (1947–1977) Founder/creative force behind T. Rex, played a white Fender Stratocaster with his trademark tear-drop emblem (as seen on the back cover of the 1972 compilaton, Bolan Boogie) for much of the early 1970s.

• Creed Bratton (born 1943) Is a long time Strat enthusiast. He played numerous concerts in the late 60's with a Strat touring with The Grass Roots.

• Tom DeLonge (born 1975) Guitarist and singer of blink-182, Box Car Racer, and Angels & Airwaves. Played Stratocasters in the early days of blink-182, until his own signature model was developed after blink's 1999 album "Enema of the State" was released. DeLonge's Stratocaster contains only a single Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader pickup, and a single volume control knob. Since 2003, DeLonge switched to a custom Gibson ES-335.

* John Frusciante (born 1970) The guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers. After Frusciante rejoined the band, Anthony Kiedis bought a '62 Stratocaster for Frusciante to play on Californication.

• Lowell George (1945–1979) Mothers of Invention; founder, chief songwriter, vocalist & guitarist for Little Feat; accomplished slide player using a Sears Craftsmen sparkplug socket.

• George Harrison (1943-2001) Beatles' lead guitarist. Main instrument from 1967 through early 1969 was a Stratocaster with a psychedelic paint job known as "Rocky". Harrison acquired his first Strat in 1965 and played them, as well as Les Pauls and a vintage Gretsch Duo Jet for the rest of his days. He can be seen in the film The Concert for Bangla Desh playing a Stratcaster.

• Dave Murray One of the three guitarists of the NWOBHM band Iron Maiden.

• Robbie Robertson (born 1943) Guitarist and songwriter for The Band. Mainly uses Fender Stratocasters and can be seen playing one in The Last Waltz.

• Mike Rutherford (born 1950) guitarist for Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics. He has used Stratocasters since 1980 (although he did briefly use Steinberger in the 1980s and Music Man in 1983/84).

• Hillel Slovak (1962–1988) Original lead guitarist for Red Hot Chili Peppers.

• Daryl Stuermer (born 1951) touring guitarist for Genesis and guitarist for Phil Collins. He has exclusively used Eric Clapton Signature Stratocasters since 1989.

• Frank Zappa (1940–1993) usually played a Gibson SG, but in the late 70s and into the 80s also played Les Pauls and Stratocasters, including the Strat that Jimi Hendrix had set aflame at the Miami Pop Festival in 1968.

Questionable references

I'd like to use this section to discuss/review the references provided for players on the list.

• Tommy Bolin - he obviously uses Strats a lot but in the reference given, he just talks about using them because he likes their sounds. There is nothing in the interview proving that he is a notable Strat player. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 21:57, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

I added a reference for George Harrison taken from 2 different Tony Bacon books that I have available to me at the library where I work. Neither book mentions Tommy Bolin. That doesn't mean I don't think of him as a Strat player. It just means that I couldn't find him in those two books. Most of the entries just seem to list players using a Strat, but don't say anything about using it notably. The Rory Gallagher, Richard Thompson and Hank Marvin entries are good. Hopefully I've written the Harrison entry in a decent way. But most of the others don't clarify how "notable" the player is for Strat usage. I own a Gibson SG and an Epiphone Casino and have never owned a Strat... but I'd certainly like to someday. I'd like to see this list improved to look like other player lists. I don't think this article is very good at all compared to the Telecaster player list. The Buddy Holly entry should be a lot longer. And the Bill Carson entry should be the longest on the page. Right now it's only one line. The three "name" guitarists that Fender chose to put in their catalogs as early "endorsers" of the guitar were 'Thumbs Carllile', 'Buddy Merrill' and 'Alveno Rey'. None of the three of them are mentioned in the article. I am not even sure if they have Wikipedia articles? Otis Rush was a Strat player... quite an influential one too. Hopefully a ref can be found for him. And Hendrix liked Strats because one of his idols, Curtis Mayfield was a loyal Strat player. Surely a ref for that can be found. Hope that helps out some. 156.34.222.133 (talk) 01:21, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Great, thank you for re-adding Harrison and others. Agree that this article has a way to go but I'm confident with our collection of resources and interested editors we will have it up to par in no time. I will have time to do some scholarly searches this weekend using Lexis Nexis and such and will hopefully come up with some good refs. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 02:44, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

I have found a pile of references so I'm going to start working on expanding the existing entries. You mentioned Bill Frisell above as having one line but he's not on the page anywhere. Did he get removed at some point? Hopefully User:Nick Graves can come along and expand the entries that he has the books for. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 22:11, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

• Another one to discuss - Mike McCready. Again, I guess he uses a Strat a lot but so what? The source is an interview in which they talk about him using a Strat. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 22:11, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

I think many of them fall into the "so what" category. Just my 2 cents anyways. 156.34.142.110 (talk) 14:59, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

PS - I'd really like to see someone pull a decent ref out for Bolin. Something that ties his " '63 Strat acrobatics" from Billy Cobham's Spectrum album might be easy to find.(he recorded that album when he was only 22 years old) I glanced through a few periodicals here at the library but didn't find anything. According to AMG, Bolin's playing on the Spectrum album inspired Jeff Beck to record Blow by Blow and Wired. That's pretty high praise. He's the cover pictureboy for Guitar Player Magazine's "101 Forgotten Greats & Unsung Heroes" issue from early 2007.

PPS - the list will always be incomplete without Randy California and Magic Sam. But, again, that's just my 2 cents. 156.34.142.110 (talk) 15:21, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

Working on it. :) --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 15:41, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

Okay, I found a Bolin article in an old issue of Guitar World that talks about how important his Strat work was. I expanded the entry and added the additional source. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 16:01, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

Looking better. He's one of those pickers that you just have to emphasise the skill and influence... and then add in that he did it with a '63 Strat (and no need to mention he was partial to the Goldtop LP with a Bigsby tailpiece as well :D ) The little blurb on the Guitar Player Magazine webpage about the "101 Forgotten Greats" issue says;

A transcendent, yet erratic and troubled artist, Bolin (1951-1976) personifies the myth of the glorious flame that burns out much too soon. Despite immense talent and numerous chances for widespread fame—he played on Billy Cobham’s Spectrum, replaced Joe Walsh in the James Gang and Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple, and released two solo albums—Bolin succumbed to his addictions at just 25 years old. To get a sense of what his loss means to the guitar community, seek out 1989’s The Ultimate: The Best of Tommy Bolin.

No mention of the 'guitar of choice'... but they certainly have a shining to him. 156.34.142.110 (talk) 16:12, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

One thing I am noticing about this page one thing that leaps out at me is that the Hendrix entry is very brief... and it includes a "he also played" note. I don't think a "also played" line is required in any entry in a list that is supposed to emphasise Strat use. I think anyways. The Hendrix entry... which should almost be the centrepiece of the page... is very brief. I think it should be a priority for cleanup/expansion/reference. Citations should be easy to find for him. 142.167.95.209 (talk) 21:17, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

I am easing back into Wikipedia after being away for a long while so be lenient with me. I can remember when this article was created and, at that time, the goal was to simply get a reference in place that showed usage. I think the intention was to go back over all the players listed and delete the ones that didn't hold up as far as using the guitar model "notably". Reading back over it I am pleased to see that it hasn't ballooned into a fan favorites list. Which has happened in the past to similar articles. I do not have a problem with who is on the list although if I were to do a quick purge then Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Ed O'Brien, Richie Sambora and Adrian Smith would all be gone. I know they play Stratocasters. But following the wording of the opening paragraph they just don't rate up with the others. I could be lenient for Tom Morello because his guitar is unique. I am biased toward Alex Lifeson being on the list since I am the one who added the references for him. He did use a Strat in the 80s. But never used one prior and hasn't used one since. I guess he could be removed as well. And, although I am very sentimental to their inclusion, I don't know that John Lennon rates as anything more then a casual user. Mike Oldfield claims his pink Strat as his favorite. But in all the times I've seen him perform I've never seen him use it. And good old Ronnie Wood is almost always pictured with a Stratocaster onstage. But, for me, he is notable for his 2 Zemaitis guitars. He should stay on this list. But he should have a much better wording to emphasize notable use. I have the Tony Bacon book that's used as a book reference quite a bit on this list. I currently have no idea where it is though. If I can find it I will see if it says anything about Ronnie Wood. If anyone else has it perhaps they could write what it says here and we can build an entry here before we put it on the main page. It was mentioned earlier that the Jimi Hendrix entry is bad and should be one of the focal points of the list. I certainly agree with that observation and would add that there are several other cornerstone players on this list who's entries on this list could use a lot of improvement. Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Bill Carson, David Gilmour, Hendrix, Hank Marvin and Stevie Ray Vaughn all deserve to be expanded a lot more. Bonnie Raitt is the only female on the list and she has 1 line. She should get a lot more then that. If no one has any objections I will remove some of the first names I mentioned previously. I like some of the suggestions posted earlier about players who could or should be on this list. Especially the mention of Magic Sam. Finding good references won't be easy. I am not very good at arranging pictures. I don't think having them all run down one side isn't very attractive. Perhaps someone who is good at that sort of editing could stagger them. Cheers! Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 02:34, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks and welcome back. No problem with removing the names you mentioned. I will be getting around to working on this list - just dealing with all the "just got back from two weeks' vacation" nonsense at work. :) --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 16:22, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

We crossed paths at the wrong time on the list and I accidently erased you. Sorry. I also expanded the Hendrix section and I know I have the book nearby. I just re-read it not too long ago. I will dig it up. I expanded the Blackmore section simply by lifting text from his article. It's not referenced there but most of it, especially the part about the disconnected pickup and the scalloped neck are pretty well known facts about him. The rest didn't sound too unreasonable but if I can't find a reference I will clean it up a bit. I should be able to dig an old interview up somewhere. I haven't seen very many interviews with the guitarist but I can recall he likes to discuss the technical aspects of his equipment. I will try to find a book now. Cheers and take care. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 04:05, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Not sure which book you need. I looked in Tony Bacon's Guitar Encyclopaedia book and it says nothing about Ritchie Blackmore's Strats use. The only thing it confirms is that he started out using a Hofner guitar. And that doesn't help your Strat page. The Bacon book mentions the Hendrix Strat auction and the amount the guitar was won for. I can give you a page number if you want to ref that one little bit. There's probably more there. But I knew there was a picture of him in the book so I looked it up. The Bacon book is more about guitars and less about players. But it does have some artist mentions and is probably good for a quote or two. If you want I can add some of the book contents here and you can add whatever you wish into the article. One thing I have here at the library is digital access to a few magazines and newspapers. I found a 1997 Guitar World Magazine interview with Eric Johnson. The opening paragraph describes him as "Eric Johnson and his "magic" Stratocaster". In the interview he confirms that his 3 main guitars (I'll assume at the time of the interview) were a 1954, a 1957 and a 1965 Stratocaster. Obviously he has his Signature models now. There is a video of him on Youtube showing his prototype Signature model # 2. In the video Johnson says that he mulling over the idea that his second Signature model will have a rosewood fingerboard and also that the fingerboard will be bound. Which is not common for Fender. In the video he says that the reason he wants to have the bound fingerboard is because his Strat idol, Ry Cooder, has a 1965 Strat with a bound fingerboard. I don't know if you wish to use any of that in the Eric Johnson list entry. But I found it interesting that the guitarist was so "hands-on" in the development of the guitar... and also that he is modelling the guitar after Ry Cooder's... and Ry Cooder isn't on this list. I noticed that Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden was deleted from the list. I read the discussion and did not disagree with it. But I would add that his partner Dave Murray has been using customised Strats since the start of his career. And all of his guitars are special built for him by the Fender Custom Shop and not by some middle man. His career Strat use spans over 30 years. And if that isn't guitar model longevity I don't know what is. And that is part of the opening paragraph of the article. My thoughts anyways. 156.34.142.110 (talk) 17:46, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

I just added Cooder to the list. One of the no-brainers; I'm sure there are more. Does anyone have a source for David Gilmour owning the Strat with serial #0001? I have found it mentioned on a few web sites but nothing I would consider a reliable source. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 20:25, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Gilmour is pictured playing #0001 alongside Skunk Baxter (another Strat user) in this web article here. He can be seen playing the guitar in the DVD release of Fender's 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert called "The Strat Pack". The first link is a web ref but I guess a picture says a thousand words. The gilmourish.com site probably has more detail on the guitar. Tony Bacon's Fender book may mention it. Someone else has that book from the library so I can't retrieve it right now. 156.34.142.110 (talk) 21:00, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

From an interview David Gilmour did with David Sinclair of Guitar Heroes Magazine - Issue # 9 - May 1983

Sinclair-"Can you tell me something about your guitar collection? I understand that you've got the first Strat ever made."

Gilmour-"I've got the one with the Number 0001 serial number, yes. As far as anyone can tell it was one of the first batch that was made and did have the first number screwed onto it - on the plate on the back of the neck. I've got a number of quite early Strats; I've got a couple of Broadcasters; I've got a range of Gretsch solid bodies and semi-acoustics - a white Falcon; I've got a Gretsch Penguin which is the solid-bodied version of the white Falcon, which is very, very rare, they tell me."

From Guitar September 1995 Volume 12 No. 11

What about his belove electrics, especially the prized Strat that bears the serial number 0001? "I'll use the old Number One once in a while. It's a beautiful, beautiful guitar, but, you know, it's been about and it feels quite delicate. You wouldn't want to thrash that around, especially not on the road. I actually don't like taking any of the older ones out on the road because there's always the possibility that things like that get stolen.

Any help? 156.34.210.254 (talk) 23:34, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Awesome, thank you. --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 23:37, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

A quote from an interview with Ritchie Blackmore from a Guitar Player (Australian printing) from 1978.

The lead question is about him switching to the Strat around the time of the third Deep Purple album.

"The Strat I used belonged to Eric Clapton. I used it and liked the sound of it; it was very sharp. He just had one kicking around the house, and I picked it up and he said, "Take it away." It had a great sound for a wah-wah pedal because it was so sharp." - "With a Fender you have to make every note count; you have to make the note sing or otherwise it won't work. It's more rewarding because with a Gibson nobody has an identity."

And from another Guitar Player interview... this one from 1973.

"I put the middle pickup all the way down, because it gets in the way of the pick. I only use the straight bass and treble positions. It wouldn't do me any good trying to use any of the middle positions on the selector switch, because the way I play I'd just be knocking it out of position constantly."

156.34.210.254 (talk) 00:15, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

Minding citation format

I've been poking around and fixing citation formatting where I find it amiss. To get this to Featured List we will need to make sure everything is consistent. It looks like we are using the Harvard citation template for books and {{cite web}}, etc. for other things? --Spike Wilbury ♫ talk 00:04, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

Excellent interview content posted earlier

Great interviews posted above. Lots of content to sift through. I am a big fan of having direct quotes, with citations of course, that emphasize user loyalty and notability. The quote in the Rory Gallagher section saying "I only own one guitar and it doesn't have a name" is absolutely brilliant. Pardon my ego... I was the editor who added that line in there a long time ago. But it does convey something more than just being a glorified equipment list. Which is what the article was, for the most part, when I left here a year ago. That's why I like the interviews posted above. Whether the content can be used or not the sources are there and it gives us more to work with. I especially like the Blackmore quote about his first Stratocaster belonging to Eric Clapton and him giving it to him. I think I read somewhere that it was because the guitar had a bad warp in it and that it was almost unplayable. But I could be wrong. I found my own copy of Bacon's Guitar Encyclopedia that's mentioned above. The page number for the Hendrix auction guitar is page 83 and the information about the tribute model made for him is on page 100. That book seems to be used for a lot of citations on this page. It should be easy to add those in. I am rusty on {cite book} format let alone harvard references. I will have to re-learn a few things. Not that the Gilmour section needs more content. But I found my copy of Tony Bacon's Fender Electric Guitar Book and it has an excellent line about Gilmour in it. Like I said, I like direct quotes and Bacon says this:

• "David Gilmour had been playing Strats to great effect for a long time - 1975s 'Wish You Were Here' album underlined that - but his solo on 'Comfortably Numb' remains for many a definiteive Strat moment"

It doesn't say it too much better then that. That is on page 108 of the Fender Book if anyone is keeping track.

I also found a great book published in 1983 by Guitar Player Magazine called simply "The Guitar Player Book" (ISBN: 0-394-62490-4). I i s basically just Guitar Player Magazine some of their best interviews and article from their first 15 years. It has an excellent interview with Jeff Beck from 1979. The interview is Jas Obrecht and he asks Beck why, after so many years as a reknowned Les Paul player did he switch to the Stratocaster after recording Blow by Blow. Becks reply is:

• "With a Les Paul you just wind up sounding like someone else. With the Strat I finally sound like me"

That says it all for him He's used one ever since.

The Book also has an excellent piece on Buddy Holly with interviews with all his former bandmates friends and producers. The article covers his whole career but one page is dedicated to his Straocaster use, how he got them, and how much he loved them. Way too much to add here. But there are 2 specific paragraphs that really soom in on the subject. Not that we need more on Buddy Holly. But it might help either support whats there or be added in to really put him over the top. Like it's mentioned on the page. Had Buddy Holly not picked one up. Fender may have abandoned the model since it wasn't doing well. Speaking of Buddy Holly's era, is there any way to Squeeze George Fullerton's name into the lead section? He's an integral part of the Fender story. Also, to add one more page number for a reference. Spike you were looking for a Gilmour 0001 ref. On page 32 of Bacon's Fender Book it says "Some production started sporadically in May, June and July (David Gilmour's #0001 Strat is stamped June) but the first proper production run of 100 was in October." Hope that helps. Cheers! Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 05:27, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

Kurt Cobain

I know that he used the stratocaster and he should be added. it even says so on his page —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.171.91.210 (talk) 17:12, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

I agree with you, same case with Billy Corgan. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.85.210.184 (talk) 00:36, 28 December 2009 (UTC)

cobain was of course mostly known for playing jaguars and mustangs, which were cheaper fender models. i'm not aware of him making special use of the stratocaster, except to smash them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.48.181.93 (talk) 16:00, 15 February 2014 (UTC)

But he did use them: "I've resorted to Japanese-made Fender Stratocasters because they're the most available left-handed guitars." — Gill, Chris (20 February 2016). "The Definitive Kurt Cobain Gear Guide". Guitar World. Retrieved 20 April 2016.

A question about an earlier discussion

In an earlier discussion on this page someone mentions this:

A quote from an interview with Ritchie Blackmore from a Guitar Player (Australian printing) from 1978. The lead question is about him switching to the Strat around the time of the third Deep Purple album. "The Strat I used belonged to Eric Clapton. I used it and liked the sound of it; it was very sharp. He just had one kicking around the house, and I picked it up and he said, "Take it away." It had a great sound for a wah-wah pedal because it was so sharp." - "With a Fender you have to make every note count; you have to make the note sing or otherwise it won't work. It's more rewarding because with a Gibson nobody has an identity."

Does anyone know the publication month for that article? And of so what is the correct citation format for it? Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 13:30, 12 April 2008 (UTC)

Dave Murray

Murray (Iron Maiden's guitarist, one of the three) uses virtually nothing but Stratocasters, I know this to be true, but don't know where to look for references. If anyone can find one, please add him. He uses them religiously and deserves to be on this list. Tom walker (talk) 17:32, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Slash

It even says on Slash's Wikipedia page that he has around 100 guitars, and a few of them are Fender Stratocasters. Although I've never seen him use one, should he be on the list? Chaoticfables (talk) 05:01, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Jarrad Bryce

Who? Can't find any mention of this person anywhere, except for a possibly related MySpace page. Actually, hang on. Apparently he is a Epic Hero as well as an important Strat player... I'm going to revert144.173.6.74 (talk) 11:59, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

Headstock image

I made some changes to the headstock image. Would anyone mind giving feedback on which to use? Thanks Louis Waweru  Talk  14:25, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

Looks good. And, may I add, it is the preferred image over the ugly fuzzy green thing that has been edit warred into the article recently. Consensus is pretty clear on that and if the green monster reappears in pace of Arjun's(and now Louis') headstockk shot feel free to remove it. I am going to contact a friend over at Commons to have the other picture deleted if the young Torontonian keeps it up. Libs (talk) 14:33, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

Okie! Louis Waweru  Talk  11:40, 13 July 2008 (UTC)

Unsourced Musician

• David Byrne (born 1952) Founding member of the Talking Heads
• Frank Zappa (1940-1993)

I removed the above two from the list as they were unsourced. As soon as someone finds a reliable source they can be re-added. Washburnmav (talk) 18:53, 25 August 2008 (UTC)

Major Copyedit

I did some major copyediting here. To the lead section I added a list and did some grammar/clarity editing. To the list itself I did parallel structure/clarity/grammar editing and moved a couple unsourced musicians to above^. I also changed the 'Notes' section to the more accurate 'References'. I am nomming this list for featured list. If you have any problems with my edits feel free to change them and notify me at my talk. Thanks. Washburnmav (talk) 18:59, 25 August 2008 (UTC)

JP Danel

No big issue but just a question: why do you keep suppressing Jean-Pierre Danel of the Strat players list ? Danel is an official partner with Fender in Europe for all his albums and various projects, he wrote a book (in French and soon to be published in the US next year) about the Strat, with a foreword by Britisdh Strat legend Hank Marvin (with whom he recorded a hit single as well in 2007) and with an interview with US well known guitar specialist George Gruhn. Danel owns one of the rarest Strat in the world in his wide collection (a preproduction 1954 Stratocaster). His hit albums trilogy (which includes a N°1 album in France, certified double gold disc) features his Strats on all the sleeves. He also had several Grammys, not to mention his numerous successes as a producer. Many people see him not only as a good guitarist but also as a Strat specialist. Fender or Hank Marvin find him qualified enough to work with him, so, why don't you ? :-) The Strat is popular all over the world, and not only US musicians make it so popular. In France in French speaking countries, his tution dvds are very big, and feature the Start heavily. It is interesting to see people outside the US who played a role in the Strat exposition to the public, don't you think so ?--> —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.202.244.183 (talk) 15:40, 25 November 2008 (UTC)

Frank Zappa

Why removed without discussion? TheoryOfPractice (talk) 18:37, 23 March 2009 (UTC)

See article criteria for inclusion. No discussion req'd. The Real Libs-speak politely 19:05, 23 March 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for being so welcoming and understanding with a newcomer. Your friendly attitude and helpful explanation makes me feel as though my contributions and input are particularly valued. TheoryOfPractice (talk) 21:27, 23 March 2009 (UTC)

I think that's more the attitude of an asshole.

Why are article like these under the scrutiny of such uptight librarians? Wikipedia isn't a scholarly database, it isn't going to catalog the most in-depth research in the world, its merely a well-informed blog about anything. So, answer the man's question. — Preceding unsigned comment added by HairyNevus (talk • contribs) 22:59, 22 April 2011 (UTC)

i think zappa is better known as an sg player. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.48.181.93 (talk) 15:59, 15 February 2014 (UTC)

Al Jardine

the whole band was known back then to have made the fenders very big, qith all three using fender instruments, they're even in the fender hall of fame for their help in making it so big, and al jardine, rythm guitar player, plays strats to this day. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.196.251.178 (talk) 21:33, 2 August 2009 (UTC)

Billy Corgan

He should be mentioned. So why is he not in the list? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.85.196.74 (talk) 05:32, 12 October 2009 (UTC)

the answer is probably that nobody bothered to write the entry. but i second corgan as a very notable and influential strat player, even if he messed with the pickups a lot. he even has a signature model.

Eddie Van Halen

Rather notable player, really. Would the Wikipedia article on Frankenstrat count as documentation? 142.58.248.194 (talk) 22:56, 24 October 2009 (UTC)

His Stratocaster was inducted into the Smithsonian, making him a prolific Strat player. I added him to the list. 108.76.193.178 (talk) 20:29, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

List?

To the regular editors of this article, if there are any: why isn't this simply a list? Why all the detail about which bands these players performed with, who their influences are, etc.? A summary exposition of the Strats they play and own seems fine, but this list (which could be extended almost infinitely) suffers from a tremendous amount of excessive detail, all of which should be found in the respective articles about the players. Drmies (talk) 21:58, 7 January 2010 (UTC)

Vini Reilly

Vini Reilly of The Durutti Column used since many years a Strat...but i think you won't let me include in the list.Francodamned (talk) 03:51, 7 February 2010 (UTC)

Vigilantism?

Looks like the same guy, wiki libs is constantly reverting peoples' additions to this list without any sort of explanation. I don't know who appointed him judge of High Musical Culture, but it sure wasn't a decision I was made aware of. Billy Corgan et al. deserve to be on the list; the fact that they play Strats is useful information - at the very least there should be reasons why the article is constantly reverted.

You should read the lead-in instructions for new entries. All new entries must have a citation meeting wp:rs requirements that prove notability of use. Hope that helps. Wiki libs (talk) 18:58, 29 April 2010 (UTC)

You're asking people to read before adding to the list? That's unreasonable. ;) --Spike Wilbury (talk) 02:04, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

Some would think it unreasonable. I think it is good to have strict criteria. IPs with uncited POVs = RVs. Wiki libs (talk) 14:17, 5 May 2010 (UTC)

Wiki libs, you should read WP:OWN. You don't own the article and the additions of anonymous IPs are not less worthy than yours or those of other registered users. Billy Corgan clearly belongs on this list any attempts to downplay his notability are nothing but pathetic and ridiculous. The guy has even his own signature model now: Billy Corgan Strat, official Fender website. Is that enough for you?

Is Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan notable enough to include him on the list of Stratocaster players?

Since a few years already certain editors keep reverting any edits adding Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins to this list, although reliable sources have been provided and the notability of this guitarist should be self-evident once one has read both Wikipedia pages about him and the band he formed. The only reasoning that was given for the reverts was this one by Wiki libs: IPs with uncited POVs = RVs. (see a few lines above) which speaks very clearly for the mindset behind the reverts, especially because the reverts have been done although the edits were sourced as well as NPOV. In the light of the fact that Fender even created a signature guitar in collaboration with him, it's an amazing accomplishment to have a Billy Corgan Stratocaster in existence but no mention of the same Billy Corgan on Wikipedia's list of Stratocaster players. I think we have a significantly bad case of WP:OWN here, therefore I consider it appropriate to issue an WP:RFC now. 87.181.218.222 (talk) 14:14, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

I have added a reference to prove notibility. Hopefully this solves the problem. Italienmoose (talk) 20:09, 28 April 2011 (UTC)

Thank you, this is very appreciated. 87.181.222.40 (talk) 00:22, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Yes, he is notable enough, now add him to the list already! He played in a worldwide known band, and has played strats his whole life. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.28.41.158 (talk) 03:22, 24 December 2011 (UTC)

Obviously some users of Wikipedia don't want him on the list although he was already on it including references. Oh well, but that's how Wikipedia works. I'm going to add him again, let's see how long they take to remove him again. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.44.23.62 (talk) 03:41, 10 June 2012 (UTC)

Interestingly he was removed by adding html comment tags. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Stratocaster_players&diff=496847438&oldid=495170735 Sophisticated vandalism I guess. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.44.23.62 (talk) 05:24, 10 June 2012 (UTC)

wow. post-hendrix, corgan is THE strat player. whatever. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.48.181.93 (talk) 16:07, 15 February 2014 (UTC)

Billie Joe?

I don't really know but isn't Billie Joe Armstrong's Blue one too?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.9.223.17 (talk) 21:21, 23 May 2011 (UTC)

Thomas Blug?

Wouln't it be great to add the german Strat®King Thomas Blug to the list? He has won the 2004 competition at the 50th birthday of the Fender Stratocaster called "European Strat® Player of the Year". He has published more than 15 albums in 20 years, always using the Fender Strat. AlterSack63 (talk) 19:35, 19 March 2017 (UTC)

References

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Alex Turner?

Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys started out playing with a white 2006 Mexican Stratocaster and used it in the recording of their debut album as well as in early live performances, it quickly became a signature for him as it was also featured in many of their music videos. It was sold in 2020 for £128,544 at a charity auction. Does this seem notable enough? - I don't know if it truly fits the criteria digiulio8 (talk) 17:32, 6 April 2022 (UTC)