Question Is there any way to get my Strat to play as easily as my Balls?

[Siddius]

I have a beautiful American Deluxe V-neck Strat. The tone on that bad boy is great, but the bending has just felt like crap in comparison to my SM Y2D. I wouldn't feel too bad about selling it to fund my next Music Man, except that it has Uli Jon Roth's signature on the back of the headstock . I have had a history of hand problems, which has led me to become an instant EBMM enthusiast.

So anyway, i am afraid that it may just pick up dust/ become a studio tone machine. Is there anything I can do to get this guy to bend more easily? Keep from cramping up on it?

I guess I don't mind holding on to it as a piece of home decoration, it just bugs my hand a little too much sometimes.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I guess you could lower the string gauge or play that guitar in Eflat.
But since you like ebmm so much just sell it so it gets played by someone it's a shame to keep it around As a decoration.
I have a strat i really like buts it's up for sale I figured let someone else enjoy.

 

[dkannen]

*chants* sell sell sell sell!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I would recommend playing the V neck back to back with another strat with a C neck, to keep it to a neck difference only. Fender's soft V is far different from the V neck on a Luke. I found playing the soft V and C back to back that I was significantly faster and played better with the C. The soft V neck was sold soon after that. I don't find that with a Luke which has a deeper V.

The other thing to look at is the fingerboard edges. I find that at least with my own Music Man guitars that the rolling on the edges is done in a way that makes the neck feel more comfortable than any strat.

Or just take the advice in post #3.

 

[Norrin Radd]

No.

 

[Siddius]

Thanks youz guyz.

I love the guitar and I was quite fond of the neck, but the Morse monster has utterly spoiled me and *possibly* adjusted my style to its ease of playing. I don't have too much of a problem pulling off runs on the strat, really just whole step bends.

I am thinking I might just take it to get set up with .008s and see what my tech thinks about the fingerboard edges. If that sucks as much as I fear it will, hell, maybe I'll get a replacement neck to the general spec's of an Axis (My wrist loves the 1-5/8" nut) and hang up the Uli Jon Roth signature up on the wall.

 

[ksandvik]

You are not the first one that gets used to EBMM necks and anything else feels odd. It takes me a while get used to wider necks on other guitars I have here. Maybe it's another kind of practice...

 

[Benji Peterson]

I know exactly what you're referring to with the awkward string tension of a strat when bending. It's almost like the string is twisting as it's being bent. I had a strat back in the day. After my first music man there was no turning back. The difference of a hundred details...

 

[Siddius]

Well, on the bright side, my second music man should be hitting my doorstep any day now...

poor strat... it never stood a chance, did it?

 

[mtrejo]

Well, on the bright side, my second music man should be hitting my doorstep any day now...

poor strat... it never stood a chance, did it?

lol, good one! Already one of us. Can't wait to see that puppy.

 

[DrKev]

This a history of how much use my strat has gotten since I got my Silhouette Special...























...and just this Monday I stole the jack plate for a repair to a client's guitar.



Truth.

 

[DrKev]

But, to answer the original post, a good setup might help but even a good setup can't do anythig with the neck size and carve and frets, and the bigger body, and ridiculously long headstock...

Welcome to the family, Siddius!

 

[BrickGlass]

Personally, I would sell it and get a MM.

 

[damirpuh]

Bigger fret size and rounded fretboard edges generally help with bends. A re-fret with taller fret wire should make bends feel more comfortable, but there are lots of other details that contribute to the overall playability of the neck.

Personally, I would retire the Strat to studio use only and get a Silo Special or something.

 

[Razzle]

I have strats, and after getting some balls I just don't play the strats much anymore. A good setup helps, but you might find that strat doesn't cut it anymore and you'll sell Sell SELL.

 

[Siddius]

Thanks everyone,
I appreciate all of the input.

There is a strange addiction to balls. If they did a roasted neck PDN like they did with the rosewood neck, I would probably jump all over it. I have been drooling for a roasted maple neck and I haven't even gotten my rosewood yet. I'm clearing out rooms with the gas I got.

 

[dannymusic]

don't be disillusioned. They quit making strats when CBS took over.

The fact that people have to play the name is ridiculous. Why do the neoslingers HAVE to have a PRS?? Why does EVERY guitarist have to own an LP (burst to boot).

be a man, if it doesn't give you wood when you play it, dump it. Life is too short.

 

[Siddius]

I am sure you only jest, but again, the value I hold on it is the signature from meeting one of my favorite guitarists. To me, that is priceless

 

[Miqueas92]

The answer to your question is, no.

But keep the thing because it means something to you.

Mick

 

[t_rod]

You could scallop the fretboard like Yngwie if you want bends.