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Post by UnklMickey on Nov 15, 2005 8:26:36 GMT -5
i might just get myself thrown off the forum here in "strat-heaven", but you know me. if i've got somethin' to say, i just say it.
i realize the reason why it took me so many years to but a strat. THEY"RE UGLY! -- thats right, i said it.
i'm not talking about the stupid placement of the volume knob, or the fact that they have that huge pickguard. or the maple fretboard (i actually love the look of the fretboard)
no, i'm talking a about the asymmetric silhouette.
okay, so beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but geez, the look of strat is like a bee in the eye. it isn't nearly as vulgar as some of that b.c. rich stuff. but it doesn't hold a candle to the simple, smooth, symmetric, womanly lines of a d.c. les paul or a melody maker.
even a s.c 'paul hints at symmetry, altered by the cutaway.
and a tele, though square-ish, is way more symmetrical than a strat.
okay, so they did some good functionally with the gut-cut.
but did they hafta chose that shape for the body.
and what's up with fender and the in-line tuners.
3 a side looks more balanced. and makes more sense mechanically.
i'm not nuts about the scooped sides of the 'paul headstock. i think the straight sides of the melody maker are simple and clean.
and i think the flying v has a great looking and mechanically sound design to it's headstock.
yeah the body is way too artsy, but at least its symmetric.
(i wouldn't want to have to play one sitting down though.)
i wonder how many decades it will take fender to use the lessons they learned from the construction of their guitars, and apply that knowledge to a guitar that not only SOUNDS good, but LOOKS good too.
i don't think i'll hold my breath.
U.M.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Nov 15, 2005 9:16:19 GMT -5
i actually like the asymmetric shape. my revelation is even more asymmetrical and that is why i prefer its looks even more than that of a strat (don't like bc rich though)  (here you can see the difference quite well) speaking of tuners in line, it may make more sense mechanically but i just hate it to change the position of the hand to a full reverse when i tune a guitar so it is just much more convinient (sp?) and you can place a pick holder onto the back side of a 6-in-line head. seems that is a matter of taste  |
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Post by pollyshero on Nov 15, 2005 18:16:27 GMT -5
Dare I say the asymmetrical shape may have had less to do with form or function than targeting an untapped market niche? Obviously I'm speculating - but as noted - BC Rich (and many others) has made a pile of money on some pretty ridiculous looking & impractical guitars.
Strats came out at a time when the "devil's music" scene was just catching young America's attention. What better way to attract a demographic than by offering a musical instrument that was almost certain to offend more conservative tastes?
Don't forget the "cool" factor either - There was a kid I knew in junior high who was just phenomenal on guitar. 13 years old & he was nailing EVH, Michael Schencker and George Lynch licks... On a Gretsch Country Gentleman...
If he'd had a Strat (or something similarly outrageous) he'd have been the KING. Too bad it made such a difference, but there it is.
There's no doubt there are prettier guitars (I'd almost give my left GN to have that Gretsch these days), but in the end the way to rebellion and popularity appears to be paved with instruments that catch the eye not for their beauty, but for a baser sense.
I never thought too much about it myself, but now that you've mentioned it, it occurs to me that if Jeff, Jimi, Robin, Eric C, Stevie, and Eric J didn't play them I might not have bothered with one...
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Post by pollyshero on Nov 15, 2005 18:56:01 GMT -5
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Post by Trey on Nov 15, 2005 19:44:31 GMT -5
I see PRS wasted no time putting their singlecuts back into circulation after winning the lawsuit from Gibson...
And I gotta admit that that Strat and P-bass are the ugly guitars in that photo.
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Post by Runewalker on Nov 15, 2005 23:40:06 GMT -5
UD: On the whole strats = devil music = "rebel born to be wild" etc. I think Leo was trying to build a low-to-manufacture-cost model-T guitar (Wait a minute --- Model-T ---- Tele, its all comming back......). And his first, the Broadcaster, then Telecaster because of brand name conflicts, went after the low-resources crowd of musicians, especially the country boys. The strat was the next model and added the vibrato (Ok, tremolo, lets not get into that) to emulate that hawaiian guitar, or steel guitar country warble. Surf music had not been invented and Jimi was playing ukuleles. So the target market was not the disaffected wild youth, but country boys buying on the cheap. Sure Buddy Holly used it, but was he a wild renegade radical? Not with those specs. Unk is heavy into symmetry and more power to him, albeit nature does not completely comply on the symmetry aesthetic. Even two sides of the same person look very different. Beyond aesthetics --- I was a die-hard LesPaul devotee, and ridiculed the strat for years. But when I moved over to build ups I realized Leo's model T was a lot easier to switch necks and electronics on than the Gibbies. So I cross over to the dark side and picked up a strat mule to violate repeatedly. At that I reluctantly had to admit that with it extended upper horn it was more balanced than the LP; that the belly couture was appreciated; and the forearm couture was genius. It would compromise my manhood to admit that it cause less debilitating shoulder impingement than the LP with the strat's reduced weight. So there are some advantages to the design. In terms of ugly, a strat is a little 'slabby.' The Les Paul and its carved top is quite sensual. But I can think of many more candidates for the ugly stick that exceed the strat. Eg. - Parker Fly - hey, lets go cut some hay!
- Supro - What were they thinking?
- BC Rich%, Mockingbird, etc - Com'mon man
- The old Vox teardrops (although they were symetrical)
- and with apologies to GuyaGuy, what about those Eastwoods. Get a brown paper bag.
There are others, I just can't think of them now. So the ugly thang is about relativity --- compared to what? And asymmetry can be more pleasing to the eye than symmetry. Strats make better electronics mules than Gibbies. I see no one has mentioned Steinbergers - symmetrical but minimalist. Hey Unk. Going for symetry, shouldn't a DC LP have an upper pickgard? and what about those assymetrical 3ways and knobs? RW |
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Post by UnklMickey on Nov 16, 2005 10:08:35 GMT -5
Unk is heavy into symmetry and more power to him, albeit nature does not completely comply on the symmetry aesthetic. Even two sides of the same person look very different.... In terms of ugly, a strat is a little 'slabby.' The Les Paul and its carved top is quite sensual. .. And asymmetry can be more pleasing to the eye than symmetry... I see no one has mentioned Steinbergers - symmetrical but minimalist. Hey Unk. Going for symetry, shouldn't a DC LP have an upper pickgard? and what about those assymetrical 3ways and knobs? yeah, two sides of a person do look different. but parting your hair on the left or right (or better yet in the middle or no part at all!) is suBtle. it's kinda like the alteration of the symmetry of a 'paul by having a cutaway. whereas the strat is more like having one arm twice as long as the other -- an aesthetic aberration. interestingly, i have more of an "affinity" for the specials and the juniors than the carved tops. re: the steinbergers -- i guess you just did! (sometimes less IS more) DC LP would be way cool without a pickguard, or with a symmetrical one. i'm sure having another 3-way (there's a thought!) and a second set of knobs (STOP ME NOW!) would mean more fodder for wiring modifications. unk |
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Post by Runewalker on Nov 16, 2005 23:00:17 GMT -5
Just for you, Unk:  Talk about ugly!, but boy is it symetrical. I wanna see ya wang dang doodle those dual whammys! {no, I have no idea who the dude is, and no, it ain't me} RW |
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Post by UnklMickey on Nov 17, 2005 22:36:37 GMT -5
HE SHOOTS.....Hey Unk. Going for symetry, shouldn't a DC LP have an upper pickgard? and what about those assymetrical 3ways and knobs?... ...DC LP would be way cool without a pickguard, or with a symmetrical one.... Just for you, Unk:... ...Talk about ugly!, but boy is it symetrical. ... _____________ (owned) okay, so symmetry is important in aesthetics, but just 'cause it's symmetrical doesn't necessarily make it purdy!
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Post by bam on Nov 19, 2005 7:23:40 GMT -5
well, after all, it depends on personal tastes .. right, uncle ?
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Post by wolf on Nov 19, 2005 22:24:08 GMT -5
This guitar looks rather ugly and I don't think assymetry is the problem:  |
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Post by Runewalker on Nov 20, 2005 15:32:47 GMT -5
WolfMan:
What? No X2Ns?
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Post by Runewalker on Nov 20, 2005 16:09:50 GMT -5
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Post by UnklMickey on Nov 21, 2005 9:42:57 GMT -5
well, after all, it depends on personal tastes .. right, uncle ? ABSOLUTELY! i'm a big proponent of people expressing their opinions and tastes. as long as they're in line with mine. .:lol:. This guitar looks rather ugly and I don't think assymetry is the problem: you're right! that epiphone headstock is truly ugly! |
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Post by damagedcase on Dec 3, 2005 19:23:12 GMT -5
WOW!-------------the camper is ugly.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Dec 5, 2005 2:51:12 GMT -5
This guitar looks rather ugly and I don't think assymetry is the problem: must be a dutch guitar ;D |
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Post by mlrpa on Dec 19, 2005 19:48:35 GMT -5
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Post by Runewalker on Dec 21, 2005 1:24:13 GMT -5
mlrpa: "I don't know peoples, I think I own the ugliest here...". A contender! |
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Post by eljib on Dec 21, 2005 4:25:26 GMT -5
From the late 50's to mid-60's Carvin made some really "interesting" guitars. Also see the fender models Katana and Performer (both mid-80's) and the Gibson Moderne. But for sheer, unadulterated ugliness from a big name, production run guitar(or any guitar ever, for that matter) nothing, to me, compares to the Gibson Corvus (early 80's) Full shot: www.muc.de/~hm/music/Guitars/gibson-corvus-82973530/Close up: www.muc.de/~hm/music/Guitars/gibson-corvus-83263552/PS: Cover your kids' eyes before clicking links...They may go blind. |
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R
Meter Reader 1st Class
Posts: 53
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Post by R on Dec 21, 2005 9:11:55 GMT -5
ahhhh im blind  oh well now i have an excuse to not pick up mother-in-law from airport ;D |
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Post by Mini-Strat_Maine on Dec 21, 2005 11:48:49 GMT -5
ahhhh im blind oh well now i have an excuse to not pick up mother-in-law from airport ;D LMAO!! Good one! And that thing is Ugly with about 52 U's. UUUUUUUUUgly. It almost looks like somebody either dropped it and broke off pieces, or the mold didn't get completely filled when they were punchin' it out. I hope it sounded better than it looked.  "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone." |
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Post by eljib on Dec 21, 2005 12:27:13 GMT -5
I have a bone to pick with unk and his obsession over symetry, or "implied" symetry.
I think one of the most beautiful guitars ever is the current rickenbacker 360. Far from symetrical. In fact, I like most of the ric designs.
What say you, unk?
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Post by Runewalker on Dec 22, 2005 22:26:46 GMT -5
Whoa!
So far we may have a winner at least from the production houses.
Gibson Corvus
Looks like Camp Wonkatonka donated a broken canoe paddle.
The '80s? I thought taking acid was passe by then. What were they thinking?
Ok the integrated bridge is cool and gotta admit you got an all-fret acces thang goin' on, but that body! Even Unk may have trouble squeezin' a double entendre outta that one.
Dump the tone and ya got an EVH without the Krylon stripes. And yummm! Dijon mustard yellow.... how sophisticated.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Dec 23, 2005 4:51:57 GMT -5
hmm. saw off most of the body, make the head 3l-3r and you have got a very short guitar for taking it everywhere with you.
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Post by UnklMickey on Dec 24, 2005 2:35:26 GMT -5
I have a bone to pick with unk and his obsession over symetry, or "implied" symetry. I think one of the most beautiful guitars ever is the current rickenbacker 360. Far from symetrical. In fact, I like most of the ric designs. What say you, unk? far from symmetrical? it is more symmetrical than the strat! that's what i think. and rounder too. but that only makes it interesting to look at. not beautiful. i mean the mona lisa is interesting to look at, but would you want to wake up next to her, every morning? come on, if you're gonna try to find fault with the whole symmetry/implied symmetry concept why not go the other way? why not ask me what i think of the L6s? don't get me wrong, i'm glad that someone is willing to get past the overly polite mode we always seem to be in on this forum and get into a more spirited debate. just put a bit more powder in the charge. we can thow down a little here and still walk away with a smile and a handshake. unk |
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Post by UnklMickey on Dec 24, 2005 2:47:38 GMT -5
mlrpa: "I don't know peoples, I think I own the ugliest here...". A contender! if it had a 3x3 headstock it could totally blow away the symmetry is next godliness theory. hofner's take on that idea was pretty sweet. but this thing is hideous. |
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Post by UnklMickey on Dec 24, 2005 3:06:52 GMT -5
hmm. saw off most of the body, make the head 3l-3r and you have got a very short guitar for taking it everywhere with you. or do the first part, saw off the headstock, and put the tuners in the tail. {laughing quietly to himself} |
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Post by dunkelfalke on Dec 24, 2005 4:29:02 GMT -5
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Post by eljib on Dec 24, 2005 7:54:14 GMT -5
it is more symmetrical than the strat! that's what i think. and rounder too. but that only makes it interesting to look at. not beautiful. i mean the mona lisa is interesting to look at, but would you want to wake up next to her, every morning? More than just interesting, I find the design to be quite easy on the eyes. So, no, I can't say I would be too bothered to have to look at one every day. come on, if you're gonna try to find fault with the whole symmetry/implied symmetry concept why not go the other way? why not ask me what i think of the L6s?unk Sure, we'll take the bait. {All GN's in unison:} "So, Unk, what do you think of the L6's?" don't get me wrong, i'm glad that someone is willing to get past the overly polite mode we always seem to be in on this forum and get into a more spirited debate. just put a bit more powder in the charge. we can thow down a little here and still walk away with a smile and a handshake. unk Hey, Buddy, let's just remember who it was that started this in the first place by trashing the beloved "S" (about which I happen to mostly agree with you, so there's no need to thow down). So, if nothing else, we can agree that the corvus is ugly, and the strat could be better. Hey, at least it's not the jagstang. That thing looks like it's wearing a woman's corset. Handshakes and Smiles to all...even you, Unk. -Aaron S. |
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Post by pollyshero on Dec 24, 2005 15:59:16 GMT -5
HAPPY CHRISMAHANAHKWANZAAKA EVERYBODY!!!
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oh well now i have an excuse to not pick up mother-in-law from airport ;D