Stratocaster/Splatocaster

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Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Slowy »

Because my life is going so well, I've had to work hard to find dissatisfaction. After a long search, I've settled on the 'splatty' character of Strats.

Playing lots of nice, resonant hard tails really highlights the characteristic.
I'd assumed it was caused by the springs but blocking and removing them isn't a cure (Not completely anyway)
I've only ever played one hard tail Strat and that one still exhibited the characteristic to some degree.
But I have met a couple over the years that weren't splatty but still had trems. I wonder what made them special?

Anyone know what I mean? Can anything be done about it?
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by willow13 »

I think you need to define what you mean by splatty...because I at least have no idea what you mean :rofl:
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by GrantB »

Blocking a Strat goes a long way. Mister B has a hard tail Strat that is resiculously good....for a Strat.
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Slowy »

GrantB wrote:Blocking a Strat goes a long way. Mister B has a hard tail Strat that is resiculously good....for a Strat.
Let me guess...it's black?
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Molly »

Can you define 'splatty'?

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by kwhelan »

splatty meaning that quacky trebly nasally thin sound, thats what makes them so different and loveable IMO

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Slowy »

kwhelan wrote:splatty meaning that quacky trebly nasally thin sound, thats what makes them so different and loveable IMO
Yeah, with a serving of rubber bands.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by kwhelan »

try playing "sultans of swing" on a gibson , can't be done

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Slowy »

kwhelan wrote:try playing "sultans of swing" on a gibson , can't be done
True dat.
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by willow13 »

put a bloody humbucker in it then :idea:
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Mini Forklift »

kwhelan wrote:splatty meaning that quacky trebly nasally thin sound, thats what makes them so different and loveable IMO
You sure you’re not thinking of the Telecaster? :-)

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by olegmcnoleg »

Slowy wrote:Because my life is going so well, I've had to work hard to find dissatisfaction. After a long search, I've settled on the 'splatty' character of Strats.

Playing lots of nice, resonant hard tails really highlights the characteristic.
I'd assumed it was caused by the springs but blocking and removing them isn't a cure (Not completely anyway)
I've only ever played one hard tail Strat and that one still exhibited the characteristic to some degree.
But I have met a couple over the years that weren't splatty but still had trems. I wonder what made them special?

Anyone know what I mean? Can anything be done about it?
Are you referring to a problem known as Stratitis?

Yes, it really is a thing...
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/stratitis/. ( second definition)

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Dharmajester »

Slowy wrote: I've only ever played one hard tail Strat and that one still exhibited the characteristic to some degree.
But I have met a couple over the years that weren't splatty but still had trems. I wonder what made them special?
Anyone know what I mean? Can anything be done about it?
Sorry, but I'm also confused by the splatty term.
Sure, there are plenty of less than stellar sounding examples out there and like any rescue some can be saved , others remain irredeemable . For me the bad ones are thin, lifeless sounding creatures, reminiscent of the awful second rate Shaft style music dubbed onto very cheap 70's porn movies.
Blocking can salvage some but can kill others. Personally whether I want to use a trem or not I think they always sound better with 5mil at the back as decking to me kills the top end sheen acoustically .
The other major misfortune with any cheaper Fender can be the overly thick finish. I've read so much material on the net with pretty reputable luthiers arguing against this which makes me highly skeptical of Internet verbiage as I have experienced night and day transformations by removing a Fender finish.
Ultimately though if an assembler has fitted a randomly crap or indifferent neck to an equally poor body then the fireplace is it's most rewarding destination.
Dunno if that touches on splatty, hope so :shifty:
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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by Jay »

olegmcnoleg wrote:
Slowy wrote:Because my life is going so well, I've had to work hard to find dissatisfaction. After a long search, I've settled on the 'splatty' character of Strats.

Playing lots of nice, resonant hard tails really highlights the characteristic.
I'd assumed it was caused by the springs but blocking and removing them isn't a cure (Not completely anyway)
I've only ever played one hard tail Strat and that one still exhibited the characteristic to some degree.
But I have met a couple over the years that weren't splatty but still had trems. I wonder what made them special?

Anyone know what I mean? Can anything be done about it?
Are you referring to a problem known as Stratitis?

Yes, it really is a thing...
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/stratitis/. ( second definition)
Quoting a line out of that section:
the sole function of a magnet in a guitar pickup is to magnetize the strings
Very poorly worded and taken literally utter bollocks.

The magnet's function is to provide a magnetic field for the coil so that moving (metal) strings within that field will induce tiny electric voltages in the coil.
When faced with quality, I recognise it every time.

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Re: Stratocaster/Splatocaster

Post by GrantB »

Dharmajester wrote: Blocking can salvage some but can kill others. Personally whether I want to use a trem or not I think they always sound better with 5mil at the back as decking to me kills the top end sheen acoustically .
You saying 5mm lift at the rear of the bridge? Seems high?
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