Shape of guitar= musical stereotyping?

[black cherry]

Hi all,

Just been thinking about the shapes of guitars and the music that is generally played on them. For instance, why do most shredders play strat-style guitars? i.e double cutaway solid bodies? Is it the tone, the comfort, the image? Look at people like Vai, Satriani, Yngwie, John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, Rusty Cooley. They all play strat-shaped guitars. Even Marty Friedman has moved on to a strat shaped Ibanez.

Then look at people who play other-shaped guitars, Vs and the like.. Mustaine, Hetfield, Dimebag RIP. who I would classify as more riff-orientated players. Not that they couldn't shred if they wanted to.. Is it an image thing or are some shapes better sounding for playing riffs?

So the question is, can you play shred exclusively on a non-strat shaped guitar and still be cool? And if so, why don't more people do it? After all a King V / Rhoads has a great left hand position..

[wilkinsi]

My guess is it's down to how they program effects, set up their rigs etc. is what matters.

[dg]

I think people play and endorse what they're comfortable with, both in terms of playing comfort & image. Schenker, Alexi, & Roope are a few who quickly come to mind that tear it up pretty nicely on non-strat shapes, and their guitars fit their image.

[Cygnus X1]

Even with my hacker-type playing, I definitely play the Charvel different from my Hamer, other strat-shapes, or a les paul type. It's the lightness, the feel of the neck,and the sound it gives. A strat can be set up either way, that's why it makes both a great blues/country guitar, or a shredder. Pick up Yngwie's, then Eric Johnson's, and I'm sure you will respond differently to both. You know, like next chance you get....

[joshulator]

Perhaps early on a certain type of player got associated with a certain type of guitar shape. Those who idolized that type of player gravitated to the same guitar shape, thus perpetuating the association when they themselves become idols???

Adding to your list, when I think Les Pauls, I think blues and and pentatonic scales (sp??). There are certainly exceptions to the rule, and you see lots of Pauls in metal now.

Btw, I choose strat shapes because they look better when worn high compared to other shapes, and wearing my guitar high makes it easier to shred.

[Frigo89]

im gonna feel like a complete Vito Bratta rip off when I say this, but, here goes...

I love the sound of the Les Paul, but like the Feel of a strat shaped body.

that is why I am gonna make myself a Mahogany Bodied strat one of these days, but for now I will just have to slap together what I got

[Cygnus X1]

im gonna feel like a complete Vito Bratta rip off when I say this, but, here goes...

I love the sound of the Les Paul, but like the Feel of a strat shaped body.

that is why I am gonna make myself a Mahogany Bodied strat one of these days, but for now I will just have to slap together what I got

Something like this, perhaps?


Hamer Phantom A5...

[delt]

man, is that called a "triplebucker" in the bridge??

How about this:

I definitely play the Charvel different from my Hamer, other strat-shapes, or a les paul type.

I try to have a more uniform technique across different guitars/types of guitars - except of course right-hand technique on classical guitar or bass.

RR24 is the holy grail of electric guitars for me. The balance is just perfect both sitting and standing, + the shape just looks badass for its simplicity and playability. The only -slight- problem i have with it is when doing fingerpicking, my right forearm is too low (too close to the bridge) so i have to position my hand differently than i would on a strat shaped or on a classical guitar. Either that or put it down & pick up another axe

[Cygnus X1]

man, is that called a "triplebucker" in the bridge??

How about this:

I like that flame/roadrunner theme. How about that snake of cables?

The Phantom had a humbucker/single coil in one pickup ring. If you look closely you can see the single is set at a different angle. Many tonal possibilities. I'm not real sure how the mojo switch is set up, but it has a great out of phase sound that has a woody, SRV tone. And Glen Tipton's sound is a natural, through a stereo chorus.

[Inazone]

For me personally, it's a combination of comfort and tonal options. I used to have a bolt-on USA RR2 that was a very cool guitar, but I could not get comfortable with my right arm resting on the upper edge for the duration of a gig or practice session. Same with the curve of my Dean EVO. I *wanted* to like both guitars, but comfort won out over aesthetics. As far as tone, ash and basswood aren't the most popular in most circles, but I have been pretty happy with both in getting the tones I want. Other than a Jackson Stars RR-J1, I haven't seen an ash-body V, and I wouldn't want a basswood V for fear of smashing the tips even worse than on alder or poplar.

That pretty much leaves me playing a Dinky or Soloist, which has worked out just fine.

[El Chiguete]

Perhaps early on a certain type of player got associated with a certain type of guitar shape. Those who idolized that type of player gravitated to the same guitar shape, thus perpetuating the association when they themselves become idols???

+1 on that.

For me my #1 guitar has to be a strat tipe body guitar for confort on playing in bed, practicing and all around playing. Now that I have 2 guitars I could get a non-strat guitar in there...

[black cherry]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess it's a combination of comfort and to a certain extent, image. Strat-shaped guitar are also a bit smaller so I suppose there's also less chance of getting it damaged when woodshedding for hours all about the house.

[Newc]

That's largely it - the shape is more comfy for sitting for long periods while you practice. After a while, you stick with whatever you've spent the most time on.

As well, it's part of the "image" - the Strat/Dinky/Jem is a classic shape, which is more readily acceptible to the viewer than a big pointy thing, which will always be considered cartoonish to a degree.

This is, of course, speaking only of the more popular players like Vai and Satch. You'll always be able to find shredders using Vs and other non-standard shapes, but you may not be able to find their CDs in a store like Vai, Satch, Yngwie, etc.

[Jackson/Charvelfan]

Hey black cherry,
I think it is what tone you are looking for and if you like to play sitting or not.
I started playing an Ibanez 155BK 23 years ago.
These are destroyer shaped dont balance well and very difficult to play sitting.
I tried a Kramer Pacer Carrea one day at GC 3 years later and I was hooked on a strat shape ever since.
I liked the tone more also.
I still think the other body shapes look cool but I feel more comfortable with a strat shape.

[Frigo89]

Something like this, perhaps?


Hamer Phantom A5...

To be honest, Hamer Phantoms are one of my favourites guitars, and I havent even played one! that is just the Priest fan in me coming out :ROTF: