Strat's The Way

is it possible to increase the output of a strat in such a way that it becomes comparable with a twin humbucker equipped guitar? Dave Burrluck considers some alternatives…

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Turning back the clock some years, I learned a lesson the hard way. I owned an SG copy (which sounded okay for the doom-laden riffs I was required to play) but I really wanted a Strat. Luckily, I managed to borrow one and thought I’d pull it out mid-set and all my mates would be gobsmacked as I turned into Hendrix right in front of them.

Ability aside, nobody told me a Strat sounds very different to a twin-hum bucking mahogany plank. Instead of the thick, saturated power-chord riffage that was needed, the Strat sounded bright, bass-light and clean. I struggled through one number and didn’t play a Strat again for years.