Not to start an argument, but then why are there so few Strats being used in metal? ~006
#1 Reason: Most metal heads want a guitar that that looks 'brutal'.
I think that was the point, he's saying a strat is SSS.period. and he's kinda right there, but there are some damn nice superstrats out there
but he's right, it's not really a STRAT then anymore
I sort of agree with that. I think.
I do agree... but this thread started when I asked in the first post if a Fender American Standard HSS Strat could do detuned metal well?... lol
Humbuckers don't belong in a Strat. Thats something to do with it...
Alder can be fine, my friend's Jackson CS Warrior is alder.
Point being, Strats weren't designed or intended to play heavy styles of music. Then again, neither were Les Pauls...but they sure do work out for it a hell of a lot better than Strats. There is a reason why companies like Jackson, Charvel, Caparison, Schecter, ESP, LTD, BC Rich, Ibanez and so many others rule the metal world when it comes to guitarist's first choices.
I'm not saying you can't use one, but don't try to convince anyone that they can do it as well as any of those guitars. It's just not true. But then again, tone is subjective and every person has different tastes, so whatever. Just my .02 ~006
I've used my MusicMan tuned to B for years. Most people used some kind of strat *cough*RG*cough*Soloist*cough tuned down for death metal. Need I list them all?
All a Jackson Soloist/Fusion/Dinky, Ibanez RG, Caparison, ESP Horizon, Charvel 475, BC Rich Gunslinger, Schecter C series, Dean Vendetta, most Suhrs, Music Man Silo and countless others are all basically strats.
The only difference is minor aesthetics. slightly deeper cutaways, countours, etc. It's not to say that you can't shred on a Strat. Look at guys like Eric Johnson and Yngwie. It's about how you play the instrument, not whether the instrument is 'metal'.
If you don't see that, consider this. With your logic, a Les Paul without PAF's, or with a Kahler/Bigsby isn't a Les Paul. If you think that a Jackson isn't a strat because the neck is thinner/wider, then wouldn't that mean a 60's Les Paul isn't a Les Paul because they had a different neck profile? Does that also mean that an ESP Eclipse isn't a Les Paul because it looks slightly different? I think I get where you're coming from, at least I hope I do. I think what you're saying is that anything that doesn't look exactly like this
isn't a strat. Maybe you don't think the ESP Viper is an SG either.
I don't think what a guitar is made out of really makes any difference to how 'metal' it can be. RG's are/were generally basswood, fenders alder and Gibsons mahogany but I think you could find great metal bands that play every type of guitar.
Ya you have some good points and I see where you're are coming from, I was just curious how a HSS Strat would sound in the metal area from a first hand experience which is rare because most people use the brands that you mentioned.
Again, mostly because of aesthetics, image, perception. Dumb it down a bit. If you wanted to appear brutal, you're gonna want pointy, black, etc. Does that mean you're more brutal a player? No. If you wanted to play with Hannah Montanna you'd probably play a pink or purple guitar. My point is, with the appearance, 90% of it is psychological and has nothing to do with what the instrument is capable of or what you can do with it. Don't you think people thought Godflesh was dumb for using a real 'strat'? Still came across heavy as elephant nuts though.
The 'specializing' done to metal guitars like deeper cutaways, thinner necks, wider string spacing is simply ergonomics. The huge neck heel of a Fender, dumb I think. Most Ibanez, Music Man and other good strats have a contoured heel or no heel. I wouldn't recommend setting out to get a good metal guitar. I'd look for a good guitar period. A BC Rich Mocking Bird is metal as fuck but do you really want to hold that lop-sided neck-dippin bitch up all night?
And don't forget, them Jazz guys had 7 strings way before any metalhead knew what the fuck to do with them.
/Rant
Hope no one takes that personally. I just can't believe some of the things I read on teh webz some times. Plus you caught me at a peculiar moment.
Oh and RockGuitarX, keep in mind that most of the original death metal bands, touting their Jackson/Ibanez super-strats tuned down to D and lower for a solid 10 years before any guitar companies started mass producing 7 strings. It's not if the guitar can do what you want it to. The issue is, do you know how to make the guitar do what you want it to.
As I mentioned, I personally just hate they way they look, as well as the feel of the shallow cutaways and big neck joint. Anyone may feel differently! 
