The Best Stratocaster Sound (that you’re probably not using)

Links to Gear:

Squire Affinity Series Strat (affiliate link)

PEDALBOARD
Temple Audio Duo 17 Pedalboard (affiliate link)

Flight Case for Duo 17 Pedalboard (affiliate link)

4x Mod Pro I/O Module (affiliate link)

DI Output Module (affiliate link)

Cioks DC-7 Power Supply (affiliate link)

Cioks 8 Expander Module (affiliate link)

PEDALS
Line6 HX Stomp XL (affiliate link)

Mythos Pedals Hephaestus (note: special edition will be available mid march 2023)

Chase Bliss Mood (NON affiliate link)

GFI Synesthesia (NON Affiliate link)

Poly Beebo (NON affiliate link)

Thanks to @sweetwater for sponsoring this video

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[hemihead]

Clapton has played nearly whole concerts without changing from the mid pup position. It is one of my fav sounds from a strat.

[RCSmiths]

Strats are so smooth and versatile. They've stood the test of time for so long, and there's still so much to do with it. Cheers Rhett.

[jonasjacobsen]

Middle pickup is so underated. However, Clapton and even John Mayer use it all the time. It's really good with overdrives especially when you stack overdrives. Very balanced between neck tones and bridge tones.

[chrisb]

I was messing with my strat recently and realized the middle position (which I’d barely ever used), sounds great with big open chords and arpeggios. It’s like the Strat’s take on an acoustic guitar and I’m here for it.

[ericbrown]

Jerry Garcia is well known for using the strat middle pickup, listen to anything from the Europe 72 tour, his modded strat middle pickup is all over those albums

[deweybateman]

Finally, someone realizes what I've been enjoying for the past few years. The sound is clear and crisp and can be punchy with volume up when wanted. Thank you Rhett for mentioning this very usable and complimenting option.

[slmcmorris]

I use the middle pickup probably 80% of the time strats, and I've never understood why people didn't do the same. They are great for R&B and pop

[DomsGuitarGear]

Doug Martsch of Built to Spill is one of the first players that comes to mind when mentioning middle pickup on a Strat, “Carry The Zero” is the perfect example.

[davidsummerville]

Been playing over 50 years and just got my first one, a G&L Tribute. Love it, so much fun! Fun having with all the possibilities. I found working on pickup height very important. Your right about neck tending to be muddy. Have to agree on the middle. Love the way a strat fits my body. Good episode!

[leomojo]

My wife bought me an Affinity Strat for Christmas. It’s now my number one guitar. I LOVE it!

[seanbaines]

If anyone wants to get the brittle and the shrill out of the bridge pickup sound, experiment with the tone knob. Some more modern strats have the 2nd tone knob control the bridge pickup as well. Mine does. If I roll it off to about 5-7, I dial out some of the harsh shrill, dial in a bit of warmth, but still keep the bright and crunchy. Sounds nice.

[hamarr]

The middle pickup has become my favorite for the reasons you mentioned. It's a good balance and still very Straty.

[OokisMcFlookis]

One of my favourite sounds is position 2, tone at about 3, and tons of gain, it sounds like a cocked wah and I love it

[joetamm]

Robin Trower has stated in many interviews how he uses the middle pickup quite a bit. Hendrix used it a lot also, listen to Band of Gypsys live. It’s no secret it’s a great tone.

[marpsr]

Always loved the middle pickup on my Strat, was almost shamed out of using it by Scott Grove saying it was stupid and no one serious was using it. Crazy. It’s a great balance between the too-dark neck and the too-brittle bridge.

[curtismech]

I don't have a strat any longer, but the middle pickup position was always my happy place. Very rarely ever changed it.

[IamMusicNerd]

I had Lindy Fralin build my pick up set for my custom Strat, and he used a vintage Strat pick up in the neck, a pure PAF humbucker for the bridge, and a Texas Special pickup for the middle. So I use my middle pick up a lot. It sounds fantastic.

[skiers]

Rhett, , u have THE most interesting vids! I’m 69 and have learned so much that I skipped over. My one man band has benefited greatly with yur informative vids!
Keep em’ coming! I’m a fan!

[evancasey]

Jerry Garcia loved the middle position in the strat. Built it into his later guitars and played it most often

[cellogary]

I’m a long time Strat player and I never understood why people didn’t like the middle. I’ve been playing that pickup for years and it always gives me what I need. Enjoyed the video as always!