Welcome to my Blog - Exploring Stratocasters Fundamental Setup and Achieving the Ideal Hank Marvin Sound

The Essentials of Setup

I consistently maintain the tremolo system suspended about an eighth of an inch from the guitar body. This setup not only enhances the tonal spectrum but also introduces a distinctive attack characteristic, complemented by a touch of resonance. When a Fender Stratocaster's tremolo is set to float, you can distinctly perceive the resonating springs when playing a B note anywhere on the fretboard.

Proper adjustment of the pickup height is paramount for Stratocasters. When the pickups are positioned too closely to the strings, especially on the lower strings (E, A, and D), the magnets exert a pull on the strings, leading to intonation issues that worsen as you ascend the frets. Customization is key here, as different pickups come with varying magnet strengths.

Step 1: Initiate by lowering all three pickups, then elevate the bridge pickup to approximately 2mm from the underside of the Low E string.

Step 2: Subsequently, fine-tune the neck pickup's height to the point where it maximizes proximity without interfering with string vibration. You can gauge the effect by closely observing the string movement above the neck pickup. If the magnet is too close, it impedes free oscillation. Gradually lower the pickup until the strings vibrate smoothly and evenly. (It's advisable to perform this procedure with new strings and the bottom E string fretted at the highest fret.)

Step 3: Lastly, establish the middle pickup height, positioning it halfway between the neck and bridge.

The Quest for the Ideal Hank Marvin Tone

Among the cherished Strat tones, particularly revered by Baby Boomers, is the iconic sound Hank Marvin achieved on the early Shadows records. Hank Marvin famously wielded the first Stratocaster in the UK, a Fiesta Red model with a Maple neck. The original Shadows recordings featured Marvin's Stratocaster paired with a Vox AC15 amplifier. The magic emanates from the original hand-wound Strat pickups, which deliver a bright yet gentle quality with a more distinct bass presence than their machine-wound counterparts. Notably, the bridge pickup on a Stratocaster bypasses the tone circuit and capacitor, resulting in a pristine and clear signal directed to the amplifier.

Vox AC15 amplifiers, when compared to today's higher-gain valve amps, exhibit a somewhat darker tonality. The fusion of the vibrant bridge pickup and Vox's unique Class A valve tone contributes to the timeless Shadows/Marvin tonal signature. It's worth acknowledging the role of the Meazzi tape echo that Hank utilized between his guitar and amp. This tape echo imparts a touch of warmth to the mid-range while tempering excessive high treble frequencies.

As a final pointer, employing heavier gauge strings and picking near the neck pickup is likely to bring you closer to capturing Hank's signature twang.

Welcome to my blog on vintage guitar sounds that will make your heart miss a beat.