I have a 64 Strat simply by accident and time. I bought mine used around 1972 for about $300 with an amp added in. I never got into playing it as I was into classical guitar at the time. I got married, had a family, worked behind a desk and kept the guitar in the case under my bed for over 40 years. Stopped playing during this time. Last year, my brother-in-law retired and took up guitar as a hobby. He got me back into getting my Strat out and taking it to a very good Luthier to do a good set up on it. I got me a Spark amp, and here I am now at age 72 playing my Strat that I bought when I was 22!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic! Glad you are back into it and never sold the guitar!

@Sammywhat

2 жыл бұрын

Great story, Jay!! May you live to play a hundred years!! 🙏😉🎸

@Ironworthstriking

2 жыл бұрын

Great story, Jay! Glad you held onto it and are able to enjoy a wonderful guitar! The Spark was a great choice too. Perfect for playing at home with a ton of tonal options at your fingertips!

@glennevans5824

Жыл бұрын

Good for you I’m 68 never put down my guitars ..I play em…maybe once a day with a tone king gremlin..great amp

@tato4612

8 ай бұрын

Awesome....so happy for you and a little jealous!!!

Just sitting around, jawin' about great guitars. Love it!

@philjones8693

2 жыл бұрын

Trouble is, it stimulates the desire to own one :)

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks my friend!!

Congratulations on finding your Dream Guitar. Finding Holger as a friend is the greatest find, he is the most trustworthy, honest, kind, decent, caring person I know in the musical business. Komet amps sound killer too.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Holger is the best!

Glad for you, Jeff! A guitar like that is lucky to get a player like you.

I'm glad you found your dream guitar. I've always wanted to play, but life took a right turn and unfortunately I didn't continue. That being said, in my college years I hung out with a local band in PA and got the bug. I bought an early 70s Les Paul Deluxe, which none of the guys in the band thought was that good. A few years later, I lost that guitar in a house fire. With the little insuranse money I got, I wanted to buy a new one. One of the guys in the band brought me to his guitar store in Scranton. There they talked me into buying a used 63 Les Paul Jr with a dogeared P90. I wasn't crazy about it. When later after getting a 'good' job and marrying and kids, the guitar went under my bed. After 45 years, I've begun playing again. The guitar finished is checked, but clean. While my ear is not anywhere as precise as yours, but to me, it sounds great. I live in northern New Jersey and am trying to get to the point where I can play with others. Thanks for your insight and instructions. I'll continue to follow you.

Really would want a 64 sunburst and a 62 strat in black. Oh my God!😍

What a beautiful, clear tone.

Congrats Jeff! That is an awesome looking and sounding guitar. Great to see you loving on it.

Truly, a lovely guitar. My thoughts; if it “inspires” you and makes you feel that “ache in your heart,” when you pick it up, of course it’s worth whatever it took to get it.

@kevindean1327

2 жыл бұрын

That's the bottom line!!!

@brutallyremastered4255

Жыл бұрын

And when you just look at it across the room...

Great summary of Vintage instruments!

It responds so well to your nuances and dynamics…congratulations!

Great to see a such a great instrument go to a new home where it can appreciate for not only its vintage appeal but where it will be played lovingly and produce great music as intended.

Good for you 🎸👍 that's a beautiful Strat in great hands.

Alway great to hear stories of how people find their dream guitar! Beautiful Strat Jeff, congratulation! Cheers, Martin

My oh my 👌👌👌 fantastic Jeff! Tone, playing. Spot on

Fascinating! I clicked this link because I thought the guitar was beautiful but then I had to listen to all the information you had on this topic. I have a feeling you can make any guitar sound magical. Great info and playing Jeff. Enjoy that geetar. Peace.

Your slow blues playing is full of soul and feelings. You are amazing❤❤❤

This is an outstanding guitar, Jeff! Sound is incredible. Your discussion and explanation of vintage guitars, and this one in particular, is so clear and accessible. It's quite a find. Congratulations to you and I am sure we will all hear some fine guitar playing and sounds from you with this fine instrument. I'll be on that line for the new album!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks James!!!

I’m newer to your channel Jeff, but I really enjoy your approach to teaching and your views on various subjects. Congratulations on getting the 64’ - she’s beautiful! I, like yourself, am a sucker for a great Neck Pickup on a Strat - something about that tone that just brings a smile… anyway, take care and thanks for the content

Wow. Sounds awesome. Congrats Jeff 👏

Amazing guitar 🎸 gorgeous playing. Oh and the shout out. Thanks ☮️❤️🎸

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t own it if it weren’t for you my friend.

Congrats Jeff!! I love these type of videos. Between watching you and Mick from TPS (he recently purchased an early 60's Strat) I'm green with envy.

Great tone on that one Jeff, congratulations bud!!!

Tasty playing! And engaging story-telling. Thanks, Jeff. 🤘🙏

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David and for all the continued support.

🤩🤩🤩🤩..BEAUTIFUL !! Congrats man! this is about as close as I will ever get to one, so thanks for sharing

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

the guy next door bought a new one about two weeks back that sounds E XACTLY like that one. It was reasonably priced too. (solid body guitars always sound pretty much like the day they left the store. The dealers like to play that 'vintage' card though. It means something when we're talking old flattops and archtops though.)

Thanks for sharing all that information. It was really helpful. 👍☮️🌞🎸🎵❤️

Well done Jeff, it looks and sounds amazing. Getting it to a playable condition is perfectly logical and I know you are going to get a lot out of that guitar and I look forward to seeing and hearing more. I have a 1956 style "S" type in two tone sunburst made by Bravewood and it is a keeper. It has become my No 1 gigging guitar.

Good for you, Mr. Jeff! My second ever guitar was a '64 I bought out of Tallahassee for $180 in 1965. Gorgeous guitar, but had the most horrific overtones on 5th and 6th strings, at the 12th fret, no matter what I did to try to remedy it.

Hey Jeff, Just had the worst three weeks of my life. Today things changed are are looking up. Just chose to listen to this. A blessing. Happy for you Jeff. Know what you mean. Peace and joy to you from the UK.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I hope things get better and I’m grateful this silly video made you feel better. All the best.

@JohnnyArtPavlou

2 жыл бұрын

Wishing you a better tomorrow. 🌞

@brutallyremastered4255

Жыл бұрын

@@JeffMcErlain What a gracious exchange.

Amazing vid, lots of great info!

Good video, Jeff! Cool to hear the full story. Didn’t know about pick guard shrinkage.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael!

Bought your book and love it!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

Congrats! Beautiful sounding Strat. This Strat finally came home.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Well thank you very much!

The guitar sounds great in every pickup selection. Very cool guitar. Great video and congratulations!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob!

I had a 64 Strat back in the 80s. I bought it from a friend of mine for $1300.- Dollars. I remember that the neck felt incredible and played very well. The 3 way switch always annoyed me because I loved to play with positions 2 and 4 set which easily jumped out of position while playing ;-). In the beginning of the 90s things got tough and I needed money. So I sold the guitar back to the same friend of mine that I had bought it from. For the exact same amount of money.

@gosman949

6 ай бұрын

lucky friend!

nice guitar. can see yiure really pleased with it. congrats

Jeff you definitely hit the lotto landing this guitar. Visually and tonally it has it all. As you said, all three pickups are magnificent. Positions 2 and 4 are magical to my ears.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks John. Yeah, I’m very happy with it!

Congratulations for your guitar Jeff, great instrument. 👍👍👍🤟

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻🙏🏻

It sounds amazing. Of course, you make it work.

i got a 1964 stratocaster pickguard slapped on my partscaster and that already makes me really happy. can’t imagine owning a complete guitar

I love that Strat! I think I’m drawn to it aesthetically in part because of the specific hue of the pickguard. It’s pretty dark and just so unique! Secondly, thanks so much for your dedication to teaching. I have been doing several of your classes on TrueFire and it’s transformed my playing and I’m really psyched at the progress I’ve seen. I originally played mandolin in a progressive bluegrass/acoustic band in Kentucky but I moved to the White Mountains in New Hampshire (much better life for my kids up here 😊.) When I moved I had the freedom to dive in to electric guitar again and it’s been a blast. I wanted to improve my improvisation abilities and your classes have been exactly what I was looking for. I will keep an eye on your website for more learning options. Thanks so much.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Troy!!

@alohamark3025

11 ай бұрын

Jeff has given so much back to the youtube community. We're all very happy he found the Strat with the tone that inspires him. I'm glad a real musician (Jeff) got his hands on this guitar. Over time, the cost will wash away. The notes, the chords, the sounds will shape the magic moments in ones memories.

The video was fantastic

Such great words of wisdom!

Love it! I have a 64 that looks very very close to this. I played a number of vintage guitars, too, and the notes out of mine just plain bloom.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

I have found the 64s to be pretty consistent. Enjoy yours!

I bought my 64 Strat about 20 years ago for $700.00. It had no finish left on it (I think they use the term "relic" now), but it played and sounded wonderful, and it felt like a dream. I own several Strats, including the '64, a 72, an '84, and a '98. They are all great, but nothing has the MoJo of the '64. I understand exactly how you feel. Incidentally, I also have an all original '60 Strat in great condition, but that is for sale. I actually like the '64 better and the '60 is in much, much better condition and worth a lot more, so that is the one I am selling. I bought the '60 on spec (got an insanely good deal on it). Figured I would check it out and see which one I liked better and either sell that one or the '64. Turns out I think the 64 sounds and plays better. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. BTW, you said you are in Brooklyn. We're almost neighbors. I live on the other side of JFK on the Nassau side of the border. Love your channel. I am a blues player and a big Clapton fan.

That middle pick up........ dammit. That's my favorite thing on most of the vintage strats I've played. I was lucky enough to have a family friend who's father had a 59 sunburst strat, that I got to play in my band for several years. Playing that guitar live, at volume, is a religious experience. I've been lucky in my 52 years to play a bunch of them on stage, and it's no myth, the good ones are a whole different thing. Congratulations Mack. You deserve that guitar.

Tasty playing and vintage tone on a beautiful guitar. Congrats Jeff !

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Etienne!

I bought one too in 1964 brand new off of the wall. In 1966 in the same store I tried out a Strat off of the wall. I asked the sales man what is wrong with this. He said what do you mean its a brand new guitar. I told him it they didn't finish it. I never bought a new guitar again. until the 2000's.

So nice to hear somebody be straight about vintage guitars. I make the mistake of thinking all vintage guitars were magical. Then I played a bunch and I was really surprised at how NOT magical almost all of them were. I did play a 54 Tele that was incredible, but also incredibly expensive. But just like any new production guitars, there are some that have that "thing" and a whole lot that don't.

Congrats Jeff. Sounds great.. Looks incredible. Mojo Central. X

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man!!

Thanks for the rundown on vintage guitars. I can see how happy you are with your strat and that's nice.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Victor. I am very happy indeed.

@victorformosa2825

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffMcErlain Out of interest, there is a shop in Denmark Street London (tin pan alley) that goes by the name of No. Tom, they specialise in antique guitars, interesting to browse.

Wow, great sound. Congratulations. The instrument is as old as I am. A special year for the birth of good things ;-)

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Ha! Agreed!

Congrats jeff , that tone is to die for, in every position . Youre playing is worth the price tag, that guitar was meant to be yours..... great advice too, thank you

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

Great video!!! What a story :-) I would have loved a few more words around the vintage market as another symptom of what’s wrong these days… I am sure you will enjoy every minute of playing!!

I recall my friend buying a 1964 Pre-CBS Stratocaster in 1972 for $250.

Jeff my main man that guitar is an extention of you.There are " magic guitars" an instrument that just has the unexplainable "it".Love the look of that Strat ,the patina that it has achieved thru the years of being played is amazing.So glad you have found your Strat you deserve it.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Ah thank you! I really appreciate it. I do love the look of the guitar as well! And it’s now my guitar.

Great video & gorgeous guitar Jeff 🙂, thanks for your work with Trufire as well! I have a Custom Shop master built sunburst ‘64 Journeyman. It’s as close as I will get & it plays superb, and I’m ok with that 😁🙏

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks and I’m sure that Strat is awesome.

Love that strat!!! That's some killer tone

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man!

When Jeff just started making videos....I couldnt help to thnk? This guy doesnt seem so comfortable in front of the camera...but i wasnt watching the channel for his public speaking prowless....Now, hes like an eyewitness news anchor lol! Does anyone notice, how good Jeff got in his verbal presentation? Hes like Dan Rather, hahaha Great guitar BTW, and always great playing/teaching...

that is one beautiful axe! I had that same exact guitar back in the ‘80s; I’ve regretted selling it ever since though the sale did finance a year in LA…

Congrats! It's well deserved. And thanks for debunking the myth that all vintage guitars are automatically great

I have a 1964 mustang! It’s my MoJo too.

Great Video!

Congrats on that strat, it looks and sounds great. The older i get the more i have realised that i don’t need to own ‘all the guitars’ but rather just one really good example of the ones i really enjoy playing (Strat, 335, Tele and LP) and if i have to sell a few things to make that happen - then so be it.

@jacob_miller

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with this and same with amps, I just have a 335/345 left to get 🙂

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly

@lastofthe4horsemen279

2 жыл бұрын

Your list is covering all the bases !

The first LP i played was a 1960, it initiated the thirst for acquiring a guitar which felt and sounded like that....it took me only 24 years to find one which was that 'yes, thats the one' moment

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Yup!! 👊

Congrats on the 64. I'm blessed with a great sounding 66. There is something to those old ones when they're good.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

That is for sure! Enjoy that 66!

Hey Jeff. That is a super-sweet guitar. I've always wanted a '64 as it's my birth year 😃

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Ha! You need one then!

Great playing that really exemplifies the beautiful 'Stratty' tones of this guitar.

@JeffMcErlain

Жыл бұрын

🙏🏻

So cool . 💫

You made the right decision! Shes a beauty.

@JeffMcErlain

Жыл бұрын

🙏🏻

It is nice to hear someone being honest about vintage guitars The hype out there is that they are all somehow magical. I have played many vintage guitars and the great ones are unbelievable but that is the exception not the norm. Good luck with your wooden soul mate 👍.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Ha! Wooden soul mate. That’s awesome.

Congratulations, that's a gorgeous Strat. The divots in the fretboard could be from a really heavy handed player digging the strings in

Glad that such a guitar went to someone who is going to play the hell out of it! and can really appreciate it for all that it is. I admit getting a bit pissed when I see collectors snapping all of these up just to make money. It's a shame as they're instruments that should be heard and seen IMO. This one is awesome mate! that burst is perfect!

I am always amazed at the tone in your hands since that is really where the tone is coming from. Pretty remarkable. But…if you could, what was the signal chain for the tone in this video? Thanks for all of the great advice and teaching you offer on this channel!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom, I appreciate it. I was just running straight into my Two Rock Bloomfield Drive into a UA ox.

any 60's strat or gibson or gretsch is magical...vintage always sound better

This video makes me really happy.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

That makes me happy!

Dang that's a nice one, congratulations Jeff

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

Very interesting story! Off topic - that backing track (available in the Jam Tracks link) features in quite a few of Jeff's videos, and every time he plays over it, it sounds completely different. Just find all of the video intros using it and you have a great course in slow blues playing and super lick library.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phil. Adding this to my course idea list…

That thing is gorgeous. Could not have ended up with a better player. You are extremely well known and highly acclaimed yet still underrated.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the kind words. Made my day.

Very interesting and informative! I enjoyed it a lot! I also like the 2 ton sunburst better but it looks great! Thanks for this!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Patrick!

Lovely guitar and great tone ,,👍👍

@JeffMcErlain

11 ай бұрын

🙏🏻

I'm a loud and proud '64 strat owner! It's special and definitely a players grade guitar that I will NEVER part with! I strongly agree it's nice to compare every possible guitar to find the special one.

Incredibly interesting and informative.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it!!

I had one of those in 1978. It wasn’t the right guitar for me then.

Great tone!

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ken!

After playing around with a lot of different guitars I feel the brazilian board is more than a cool looking piece of wood, since the sound waves travel along it I feel that wood lends its sound to the overall guitar sound. Which is typically both warm and sparkly. Only wood that does that. Body wood to me has most to do with the sound though.

Smile. I am happy for you.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

She’s a beauty !

I'm sure as a young player you looked at a guitar like that and thought "damn, I'll never have something like that" and now look at you.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

🙏🏻. Ha. Exactly!! Grateful for sure.

Great find! I guess I have been fortunate, I have never played a bad sounding pre CBS Strat. I have a few and have played many. I have never played a burst though I have wanted to have that experience.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Not so much as bad sounding ones, more correctly ones that were definitely not worth the price tag.

The most beautiful sound of any guitar 🎸 @11:40

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

😉

Great break down

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

My day job isn't playing so I "settle" for Fender Custom Shop... Really no desire to play the vintage game. Glad to see this guitar went to somebody that can and will play it. ENJOY IT Jeff! 😀

Congrats! Its looks like a Satin finish which is beautiful. Curious, what size frets did you go with? I found those small tiny frets from the 50's/60's difficult to play especially after playing a modern guitar.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah that’s the old patina. Years of smoke and sweat I guess… I put 6150’s in it. I can’t play the old frets either.

Everything a Strat should be and so visually gorgeous and played in its edible. But of course it’s Jeff’s talent and devotion that completes it.

@JeffMcErlain

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hi Jeff, can you recommend a guitar finder? I would like to begin my quest for a great ‘61 thru ‘64 Strat. Also thanks for all the great and inspirational playing in your videos?

Happy new old guitar mate. I don't really get the vintage scene,. Back in the day these guitars didn't sound like they do now. Will it sound the same in 10/20/30 years. At a guess I'd say no. So it's a puzzle to me. As is sounds great bud. 👍🥃Respect to you mate.

Sweet!

I bought my dream guitar new off of the wall in 1964...hmm? Strat. Then I bought a 1954 les paul because of Bloomfield, then Bought a 1960 les paul be cause we opened for van morrison, and his guitar player had one. So, I started buying used guitars. New custom shop guitars are great. PRS are great etc. I wouldn't buy most old les pauls if they were $2000.00. I managed a vintage store in the 1970's. It has always been how does this one play, not is it vintage. If it plays great, it is frequently just chance. The neck geometry happened (mostly by chance). There is a small window on correct neck set. If it is a strat, never, never take the neck off if it plays great. In fact I recommend always leaving a good amount of string tension on the neck- especially if you play a lot- you will feel it in your fingers. Joe B. says never take your fender neck off ( I say if it plays great). It you do, it will loose its playing magic. Now if you are buying for investment purposes, the prices make sense, but it is like the stock market. Vintage guitars have been an amazingly stable investment in the long run. The last sunburst les paul I bought was $250.00- it sold in the early 2000's for $165,000.00. It didn't play very good. Are you playing them or hanging them on the wall like art? My 1960 was magic, but that was how it played. My 1954 was great, hmm? Maybe I am full of it and vintage guitar are, well play it, it is how it plays if you are a player.