My first Strat was a 62′ from a pawn shop in 1975. Totally beat but that tone became ingrained in my head. Sold it for a Gibson because it was too thin (I was learning to play). Ten years ago I was considering paying big bucks for a 1965 Strat and decided to build instead. Best thing I ever did…..I would never buy a Fender style factory instrument again. Lindy is doing what Leo showed us….only better. Listen to him closely if you want that tone. Real 54’s to Vintage Hots nail the 50’s and then 60’s Strat tones. Add the big neck with a flatter radius and bigger frets. Next trick is a light swamp ash body. Last but not least is the tailpiece/Tremelo. Callaham makes a cold pressed steel hardtail or Tremelo. These are critical nodal points and pot castings suck the tone where cold pressed steel lets it ring. Fat necks, light bodies, Fralin pickups and Callaham hardware can create guitars equal or better than these legend tones people crave and pay big bucks. I’ve built 5 and have two in construction now. Hardtail Strat should be coming in around 6 lbs with Vintage Hots. All of my Masterbuilds are under 7 lbs. I don’t sell them I play them. Lindy is right !
