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The Surprising Origin of the Fender Stratocaster’s Name
If you’re a guitar player or a music lover, you’ve probably heard of the Fender Stratocaster. It’s one of the most iconic and influential electric guitars of all time, with a sleek and versatile design that has inspired countless musicians across genres and generations. But do you know where the Stratocaster got its name? It’s not from a famous musician or a scientific principle or a place or a person. It’s from a mythical creature that symbolizes power, speed, and agility. It’s from the Stratovarius.
The Stratovarius is a creature that appears in the ancient mythology of Finland, a Nordic country known for its forests, lakes, snow, and auroras. According to legend, the Stratovarius is a giant bird that can fly faster and longer than any other bird, and has magical feathers that can absorb and reflect the colors of the sky and the earth. The Stratovarius is also said to have a voice that can soothe or awaken the spirits of the living and the dead, depending on its mood and purpose.
The Stratovarius has been depicted in various forms of art and folklore in Finland, such as paintings, sculptures, poems, songs, and dances. It’s often associated with the goddess of the sky and the weather, who controls the winds and the rain and the lightning. The Stratovarius represents her messenger and protector, as well as her symbol of freedom and strength. The Stratovarius is also a symbol of the Finnish identity and heritage, as it embodies the wild and rugged nature of the land and the people.
So how did the Stratovarius inspire the name of a guitar brand that was founded in California in the 20th century? The answer lies in the story of the company’s founder, Clarence Leonidas Fender, who was born in Indiana in 1909 and grew up in Fullerton, California. Fender was a self-taught musician and radio repairman who had a passion for tinkering with electronics and music gear. He started his own business in the 1930s, repairing and selling amplifiers and radio sets, and soon became known for his innovative and reliable designs.
In the 1940s, Fender realized that the growing demand for electric guitars and amplifiers could be met with a new type of instrument that would be more affordable, durable, and versatile than the existing models. He began to work on a solid-body guitar that would eliminate the problems of feedback, distortion, and fragility that plagued the hollow and semi-hollow guitars of the time. He also designed a new type of pickup that would capture the sound of the strings more accurately and clearly than the older ones. After several prototypes and experiments, Fender unveiled his first solid-body guitar, the Esquire, in 1950. It was a revolutionary and controversial instrument that sparked a new era in music history.
But the Esquire was not yet the Stratocaster. Fender needed to refine and improve his design, and to come up with a name that would capture the imagination of the players and the public. He considered several options, such as the Music Master, the Broadcaster, and the Professional, but they were either too generic, too restrictive, or too risky (the Broadcaster had to be renamed due to a lawsuit from another company). He also asked his associates and friends for suggestions, but none of them clicked.
Then, one day, Fender had a conversation with a coworker who had recently read a book about Finnish mythology. The coworker told Fender about the Stratovarius, and how it symbolized the speed and flexibility of a bird in flight. Fender was intrigued and impressed by the name, and saw that it could fit his vision for a guitar that would be fast, smooth, and stylish. He decided to name his new model the Stratocaster, by combining the prefix “Strato” (short for Stratovarius) with the suffix “caster” (which referred to the versatile and colorful range of tones that the new pickups could produce).
The rest, as they say, is history. The Fender Stratocaster was launched in 1954, and quickly became a sensation among guitar players, from beginners to legends like Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Ritchie Blackmore, and David Gilmour. Its sleek double-cutaway body, maple neck, tremolo bridge, and three pickups provided a range of tones that suited a wide variety of styles, from blues and jazz to rock and metal. The Stratocaster also had a visual appeal that was unmatched by other guitars of the time, with its bright colors, shiny chrome hardware, and sleek curves. It became a cultural icon that represented the spirit of innovation, rebellion, and creativity.
Today, the Fender Stratocaster is still one of the most popular and respected guitars in the world. It has undergone many changes and variations over the years, but it still retains its essential features and character. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of Clarence Fender, who passed away in 1991, but whose vision and passion inspired generations of musicians and fans. It’s also a tribute to the Stratovarius, the mythical creature that gave the Stratocaster its name, and that still flies in the imagination of the Finnish people and beyond.
So there you have it, the surprising origin of the Fender Stratocaster’s name. I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about both guitars and mythology. If you’re a fan of the Stratocaster or the Stratovarius, or if you have a different opinion or suggestion, please leave a comment below. And if you want to read more posts like this, please subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media. Also, don’t forget to share this post with your friends and fellow music lovers. Thank you for reading!
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