Great guitars new and used vailable via the website. The Stratocaster was first produced in early 1954 by Los Angeles engineer Leo Fender, who had tinkered with improving amplified hollow-body instruments since the 1940s. The buzz was Kramer and Jackson in that mid-’80s era. But when George Blanda and Dan Smith came up with the American Standard, it seemed to be the right thing at the right time. "From a technical standpoint, it was a genius invention because it's absolutely practical -- it moulds into the body perfectly. As soon as you hold one, it embraces you," said Smith, an acclaimed jazz recording artist. Like the electric guitar, the vibrations of the string cause an electrical signal to be created in sensors called pickups, which are amplified and played through a speaker. The color is beautiful. It's a Midnight Wine finish. The feel of the neck is next to perfect and the tone qualities are astounding. It's simply easy and fun to play. All the top brands of guitar available online. Who can forget the singular sound of the Everly Brothers' guitar in 'Wake Up Little Susie' and 'By By Love'? It was the sound of a Gibson flat top, one of the finest acoustic guitars ever produced. Invented by a California radio repairman, the "Strat" became an instant staple for rock 'n' roll musicians, starting with Holly, and won iconic status when Hendrix vaunted his on stage as he famously performed The Star Spangled Banner at the 1969 Woodstock concert. Bass.