Strat Acousticaster - Why ?

ICBM

Nitefly said:

Didn't they have a bite at this particular cherry in the late 80's / early 90's, at a more attractive price point? (Obvs without the modelling).

What are these (besides "available for order", so not in stock lol)?

Shite.

No, really. They're the Stratacoustic, like the matching Telecoustic. I wanted to like them, but they are just a very cheap, plastic-back (like an Ovation, but flatter and 'squarer') electro-acoustic with terrible piezo electrics and a Chinese Squier neck, effectively.

However, *these* were actually really nice - the Acoustasonic Strat (yes, all these names do get very confusing)...



This one is a really modern design with a smooth, hollow body and a 'carbon fibre' soundhole cover, and clever volume and tone controls that are hidden in the corners of the bridge. Both these and the Telecoustic/Stratacoustic do purely 'acoustic' sounds though, not electric ones.

The one I've liked best was this one -



This is the second version of the HMT Tele, the first one had a Strat-type (actually Jazzmaster) headstock. I had the first version - apart from the slightly-oversized body, I didn't like the neck, it was very wide and flat and with huge frets - I've never come across a Tele-headstock one so I don't know if that was changed, but the frets do look smaller in that pic.

crunchman

Been thinking about this over the last day or two.

I could really use something like this, but the onboard modelling does put me off.  I've had my conventional Strat for 16 years.  Apart from needing a refret, it's absolutely fine, and if anything were to break, it would be easily fixable.

If I bought one of these, the electronics are going to date, and almost certainly be unfixable if they break in 15 years time.  We discussed this in the other thread, and came to the conclusion that you could just modify it to send the pickup signals to an outboard processor if the worst came to the worst.  Even if it doesn't break, the modelling will improve anyway, and you would be left with an expensive dinosaur.

Subsequent to that, I've been think the last couple of days about getting a piezo bridge fitted to one of my other guitars, and do the processing outboard.  I've got a couple of semi-hollow guitars where this might work.

Alternatively, Kemper have announced that an acoustic simulator is on the way for the Kemper.

The problem is likely to be the plain G string.  It won't sound right as an acoustic with a plain G, and it's compromised for bending on an electric with a wound G.

None of this stops me wanting one - especially the new Tele version with the Ziricote top.  The upcharge on that is ridiculous though.  I could understand £500 more given that it is gloss finished but nearly £1500 extra is just mental.  Still doesn't stop me wanting one.

Haych

Why didn't they just add acoustic modelling to a standard Strat?  Honest query, not a pointed question.

downbytheriver

I don’t really need one of these but I am surprised by the response here. Seems to me that this is part of Fender pushing the boundaries just as they are doing with the Tone Master amps. There must be plenty of people who will benefit from one of these and I can see exactly why Lewy thinks it is up his street. The fact that the soundhole is, to me, in the wrong place instinctively, and makes them look like a child’s drawing of a guitar is neither here nor there!

crunchman

Haych said:

Why didn't they just add acoustic modelling to a standard Strat?  Honest query, not a pointed question.

This isn't built like a standard Strat.  It is hollow, and has an acoustic bridge.  It's mainly a performance electro-acoustic with an electric option.

Haych

crunchman said:

Haych said:

Why didn't they just add acoustic modelling to a standard Strat?  Honest query, not a pointed question.

This isn't built like a standard Strat.  It is hollow, and has an acoustic bridge.  It's mainly a performance electro-acoustic with an electric option.

But from what I understand the acoustic sounds are delivered via an "acoustic engine", some sort of digital gimmickry that mimics various types of acoustic guitars?  If that's the case then why not build it into a regular electric guitar, which would be useful, rather than make an altogether different instrument which has limited potential.

I admit that I'm probably not understanding how it works properly but it seems that the acoustic-ness of its construction and looks aren't fundamental to how it sounds if that's delivered by digital electronics.

ICBM

Haych said:

But from what I understand the acoustic sounds are delivered via an "acoustic engine", some sort of digital gimmickry that mimics various types of acoustic guitars?  If that's the case then why not build it into a regular electric guitar, which would be useful, rather than make an altogether different instrument which has limited potential.

I admit that I'm probably not understanding how it works properly but it seems that the acoustic-ness of its construction and looks aren't fundamental to how it sounds if that's delivered by digital electronics.

I think it's because the ADSR curve of a solidbody electric with a metal bridge is all wrong to simulate an acoustic - that's the main reason electric guitars with standard piezo bridges don't sound like acoustics, but a thinline with a wooden bridge like the HMT Tele is much closer.

crunchman

ICBM said:

Haych said:

But from what I understand the acoustic sounds are delivered via an "acoustic engine", some sort of digital gimmickry that mimics various types of acoustic guitars?  If that's the case then why not build it into a regular electric guitar, which would be useful, rather than make an altogether different instrument which has limited potential.

I admit that I'm probably not understanding how it works properly but it seems that the acoustic-ness of its construction and looks aren't fundamental to how it sounds if that's delivered by digital electronics.

I think it's because the ADSR curve of a solidbody electric with a metal bridge is all wrong to simulate an acoustic - that's the main reason electric guitars with standard piezo bridges don't sound like acoustics, but a thinline with a wooden bridge like the HMT Tele is much closer.

@ICBM - any idea how a Gibson ES with a Fishman tune-o-matic Powerbridge would sound?

And whether it would be possible to install the gubbins it would need?

Lewy

ICBM said:

Haych said:

But from what I understand the acoustic sounds are delivered via an "acoustic engine", some sort of digital gimmickry that mimics various types of acoustic guitars?  If that's the case then why not build it into a regular electric guitar, which would be useful, rather than make an altogether different instrument which has limited potential.

I admit that I'm probably not understanding how it works properly but it seems that the acoustic-ness of its construction and looks aren't fundamental to how it sounds if that's delivered by digital electronics.

I think it's because the ADSR curve of a solidbody electric with a metal bridge is all wrong to simulate an acoustic - that's the main reason electric guitars with standard piezo bridges don't sound like acoustics, but a thinline with a wooden bridge like the HMT Tele is much closer.

Here's a clip I found of a Fishman Powerbridge equipped Strat going into an Aura (basically the same tech as is in the Acoustasonic). I think it gives a reasonable insight into the results Fender would have got from doing what you suggest @Haych ;;- not what you could call a convincing acoustic sound, to my ears anyway. 

ICBM

crunchman said:

@ICBM - any idea how a Gibson ES with a Fishman tune-o-matic Powerbridge would sound?

And whether it would be possible to install the gubbins it would need?

Closer than a Les Paul, at least - the ES does have a bit sharper attack/decay and a shorter sustain.

In my opinion the best way to fit the gubbins is with a stereo jack and no electrics onboard at all - then use a splitter cable/box and an outboard acoustic preamp. If you wire the magnetics to the jack tip then it behaves like a normal electric guitar when you use a mono cable.

Haych

Lewy said:

ICBM said:

Haych said:

But from what I understand the acoustic sounds are delivered via an "acoustic engine", some sort of digital gimmickry that mimics various types of acoustic guitars?  If that's the case then why not build it into a regular electric guitar, which would be useful, rather than make an altogether different instrument which has limited potential.

I admit that I'm probably not understanding how it works properly but it seems that the acoustic-ness of its construction and looks aren't fundamental to how it sounds if that's delivered by digital electronics.

I think it's because the ADSR curve of a solidbody electric with a metal bridge is all wrong to simulate an acoustic - that's the main reason electric guitars with standard piezo bridges don't sound like acoustics, but a thinline with a wooden bridge like the HMT Tele is much closer.

Here's a clip I found of a Fishman Powerbridge equipped Strat going into an Aura (basically the same tech as is in the Acoustasonic). I think it gives a reasonable insight into the results Fender would have got from doing what you suggest @Haych ;;- not what you could call a convincing acoustic sound, to my ears anyway. 

Actually I didn't think it sounded too bad at all, not the same as the guitar we're all talking about but still good enough for the odd acoustic part in a song at a gig.  But fair enough, I'm not trying to argue my case, it was a genuine question/query/thought.  Obviously there's a benefit to the way Fender have done it and my question has been answered, thank you

stickyfiddle

I have to admit I hadn't realised these were hollowed out wood with with braced top where the coloured bit is. I'm a little more interested now than I was when the Tele launched. I'm still 99% sure I don't want one, but I can totally see the use case, and they don't sound bad at all to my ears.

It's not meant for the Classic Rock crowd, or the old school Folkies, or the tasteless widdly brigade, it's trying to give the next Ed Sheeran the tools to become the next Ed Sheeran. Blokes on forums will hate it and I'm sure Fender understand and expect that, but I think it's very interesting.

LastMantra

I think they're alright.
Not that expensive really considering the prices you can pay for normal teles and strats and there's not much to them.

richardhomer

At the risk of being controversial, I don’t mind it at all. That said, it isn’t something I would have a use for but I can imagine it would work well for some players.

guitars4you

sixstringsupplies said:

I really like the look of the Tele + colour options 

ditto

played one last year at the Brum Show and was impressed - But not impressed enough at £1600ish

As an electric player I could do an 'adequate' job with a regular guitar and a Boss AC3 acoustic simulator if I wanted some 'acoustic' tones

It did feel more like playing a good Tele as against like playing like an acoustic guitar - So a slick easy action etc - so that is  a plus for me

Much prefer the look of the Tele version over the Strat version

SlopeSoarer

Which ever, if you fancy one don't rush out and buy one yet, they'll be half price soon: )

crunchman

guitars4you said:

Much prefer the look of the Tele version over the Strat version

I think the switching options on the Strat version are better though.  Wonder if there is any way likelihood of updating the Tele version with those?

ICBM

stickyfiddle said:

It's not meant for the Classic Rock crowd, or the old school Folkies, or the tasteless widdly brigade, it's trying to give the next Ed Sheeran the tools to become the next Ed Sheeran. Blokes on forums will hate it and I'm sure Fender understand and expect that, but I think it's very interesting.

That should still be me - although I’m in a sort of two-part Ed Sheeran... I’m short and play guitar, and I work with a girl who is talented and sings - but I really don’t want one. It’s actually the modelling that puts me off more than the looks.

Seziertisch

ICBM said:

stickyfiddle said:

It's not meant for the Classic Rock crowd, or the old school Folkies, or the tasteless widdly brigade, it's trying to give the next Ed Sheeran the tools to become the next Ed Sheeran. Blokes on forums will hate it and I'm sure Fender understand and expect that, but I think it's very interesting.

That should still be me - although I’m in a sort of two-part Ed Sheeran... I’m short and play guitar, and I work with a girl who is talented and sings - but I really don’t want one. It’s actually the modelling that puts me off more than the looks.

I can imagine the people who have bought it haven’t even considered the future proofedness of the modelling gubbins in it. They probably thought, this sounds good, I can do something with it that I can’t do with any other guitar out there, let’s do something with it. 

Sure it might be the case that in 10 years time the electronics in it are no longer supported, but you can do a lot of writing/creating in 10 years.

Lewy

crunchman said:

guitars4you said:

Much prefer the look of the Tele version over the Strat version

I think the switching options on the Strat version are better though.  Wonder if there is any way likelihood of updating the Tele version with those?

There is a mini USB port on the main circuit board. I’m wondering what it’s for....