Vintage Strats were not always objects of desire. Clapton bought six in 1970 for a few hundred bucks, and EVH thought nothing of cannibalising a 1958 for the Frankenstrat. It took the likes of Hendrix and Blackmore revealing a Strat’s potential for the public to catch on. Strats require some finesse. Jeff Beck proves the tremolo can stay in tune, but a poorly set up one can be a nightmare. Still, the Strat’s pickups cut through like little else, the tremolo was radically more efficient than previous designs, and it was light years ahead on playability and comfort. Even now, the Strat is still the benchmark electric guitar.