The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954, has been continuously manufactured since 1954. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top “horn” shape for balance. The guitar introduced into the popular market several features that were innovative for electric guitars in the mid 1950s. The distinctive body shape, which has become commonplace among electric guitars, was revolutionary for the time period, and for the first time a mass-market electric guitar did not significantly resemble earlier acoustic models. The double cutaway, elongated horns, and heavily contoured back were all designed for better balance and comfort to play while standing up and slung off the shoulder with a strap. The three-pickup design offered players increased versatility and choice in tone quality over earlier one- and two-pickup electric guitars, and a responsive and simplified vibrato arm integrated into the bridge plate, which marked a significant design improvement over other vibrato systems. Over the years, countless variations of the Stratocaster have been made

The Strat has featured on many Alarm recordings and live shows in the hands of Dave Sharp.

(Original picture supplied by Stephen Rav)
This image shows Dave’s cream 64 Strat. Previously owned by Mick Ralphs of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople fame. The guitar used to record Bad Company’s Can’t Get Enough of Your Love. It was sold by Dave in New Orleans to fund a studio, along with a 57 Sunburst Strat (Information supplied by Graham Lampen)