Strat body without usually drilled output jack

[Unicorn Warrior]

The Ed Obrien strats have side jacks too.

[FinallyBlossom]

Yeah, right! But it's got these mini switchers on the regular output jack position



AND: active PUs

[FinallyBlossom]

BTW: I still can't believe there's no signature model that features a different output jack position (except for the Ed O'brien model)?!?!?
Are all Strat players in love with the usual position? I mean: there are Jazzmasters/Jaguars with a Strat like output jack so why don't build a Strat with a Tele like output jack??

[Danley]

I’m really not bugged either way- I could do a side jack as long as it’s not attached to some dodgy/breakable plate like most of them or a cup jack, can’t say I ever wished the standard Strat jack away though. Now that I give it some thought, it’s a pretty cool design. Beats having it direct on the pickguard where it can flex/break.

[Unicorn Warrior]

Yeah, right! But it's got these mini switchers on the regular output jack position



AND: active PUs

The neck HB is both passive and active. Only active during the sustain mode

[FinallyBlossom]

I’m really not bugged either way- I could do a side jack as long as it’s not attached to some dodgy/breakable plate like most of them or a cup jack, can’t say I ever wished the standard Strat jack away though. Now that I give it some thought, it’s a pretty cool design. Beats having it direct on the pickguard where it can flex/break.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure the Tele-like output jack solution is far more comfortable than the standard Strat position. I mean, there must be a reason why all Jackson S-style guitars and most of the Floyd Rose shred models were built with a side jack? If one would install a JM style floating tremolo on a Strat, the output jack position might be a real problem for a smooth vibrato arm action

[Danley]

One thing I don’t like about some Tele jacks is, you can’t use with certain angled cable plugs.

[FinallyBlossom]

One thing I don’t like about some Tele jacks is, you can’t use with certain angled cable plugs.

Fender used to build a Strat series where the output jack was on the pickguard itself. Unfortunately I can't find a pic of such a Strat model however the Fender Bullet is built the same way:




My idea of a Tele like output jack on a Strat is just a personal thing because I think that's the best position to avoid a conflct between the vibrato arm and your hand/picking during playing.

[Horsefeather]

Side jacks get kinked up when you try to play while sitting on a couch. They can pull right out if you're standing and flailing on stage.

Strat jacks can pull out too. And they're ugly. (totally a matter of opinion, admittedly)

Face mounted jacks with 90 degree plugs don't pull out. Nor do they get in the way when you're sitting. Nor do they interfere with a vibrato bar. They can break a plastic pickguard over time but a metal plate is the easy and reliable solution.

[valley_parade]

One thing I don’t like about some Tele jacks is, you can’t use with certain angled cable plugs.

Electrosockets!

[FinallyBlossom]

....

How can this go wrong??

[Horsefeather]

I guess it can't but it does require you to have a strap installed on the guitar. For a sitting-around-the-house guitar, a strap is a pain.

But for standing, yeah--that is a good viable technique, I admit.

[FinallyBlossom]

BTW: strangest output jack position I ever spotted:

[Danley]

Rickenbacker Eldorado:

[FinallyBlossom]

Dude.... That's digusting