How can I improve the tone of my Fender Strat on high frets?

Question

I have a midrange setup that I'm quite comfortable with. I have an American Strat that I bought ca. 2008 (I think it's a Standard but I have no way to know), and a Marshall Origin 20 Combo. I use light gauge strings (.09), a few stompboxes (mostly a reverb and a transparent overdrive) and I'm generally happy with the tone I'm getting.

However, whenever I play any note on the high strings (1st to 3rd) above the 17th fret, the tone loses a lot of texture. It just sounds tinny and weak, with almost no sustain. I would like the tone to be "fatter" and mellower same as when I play on the rest of the fretboard.

I know there are a lot of factors involved (including gear and technique), but I'm hoping perhaps there are some well-known ways to improve tone on those frets.

Edit: I have been using .10's up to last month, and the issues above still happened. I don't think that .10's alone are going to fix my issue.

Edit 2: Been testing this again. I would say I'm OK until fret 17, then it goes tinny beyond that. I have updated the question.

Answer 1

Here's how I perform with my Strat. (And like you, I am fond of using the neck and neck/middle position on the pickup selectors switch.)

Give this a try;

Set your amp volume to your liking, after you have rolled the guitar's Volume Knob down to 7.5-ish. Make it your standard to play your main rhythm parts at that volume. Make things nice and loud at the amp, not the guitar.

Then, when you transition up to the upper frets for some lead work, roll the Strat's Volume Knob up to a higher volume.

You will find that this changes the audio dynamic quite a bit.

When you are done with the lead part or upper fret runs and chug back into the rhythm work, roll the Volume Knob back down to where it was before.

Bottom line, I see a lot of players start out their sets with the Volume and Tone Knobs maxxed-out at 10. This leaves you nowhere to go, in a manner of speaking!!

Answer 2

I think you’re fretting out in some way. If I’m right, then you can verify by raising the saddles at the bridge to see if that improves your tone above the 17th fret. If you get the tone you want by raising the saddles but then the action is too high, then you need either a great setup done on the guitar or a fret leveling or both. Worst case scenario, the neck is not even above the 17th fret and you need a new neck (which happily can be bolted on easily).

I suggest finding a great tech in your area (asking a local Facebook group for musicians is one way) and take it to that tech and tell them what you told us. They should be able to fix the issue or tell you what it would take to fix it (e.g., new neck).