I had, 10 years ago the pleasure of buying a Fender The Strat from the late 70s or 1980 (in that era) I'm asking if anyone else owns or knows about this model. I love it, cuts through any band I've played or jammed with,which includes a horn band(loud) and some rather loud jam nights. I'd love some history like what kind of wood did they make these out of? I've heard everything from rosewood to walnut I think it is "leadwood" weighs more than a Les Paul. Over 10 lbs. Plus the fretboard is ebony. Also the 3rd knob which is normally a tone knob is a 3-way switch that used to be a 2 way switch that wore out. But with its weight and I think hotter pups along with the ebony fingerboard, it runs from sounding like a gibson to a killer tone(squack) strat style. Anybody know about these! I love to hear about it!

Just came across your post as I was searching myself other people who own 1 of these guitars. I own a Lake Placid Blue, 1980 "The Strat", nothing really stock about the guitar anymore other than the neck and the body. I bought it brand new in December of 1980 for $700.00. I was reading that the body may be swamp ash. I was also wondering about the current value of this guitar, any thoughts out there.

As far as I know, guitars from the end of the CBS era (which petered out in 1981) mostly had heavy ash bodies, regardless of finish. Sales were down due to rising competition and CBS had a lot of stock to use up. "The Strat," though, was an attempt by Fender/CBS to regain some of the quality control lost during the '70s and to add some innovative features. I haven't researched it exhaustively, but it appears that swamp ash was the wood of choice for the body. The guitar was manufactured from '80-'83, but was discontinued owing to the high cost of production -- That's jewelry-grade gold electroplating on the hardware! Apparently the wiring for the switching system was also time-consuming... it just seemed like a better idea to go with the vintage reissues that everyone wanted.

I think that instruments of good quality from transitional periods in a company's history always end up being worth something... but it takes a while. These things cost $1050 -1150 in '80-'83... maybe a bit over twice that now if they're in great condition with no modifications. You never know... Dan Smith era instruments have been pumped up recently, maybe people will turn to other guitars that were out at the time for an affordable alternative... until they get inflated too... heh.

One of THE STRAT versions that were made in 81 was a Walnut strat which had the real hot pickups and was available in the international colors.
Walnut weighed a ton.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

The one I had in 81 was 24k gold hardware and the lettering on the headstock was gold leaf. It was white and had a built in phase shifter. I paid $1,200 for it then. I always wish I could have kept that guitar but $$$ problems. It had a phase shifter in it too. I can't remember how the phase shifter worked, with a switch or a control knob. My memory is foggy from that era of my life,but it was a great guitar. Also came in a vintage tweed HSC.

I think they all had the gold hardware. The were not around very long I don't think they were real popular and they were costly.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Yeah Swamp Ash, I'm probally wrong but I thought Swamp Ash was a lighter wood, I quess I don't know everything after playing for almost 50 years. The thing that still puzzles me is the Ebony fretboard, I love it, I've never seen one on a Strat of any kind, at least the tradional style Fender Strats. Thanks for the replys nice to know there are others like me. I had a chance to buy a candy apple red one in the early '80's but it was hot and gotten over a dope deal so I declined( didn't want that Karma). But it was new and the prettiest Strat I've seen. That why I jumped on this one when I saw it in a Pawnshop for $400. Needs a fret job and I'm thinking stainless steel frets would go good with the ebony fingerboard. Any thoughts out there? Philvis

I bought mine new in 1982. Candy Apple Red with maple fretboard.
I made the mistake of switching out the lead pickup for a Dimarzio Yngwie Malmsteen stacked humbucker. I don't like it ad can't find the original pickup. 8*(

Allan

Holy old post Batman!

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I bot a 78-80 Fender Strat with a maple neck and a George Harrison "Rocky" factory paint job for $275 in a pawn shop back in the early 90's. The bridge pickup is rewound and I put a 5 way toggle switch. I have re-fretted it once and changed out the wiring. It still plays great and the paint job is still in decent shape. I want to put it on my instrument rider on my homeowners insurance policy and don't have a feel for what it is worth. Is there a place I can send a picture & serial number to in order to have an estimated value determined?