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Post subject: Replacing my 79
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 6:49 pm
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Location: Colorado
So, after many years of playing my first Strat, I am going to "mostly" retire it. I picked her up locally in 1985-ish back when I turned 16 years old. It has played a lot of Punk, Metal and Rock over the years (in completely stock form) then belted out my maturing interests in Jazz and Blues. I replaced the frets twice and replaced (probably) a few miles of string wire over the years, but I really had no issues with it. (I did shim the side of the neck pocket with a carefully cut pick to keep it from shifting, back when I first bought her... as it has a small gap...but it never moved, so problem solved for almost 30 plus years) She weighs 8 pounds even, so it is not a boat anchor to hang off of the shoulder.

The rosewood is slightly pitted with finger grooves from all the years of having a heavy grip on the fretting fingers ( I used to play 12's to keep the sound tight with heavy strumming) and she could stand to be re-fretted again because the wires are a bit low... But she has been and continues to be a pretty good guitar that has long paid off the money I spent on her waaaay back when.

ANYWAY....

Fast forward to a week ago and I bought my second Strat. It is a Sweetwater Excliusive 2018-2019 Sandblasted Strat.

Since I am thinking of putting the old Strat away for a while, I wanted something, VERY similar, (yet different and new) and this Strat fit the bill. Fender does not offer anything like it at the moment as a factory option, but this dealer exclusive came around that fit the bill perfectly.

Ash Body (with a waaay thinner finish than on the 79)
Big Headstock (that is what stirs my tea, so that is what had to be) to match the 79
A dark Rosewood fingerboard to match the 79
Black Plastics, again to match the 79
and 3 single coil standard style pickups... yes to be similar to the 79

She ways in at 7 lbs 10 oz, she has way sexier curves in the body, yes it has a trem and it is not a hard-tail like my 79, but decking the thing works just fine....

Overall, I am impressed! The fit and finish of the new guitar is very close to perfect! I have completely taken her apart to satisfy my curiosity, and I have not found anything I do not like. In fact, I feel like I paid way less than she is worth... she is...the right guitar for me.

I would give this guitar a 99% in finding it perfect. My only very minor complaint is there is juuuust a hair too much red on the lower bout near the input jack.. (in the finish)... so boo... I deduct 1 point for the spray guy being a touch... ever so slightly... off kilter.

Some people might have an issue (I am sure) about it being sandblasted ash... but I am the only one who will matter to her for the next 30 years, so... all finish options aside, she is an amazing guitar.

I plan on keeping the new guitar "stock", just like the 79... that formula worked just fine for me since 1985-ish, and after banging around with the new guitar for the last week, I do not see my opinion on the matter changing any time soon.

Wait... I lie... I did buy and install a new fender neckplate with the F logo on it... kinda fits the vibe.

anyhow... pics soon, I promise....

https://i.imgur.com/DcvKH8l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/79f2APj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ilcnSbg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KJlS8ir.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3105zvU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jWjteNA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ugf6uT0.jpg


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Replacing my 79
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 7:29 pm
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Post subject: Re: Replacing my 79
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:35 am
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Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
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Location: UK
2 very nice guitars....even considering one is from the '70's. :-)

I love the finish on the new one and disagree in respect of the red. I think it looks superb.

If it had been a hard tail I would have been half tempted to have one sent to the UK.

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John

After all this time I should be better.


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Post subject: Re: Replacing my 79
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 3:08 am
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Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 660
Location: Cambridge UK
Yes, different (finish-wise), but that's good, and a nice addition to your genuine '79! Obviously just what you want! :D
If your '79 weighs in at 8lbs, that's very good also. I had a hardtail '79 in black which I would've guessed weighed twice that!!! OK, not that much, but not much less! The frets on mine were also very poorly fitted and finished, but no doubt your fret jobs over the years will have sorted that out.

Although I have reason to criticise Fender's recent QC (given their standing as a major guitar maker), I do think their necks are very playable nowadays, even if they sometimes don't choose the nicest timber.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Replacing my 79
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:28 am
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:47 am
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that 79 is in great shape, and @40yrs young, seems it still has plenty of miles on it.

overall tho... 2 nice strats..

Rock on!


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