Here's a link to a better image of my '75.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Clearly not the same.
Far too much point on the OP's bullet.

So much for a real guitar without s1

Thankyou

Mate those cab and head covers are nice. Very tastefull.

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No no and no

Well at least now I won't be buying a fraud. It's too bad really - I would LOVE to own a strat that old. I'm a student working a summer job to save up for school, but I was hoping to work weekends and such to save up for a sweet strat before summer is over. I really am a sucker for all things vintage.

Guess it's a modern deluxe strat for me now. And I think the S-1 makes it even more a guitar

Your being a Student and working a summer job you would be better buying youself a nice new deluxe with the S-1 Worry about the vintage stuff when you get a little more vintage yourself and have some money to blow on such things mean while a modern deluxe is a fine guitar to play. Like said when it comes time to get the vintage use a reputable dealer and see it in person if you can. Not all fakes are bad and easy to spot in fact I have seen some that I was not even sure of one way or the other and walked on by.

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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

Thanks cvilleira. I almost thought of it as more of an investment really. You know, getting it now before it becomes the more out of reach later on. But I guess having a guitar that you're afraid to play really does seem a little silly when you think about it.

In a way I'm almost a bit relieved.

Guitars are not the best investments as I sure you no. Just get in touch with a local shop when you buy. I could not tell you how many old guitars I have seen that have been steped on and if you don't know what to look for you would never no it. But non original anything changes the value.
To many out there trying to take people now days.

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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

What caught my eye first is the area above the neck and middle pickups, it's a big...knot like area of wood. I haven't seen any natural Fenders with ugly knot like areas in such a visible spot.

No-doubt, that body was painted in another color, it was not originally a natural finish Fender guitar!

TORONADO,You had the right Idea to grab it if it was original as the guitar might have fetched up to 5 grand and who knows what 10 years from now the price would be.But as for a player I agree with slap chop 100% those guitars were not very good.There were a lot of complaints about the 3 bolt necks and other issues but amazingly they are becoming quite collectible and are going for some tidy sums.But if you ever do decide to buy vintage you really have to have the guitar thoroughly checked out as even very serious collectors have been duped.It is amazing how good a counterfeit guitar can look.

Tornado.

Vintage gear is lovely stuff. There are responsibilities of ownership though. The mainainance and care of such pieces is far more important than it is with a regular guitar. I've an old amp its as much of a curse as it is a blessing. The upkeep, cleaning and generaly making sure it doesnt get abused is just about worth the priveledge of owning it.

Far better off in your situation as a student to get a deluxe or standard 2nd hand, play the hell out of it, and save ontop of what you have left for another piece to put under the bed. Keep it at your folks, play it a few times a year and sell it later and make a killing.

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No no and no

Thanks for that pic, orvilleowner.

I thought for sure the case was wrong, too, but I wasn't going to swear to it... your pic makes it obvious.

Yeah... wrong body, bad pickups, bad peghead, ruined decal, the complete wrong bullet, wrong case, and the tuners are suspect, as well. This is a total fraud.

Anytime somebody comes alone and says, "Here's a vintage Fender for 1/5 waht it's really worth," you can just about bet you're getting snookered. Even my wife knows what a '64 Strat is worth... vintage Fenders have been on Antiques Roadshow for chrissakes. You'd have to have lived under a rock to sell one cheap.

Hmm. If the seller is claiming this is a mint condition '75 then, yes, a risible fraud is being committed. If no one's saying other than that it's a Strat that's been on a long journey regarding the case, the body and such: well there's a million Strats in the world just like that without anyone trying to cheat anyone.

All depends on the claims that go with this guitar - and the price being asked. Which we haven't been told.



Toronado, if the price is right (hundreds, not thousands) and other things like the neck heel and pocket check out then it could be an affordable way to buy an old-ish guitar, if that is something you'd find viby.

If you are looking for an investment, walk away. And indeed, forget about guitars entirely. It's a significantly better time to buy property than it was a couple of years ago...

Cheers - C

I had a 75 briefly in a natural finish, that is absolutely not the original finish. I dumped it because it wouldn't stay in tune no matter what you did to it. It's too dark and and it's been poorly sanded and poorly refinished. I would be totally suspicious of the seller.

Hi 63supro: why? Does the seller say that it is not a stripped body?

Cheers - C

Here's a 73. The finish is like the one I had. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VI ... 0429960018
If I refinished a guitar, I would say so. The seller isn't mentioning how original the axe is. If you like it, but it. Personally anymore unless it's certified by someone who know what their looking at, I'd be real careful. A bad refin seriously reduces it's value. If the rest of it pans out, it could be a decent guitar, just not worth $2000 or more.

Hi again 63supro: but that's the point I'm making. Actually, the seller isn't mentioning anything regarding this guitar - because we haven't heard a word from him.

All we know is what Toronado has told us: that it is supposed to be a '75. He himself said he thought the body had been "refinished" (ie, stripped and relacquered) in the first post, and we all agree. We haven't even been told the serial number, let alone what price is being asked.

World's full of Strats that have had stuff done to them. Unless the seller is claiming differently then we have nothing to say against him.

Toronado needs to tell us a little more about this seller, his claims and the price he's asking...

Cheers - C

(Though privately I'd agree with those saying the money's better spent on a modern instrument, whatever the price...)