I'm looking to create/put together a 70's style mocha/maple strat (maybe custom shop/master built) with all new parts and was looking for some pics of originals to use as my muse,
Anyone??

drool':shock:'
thx

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Here's a picture of mine. It's a 1974, rosewood fingerboard, and the pickguard isn't original (the one shown is the 4th that guitar's had). That brown color was officially called "walnut" in the Fender catalogs, though it is popularly known as "mocha brown." It first appeared on the 1972 Tele Custom (IIRC), then on the Strat in 1974 exclusively with a black pickguard. The color changed in 1976, getting darker and redder. So it is a good idea to see some examples so that you can get the version you like best.

I like how you can see the dowels in the body in the picture you posted. You can't quite see them in my pic.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

that's a beauty thanks
I think I'm looking for '74-'75 color/finish with a black pickguard
not too into the more red later finishes, but you never know what you'll fall in love with ':oops:'

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Check out gbase.com, search on both names "walnut" and "mocha."
I've never seen a Fender color that has more inconsistent over the years.

I bought mine used in 1978. It had the black pickguard, but I never liked that color on a Strat pickguard. So I put on the pickguard you see in the old picture below -- a faux rosewood look! That wore funny, so I replaced it with a white pickguard. When that got beat up (with actual ruts around the neck and middle pickups!), I put on the Carvin pickguard it currently has. (It also has DiMarzio SDS-1 pickups in the picture below. The stock pickups went back in around 1996.)

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Beautiful guitar - my 2006, 72 Tele Deluxe RI is also called walnut but is a much darker shade. Perhaps that's what happens to the color as they age? I sure hope so!

I have been thinking of stripping my Beck to a natural finish like this since it turned two tone in color. When I first got it mysteriously a half inch piece of paint was gone off the finish and I got to see the color of the wood which is reddish brown. Funny the next day my wife found the piece of paint the next day on the floor and with some crazy glue it fit perfectly back in like a puzzle piece that no one could ever tell.

What would be the best way to strip the finish and has anyone ever done this with one of there axes to have it Natural. Thanks guys.

Yes, mine has lightened a bit over the years (exposing "things" under the finish I hadn't noticed when first purchased). Here's a later, darker one (found on gbase.com):

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Thanks All
Their all gorgeous
And thanks for the tip orvilleowner (I love that pickguard on yours!)


I came across this and think I have found the overall scheme I'm looking for



Anyone ever see a walnut/mocha brown done over ash?
Am thinking alder would be the go to wood for this finish,
but would love to see other idears.
Thanks again

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Thats cool. That's how mine looks now. I'll have to leave her out of the case and see how she gets more beautiful with age!

Nope, I've only ever seen that walnut color over alder bodies, but that doesn't mean that they never put it on ash.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Man that guitar looks good...I just happen to have a spare maple neck laying around...

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1994 Standard Strat, Blue
2000 Standard Strat, Black, with GFS block, and GFS Lil Killer pickup.
2004 Standard Telecaster, Black
1971 Gibson SG
1985 Kramer Baretta
1986 Kramer Vangard
Carvin X60B
Marshall 50 watt 2x12 combo