I have a guitar I bought from a guy and paid next to nothing for it,I will not say how much but a Squire would have costed more than this one.ANYWAYS.

1.) The SER # is 554XXX is that a true 1974 model.
2.) the color is like a butter scotch color/cream is that concidered Olympic white back then.
3.) I noticed the middle pup that the poles are real low..Lower than the white pup cover is that normal?
4.) is their any other way to check the true date on it like on the pups, neck, ect.

I will put up pictures as soon as I get me camera back.

According to this page on the Fender site:

http://www.fender.com/support/usa_instruments.php

a serial number in the 500,000s would indicate the guitar could have been made as early as 1974 and as late as 1976. Fender did switch to a different serial number system in mid-1976 (first using a "76" to start the number, then settling in on an "S6" to start the number; Fender used that "Letter + Number" system to identify the year up until this year).

Pretty much the only way to verify the dates is to take the guitar apart and check the dates on the neck and on the body. There should also be codes on the pots that correspond to dates, and I believe there are also codes on the pickups. I'm not sure about where to find the pot codes; you could probably google that info as I'm sure it's on the web somewhere. Regarding the middle pickup - it could be that the adjusting screws are low and it is falling inside the body and the cover could be stuck to the pickguard.

Looking forward to seeing some photos.

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I have found that the neck codes on 1974s are the most confusing because they weren't very consistent about which position meant what.

So the pickup codes and pot codes are the most useful ...

and pictures are most welcome.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Pictures of my NEW OLD Strat 1974....Now i have been looking on the internet to check how they came new,Mine came with the ash tray over the bridge and the neck feels smaller than my other strat almost like a 50s neck,Can any one tell me if the came with ashtray over the bridge.



IMG]http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/flyrayfishing/IMG_6348.jpg[/IMG]

Ashtray covers were furnished with all Strats and Teles up until around '77 when the practice was halted. Both parts continued to be available as accessories.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Very nice........ Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Wow; glad you posted these. That is a very nice '74 Strat!

Wow!! That puppy is MINT! Nice grab!

That looks quite nice. Not exactly mint: what is that damage on the back of the guitar?

I hope the thing plays as good as the deal you got.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Come on man... Considering that Strat is coming up on 37 years old... he paid next to nothing for it... with original case and tags... AND no real wear evident on the neck... I'd say IT's MINT!!! The blemishes in the finish are cosmetic, authentic even. I would be stoked to have that guitar for WAY more than he paid!! You could look for a deal like that your whole life and not even come close!

INDEED!

Arjay (seriously clapping hands)

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Hey guys thanks, I know its not mint but its my first old guitar or older..So I am pretty proud of it even if its not mint.The guys has 3 other ones he said he would sell me but has to dig out of his barn,,,,YES BARN...This one was in an old car that was in the barn.He said the others are a bit older...He said they are in the 60s and said they are both strats and would take $1000.00 for both with an old 60s Pro Raverb..So I figured I dont have the cash and Monday morning I will go to the bank and get a loan and help him dig them out.

Just gimme his number. I'll fly out and help him now!

Well done mate, you got a damn nice guitar.

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No no and no