Hi everybody..how's it goin? I'm new to this so I just wanted to say "hey"!

Anybody have any insight into the Smith era strat? I bought a new 82' with a cherry sunburst way back. Nice guitar! It's bone stock...never had the solder joints broke, original frets which are worn. Will the value decrease if I put Hot rails in it? I want the hum gone but if there's a different I'd to know. hope to hear from somebody!

Thanks

As long as you keep the original pickups for re-installing it shouldn't make any difference.

The 1982s seem to be appreciating in price these days; I would get a loaded pickguard and replace the entire assembly since your's hasn't been touched. That way all you have to unsolder/resolder is the ground wire and the output jack.

I would leave it alone. When you unsolder it will leave questions as to it being orginal even if you put the original stuff back in. This is just my opinion.

John C...heck of an idea! That approach never even crossed my mind. Thanks for your input fellow string bender!

All the Smith era Strats I have played were very nice. I too like the idea of having another pickguard that you could load and just pop in your guitar. Then if you want it back to stock it is very easy...... Any picts???

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Just to clean up my mind: the "Dan Smith" Strats (1982) were those with small headstock, curved logo, 11 holes pickguard http://www.flickr.com/photos/khalim63/sets/72157625436520941/
and the "Smith era Strats" is usually used for the two-knob model (2-nd version Standard) with straight logo, jack on the 8-holes 1-ply pickguard http://www.flickr.com/photos/khalim63/sets/72157625430489965/?

The 2-knob Strat is better known as the "Dan Smith Standard Stratocaster" or "bare-bones model" for the top-mount jack.

This guitar was officially discontinued in 1986 and not in 1984. In fact, Fender Japan produced a 22-fret version with a 9.5" radius and jumbo fretwire shortly after the US models were gone.

chromeface - it depends on where you live; for those of us in the USA it was discontinued when CBS sold Fender to FMIC in February 1985. Those 22-fret 2-knob Standards and 22-fret Elites were never imported here and would also be considered a different model here because of the different country of origin.

It's amazing what you learn on the web; I'm 48 and had never heard of these MIJ versions of the 2-knob and Elite until last year.

http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000098.html

Please check this article. The infos are different of what You have written (?).

I have one of the two knobs, got it in like 03, didn't know what to make of it till years later.

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I got a 2-knob one about ten years ago. I t had already been tampered with, 3 ply pick guard, stripped back to natural wood, a hard tail bridge put in and an ssl-1 in the bridge position. I picked it up for less than £200 so was well chuffed. I still remember that feeling of getting my first 'proper branded' guitar.........sigh

Unfortunately, at the time I got a lot of stick for having a 'fake' Strat and the purists I knew thought the thing was a joke. Is that still the case to some extent today? I know the story behind the guitar so it was seen as a cheaper model when the LPs were rocketing in reputation again at the beginning of the 80s(or so I heard)

I notice the price has rocketed for these (in stock condition I know) but are they going up in reputation?

I know that it's probably the nicest neck I have ever played (one piece maple) and I think it's a bit heavier too.
I'm of the age (and experience) now that what others think doesn't matter to me now but it's interesting to see other's opinions of these guitars.

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........