I purchased a strat in 1974 the neck plate serial number is good but the back of the body has no springs jusr 6 holes no plate.

Without detailed pictures, it would be hard to tell.

That means it is a "Hard Tail".....no tremolo, with strings through body. Could be real, but this is not what to base real or fake on. Pictures, lots of pictures are needed to identify if it is real. I own a real '74........I could tell you in a second if it were real or not! No worries, you just didn't post enough information yet to determine what you have (other than a hard tail strat )

Hi Steve,

Now that we have a possible determination that it is a hard tail, didnt know it existed, it does not have tremolo bar. I purchased it in 1974 sunburst and serial # indicative of 1973 or 74.
If it is the real mccoy (not rick derringer ) what would the value be as it is in mint condition. Also I can possibily upload some photos for more proof positive, what should be in the photo for ID

A "genuine" 1974 Strat, hard tail or not, in excellent condition and ALL original with the original case and hopefully all the "case candy" (hang tags, purchase receipts, owners manual, cable, strap, cleaning cloth) would be roughly worth $3000 +, and maybe as high as $5000 if it is a really desirable color (like a white that has aged to creme with a maple fretboard), or ANY custom-color. These 70's strats have started to go up value-wise in the last few years.

I owned a '77 hard tail. It looks very strange, but trust me you are not getting taken.

_________________
1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus