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Post subject: Any other proud owners of Seventies Strats?
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:17 am
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I always get a little ticked off when I read a put-down of Strats made in the 70's. I'm the original owner of a '78 (serial S870226) and this guitar has been rock solid since the day I bought it. In fact it sounds better than ever; I've had several people ask me what kind of pups are in there (frankly, I don't know - they're the originals. Nothing's been replaced on this guitar except the nut with a graphite one and the strap bolts with a straplock.)

It's a black-on-black lefty with a maple neck. Besides the pickups people have also mentioned how heavy it is (those that I've let hold it, that is!) It is heavy, but it's never bothered me.

Anyway, if you're an owner of a 70's era Strat, or a lefty Strat of any vintage, let's hear from you! We've all heard enough of how fabulous the 50's and 60's Strats are and as far as the Custom Shop stuff goes, hey -- I don't have that kind of money.

Let's not forget that guys like Yngwie and Ritchie Blackmore played 70's Strats - and the results are on record for all to hear.

Afterthought: if I was going to give one piece of advice to players looking to tweak/improve their tone it would be "experiment with pickup height". I have spent hours making small alterations and then listening to the difference and they were hours very well spent. That tone you're looking for is probably there already without having to replace pickups or performing even more arcane tweaks. As long as you've got the right amp, playing with pickup height can uncover that tone you're looking for, I'm sure of it.


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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:12 am
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You may find this picture a little exciting then

http://www.vintage-show.dk/index.php?op ... 1&Itemid=1
Third pic from left to right, it's a danish guy called Bob that's collecting brown fenders(only made in the 70's as I know)

Bob's Brownies :D


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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:55 am
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WOWweee


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Post subject: Re: Any other proud owners of Seventies Strats?
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:55 pm
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HI I'M FROM GREECE AND I OWN MORE THAN 20 YEARS A STRATOCASTER S 951048 . SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IT'S '73 MODEL (I BOUGHT IT FROM A FRIEND) AND ALL THE PARTS ARE THE REAL ONES . IF YOU WANT I CAN SENT YOU A PHOTO. THE NECK IS ROSEWOOD : COLOR FENTER 00 AND BLACK PICKGUARD. DO YOU KNOW HOW CAN I GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE YEAR IT WAS MADE ? :D
tonedog wrote:
I always get a little ticked off when I read a put-down of Strats made in the 70's. I'm the original owner of a '78 (serial S870226) and this guitar has been rock solid since the day I bought it. In fact it sounds better than ever; I've had several people ask me what kind of pups are in there (frankly, I don't know - they're the originals. Nothing's been replaced on this guitar except the nut with a graphite one and the strap bolts with a straplock.)

It's a black-on-black lefty with a maple neck. Besides the pickups people have also mentioned how heavy it is (those that I've let hold it, that is!) It is heavy, but it's never bothered me.

Anyway, if you're an owner of a 70's era Strat, or a lefty Strat of any vintage, let's hear from you! We've all heard enough of how fabulous the 50's and 60's Strats are and as far as the Custom Shop stuff goes, hey -- I don't have that kind of money.

Let's not forget that guys like Yngwie and Ritchie Blackmore played 70's Strats - and the results are on record for all to hear.

Afterthought: if I was going to give one piece of advice to players looking to tweak/improve their tone it would be "experiment with pickup height". I have spent hours making small alterations and then listening to the difference and they were hours very well spent. That tone you're looking for is probably there already without having to replace pickups or performing even more arcane tweaks. As long as you've got the right amp, playing with pickup height can uncover that tone you're looking for, I'm sure of it.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:07 pm
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patroklosgl, that serial number isn't right for a 1973. More like a 1979 or 1980. Can you link to a photo? For even better dating, you will have to give us codes from the end of the neck and the potentiometers: which means you will have to take the thing apart if you really want to know.

tonedog, I'm like you. I'm quite tired of hearing that all '70's strats are junk or even that 70% of them are junk. Ridiculous generalizations. If they were really THAT BAD the sales would have plummeted (and that didn't really happen until 1980-1981, when recession and inflation were also occurring).

Anyway, the three '70s strats I have (a '71 four-bolter, and'74 & '75 three-bolters) are just fine, thank you very much. I think a lot of guys who had "trouble" with them just didn't know how to set them up properly.

Even today, guys buy new American Strats and then put on new tuners, pickups, saddles, or bridges on them. Why? Are these new ones just as "crummy" as the '70s strats (with just as "crummy" parts)?

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:12 pm
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Time-Machine wrote:
it's a danish guy called Bob that's collecting brown fenders(only made in the 70's as I know) Bob's Brownies


I have one of those! My 1974 strat has that Walnut color (BTW, that is the official "in-the-catalog" name for that brown color).

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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:51 pm
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I have an early production '82 :) ...... same specs as the 70's..... large headstock..... 3 bolt neck attachment...... HEAVY! lol.... I love it though :)


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:29 pm
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orvilleowner wrote:
Time-Machine wrote:
it's a danish guy called Bob that's collecting brown fenders(only made in the 70's as I know) Bob's Brownies


I have one of those! My 1974 strat has that Walnut color (BTW, that is the official "in-the-catalog" name for that brown color).


OMG - there is a photo of this collection on this forum. Perhaps under the photos of your guitar thread. A very unique collection of some beauties!


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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:02 pm
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My Strats from March of 72 maple neck and sunburst finish. It's a great sounding and playing guitar. I've never had a problem with it.


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