Hi forum,
I am about to purchase my first Strat but can't decide between a 60's classic or a 70's classic. I know one has a C shaped neck while the other has the U. I have looked at the comparrison chart between them and the only other thing is the neck fixing and adjustment, does anyone have any thoughts on this which may help me, many thanks.

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Started off with nothing and still got most of it left.

Hi there,

Not sure whether you're talking about a modern vintage-type replica, but if you mean a real 60/70's one...

I had a 1979 Strat from new, weighed a ton, 3-bolt neck, spiky frets. It was my first 'good' guitar and I was so pleased to own an icon. Looking back, it was a total dog!!!

I never owned a 60's but have a CS 60's type. Nice neck/fretwork, 4-bolt stability. It is actually rather heavy (slightly over 8lb) but nothing like the 1979!

No contest in my opinion - avoid the later 70's jobs, unless you don't mind 3-bolt necks and give it a good test drive to make sure you're happy with it. They couldn't all have been like the one I bought...

Cheers - Peter.

You speak about the mexican classic series right? The 60 comes with alder body while the 70's is ash. This will affect the sound, the 70's with ash sounds a bit crispier, even more if you choose one with a maple fingerboard, the 60's with alder & rosewood fingerboard will sound a bit warmer. The pickups are the same as far as i know. Both guitars are a very good base to start if one day you want to tweak a bit..maybe change the pickups or so, both are very good quality instruments..so is up to you. Ah..about the 70's, it have the neck mounted with 3 screws and not 4 as your regular strat..i've heard many different things about that, some say isn't so good and some says it wont change anything..so i can't really help you about that. For the look, i will go for the 70's, i love the CBS large headstock, bullet truss rod, F tuners etc..

Many thanks, it is a brand new one i am going after.

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Started off with nothing and still got most of it left.

Frankly, the 70s RIs are leaps and bounds better than the 'real' ones. The RIs, are constructed using state of the art CNC machines for form, fit and functionality with decent hardware made the same way, vs. the the 'real' ones which were born from worn, dull tooling and inferior, brittle hardware. The 60s RIs vs. the 'real' ones would be less of a stretch, depending on how late into the 60s one goes with 'real' ones. Either way, you'll get excellent quality with either the 60s RIs or 70s RIs. Essentially, it's up to you which you would rather look at/play. Me? I'd probably be more than content with either RI so I'm of no practical help.

Good luck with your 'pleasant' problem!

As always, the above is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

The 60's neck feels better in my hands, but the 70's neck is loads easier to adjust when relief adjustments are required But I do love both.....decide whether you want a large or small headstock!

I have played both, and had to give the nod to the 60s Classic. The Ash on the 70s Classic can vary, I have played some that are fairly light, but a couple that weighed like they were made in the 70's! Find a place that has both in stock and play 'em till you figure out which feels the best. By the way the 3 bolt neck on these is built way better than the originals and should not be a factor in your decision.

T2

P.S. here is a my 60s Classic...

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

3 bolt design has never been a concern for me......I own a 1974 Stratocaster and the neck has never shifted! Even when the case (and guitar) came undone from the top of a moving car! The original case is dead and gone LOL, but the guitar is 100%. I also have a MIM Classic Series 70's and 2 Classic Series 60's Strats. The newer MIM 70's U shaped neck doesn't feel close to my original '74 The original is thicker front to back, but narrower nut width wise.

Without a doubt a '60s.

I'd go 70's for the look. Got to love that large head stock and bullet truss rod.

I agree with playing both before you buy. I A/B'd an American Std to a American Special. Although, I loved the vintage trem, jumbo frets, Texas specials, and large 70's headstock of the American special, I ended up going with the Std cause it just played better, felt nicer and sounded fantastic.

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"If it ain't one thing, it's another."

After owning both 60s and 70s Strats I have found that the 60s Strats were much more to my liking than the 70s.60s Strats have an almost bell-like tone and the shallow C neck is just a dream to play on.My 65 Strat is still the most comfortable to play of all my Fenders and certainly the best sounding of my Strats.I also prefer the vibrato of the 60s Strats too.Of course guitar preference is purely subjective but to my ears and hands the 60s Strats have it all.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Thanks for the help, I eventually bought a 60's Classic Strat which arrived today which I am extremely pleased with. I was amazed how well it is set up from the factory.

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Started off with nothing and still got most of it left.

oldude, what color did you get? I wish I had one in each color. They're all knockouts!

I am friendly with the guy who built Blackmore's Strats back in the '70s and he found the 3 bolt set up unstable and all Blackmore's Strats with the 3 bolt necks were glued. The fact that Blackmore was never gentle with his Strats probably had a lot to do with it as well!

The quality of what came out of the Fender factory in the early '70s varied a lot. Blackmore would spend a day in Manny's in New York, try every Strat in the place, finally settle for about a dozen or so he liked the most. After more testing, out of the dozen one would be chosen.

Fantastic...where are the pics You know the rules, no pics, didn't happen!

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.