Hey everyone, first post here. I haven't owned a Strat in awhile and I was wondering what would you think a refinished '73 Strat was worth? Newer switch and pots, but besides the refin, it's all original. Any ideas? Thanks.

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

Maybe $2K at most. If it was a professional refinish.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Any chance for some fotos ? thx in advance.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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That's what I figured pricewise. All I have are blurry shots but the guy is only 15 minutes from my house so figured it would be worth a look. It has a maple board, two tone sunburst nitro finish (professionall done by grguitars.com) and except the pots and switch everything else is original. I'm swapping a PRS Cu24 for it along with cash coming my way as well. I don't play it often, miss having a Strat and would like to update my home only setup so I figure why not? If I don't like it I can always sell it and get a new American Standard and Blues Jr. or something. I'll have pics soon. Thanks for the info.

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

I just brought it home and opened it up to verify. The first thing I noticed was that the forearm cut looked a little different, it wasn't as pronounced as Strats I've had, I also never owned an older one. There isn't a date code, it just has "Torres" Stamped in it. The date code is 0903 2513. The pickups are original, the bridge saddles, and switch and pots are not. Was the forearm cut a little different in '73 or do I need to get a refund... anyway, here's a link to the pics: http://s275.photobucket.com/albums/jj316/elessar820/73%20Strat/

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

I did a bit of research and found that there has been variation in body contour through the years, so that gives me some confort. It sounds awesome. I do have to change some of the saddle height screws though and put some heavier strings on, I threw a set of 9's I had laying around on it, feels funny to me. Needs 10-52's.

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

Those are the correct cast pot-metal saddles for a '70s-era Strat.

The body is a beautiful piece of ash and the overall condition of the guitar suggests that a value of $2000 is well within the realm of possibility. An original black Tolex case would raise that figure, of course......

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

No original case, it came with a molded Fender case. I'd still like to know more about the different forearm contour. After I give it a good setup I'll determine what to do with it. I'd definitely get another Strat with a rosewood board and I could definitely upgrade my rig a little more, maybe a Blues Jr. and a good cab for my incoming Dark Terror... but on the other hand it sound fantastic and the overall condition is really good. The frets are tiny though, not too worn, just small

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

Awesome Strat, thx for the fotos and welcome to the board by the way.
Great refinish I love the old sunburst way more than the 3 color 70s crazy orange/red thing(some look great though).
Neck born on Monday, 4th June of 1973(I am sure you made it out already).

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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Thanks. Unfortunately I'm stuck at work so I can't play it right now. I'm going to replace the rusted and stripped saddle screws tonight and give it a good set up.

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

Your screws may indeed be rusted since they're steel, but I'm betting it's threads in the zinc alloy saddles which are stripped.

Be prepared for that contingency.

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

Good point. I'll know for sure later. Hopefully it's just the screws.

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

Squirrels, what are the codes on the pickups?

That neck code dates it at the end of 1973 (51st week) I believe.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I didn't write them down and it's all strung up right now. I know the last four digits were almost the same as the ones on the neck. Is there a way to date the body?

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2011 Fender American Strat, Charcoal Frost
2007 PRS Singlecut Trem, Dragon II's
1997 Ovation Standard Balladeer 1861

Orange Dark Terror & PPC112

No, there are no body date codes back then.

You can partially verify authenticity by locating the dowels (see:


viewtopic.php?f=6&t=65311

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.