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Post subject: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 10:59 am
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Hello guys! I am new to this forum.
I've been lurking and reading for a while but finally decided to join as I have a few questions regarding a 70's Strat I am interested in buying.

I've been playing guitar for about 25 years.
I currently own a couple of American Standard Strats and a Tele (Nothing fancy... :) ).

I just turned 40 this year and wanted to treat myself with a Strat from my birth year 1973.
I found a really nice one from a dealer on eBay. However, I am in no means a vintage guitar expert so I wanted to know if any of you guys could help me tell if this guitar is all that it should be and if the price is fair given the condition.
(I don't mind some wear, I just love the Blonde color).

Just wanted to make sure it was all legit before I commit to buying.

Here is the link to the sale:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-VINTAGE-FE ... 3cd1f6cd88

The eBay item number is 261220650376 (just in case the link doesn't work).

Thanks!

Steve.
Missoula, MT


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Post subject: Re: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 11:42 am
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I'm having a hard time with this one...

The neckplate serial number puts it in the range of 1973 and the body details look right...but the neck is suspicious...the visible digits id it as a Strat from that time with a maple neck...but the date part of the code is missing. I can see it wants to be week 15 of some year...but that is the question, which year?. I hate missing serial number info...especially when the rest of the green ink is so, so clear. That date code format seems to have been used for much of that decade...

Also, I can't get enough magnification to read the date codes on the back of the pickups or the pots. The wiring, caps, bridge etc. look good for the time...so it may just not be the right neck...

I would not spend nearly 5k$ on this unless I was sure I could send it back if it was not as advertised...just my opinion, thought...

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."


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Post subject: Re: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 12:44 pm
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I share Joe's concerns regarding the incomplete date stamp on the heel of the neck. However, the instrument does seem to be otherwise authentic and unmolested. You might request from the seller some higher-resolution pics showing the EIA codes on the pots and any markings on the bottom of the pickup bobbins to allay further potential issues. I think the asking price is a skosh high given today's somewhat depressed market. Assuming everything checks out I'd offer $3995, tops.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 2:39 pm
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Thanks for you help!

How does one tell the date from the code stamped on the neck?

I was also looking at this one (although I prefer the Blonde finish):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-USA-Fender ... 1e7b46cbaf

I noticed that the necks on the guitars are different.
The Blonde one seem to have a "Cut out" next to round metal plate on the bottom of the neck while the Sunburst one doesn't have that cut out (I hope I make sense... :) )

Thanks again!

Steve
Missoula, MT


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Post subject: Re: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 2:51 pm
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That added "cut" at the neck heel is merely a minor change in production methods -- it'll have no practical impact on how the guitar sounds or plays. And the set-up procedure would be identical for both instruments.

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


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Post subject: Re: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 3:10 pm
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The internet can be your friend...if you crosscheck sources:

http://www.vintagerocker.com/fender/neck_dates.html

Not the only resource...but they say:

From 1972 to 1980 Fender used a dating and identification system similar to the 1969 to 1971 system. A Stratocaster with a neck code of 09032185. The first 6 digits are paired codes for instrument type, fretboard type, and week. The last two digits year and day of the week, are read individually.

09 = model code (Stratocaster)
03 = neck code (maple neck)
21 = week code (week 21)
8 = year code (1980)
5 = day of the week code (Thursday)


As for the other item for sale...suspiciously(?) the pictures make a big deal of showing neck and backplate areas without visible serial numbers. It does look 40 years old...right down to the compressed case padding and tarnished tuners. If these were less expensive, and played well and were never going to be resold, I wouldn't care as much...but if you are putting down the coin to get a "73 Stratocaster" and may need to represent it as the same to another buyer, you should know that is what it is.

beware...

_________________
1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."


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Post subject: Re: Vintage 70's Stratocaster help needed.
Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 1:17 am
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Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
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Solid intel, Joe.

That should keep some folks out of trouble.

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


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