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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:53 pm
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paris wrote:
I've already looked under the hoods and as crazy as it sounds, this guitar has not been molested in the electronics department. I was so shocked. Many Strats from this period have been monkeyed with some way.


You're quite fortunate. I've seen countless examples of these '70s-era guitars where the body was completely hogged out to accommodate humbucker(s), onboard electronics, weirdo wiring, Floyd's, Kahler's, you name it.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:18 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
paris wrote:
I've already looked under the hoods and as crazy as it sounds, this guitar has not been molested in the electronics department. I was so shocked. Many Strats from this period have been monkeyed with some way.


You're quite fortunate. I've seen countless examples of these '70s-era guitars where the body was completely hogged out to accommodate humbucker(s), onboard electronics, weirdo wiring, Floyd's, Kahler's, you name it.

Rawk on!

8)
I blame the '70s and '80s aftermarket parts and player superstitions (if I do X, I'll get Y sound). It seemed like the moment everyone realized that they could rip appart a Fender guitar, they were making needless changes. I'm as guilty as the next person. I swapped out the pups and electronics in my black Hwy1 with CS '69s to get a '70s era sound and look. Though the pickups sounded fine, I stilled missed the original parts.

Arjay


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:31 pm
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Update on my Strat.

After several hours of playing, I've learned some things I had really noticed when I played in the store.

1. The neck pickup seems a little microphonic. I'm not sure if I'm right about this. I just notice that when I tap the pickguard near the neck pickup, a sharp tapping sound can be heard (like when you tap the pups with a screw driver). Not a real problem, at least not yet. I just have to be careful how I strike the strings. Any knowledge or clairification on this would be helpful - as well as a realistic solution.

2. the 12" radius is a bit too flat for my taste. The guitar is easy to play, but doesn't feel as comfortable for me and my playing style.

3. Tonally, the pups have a sharper attack, but sound close to the CS '54s in my 50th Anniversary American Series Strat.

4. The fret work is playable, but not the best I've seen.

5. The neck does not move - at all.

6. The guitar has better sustain than I expected it would.

7. When I play "Fortress Around Your Heart," it's on the money.

Final Analysis: Great guitar, but could use some maintenance.


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:40 pm
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Fender had long since ceased wax-potting of their pickups by '76......I'm only surprised that they're all not microphonic to some degree. As for the 12" radius, you'll have to learn to adapt to it -- there's not much to be done that could restore the neck to OEM specs save for laminating a new fretboard to it (which would further erode the originality of the instrument).

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 8:34 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Fender had long since ceased wax-potting of their pickups by '76......I'm only surprised that they're all not microphonic to some degree. As for the 12" radius, you'll have to learn to adapt to it -- there's not much to be done that could restore the neck to OEM specs save for laminating a new fretboard to it (which would further erode the originality of the instrument).

Arjay


I thought about putting on a maple cap. I think that you are right, I'll just learn to enjoy it.

I was also thinking that wax-potting was the way to go. By the way, from dicription, are suspitions correct? I've never had a pups that was microphonic, so I'm guessing here.


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 8:36 am
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By the way, I'm surprised by any issued that arrise with a 38 yr old guitar. Luckily, most things can be fixed.


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 9:37 am
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paris wrote:
By the way, I'm surprised by any issued that arrise with a 38 yr old guitar. Luckily, most things can be fixed.


I recently bought a 45 Y/O Chevy that was a full rotisserie restoration but I'm still finding a few things that need attention. It's all part of the "journey".

Just be thankful that some real gomer didn't have his way with your guitar -- you'll do fine with it once everything is dialed in.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:18 am
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A quick update on my '76 Strat.

So I've had some time for the NGD feeling to ebb. Interestingly enough, that hasn't happened. In fact I've come to appreciate this guitar even more since I shielded and played it at church. The tone and sustain is amazing! This was the second time I've played this guitar outside the house, but the first after shielding it.
1st Performance: Annoying humming sound and neck pickup was very micro phonic when I tapped the scratch plate. The tone was pretty nice, but a little thin sounding. The guitar had wonderful sustain.
2nd Performance after shielding: Pickups were very quiet. The neck pick up seemed to not be so micro phonic (it’s still there, but I don’t notice it as much). The tone became thicker and more vintage Strat sounding. Over all, it’s a much better sounding guitar.
My only concern is the neck. It's much larger than I'm used to. I'm used to the "V", the modern "C", and the slimmer necks I've played on late '70s Strats (like my '79), but this neck is more like a "D" or even a "U". Sadly, I'm not an expert in this area, so I'm guessing. All I know is that it is pretty big for my small hands. The end result is that after playing for several days straight, the muscles in my left thumb are pretty wiped out. It doesn't help any that I'm left-handed, but play right-handed.

This Strat has become my main guitar, at least for the foreseeable future, and worth every bit the $1,650 I paid for it.


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:36 pm
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My 1971
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Best $272 spent - new with HSC... :D


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 6:30 pm
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AngryHatter wrote:
My 1971
Image
Best $272 spent - new with HSC... :D


I was born in '71. One of my personal goals is to find a '71 Strat with a rosewood fret board.


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Post subject: Re: Proud owner of a 1976 Stratocaster
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 9:12 pm
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Good luck!


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