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Post subject: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 3:42 pm
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Hi everybody!

I'm just looking to buy a new guitar and I'm wondering about a '74 sunburst stratocaster. It's in near mint condition, very light weight, all original except the 5 ways switcher which replaced the 3 original one. I've already played it for a couple of hours and it really plays very well, full of harmonics and sound well balanced in all positions.
My doubt is about the price which those guitar (generally speaking about '70s stratocaster) is sold; having read many topics related to '70s strats and very difficult to understand really the real worth of this axes both in terms of sound and of money. My aim is on one hand to have a very good guitar to play and on the other to make a good investment. Another alternative could be an early 60's Gretsch Chet Atkins.
Has anybody had any experience with these instruments?

Thanks,
Mattia


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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 4:49 pm
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tia985 wrote:
Has anybody had any experience with these instruments?


Some were turds, some were trophies.

If the specific guitar that piques your interest plays good, sounds good, and looks good, I don't see a problem. Prices on the mid-'70s Strats are not generally prohibitive to even a guitarist of modest means -- I've seen some as low as $1800 in average condition.

If you're cool with it and it's cool with you, go for it.

JMOOC

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 2:11 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
tia985 wrote:
Has anybody had any experience with these instruments?


Prices on the mid-'70s Strats are not generally prohibitive to even a guitarist of modest means -- I've seen some as low as $1800 in average condition.

If you're cool with it and it's cool with you, go for it.
Arjay


Well in the US the prices situation seems to be better than in Europe, I have found out some 70's Strats in mint condition at maximum 4,6k $ which anyway is a lot. In Europe prices go from 2,5k € to 4,5k €.

Yeah, the feeling with this guitar is definitely good, the very first impression was positive as for the others I bought years ago (71' Tele, 72' ES-335TD and 73' Les Paul Deluxe with P-90)


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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 6:55 am
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I had a '73 Strat that was very road worn and one of
the better ones from that era in my opinion. It was all
original when I sold it for $2200 in 2005.

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 7:06 am
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Do you have a picture of the 74?


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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 7:28 am
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here it is (hope the link works - otherwise don't know how to do!)

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post edited


Last edited by tia985 on Fri May 16, 2014 8:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:04 am
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Ciao tia985. Can't see your photos - apparently Google require a password login for us to view them. Perhaps someone who knows Google's image hosting system can help you to make them publicly accessible.

Meantime. I agree with what's been written above. However, I'm also mighty curious about this '60s Chet Atkins Gretsch you mention. I'd love to see photos of that too, if you can work out how! :)

The Gretsch wouldn't be my own choice for a workhorse guitar. But it sure would be nice to have one around the house...

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:07 am
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Get a Photobucket account and copy the img link into a message. Use the preview button to make sure you can see it before posting.

As for 70s Strats...I think Arjay represented the situation well.

I went through a bunch before selecting mine...nearly 40 years ago and I'm still digging it. If it sounds good and feels good...if it makes you smile...buy it. Ask if you can check under the hood to see the pickup date codes just to be sure. Look for neck stamps? These aren't really targets for fakes (has anyone ever faked the bullet truss rod?), but just so you know what you are buying.

As for the price... $2k plus or minus a few is probably reasonable. It won't be an investment that increases much over time...but some of them are very fine instruments.

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:30 am
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Ceri wrote:
Ciao tia985. Can't see your photos - apparently Google require a password login for us to view them. Perhaps someone who knows Google's image hosting system can help you to make them publicly accessible.

Meantime. I agree with what's been written above. However, I'm also mighty curious about this '60s Chet Atkins Gretsch you mention. I'd love to see photos of that too, if you can work out how! :)

The Gretsch wouldn't be my own choice for a workhorse guitar. But it sure would be nice to have one around the house...

Cheers - C


updated the post.. now there's the pic.

About the Gretsch I have not yet seen it, should be orange but I'm not sure.

About the authenticity no worry at all, people whom I buy from are very reliable.

Forgot to mention it has staggered pu. Price should be around 5k $ (in Europe are quite different from the US).


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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:44 am
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Very sweet looking guitar for sure...a classic look.

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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: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:47 am
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tia985 wrote:
updated the post.. now there's the pic.


It's a fine looking specimen indeed.

Assuming that no sins have been visited upon it under the hood and it's not possessed of an unreasonably high weight, I'd definitely consider it myself.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:55 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
tia985 wrote:
updated the post.. now there's the pic.


It's a fine looking specimen indeed.

Assuming that no sins have been visited upon it under the hood and it's not possessed of an unreasonably high weight, I'd definitely consider it myself.

Arjay


really very light, as a feather


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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 10:05 am
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I would love a Strat or Tele from 1974, my birth year!
One day, I hope!

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 10:10 am
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Hi again. Thanks for fixing the pictures.

Nothing to add to what has been said. Unless there is a problem we can't see, if you like how it feels and you like how it sounds and your pocket likes the price then... what's not to like? Do it! :)

Still interested to see this Gretsch, though... (Buy both...? Cough cough)

Buona fortuna - C

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Post subject: Re: '74 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:13 am
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Ceri wrote:
Hi again. Thanks for fixing the pictures.

Nothing to add to what has been said. Unless there is a problem we can't see, if you like how it feels and you like how it sounds and your pocket likes the price then... what's not to like? Do it! :)

Still interested to see this Gretsch, though... (Buy both...? Cough cough)

Buona fortuna - C



Buy both.. :lol: :lol: Devil! Wondering about strat o gretsch and a '64 deluxe amp (or maybe a vox ac30..)


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