software

I want one. Bad!

ash body, big headstock and still somewhat easy to obtain compared to 50's/60's strats (which don't even interest me at all).

anyway I just realized the last couple of times I was at GC they have a mint 79 strat and I keep forgeting to grab it off the wall and play it.

I think they want like $1500 for it. that seems kinda high IMO.

Jeez, I can remember when they couldn't give those things away!

I think tomarrow or friday I will venture to GC and play it.

maybe i'll get luck and mom and pops will buy it for me for christmas. lol

well the problem is that most people with an old (70's) Strat want to sell it as a vintage (50's/60's) and it's not...70's Strats are just old. The open market on those guitars is way too high IMO but you'll pay it or you won't get the guitar because if you won't pay it some dumb ass will! If you want an ASH body strat with a big headstock the BEST option for you is gonna be an 80's MIJ 72 reissue Strat. Next to that I woudl say that a MIM Classic 70's Strat would be good also. The MIJ 72 Strat is actually a good bit closer to a true 70's Strat but they DO NEED new pickups, pots and switch. I have a 67 reissue from the same series of MIJ fenders that I am talking about and after new pots, pickups and a switch it is a KILLER guitar with a cool vibe and they can be had for 300-600 depending on condition and if the previous owner has already done some upgrades. The ONLY issue with any of this is that I have never seen a hardtail MIJ 72 reissue or a MIM 70's Strat...if it's not that big of a deal for you just block the bar.

The Best 70's Strat you can Buy...Believe it or Not ! would be a 83' or 84' SQ series Squier Strat. I'm Not Kidding ! I would NEVER pay over a Grand for a 70's Strat. I have a 73' hardtail and a 84' SQ. If I had to give one up (ala Sohpie's chosie) I'd take the 84' SQ and run.

I got my 77 for $300. Granted, it does have a replacement neck and a set of EMG's, but it still sounds and feels great.

which was the 3 bolt neck 2 pot model?

slade


Originally Posted by danglybangerwhich was the 3 bolt neck 2 pot model?

slade

I think That would be the 81' to 83' Smith Strat?

The thing with 70s strats was the quality was so low that they created the vintage market for 50s and 60s instruments.

That said, you can find a good one. But I'd say 2 in 10 are nice guitars. Look out for wonky necks sitting in oversized pockets and heavy bodies. Also budget to replace the pickups and bridge saddles.

Honestly, as the other guys say, an MIJ or MIM 70s strat would be a better buy.

Yeah, get a 70's or 80's MIJ strat, they are great value for money


Originally Posted by wixomwhatanyway I just realized the last couple of times I was at GC they have a mint 79 strat and I keep forgeting to grab it off the wall and play it.

More than likely, that thing is quot;mintquot; for a reason. If you've got a good guitar, you play it. When you play it, it gets scratches, dents and dings. If you don't play it- it stays pristine.

i remember playing a friends 79 strat.........and it was not a good experience..................awful neck too............

well guys i'm going to GC tonight to play it.expect a review later tonight.

I had a 76 Ash body strat. Got it in 78.

Over time, I:
Put in new pickups, put in a 5 way switch, changed the machines to Schaller Minis, took out 4 of the bridge pivot screws, replaced the rosewood fretboard with ebony, put on jumbo frets, replaced the 3-bolt neck mounting plate with a 4 bolt, stripped the poly finish amp; redid it in nitro, amp; bent a new tremelo arm. It was pretty good, then (after I had turned it into an American Standard)

Still had the big headstock though, and was kinda heavy. The U-shaped neck was kinda uncomfortable too. Sold it in '84.

I don't think I'd pay more than a Grand for a '70s Strat, amp; it would have to feel pretty good amp; have the OHSC.

I pulled a 73' Strat out of a closet in the South End of Boston and it's just totally featherweight; lighter than anything else I've played.

It took a refret to really make it playable for the long haul but it's a total keeper.

Not all 70's Strats are bad....not all are great. You've got to play them to get an idea about them.

IMO, it's a very rare 70's Strat that's worth owning. Most of them weigh a ton, the pickups are VERY weak , the neck pocket is often sloppy and oversize so the neck shifts around, the neck is held on by only three screws instead of four, the tremolo is often a cast one piece affair with the tremolo block and bridge baseplate being one piece and they play poorly and sound mediocre. Why bother? Most of them are junk! Today's Fenders, or those from the 90's, are much better guitars.


Originally Posted by RiffRaffJeez, I can remember when they couldn't give those things away!

Ya me too! It's kind of funny but the guys at a local store showed me a 79 hardtail white strat that they took in on a trade. It has yellowed and has lots of marks and dents, fingerboard has been refreted and resprayed-(just the maple fingerboard and it is a slightly more clear colour over the aged finnish on the neck.... ) Then someone has redone the neck plate to a 4 bolt one.. still they are going to ask $1300 Canadian for it..

was not too long ago when a guitar like that was $300.... Makes me wonder if i hold onto my 76 LP how much would that POS be worth in the future

WhoFan

Hmm.... all this makes me wonder, is an original 70's strat really any better than an 80's MiJ or a newer MiM 70's strat??

I've played a few of these late 70's originals myself, and aside from the quot;vibequot; of a 25-30 year old guitar, i couldn't find a single thing that would make me want to invest $1000-1500 into one.

IMHO, I'd much rather go and pay $629 for a MiM 70's Classic Strat and have a better built, and a much more playable guitar.
FenderBender


Originally Posted by FenderBender03Hmm.... all this makes me wonder, is an original 70's strat really any better than an 80's MiJ or a newer MiM 70's strat??

I've played a few of these late 70's originals myself, and aside from the quot;vibequot; of a 25-30 year old guitar, i couldn't find a single thing that would make me want to invest $1000-1500 into one.

IMHO, I'd much rather go and pay $629 for a MiM 70's Classic Strat and have a better built, and a much more playable guitar.
FenderBender

Or spend even less and get a MIM Jimmie Vaughn. Great guitars and very decent sounding Tex-Mex pickups. Someday pop some Duncan SSL-1's or APS-1's or Duncan Antiquitys in that Jimmie Vaughn and you'll have a Strat to keep for the rest of your life and one that'll totally blow away most 70's Strats.

lew

I agree that the 70s strats were the low point for Fender.

If you got past the uncomfortably heavy bodies, the tone was usually harsh - of course you can lower the pups but the output will be weak.

like all things, though, there are exceptions ...