I purchased a metallic pearl white 1979 Anniversary Stratocaster in 1979, I paid $1200 for it. After 1 year the finish turned orange-ish. Fender told me it was a result of switching up their finishing process to better meet the Kalifornia EPA standards (they switched to a water-based poly finish). In 1987 Fender paid to have Lay's guitar refinish it to like new condition (Fender supplied Lay's with the Anniversary body decale). BTW, I always kept my certificate prinstine and the present owner has the guitar and certificate, both in mint condition. The only problem was that it was not a very good Stratocaster, it was very heavy and the pickups were lack-luster at best.
Lilo's has been a iconic music shop in Edmonton for decades that shut down a year or so ago. Vic had a massive collection of never played guitars that would put most collections to shame, visiting this shop was always pleasure to see. Anyone buying guitars from this collection is truly buying a piece of history and 100% mint condition.
I worked at Lillo’s Music for 13 years. The owners always had stuff like this around. His vintage case was always impressive. Victor and Doreen (the owners) have retired. These guitars were stored in a locked room in the service shop. One of the coolest things I did, was dig around in the storage rooms and find the weirdest stuff. Which coincidentally, Joe Perry bought some stuff from those areas too. He’s a big fan of weird stuff. It’s a shame, I’m a big fan of off, 80’s guitars, and there’s no place to find stuff like that. Good review. If you go onto their Reverb account, there’s more on there.
Lillo’s was a legendary shop for decades, owner Vic was a character. If you ever frequented the place you know how Vic was totally the guy to accidentally forget about these guitars for a few decades and let them safely pass the time on a stockroom. His private collection was behind a huge display case and contained more 50’s Gibsons and Fenders in one place than I’ve ever seen anywhere.
Don't know about the guy, but here in India my friend and I begged a music shop owner to let us see his storeroom, where he kept stuff he deemed "too ugly" to show customers. Walked out with a 90s Ibanez Universe (black, green dots).
My buddy bought one new when we were in middle school, he was (and is) a terrific player. Other than the cosmetics and the 4 bolt - it is a regular strat from the era. I don't know how many they made. What I remember about it was how HEAVY it was - it weighed a TON. Also, unfortunately for his, we hacked it up to put a humbucker in the bridge and a floyd in it. Hey - don't judge we were still kids and he really played the H3LL out of it. It is long gone, I have no idea where it exists today. But he played it a lot. It was not a bad guitar, but the strat pickups then were weak, and we did a good job messing it up. He put black electrical tape on it for a "black and white" version of Eddy's Frankenstrat. I even believe he had reflectors on it like EVH did back then. He really played and enjoyed it while he had it - until he got an early US Kramer Pacer model with a floyd - then that took over as his number 1. That is what guitars are really for, and his were well played.
I got to go buy a guitar for my 15th birthday in 1979 and looked at three of these 25th Anniversary Strats. They were all heavy and dead sounding so I ended up with a wine red hard tail Strat that I still have. No regrets at all.
Now, I don't know when the first solid body electric Spanish guitar went on sale, but I saw where Paul Bigsby attempted success with an offering in, I believe, the late 40s. 49 comes to mind. You may know that C. Leo Fender and Bigsby (and Les Paul!) were neighbors and friends. I have long been of the opinion that there were 3 things that played into Leo's success. One was learning from Bigsby's attempt. I suspect that Bigsby used mostly or solely traditional guitar building methods, which would make the guitar very expensive to make, with the attendant consequences in price. As Bigsby's friend, Fender was in a position to learn much about and from the fate of the Bigsby solid body. I believe this sheds light on Leo's focus on doing things the cheapest way they worked well. Hence, the slew of Fender innovations that have given guitarists so much over the years. Things like bolt-on necks and six a side headstocks are showing the emphasis on function and speed of manufacture, as well as taking advantage of common components and economies of scale. It's also my personal view that the Stratocaster headstock incorporated much of the aesthetic of the Bigsby headstock. Peculiarly, the larger CBS-era headstock is a bit more like the Bigsby's for size, or so it looks from photos I've seen.
I actually played the 25th Ann. Stratocaster in a music store in Baltimore in1979. It had a gorgeous silver finish , I was in awe. I clearly remember the price . . $700. Of course that would be a lot more in 2022 dollars.
I'm sad you didn't make more of that painted double cut's provenance. Steve Miller is an awesome guitarist who is in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (whatever that means today :-/), and his Godfather was...Les Paul! His mother was a well known jazz singer, and his father an accomplished recording engineer. Les Paul and his musical partner Mary Ford were frequent visitors at the Miller household, and Paul encouraged Steve to continue his playing, and, no doubt, taught him some cool licks on guitar. Other frequent visitors were T-Bone Walker, Charles Mingus, and Tal Farlow. Walker taught Steve how to play the guitar behind his back, and with his teeth! Steve Miller may not have been an Eric Clapton, or Eddie Van Halen, but he is an fantastic guitarist who graced the covers of guitar & music magazines at throughout the 70s and 80s.
You're right. My mistake I thought he passed a while back. I was watching some old b/w footage of his 1974 Winterland show. Looks like the same or similar guitar.
Canadian UA-cam star Landon Bailey was all over the new old stock Fender Stratocaster story like a fly on shit months ago. Hats off you to you Landon and man did you score a beauty.
You forgot the 25th Anniversary model has the heel-adjust trussrod instead of the bullet. The silver finish is also nitro in a time where everything Fender put out was poly, that's why it's so common to see heavily relic'd finishes on them.
Ohhh the memories! I was 9 when I saw one of those then brandnew 25th Anniversary Strats in a music store, in '79! "I'll have one like that one day" - It has not yet happened, though! 😄 PS: I even made my own one then, out of a board of plywood for the body and a wooden plank for the neck! 😄
That Eddie tribute is sweet, if it's playable. 😉 As soon as you pointed out the anniversary tag on the strat it was like a popped balloon. haha I wouldn't pay more than 2500.00 for it.
That reminds me of Dons Music City in Burlington, NC back in the 80's & 90.s. At one time, they had a crazy amount of old Fenders, still in the boxes, also cool sets of matching Strats / Teles and matching Strats / Basses, that dude had some sweet gear back in the day, sucks they closed.
There's a lot you can do with that double cut from an interior design perspective. The colors work for a southwestern Pueblo style house with the yellow and orange. Someone who is really into 60's psychedelia can use it to pull a room together. It works as a guitar and as an art piece so you can hang a guitar on your wall without being "that guy" with a guitar on your wall.
I'm lucky enough to have one of these. Mine has been out of the box for over 40 years and acquired a deep golden hue. It is by far the heaviest Strat I've ever played! 11.8 lbs?! ;O The pups are a bit stronger than most. I'd still be interested in the contents of those sealed boxes. The original run of 500 were shipped with a white finish. It soon became apparent that there was a major issue with the paint. Most were returned to Fender and received the 'Portia Silver' treatment that aged into golds and greens over time. If any of those boxes contain a white guitar the owner has a very rare, if slightly unsightly piece of history. And who knows, the box and time could've been what the paint needed to cure properly? ;P
Agreed, If you’re a collector, in a sealed box is like capturing history. 79’ I was 14yrs old. What a time to be a Phila row house kid. Music, sports you name it. I’d pay that if I had the dough.
The only problem is My buddy "Weasel" was Foghat's guitar tech for many years and he worked for Fender through the 70's and some early 80's and told me once that 1979 Fender guitars were the worst instruments they ever made!! I remember some strats from 1979 being weird colors including a very ugly taxi yellow strat!!!! Just thought I'd mention this!!! But I do love my limited edition 2018 Tele in Surf Green with a totally rosewood neck that has Fender burned into the headstock I bought while working for Guitar Center of West Palm Beach, Florida!!!
I'll put my '72 Stratocaster up against any US produced Fender Stratocaster any day of the week. Of all the years of Strats I have have had the opportunity to play, the only one's I've played that I liked more, was a '58 hardtail w/ a maple board and a '62 w/ a rosewood board...
The taste is not in dispute. I was indelibly impressed with a BIG head ST in '79. The modernized small head gives the impression of being a war invalid - able to work, but distorted.
I must have missed this one. Im glad you do that thing at the end of your videos “…you might like this next one” or something!! so we can find these older videos! Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
I was looking at old fender models online recently (basically just Google images) and I happened to come across one of these. I actually thought to myself "hmm..kinda boring" lol. But I love fenders, so I still wish I owned one lol. It's just funny that Trogly posted this right after I researched this guitar. Perfect timing dude.
I have a new old stock 87 Kramer Baretta II that I bought 10 years from the music store it was originally shipped to. I got it from Drinking Gourd music in Dayton Ohio. It STILL has the original strings and plastic film on the covers.
The three bolt neck plate wasn't actually the problem with these 70"s strat's it was how sloppy the neck pocket was. Look at the gap here on the neck pocket even a 4 bolt is going to move around in that pocket 1:42
@@primeDecomposition I know right! I could have bought one of these a couple years ago for like 1200 Canadian but I passed because it had such a sloppy neck pocket. The guy wants 10000 for one ...even if it's NOS still not ever going to be worth that.
Also add to the fact that the first ones that they made were painted in a white huffy bicycle paint which were even more rare than the silver ones I still have one I also had one of the silver ones but I ended up trading it off or something else the silver ones were painted in a silver Porsche car paint so if you find a white one you have a true gem. The reason I switched from the white to the silver is the white ones the paint after a while started flaking off, mine has some of that. I had contacted fender many years ago on getting it refinished and they offered to pay for having half the price that it was going to take to refinish it I decided not to do that because I wanted to keep it all original and I still have it that way...
In the 80s my guitar teacher had one of these. It was my favorite guitar he owned. I just loved the anniversary decal on the body. It reminded me of a muscle car.
Ok I LOVE 70’s strats, mainly because I love underdogs and I feel these get a unjust bad rap. Also…. I was born in ‘79. Besides the 4 bolt neck these also don’t have a bullet truss rod (which a lot of people hate). Ironically the 3 bolt neck design was Leo Fender invention as he stayed on with Fender as a consultant for years. I also find that the grey bobbin pickups have a Jimmi Hendrixy sound and again many people don’t like it but I love the thick layer of poly on the neck, to me it makes for a very smooth playing neck. Now in my experience these are heavy guitars but it can be argued that because of this they sustain like crazy again depending on which side of the line your on about guitar weight. Like you said maybe if I had a museum I might pay this price, but personally? No way! If I was in the market I would offer $5k TOPS! Probably why it’s been listed for ever.
Hey, apparently many of those “Race Winner” guitars end up being smashed by the winner after the race, which is really sad (especially for a Custom Shop!) So the “value” is in the fact that it wasn’t broken immediately!
My second guitar was a 1979 anniversary Stratocaster. Which had been given to me for my birthday by my father. And at that time I was told that there was only five hundred of them being built. But the one thing that I do know as fact is that when I received mine brand-new it was white. In fact after six to eight months of being owner of this guitar all the paint cracked and shipped away almost through the whole front and back of guitar. If you if you sent them back to thunder they repainted them from white to silver with the anniversary logo printed on the same spot. I was also told that Jimi hendrix's family got number one and I also believe that Eric Clapton was sent it's Carter number 2. My guitar serial number on my guitar was a bunch of zeros and then number 315. And unfortunately I do not feel have this guitar. But I do remember and know that they came from Factory in white. Only became silver if you were to send them back to fender due to the cracking paint issue. I would be very curious to find out if any of those ones this guy is selling are in the original white paint. I do remember it being an average playing Stratocaster which did not stay in tune very well. But I do admit to being in a young early on guitar player.
I'm you of the one that saw a Stratocaster in the 70's and 80's, and I still dream of owning one to this today. i begged and begged for my folks to get it for me but they wouldn't do it. I think that's why never become the player I should have. those were special times and the companies were looking for something new that would bring more sales. the Paul was Gibson's answer for, people who wanted a Gibson but couldn't afford there high prices for Les Paul's and etc. they did ok but still wanted the more custom Guitars. very good show 🤓👍
My local store has had one of these for Ages. Long before I ever started watching you, maybe 10 years now and it’s still there. It’s pretty green but I kinda like it.
A guy i know had one. It was painted like a triumph bonneville tank. It was silvery with a blue pinstripe around the edges. Apparently it was because it was the twentieth anniversary of the bonneville and 25 years anniversary of the strat. It was bought brand new. Ive never seen another
These are painted Porsche silver. Originally they all came in Porsche white but there was a problem with the paint flaking off so Fender told everyone that bought them to send them back and they refinished them all in Silver. If you were smart enough to pass on the silver refin and kept it white it is worth much more because almost everyone sent it back for the refinish.
That LP has a Zebra crossing on the front, like the one on the Beetles Abbey Road album cover. I'm not a Beetles fan but would definitely be happy with that one
I used to teach at Lillo's music in Edmonton AB Canada. He has since retired (approx. 2 years ago) and is probably selling off the inventory. So I would say the item is probably quite legitimate
I do too, My buddy had his dad's hardtail blonde 70's and the other kid got the beat up 60's strat for 350 bucks. My 335 AND SG custom are a point of pain for me now, missed for many reasons.
Great advice all around. I do remember trying out one of those in a store around 1982 . It was pretty underwhelming , even with the four-bolt neck. It was really heavy and felt dead-it just didn't ring when you played it. I passed on it and have no regrets.
I think they were limited to how many they could sell. Also they were originally available in white but there were paint cracking issues so they changed to silver.
In the world’s most famous thought experiment, physicist Erwin Schrödinger described how a cat in a box could be in an uncertain predicament. The peculiar rules of quantum theory meant that it could be both dead and alive, until the box was opened and the cat’s state measured.
I have a 1979 natural finish hardtail Strat and these 25th anniversary ones confuse me a bit - did they deliberately leave the S/N off the headstock near the Fender logo ? Every late 70s model I've seen has that cryptic string of numbers that sort of gives you ballpark timeframe of production... so why don't these - just keeping with the special edition vibe ?
I bought a 1980 strat that was new in the box.. I bought it in 1982. It is to this day my favorite guitar. It has a white pickguard and is Sherwood green (at least I think that's the color it it's definitely green). It has made me the guitar player I am today which is pretty damn good cuz I've been playing for 40 years. I went from being a beginner, 2 mediocre, but after that I became a shredder. Try learning the guitar in the 80s, and see if you don't become a shredder. It means the world to me. I look back on it and I was so lucky to buy it off of a guy who worked in the music store and stole it. That's why I didn't pay much for it. I paid $300 That's still blowing my mind after all these years
In English the phrase is "has arisen" not arose I bought 2 things in 1979 - 1 a 25th anniversary stratocaster and 2 a Rolex GMT master - today the Rolex is worth around 5 times more that the strat
I have a 25th Strat. The paint was notorious for spider webbing. Very heavy body as well. And, loose neck pocket. The 70’s were dark times for Fender. That said, mine is a great player, still in excellent condition, and I wouldn’t part with it.
Unopened Anniversary Strat Boxes say "Keep From Freezing" meanwhile we have the longest winter in years with blizzards still in mid April 2022. Any shipping, especially in Canada, the guitar will definitely be freezing for an extended period. So yah leaving it unopened is risky.
I would definitely go for the Anniversary in the box at that cost or less - at the time wine red opaque with black plastics and maple neck was also very popular, loved them but not on my paper round wage ha' ...the Abbey Road LP has a very modern 'crossing' - not period or Album cover correct.
I have a 35th Anniversary 500 of 500 John Page built CS Strat, never played with the original box... It will go with my LC Lexus Strat when it finally arrives here in Australia (the only one headed here).
Man I really like that double cut. If I had the money I think I would try to buy it right now. Im trying to wait and buy Rick Beato‘s signature comes out, but that one is tempting. Thanks Austin great video
As soon as I saw the front of the abbey road guitar, it was easy to tell what it was. Wish it wasn’t so insanely expensive! I’d even try and learn to play righty for it.
My favorite Strat is the 1980 Strat .yeah it's 10.5 lbs but the green'd lake placid blue and gold hardware are perfect and it sounds like a Strat should.
Good evening from London, England Trogly ! Apparently 'The Beatles' were a popular beat combo from Liverpool mate. Heard they sold a few records back in the sixties and quite a few since... ;-) Love the show, but that comment had me laughing out loud !!
Hey Austin, I would like to points out, since you want to review a Firebird, that Jim Root from Slipknot has a never opened Silverburst Firebird V (that thin has to be at least 10 years old). It would be awesome if you could buy it from him and review it as a "new old stock"
I remember finding a listing for a 79 strat that was really inexpensive & owned by James Honeymoon Scott. I'm talking under 2 grand if I recall correctly. Wish id a seen it before it sold id a bought it.
In the 80s Eddie Van Halen inspired an epidemic of hacking up Strats that would never be themselves again. After his sad demise there is an epidemic of striped paint jobs being slapped on any guitar that can’t escape. I get that people want to pay tribute to one of the greats of rock guitar, but it really is getting ludicrous now.
People have been striping up guitars since the day he first did it, and no doubt they'll continue until guitars cease to exist. Does kind of seem moot to me though as well, since he did it wanting it to be "his thing".
Dimebag actually met Eddie and asked for a replica of the Bumblebee Strat a few weeks before he was murdered. Eddie felt he was worthy of the real thing.
@@joermnyc a big honor. Love Dime and Eddie. That was real cool what Eddie did, can you imagine 13 year old Darrel being told he would be burried with the VH 2 guitar? He wouldnt have been able to ever believe it. I put a guitar in my brother in laws casket. Felt like a right thing to do. Love and music.
Someone is selling one of the 1979 Anniversary Strats on my local FB marketplace with the certificate of merit for $4,500. Claims to be in immaculate condition. Still too high compared to the Reverb listings you showed, but it does look good!
I’m always fascinated by your channel and enjoy watching your videos. I’ve been waiting for a 25/50 to show up and the natural looks beautiful. I own a 25/50 tobacco burst flame top. It’s in superb condition and I purchased it from a collector in London over thirty years ago. I’m going to sell it as I never play it and I’m sure someone will enjoy it. It needs a new home. Are all those 25/50 in your collection?
Check ‘em out here: reverb.com/item/42612134-fender-25th-anniversary-stratocaster-1979-w-ohsc-new-in-box?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly
I purchased a metallic pearl white 1979 Anniversary Stratocaster in 1979, I paid $1200 for it.
After 1 year the finish turned orange-ish. Fender told me it was a result of switching up their finishing process to better meet the Kalifornia EPA standards (they switched to a water-based poly finish).
In 1987 Fender paid to have Lay's guitar refinish it to like new condition (Fender supplied Lay's with the Anniversary body decale).
BTW, I always kept my certificate prinstine and the present owner has the guitar and certificate, both in mint condition.
The only problem was that it was not a very good Stratocaster, it was very heavy and the pickups were lack-luster at best.
Trogly your so funny man
Lilo's has been a iconic music shop in Edmonton for decades that shut down a year or so ago. Vic had a massive collection of never played guitars that would put most collections to shame, visiting this shop was always pleasure to see. Anyone buying guitars from this collection is truly buying a piece of history and 100% mint condition.
Well said! He had a Trini on display in the shop for years that I lusted after, lot's of other fantastic gear as well
I bought my first Les Paul from Lilos when I was 15, almost 40 yrs ago. Vic was asking $2500 for the 79 anny strat back then.
I worked at Lillo’s Music for 13 years. The owners always had stuff like this around. His vintage case was always impressive. Victor and Doreen (the owners) have retired. These guitars were stored in a locked room in the service shop. One of the coolest things I did, was dig around in the storage rooms and find the weirdest stuff. Which coincidentally, Joe Perry bought some stuff from those areas too. He’s a big fan of weird stuff. It’s a shame, I’m a big fan of off, 80’s guitars, and there’s no place to find stuff like that. Good review. If you go onto their Reverb account, there’s more on there.
Lillo’s was a legendary shop for decades, owner Vic was a character. If you ever frequented the place you know how Vic was totally the guy to accidentally forget about these guitars for a few decades and let them safely pass the time on a stockroom. His private collection was behind a huge display case and contained more 50’s Gibsons and Fenders in one place than I’ve ever seen anywhere.
Don't know about the guy, but here in India my friend and I begged a music shop owner to let us see his storeroom, where he kept stuff he deemed "too ugly" to show customers. Walked out with a 90s Ibanez Universe (black, green dots).
This is the FIRST special edition Stratocaster that Fender ever made. It’s a special guitar.
Great player
I've owned it, was the first great Stratocaster after the CBS disaster 😂
My buddy bought one new when we were in middle school, he was (and is) a terrific player. Other than the cosmetics and the 4 bolt - it is a regular strat from the era. I don't know how many they made. What I remember about it was how HEAVY it was - it weighed a TON. Also, unfortunately for his, we hacked it up to put a humbucker in the bridge and a floyd in it. Hey - don't judge we were still kids and he really played the H3LL out of it. It is long gone, I have no idea where it exists today. But he played it a lot. It was not a bad guitar, but the strat pickups then were weak, and we did a good job messing it up. He put black electrical tape on it for a "black and white" version of Eddy's Frankenstrat. I even believe he had reflectors on it like EVH did back then. He really played and enjoyed it while he had it - until he got an early US Kramer Pacer model with a floyd - then that took over as his number 1. That is what guitars are really for, and his were well played.
Shout out to Landon Baley, he was the first one to find those strats
I got to go buy a guitar for my 15th birthday in 1979 and looked at three of these 25th Anniversary Strats. They were all heavy and dead sounding so I ended up with a wine red hard tail Strat that I still have. No regrets at all.
Now, I don't know when the first solid body electric Spanish guitar went on sale, but I saw where Paul Bigsby attempted success with an offering in, I believe, the late 40s. 49 comes to mind. You may know that C. Leo Fender and Bigsby (and Les Paul!) were neighbors and friends.
I have long been of the opinion that there were 3 things that played into Leo's success. One was learning from Bigsby's attempt. I suspect that Bigsby used mostly or solely traditional guitar building methods, which would make the guitar very expensive to make, with the attendant consequences in price. As Bigsby's friend, Fender was in a position to learn much about and from the fate of the Bigsby solid body. I believe this sheds light on Leo's focus on doing things the cheapest way they worked well. Hence, the slew of Fender innovations that have given guitarists so much over the years. Things like bolt-on necks and six a side headstocks are showing the emphasis on function and speed of manufacture, as well as taking advantage of common components and economies of scale. It's also my personal view that the Stratocaster headstock incorporated much of the aesthetic of the Bigsby headstock. Peculiarly, the larger CBS-era headstock is a bit more like the Bigsby's for size, or so it looks from photos I've seen.
Trogly, how do you know almost nothing about the BEATLES? Many great riffs.
Oh no I got late again xd
I actually played the 25th Ann. Stratocaster in a music store in Baltimore in1979.
It had a gorgeous silver finish , I was in awe.
I clearly remember the price . . $700. Of course that would be a lot more in 2022 dollars.
I'm sad you didn't make more of that painted double cut's provenance. Steve Miller is an awesome guitarist who is in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (whatever that means today :-/), and his Godfather was...Les Paul! His mother was a well known jazz singer, and his father an accomplished recording engineer. Les Paul and his musical partner Mary Ford were frequent visitors at the Miller household, and Paul encouraged Steve to continue his playing, and, no doubt, taught him some cool licks on guitar. Other frequent visitors were T-Bone Walker, Charles Mingus, and Tal Farlow. Walker taught Steve how to play the guitar behind his back, and with his teeth! Steve Miller may not have been an Eric Clapton, or Eddie Van Halen, but he is an fantastic guitarist who graced the covers of guitar & music magazines at throughout the 70s and 80s.
The gangster is back....I grew up listening to early Steve Miller. RIP to another rock icon.
@@eddepreist9178 Steve Miller is still around, and playing shows!
You're right. My mistake I thought he passed a while back. I was watching some old b/w footage of his 1974 Winterland show. Looks like the same or similar guitar.
Canadian UA-cam star Landon Bailey was all over the new old stock Fender Stratocaster story like a fly on shit months ago. Hats off you to you Landon and man did you score a beauty.
Yes he did! I have always loved that era strat with the natural finish and black pickguard. Judging by his demo he didn't end up with a dog.
I think I found something better :)
@@landonbailey Your my 2nd favorite Canadian. Only because you're not as cute as Avril.
@@landonbailey can’t wait to see it.
@@benallmark9671 it's the 1979 Strat I bought
You forgot the 25th Anniversary model has the heel-adjust trussrod instead of the bullet. The silver finish is also nitro in a time where everything Fender put out was poly, that's why it's so common to see heavily relic'd finishes on them.
Ohhh the memories! I was 9 when I saw one of those then brandnew 25th Anniversary Strats in a music store, in '79! "I'll have one like that one day" - It has not yet happened, though! 😄 PS: I even made my own one then, out of a board of plywood for the body and a wooden plank for the neck! 😄
Hey thanks for being you, stay safe out there.
Well done, you made the podium today. I’m pleased to award you your Bronze Medal for your efforts.
Great Effort, congrats
Landon Bailey found that one as well! Cool to see!
That Eddie tribute is sweet, if it's playable. 😉 As soon as you pointed out the anniversary tag on the strat it was like a popped balloon. haha I wouldn't pay more than 2500.00 for it.
That reminds me of Dons Music City in Burlington, NC back in the 80's & 90.s. At one time, they had a crazy amount of old Fenders, still in the boxes, also cool sets of matching Strats / Teles and matching Strats / Basses, that dude had some sweet gear back in the day, sucks they closed.
There's a lot you can do with that double cut from an interior design perspective. The colors work for a southwestern Pueblo style house with the yellow and orange. Someone who is really into 60's psychedelia can use it to pull a room together. It works as a guitar and as an art piece so you can hang a guitar on your wall without being "that guy" with a guitar on your wall.
No question as to the legitimacy of that ‘79 strat, the huge gap in the neck pocket is typical for that period.
I'm lucky enough to have one of these. Mine has been out of the box for over 40 years and acquired a deep golden hue. It is by far the heaviest Strat I've ever played! 11.8 lbs?! ;O The pups are a bit stronger than most.
I'd still be interested in the contents of those sealed boxes. The original run of 500 were shipped with a white finish. It soon became apparent that there was a major issue with the paint. Most were returned to Fender and received the 'Portia Silver' treatment that aged into golds and greens over time.
If any of those boxes contain a white guitar the owner has a very rare, if slightly unsightly piece of history. And who knows, the box and time could've been what the paint needed to cure properly? ;P
Agreed, If you’re a collector, in a sealed box is like capturing history. 79’ I was 14yrs old. What a time to be a Phila row house kid. Music, sports you name it. I’d pay that if I had the dough.
The only problem is My buddy "Weasel" was Foghat's guitar tech for many years and he worked for Fender through the 70's and some early 80's and told me once that 1979 Fender guitars were the worst instruments they ever made!! I remember some strats from 1979 being weird colors including a very ugly taxi yellow strat!!!! Just thought I'd mention this!!! But I do love my limited edition 2018 Tele in Surf Green with a totally rosewood neck that has Fender burned into the headstock I bought while working for Guitar Center of West Palm Beach, Florida!!!
Okeechobee and Haverhill?
I'll put my '72 Stratocaster up against any US produced Fender Stratocaster any day of the week. Of all the years of Strats I have have had the opportunity to play, the only one's I've played that I liked more, was a '58 hardtail w/ a maple board and a '62 w/ a rosewood board...
OMG...a Marauder. As the owner of a much abused '83 (now with a much different set of pickups) it's fun to see one in original shape. Thanks for that!
And the truss rod adjustment at the heel that sets the 25th anniversary apart from the herd, by far the coolest part.
The taste is not in dispute. I was indelibly impressed with a BIG head ST in '79. The modernized small head gives the impression of being a war invalid - able to work, but distorted.
I must have missed this one. Im glad you do that thing at the end of your videos “…you might like this next one” or something!! so we can find these older videos!
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
I was looking at old fender models online recently (basically just Google images) and I happened to come across one of these. I actually thought to myself "hmm..kinda boring" lol. But I love fenders, so I still wish I owned one lol. It's just funny that Trogly posted this right after I researched this guitar. Perfect timing dude.
I have a new old stock 87 Kramer Baretta II that I bought 10 years from the music store it was originally shipped to. I got it from Drinking Gourd music in Dayton Ohio. It STILL has the original strings and plastic film on the covers.
OH YEAH! That Abbey Road Geetar looks SWEET!
The three bolt neck plate wasn't actually the problem with these 70"s strat's it was how sloppy the neck pocket was. Look at the gap here on the neck pocket even a 4 bolt is going to move around in that pocket 1:42
@@primeDecomposition I know right! I could have bought one of these a couple years ago for like 1200 Canadian but I passed because it had such a sloppy neck pocket. The guy wants 10000 for one ...even if it's NOS still not ever going to be worth that.
Also add to the fact that the first ones that they made were painted in a white huffy bicycle paint which were even more rare than the silver ones I still have one I also had one of the silver ones but I ended up trading it off or something else the silver ones were painted in a silver Porsche car paint so if you find a white one you have a true gem. The reason I switched from the white to the silver is the white ones the paint after a while started flaking off, mine has some of that. I had contacted fender many years ago on getting it refinished and they offered to pay for having half the price that it was going to take to refinish it I decided not to do that because I wanted to keep it all original and I still have it that way...
In the 80s my guitar teacher had one of these. It was my favorite guitar he owned. I just loved the anniversary decal on the body. It reminded me of a muscle car.
Ok I LOVE 70’s strats, mainly because I love underdogs and I feel these get a unjust bad rap. Also…. I was born in ‘79. Besides the 4 bolt neck these also don’t have a bullet truss rod (which a lot of people hate). Ironically the 3 bolt neck design was Leo Fender invention as he stayed on with Fender as a consultant for years. I also find that the grey bobbin pickups have a Jimmi Hendrixy sound and again many people don’t like it but I love the thick layer of poly on the neck, to me it makes for a very smooth playing neck. Now in my experience these are heavy guitars but it can be argued that because of this they sustain like crazy again depending on which side of the line your on about guitar weight. Like you said maybe if I had a museum I might pay this price, but personally? No way! If I was in the market I would offer $5k TOPS! Probably why it’s been listed for ever.
This is old news Landon Bailey Don’t talk about it made a video about the same guitars over eight months ago no news here
I did!
I drooled over this in 79'. It was a Buddy Hollly image, look alike, on stage.
The double cut art work looks similar to the Steve Miller guitar,
I had seen at the N.Y. Met. Play it loud exhibit
Hey, apparently many of those “Race Winner” guitars end up being smashed by the winner after the race, which is really sad (especially for a Custom Shop!) So the “value” is in the fact that it wasn’t broken immediately!
That’s not true, only one of the race winner guitars was smashed by the winner, it was Kyle Busch who smashed it, and people were really upset by it
@@enjoiskating963 it's better than someone else smashing your guitar.
My second guitar was a 1979 anniversary Stratocaster. Which had been given to me for my birthday by my father. And at that time I was told that there was only five hundred of them being built. But the one thing that I do know as fact is that when I received mine brand-new it was white. In fact after six to eight months of being owner of this guitar all the paint cracked and shipped away almost through the whole front and back of guitar. If you if you sent them back to thunder they repainted them from white to silver with the anniversary logo printed on the same spot. I was also told that Jimi hendrix's family got number one and I also believe that Eric Clapton was sent it's Carter number 2. My guitar serial number on my guitar was a bunch of zeros and then number 315. And unfortunately I do not feel have this guitar. But I do remember and know that they came from Factory in white. Only became silver if you were to send them back to fender due to the cracking paint issue. I would be very curious to find out if any of those ones this guy is selling are in the original white paint. I do remember it being an average playing Stratocaster which did not stay in tune very well. But I do admit to being in a young early on guitar player.
I'm you of the one that saw a Stratocaster in the 70's and 80's, and I still dream of owning one to this today. i begged and begged for my folks to get it for me but they wouldn't do it. I think that's why never become the player I should have. those were special times and the companies were looking for something new that would bring more sales. the Paul was Gibson's answer for, people who wanted a Gibson but couldn't afford there high prices for Les Paul's and etc. they did ok but still wanted the more custom Guitars. very good show 🤓👍
My local store has had one of these for Ages. Long before I ever started watching you, maybe 10 years now and it’s still there. It’s pretty green but I kinda like it.
A guy i know had one. It was painted like a triumph bonneville tank. It was silvery with a blue pinstripe around the edges. Apparently it was because it was the twentieth anniversary of the bonneville and 25 years anniversary of the strat. It was bought brand new. Ive never seen another
These are painted Porsche silver. Originally they all came in Porsche white but there was a problem with the paint flaking off so Fender told everyone that bought them to send them back and they refinished them all in Silver. If you were smart enough to pass on the silver refin and kept it white it is worth much more because almost everyone sent it back for the refinish.
There was a key chain that went along with the 25th anniversary - it was a scale casting of a Strat, about 3" long.
That LP has a Zebra crossing on the front, like the one on the Beetles Abbey Road album cover. I'm not a Beetles fan but would definitely be happy with that one
I used to teach at Lillo's music in Edmonton AB Canada. He has since retired (approx. 2 years ago) and is probably selling off the inventory. So I would say the item is probably quite legitimate
I remember when these came out in 1979.
Does that make me old? They were pretty heavy. Great news on the 4 bolt neck. Super cool time capsules
I do too, My buddy had his dad's hardtail blonde 70's and the other kid got the beat up 60's strat for 350 bucks. My 335 AND SG custom are a point of pain for me now, missed for many reasons.
I have a 79 marauder and I still think the one you documented is the sickest specimen on this planet
That double cut just reminds me of one of them paint by numbers kits or one of the 70s velvet prints.
Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!
Greg in the house
Yo Greg
LOVED the Millionaire nod. Lol nice touch bro! It isn't just your guitar playing that's stepping up!
Legit..! Collector's Dream NOS these I'm told are very late 79 issues hence the 4 bolt necks! As told by my luthier
Great advice all around. I do remember trying out one of those in a store around 1982 . It was pretty underwhelming , even with the four-bolt neck. It was really heavy and felt dead-it just didn't ring when you played it. I passed on it and have no regrets.
Austin, I wish you could get your hands on a Hentor sportscaster. Alex Lifeson of rush used one in the 80s.
You missed one other change over standard 79 Strat. The truss rod is back at the heel not the big bullet at the nut like they were on the 3 bolt neck
Love the big 70’s headstock.
Nah hate it, looks stupid
I’ve sold a few of them (not nos) but all original. They’re not worth that price tag. If you’re going to get a vintage Strat, save up and get pre cbs.
I think they were limited to how many they could sell. Also they were originally available in white but there were paint cracking issues so they changed to silver.
I wanted one of those so bad back in the day. $500-600. I have a 78-79 non anniversary I bought used back then. Totally yellowed white finish.
In the world’s most famous thought experiment, physicist Erwin Schrödinger described how a cat in a box could be in an uncertain predicament. The peculiar rules of quantum theory meant that it could be both dead and alive, until the box was opened and the cat’s state measured.
That neck pocket gap is tragic...
I wonder if all of these anniversary Gibsons from 2015 will go for such amounts in 2055 😉
I have a 1979 natural finish hardtail Strat and these 25th anniversary ones confuse me a bit - did they deliberately leave the S/N off the headstock near the Fender logo ? Every late 70s model I've seen has that cryptic string of numbers that sort of gives you ballpark timeframe of production... so why don't these - just keeping with the special edition vibe ?
I bought a 1980 strat that was new in the box.. I bought it in 1982. It is to this day my favorite guitar. It has a white pickguard and is Sherwood green (at least I think that's the color it it's definitely green). It has made me the guitar player I am today which is pretty damn good cuz I've been playing for 40 years. I went from being a beginner, 2 mediocre, but after that I became a shredder. Try learning the guitar in the 80s, and see if you don't become a shredder. It means the world to me. I look back on it and I was so lucky to buy it off of a guy who worked in the music store and stole it. That's why I didn't pay much for it. I paid $300
That's still blowing my mind after all these years
hey can someone please tell me what polish/products he uses to clean nitro finishes(gibson)
In English the phrase is "has arisen" not arose
I bought 2 things in 1979 - 1 a 25th anniversary stratocaster and 2 a Rolex GMT master - today the Rolex is worth around 5 times more that the strat
Its pretty amazing that they exist
I have a 25th Strat. The paint was notorious for spider webbing. Very heavy body as well. And, loose neck pocket. The 70’s were dark times for Fender. That said, mine is a great player, still in excellent condition, and I wouldn’t part with it.
Unopened Anniversary Strat Boxes say "Keep From Freezing" meanwhile we have the longest winter in years with blizzards still in mid April 2022. Any shipping, especially in Canada, the guitar will definitely be freezing for an extended period. So yah leaving it unopened is risky.
I would definitely go for the Anniversary in the box at that cost or less - at the time wine red opaque with black plastics and maple neck was also very popular, loved them but not on my paper round wage ha' ...the Abbey Road LP has a very modern 'crossing' - not period or Album cover correct.
My old guitar teacher, Jim Brawley, played one of these and I thought it was the coolest thing running
Those strats are way cooler than any of those Gibsons
I have a 35th Anniversary 500 of 500 John Page built CS Strat, never played with the original box... It will go with my LC Lexus Strat when it finally arrives here in Australia (the only one headed here).
Man I really like that double cut. If I had the money I think I would try to buy it right now. Im trying to wait and buy Rick Beato‘s signature comes out, but that one is tempting. Thanks Austin great video
owned one in 1979, your friend in tone, Norman Mozley
The "Power Maple" Gibson was a good lead into a Fender video.
As soon as I saw the front of the abbey road guitar, it was easy to tell what it was. Wish it wasn’t so insanely expensive! I’d even try and learn to play righty for it.
One of these was in a local shop and it was heaviest strat I’ve ever played.
The double cut is cool
My favorite Strat is the 1980 Strat .yeah it's 10.5 lbs but the green'd lake placid blue and gold hardware are perfect and it sounds like a Strat should.
they should've put a PAF in the EVH melody maker. i believe that's what was in the original Frankenstrat
do you upscale your videos? i've seen a lot of strange warbling around strings when you move guitars on camera, any idea what that is?
I believe these were all pearl white when new at least the first run then recalled and refinished by fender.
I’d say that’s worth 5K maybe 6 for a sealed one the aftermarket has went insane in the last 2 years
Hey Trogly Keep an eye on Vic Lilo's listing... I assume he is liquidating his retirement fund. Vic has some super rare gear.
Eddie's Explorer was actually an Ibanez Destroyer
Trogly!
Good evening from London, England Trogly ! Apparently 'The Beatles' were a popular beat combo from Liverpool mate. Heard they sold a few records back in the sixties and quite a few since... ;-) Love the show, but that comment had me laughing out loud !!
Hey Austin, I would like to points out, since you want to review a Firebird, that Jim Root from Slipknot has a never opened Silverburst Firebird V (that thin has to be at least 10 years old). It would be awesome if you could buy it from him and review it as a "new old stock"
I remember finding a listing for a 79 strat that was really inexpensive & owned by James Honeymoon Scott. I'm talking under 2 grand if I recall correctly. Wish id a seen it before it sold id a bought it.
In the 80s Eddie Van Halen inspired an epidemic of hacking up Strats that would never be themselves again. After his sad demise there is an epidemic of striped paint jobs being slapped on any guitar that can’t escape. I get that people want to pay tribute to one of the greats of rock guitar, but it really is getting ludicrous now.
People have been striping up guitars since the day he first did it, and no doubt they'll continue until guitars cease to exist. Does kind of seem moot to me though as well, since he did it wanting it to be "his thing".
They did have two colors, it does chance with time, but silver and gold
It's crazy that Eddie buried his 79 black & yellow strat with Dimebag. I think about that sometimes
The bar where Dimebag was shot just got torn down recently. I went to it many times....
Dimebag actually met Eddie and asked for a replica of the Bumblebee Strat a few weeks before he was murdered. Eddie felt he was worthy of the real thing.
truly heartbreaking
@@joermnyc a big honor. Love Dime and Eddie. That was real cool what Eddie did, can you imagine 13 year old Darrel being told he would be burried with the VH 2 guitar? He wouldnt have been able to ever believe it. I put a guitar in my brother in laws casket. Felt like a right thing to do. Love and music.
Did anyone else se that Kurt cobains guitar that was used in the smells like teen spirit video is being auctioned in may
Hey trog I want you to do a review on a SRV guitar if you can.
Someone is selling one of the 1979 Anniversary Strats on my local FB marketplace with the certificate of merit for $4,500. Claims to be in immaculate condition. Still too high compared to the Reverb listings you showed, but it does look good!
Did you hear about the vintage guitar collection stolen out of San Jose California. They were kept at a storage facility.
I’m always fascinated by your channel and enjoy watching your videos. I’ve been waiting for a 25/50 to show up and the natural looks beautiful. I own a 25/50 tobacco burst flame top. It’s in superb condition and I purchased it from a collector in London over thirty years ago. I’m going to sell it as I never play it and I’m sure someone will enjoy it. It needs a new home. Are all those 25/50 in your collection?
Carlos I have a flamed 25/50 mint unsold with plastic still on the pickguard. I would trade it towards your burst? What year is your burst?