I just bought a 1979 Strat. I'm really digging it, and like you said, all the "issues" don't bother me at all. Mine is 9.7 lbs. Heavy! Funny, as soon as you demonstrated the neck jerk, I did it on mine and heard it click into place. Thank you!
I went back and forth on this for months before buying my first Strat. I reallllly wanted a 70’s Strat but the shortcomings you mentioned and price just couldn’t get me there. I bought an Antigua Vintera ii 70’s reissue and I’m really happy with it. It’s a hardtail as well. Very impressed for the price I paid.
Glad you got something you like! Vintage guitar collecting is a bit of a gamble. I'm always wondering if these crazy prices will last after all us boomers are gone.
70's strats have a very caracteristic tone. Main change in tone appeared in 1975 when staggered pole piece of pickups were replaced by flattered pole pieces, wich changed the tone for a more "thicker" and powerfull sound ! Never forget that "alchemy" of end 70 strats result from combination with flat pole PU and heavy northern ash bodies. Of course you can get very well finished guitars ( especially around 1978 to 1980 ) as you can find " dead hanging hams" too... I remembered a translucent red 1980 Strat with perfectly matched 3 pieces heavy ash body, no gap in neck to body junction, tonefull thick 16 mm headstock and... nice flamed mapple flat-sawn neck ! A true jewell ! But, of course, it weighted...huge ! But WHAT A FU...N' TONE !
The two 70s Strats I own are excellent sounding, playing instruments, but they aren't even in the ballpark with a 61 Strat I had for about 6 months. I also have a "parts" strat that sounds excellent. It's got an ash body and Fralin blues pickups.
I've got a new American Vintage II -series '73 stratocaster and it's truly an awesome guitar! I've never played a better stratocaster. It feels solid, it has a solid construction. I also had an American Vintage II '61 stratocaster, but it was wonky and flimsy and I sold it.
ciao, ho una Stratocaster del 76 , comprata da me nel 76 e per me è la chitarra migliore di tutte, sento quelle moderne e non sono cattive come la mia, ora usano molti pedali per effetti ma negli anni 70 se avevi il whawha era già tanto. Con il Marshall e la Starocaster attaccata a tutto volume non serviva il distorsore e la gente impazziva. Un saluto dall'Italia amico 👍
When they were selling for $350-$800, I got two. I don't think I would pay what people are asking these days for one. I do wonder how long the vintage guitar thing can last.
They have been bad mouthed since they first came out. They are definitely inferior to those from the 50s and 60s. That's why so many of us started putting together "parts-casters" in the 70s and 80s. Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, Warmoth, Allparts, Mighty Mite, and many others likely are thankful.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Good enough for Blackmore, Malmsteen, Trower, The Edge, Tipton, Hendrix, good enough for me.
Me too. The best one I ever played was a 61, though. It was scary good, playing and sounding.
Geniuses will play what's available to them, it doesn't say much about the quality of the gear in general.
No. Too heavy
Sure. 'Cause those guys played off-the-rack guitars.
What a fantastic video as always have a great weekend also happy last week of January from Canada ❤😊
Thanks! Happy last week to you from Western Pennsylvania.
I just bought a 1979 Strat. I'm really digging it, and like you said, all the "issues" don't bother me at all. Mine is 9.7 lbs. Heavy! Funny, as soon as you demonstrated the neck jerk, I did it on mine and heard it click into place. Thank you!
Cool! A great start into the vintage guitar world.
I went back and forth on this for months before buying my first Strat. I reallllly wanted a 70’s Strat but the shortcomings you mentioned and price just couldn’t get me there. I bought an Antigua Vintera ii 70’s reissue and I’m really happy with it. It’s a hardtail as well. Very impressed for the price I paid.
Glad you got something you like! Vintage guitar collecting is a bit of a gamble. I'm always wondering if these crazy prices will last after all us boomers are gone.
Folks also complain about the oversized head stock which I love. Very informative video. I want one so bad. 😢
They are one of the few reasonably affordable semi-vintage guitars. That is compared to 60s Fenders.
70's strats have a very caracteristic tone.
Main change in tone appeared in 1975 when staggered pole piece of pickups were replaced by flattered pole pieces, wich changed the tone for a more "thicker" and powerfull sound ! Never forget that "alchemy" of end 70 strats result from combination with flat pole PU and heavy northern ash bodies.
Of course you can get very well finished guitars ( especially around 1978 to 1980 ) as you can find " dead hanging hams" too...
I remembered a translucent red 1980 Strat with perfectly matched 3 pieces heavy ash body, no gap in neck to body junction, tonefull thick 16 mm headstock and... nice flamed mapple flat-sawn neck ! A true jewell ! But, of course, it weighted...huge ! But WHAT A FU...N' TONE !
The two 70s Strats I own are excellent sounding, playing instruments, but they aren't even in the ballpark with a 61 Strat I had for about 6 months. I also have a "parts" strat that sounds excellent. It's got an ash body and Fralin blues pickups.
I love the 70s strats. Every one I’ve had have been great guitars Only complaint would be the weight of a lot of them
I can relate. I have a heavy 73 sunburst, and a really light 76 black hardtail.
I've got a new American Vintage II -series '73 stratocaster and it's truly an awesome guitar! I've never played a better stratocaster. It feels solid, it has a solid construction. I also had an American Vintage II '61 stratocaster, but it was wonky and flimsy and I sold it.
I'm not up on the new Fender vintage stuff. Sounds like they fixed all the issues. I'm going to check them out. Thanks!
70s Fenders are highly variable in quality.
That is certainly true.
Brighton Music Center? Are you from Pittsburgh?
Hopewell/Aliquippa.
Does Fender presently offer a 12lb Strat with a loose neck-pocket?
Ha! I hope not.
ciao, ho una Stratocaster del 76 , comprata da me nel 76 e per me è la chitarra migliore di tutte, sento quelle moderne e non sono cattive come la mia, ora usano molti pedali per effetti ma negli anni 70 se avevi il whawha era già tanto. Con il Marshall e la Starocaster attaccata a tutto volume non serviva il distorsore e la gente impazziva. Un saluto dall'Italia amico 👍
My effects chain until the late 80s was guitar-wah-echoplex-amp. Turn the amp up and put a moving quilt over the speaker cab. It was glorious.
Yes
When they were selling for $350-$800, I got two. I don't think I would pay what people are asking these days for one. I do wonder how long the vintage guitar thing can last.
Well done Bob.
Thanks Chuck!
Unless someone has a couple of hundred, untouched, off-the-rack, spread-across-the-70s Strats, this question will never be answered.
They have been bad mouthed since they first came out. They are definitely inferior to those from the 50s and 60s. That's why so many of us started putting together "parts-casters" in the 70s and 80s. Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, Warmoth, Allparts, Mighty Mite, and many others likely are thankful.
The question has been answered again and again