Authenticating an Early 1970s Fender Stratocaster

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  • Опубліковано 27 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 356

  • @lfscrazy
    @lfscrazy Рік тому +9

    The date code on the neck is 74, not 72. Info on the internet is wrong. In 73/74, the last digit is the year, not the second last digit.
    In 1972, they were still putting the large date codes eg NOV72B.
    Also, the pot confirms this is a 74 guitar. Probably an early 74 given that it has 73 pickups.
    Great sounding guitar! I have a 74 trem version in exaclty the same color with nearly as much wear and also sounds glorious. It weighs 8lb. The serial number on mine is 52xxxx, they were all over the place in those days. I've seen 55xxxx on '76 guitars.

  • @MrHeliosoul
    @MrHeliosoul 3 роки тому +38

    The videos in this channel keep getting better and better, with this one being one of best, most polished and refined yet. Much love and please keep them coming!

  • @PowerInOne22
    @PowerInOne22 3 роки тому +1

    Those headstocks are a thing of beauty with the discoloration and the finish checking.

  • @z6nestudio
    @z6nestudio 3 роки тому +2

    I want a hardtail Strat so badly. This one looks great. It aged beautifully!

  • @philjones2981
    @philjones2981 3 роки тому +2

    Thanks for pulling this apart. have a 70's tele that I've been reluctant to get under the covers. Now I know what I'm looking for I may pull out the screwdriver. many thanks

  • @randomaussie1989
    @randomaussie1989 Рік тому +1

    Thanks mate love your guitars and content keep it up and I'll keep watching

  • @Keithrrr
    @Keithrrr Рік тому +1

    Thanks for taking the time to show us under the hood of an early 70s strat. Pretty cool to see.

  • @generatornoiseheavy_a6546
    @generatornoiseheavy_a6546 3 роки тому +1

    It’s educational and entertaining to see all the bits and pieces of electric guitars...

  • @tylerstockrahm3570
    @tylerstockrahm3570 3 роки тому +2

    Very cool guitar. Olympic white is probably my favorite fender color and I think it's so cool how they turn yellow. I had a 1990 les paul that was originally alpine white that turned about the same color yellow as this one. Keep the videos coming!

  • @jonlavigne3270
    @jonlavigne3270 3 роки тому +1

    Still one of my favorite Strats that I've seen.

  • @pauleddy5146
    @pauleddy5146 3 роки тому +3

    Nice score on the '74. Looks pretty good over all. Sounded great on the last video. It's a player!

  • @beatlesfan1963
    @beatlesfan1963 3 роки тому +10

    I really enjoy your videos. You don't dumb anything down, yet, you don't need to be a luthier to understand what you're doing. I really appreciate what you're doing. I'm building a strat almost from scratch (finished body and neck) because of folks like you inspiring me to get to know more about guitars.

  • @colonelbrando
    @colonelbrando 3 роки тому +1

    I really like the early 70's pickup sound!

  • @luthravin4774
    @luthravin4774 3 роки тому +4

    One things for sure that guitar lived in a smoky environment..only a pot replacement.. that’s great news..thanks for sharing Matt!! Awesomeness

  • @tomfowler8389
    @tomfowler8389 3 роки тому +2

    So cool to find an old strat with wear like that one. Probably cheaper than a custom shop guitar too!

  • @bryancollins6796
    @bryancollins6796 2 роки тому +1

    Recently I came across at 1974 Strat with trem. This one in this video has exactly the same characteristics as the one I saw. So it's authentic. The differing dates on parts were common by then. All of those dates are important in supporting the serial number but likely will not closely match. The early 3 Bolt/Bullet truss rod guitars are frequently great sounding but by the time the black plastic parts Strats appeared qualify definately decreased overall. So keep in mind with 70s Strats - just cause they're old doesn't make them good but also don't ignore a shot at one from this era either.

  • @MrTonicAmps
    @MrTonicAmps 3 роки тому +3

    Very cool guitar Matthew! I have a 74 hardtail that I have owned since 1993. Was main main guitar for many many moons and loads of gigs. Love hardtail Strats!!

  • @populustremula7496
    @populustremula7496 3 роки тому +9

    Another interesting video. I’m not a big Strat fan but vintage guitars are in a class by themselves no matter who made them. Keep’em coming and I’ll keep watching them.

  • @Anode230
    @Anode230 6 місяців тому

    Really love this video.
    I'm a huge fan of 70's Strats (dream guitar), and this is just brilliant. Keep on with great content!

  • @wjewell63
    @wjewell63 3 роки тому +1

    oh man that's another cool guitar......thanks Mathew we do appreciate it.....

  • @orlandogonzalez-uw8ps
    @orlandogonzalez-uw8ps 3 роки тому +6

    Congrats on scoring another cool vintage guitar. It is interesting to see the story of these guitars come to life.

  • @Dooms98-p2k
    @Dooms98-p2k 3 роки тому +1

    Probably one of the cooler looking Strats you have

  • @littvay
    @littvay 3 роки тому

    Super nice. My dad’s 79 is getting a refin now. It was stripped a long time ago. This will help.

  • @michaelscarn3258
    @michaelscarn3258 3 роки тому +17

    Awesome video Matthew I live the 70s Stratocaster because of Blackmore and Hendrix

    • @michaelscarn3258
      @michaelscarn3258 3 роки тому +3

      @@fadedbluejeans3680 no he only broke/set fire to about 3 of his guitars and they were all pre cbs strats. You’ll find that his favourite strat was always his black 1968 (I think that’s the year) CBS strat as he liked the maple necks. That’s why he called it the black beauty.

    • @THE-SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
      @THE-SLAUGHTERHOUSE. 3 роки тому +1

      Great guitar's right before the quality started to fade, and sadly even "James Marshall Hendrix" aka. Jimmi Hendrix didn't get much use with one because he died the year it came out.!

    • @neilmacke4039
      @neilmacke4039 3 роки тому

      Me too

  • @antoine2333
    @antoine2333 3 роки тому +1

    Hello Matthew, thanks very much for your vidéos. I love 70's Strats mainly because of the truss rod which make the settings more easier, they sound really great ! See you on your next vidéo

  • @whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306
    @whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306 3 роки тому +1

    Oh I meant to thank you for doing this. I was one of those who replied on your last vid to please do the authentication tear down and as expected you didn't disappoint. It helped confirm the originality of mine which I was pretty certain was correct but Fender has been known to throw curve balls and then you have people who post misinformation so the more we see torn apart the better it makes for researching/authenticating. You got a good one there.. highly unmolested.

  • @jacksoneverage7163
    @jacksoneverage7163 3 роки тому +2

    Sometime in the future you’ll need to compare your favorite 70’s Strat to your favorite Strat period. Cool video and the sound is great. Keep on making these videos

  • @tylermrhandon
    @tylermrhandon 3 роки тому +4

    Sure you get this a lot, but I just got to give you props. Your videos are always something I look forward to seeing thumbnails of. Love the vintage stuff. Keep on keeping on my dude🤙🏻

  • @Mordi-Benhamou
    @Mordi-Benhamou 3 роки тому

    I have a 1974 that looks a lot like this. She was blonde too, but I hated the color, so I did what's forbidden: I painted her. Thank you for your video Mathieu. Mordi

  • @bruceducker2029
    @bruceducker2029 3 роки тому

    Thanks for the trip into the guts. Interesting the mix of dates. Keep up the content.

  • @stephenschutte7070
    @stephenschutte7070 3 роки тому +1

    Great job...funny how many different years the parts are. Love the vintage Strats and Pauls!!

  • @duanewelsh5611
    @duanewelsh5611 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks Matthew. Enjoyed the look inside. Very cool guitar, look forward to the next video.

  • @stevedowler2366
    @stevedowler2366 3 роки тому +2

    A 70s Strat that looks good right from the start! Must have been played a lot with the fret wear and body sweat and rub wear but whoever had it still took good care. I appreciate your attention to dating details and depth of knowledge on that. Also loved that road-worn Bassman in the video behind you :) Cheers, sideman

  • @briano.5746
    @briano.5746 3 роки тому

    Sweet Strat , I keep forgetting it's a hardtail. Can't wait to see ya plug her in!
    ✌👽👍🧠🎸🎼🎵🎶🌌♾

  • @JC-11111
    @JC-11111 3 роки тому

    50s contour > 70s contour. I absolutely love the way the early Strats look when looking at them from the forearm contour.

  • @_RLP
    @_RLP 3 роки тому

    Lovely upload, Matt. Thanks for sharing.

  • @darrenlivy
    @darrenlivy 3 роки тому +20

    Cool guitar, glad you didn't find too many replacement parts.

  • @SammyFender
    @SammyFender 3 роки тому +1

    72,73,74! My high school years! And a hard tail! What I wouldn’t give for that one!! I think I’d give up 13 of my 16 for that one!!

  • @ariellise
    @ariellise Рік тому

    hey, your videos are amazing! I really enjoy watching them

  • @kevinbrennen6773
    @kevinbrennen6773 3 роки тому

    Fantastic detail, thanks brother. Can't wait to hear it!!!!

  • @markgregory52
    @markgregory52 3 роки тому

    Nice to see the insides of this one. Thanks for taking the time to share.

  • @MikeJones-jr5hb
    @MikeJones-jr5hb 3 роки тому +2

    Awesome find! I love my Stratocasters, I got 3 made in USA but my oldest is only 2001-2002 old, It has two Seymore Duncan humbuckers on it. It's my favorite.

  • @livergen
    @livergen 2 роки тому

    Thank you Matthew, it's always so fascinating to watch you carefully look under the hood with these guitars. I'm 68 years old, I actually had an addiction Of owning so many guitars at a time in my life. I wish I had just 1% of the many instruments from back in the day, fenders, Gibsons, they would be quite a pricey investment monetarily if I had held onto them.
    I love watching your channel because I had at one time owned all those myself, I'm now down to one telecaster, one Stratocaster, one twin reverb amp, one vox amp , A standard & Fischman amplifier. Back in the day I would take my dual channel 100 W amplifier with a y-cord ,, Plug-in to both channels and rock the neighborhood, That's probably how noise ordinances were born 😎....
    Anyway, it would actually tickle me today to tear into my old guitars having the insights you share with all of us , You're a great guy Matthew and a wonderful spirit, stay blessed and keep yourself safe. We all love the journey you so humbly share with us.

  • @barrygoins6900
    @barrygoins6900 3 роки тому

    Glad u decided to do this thanks

  • @leonthompson8988
    @leonthompson8988 3 роки тому +1

    I always loved the sound of the 70s strat pups. I had a rhythm guitarist in Australia who had one. He played it through a Carvin copy of a mesa Boogie amp. It was so chimey and bell like on the clean channel and great on the overdrive channel with no pedals. The bonus was he sounded like EC when he sang the old Clapton tunes. His strat neck had a slight twist which apparently was common in the 60s and 70s. That's why Mighty Mite got started with their replacement necks and bodies. I think Boogie bodies started in the 70s as well. Peace and God bless y'all

  • @druwk
    @druwk 3 роки тому +2

    I think cleaning up the wiring, pots, and frets is a good enough reason to inspect the guitar 😉 also, if you’re going to gig/play this beast, having her ready to go, and reliable is a must.
    Pickups are really funny? Lower output vs higher output? This guitar sounds great, clear and articulate…guess that’s why there are pedals! Get the best of both worlds.

  • @Sammywhat
    @Sammywhat 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you, Matthew! Looking forward to hearing it again!!

  • @buckellard
    @buckellard Рік тому

    Beautiful guitar. I like the hardtail. Cool how it's got all the different year parts from the factory. Very nice sound.

  • @stu-j
    @stu-j 3 роки тому +2

    Great strat for sure! I've been after a lefty hard tail strat for years but never seem to find one that ticks all the boxes for me. I only ever see them in sunburst but really want a light blue! I love 70s fenders and ive had my lefty white telecaster since the late 80s 33 years almost to the day as i got it for my 16th birthday in 1988 ( 16th of August). Mine is in a bit better shape but is played in just not dirty lol its had a re fret and is desperate for another so going stainless next time. And for my 49th birthday my wife bought me a lefty gold top les paul standard! One lucky dude..

  • @ziggylayneable
    @ziggylayneable 3 роки тому

    Respect you Matthew for taking the thought to say ahead of time while you were taking this guitar apart cuz luthier's like us now understand that you have no bad intent and it's totally acceptable in my eyes personally older my opinion doesn't count for anything LOL

  • @steveg.3022
    @steveg.3022 3 роки тому

    Thanks for opening it up. Always cool to see the history from the inside.

  • @FreddyFuFu
    @FreddyFuFu 3 роки тому

    TY for sharing your passion

  • @lisanagel9424
    @lisanagel9424 3 роки тому +2

    Great content. Loved seeing this 70’s guitar authentication!

  • @corneliuscrewe677
    @corneliuscrewe677 3 роки тому

    Man, there is a lot of bucket list features on that guitar for me. Maple neck, blonde body, HARDTAIL!!! Yes please....

  • @corneliuscrewe677
    @corneliuscrewe677 3 роки тому

    The marks you refer to in the pickup cover are witness marks from the ejector pins in the injection molding process.

  • @paulrawnsley3963
    @paulrawnsley3963 3 роки тому +3

    Really enjoyed that. Especially the solder work insert - I enjoy watching crafts-people doing their thing; I don't need voice-overs or music, just a good clear view. Your channel has become so good and the quality difference between 10k subs to now (145k) is not that different, but much more polished. Always a fan.

  • @KimmeU
    @KimmeU 3 роки тому

    That's an nice Fender Statocaster Hardtail from the early seventies (My birthyear is '73, so that's on my guitar wishlist).
    Nice video and keep' em coming... 😉

    • @jayreed1493
      @jayreed1493 2 роки тому

      I think it’s a 74 Fender with 73 pups

  • @bennyjones1597
    @bennyjones1597 3 роки тому

    I had a 1973 Fender Stratocaster it was so cool

  • @telecasterbear
    @telecasterbear Рік тому

    I just purchased a 1975 precision bass. Pots and pickup are 1974. Stripped alder body. The rosewood fingerboard neck with the super dark aged nitro face, dates to 1972 according to the eight digit heel stamp.

  • @stevemehanmusic
    @stevemehanmusic 3 роки тому

    Great look into a cool old Strat!

  • @secretdaisy6484
    @secretdaisy6484 3 роки тому

    I really enjoy looking at the innards if vintage guitars. Also appreciate your explanations. Keep making videos 📼. 👍☮️🌞🌟🎸

  • @jefftaylor2595
    @jefftaylor2595 3 роки тому +1

    Love watching your authentication process and the new over head camera setup really enhances the quality of your videos. Always educational and strangely relaxing. Peace!

  • @dtrude000
    @dtrude000 3 роки тому

    Matthew, don't listen those who poo poo what you do about opening up vintage instruments, those things were built for one purpose, to be played, and you do that extraordinary well. Love what you do and the way you think. Just see a before and after of your salvation Les Paul need I say more . Well I will a greater percentage of people would have seen a beaten piece of junk , not you. Right now I am in the middle of restoring a mid 70s Gibson Heartage Clasic acoustic cracks in the top , cracks in the back and I need to pull the neck and do a reset and a refret, most likely remove the back to do the crack repairs. Rosewood back and sides Spruce top ebony board and mustache bridge with pearl inlays. Labor of love. Keep it up best of luck to you Sir, PS more of your playing please.

  • @nickwebb9290
    @nickwebb9290 3 роки тому +3

    Really really like your videos Matthew and they’re getting even better.
    Looking forward to the next one about this lovely old Strat 👍

  • @tonepilot
    @tonepilot 3 роки тому +1

    That low e looks like it’s falling off the frets. Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

  • @mikes062
    @mikes062 3 роки тому +7

    Unless it’s a museum quality piece who cares if it’s been taken apart! unless you break or change something nothing is going to be affected and you can also verify and authenticate what the guitar is and I’d rather have that info. When it comes down to it its your guitar and you know your stuff! That thing is pretty sweet!! The color is awesome too!

  • @hkguitar1984
    @hkguitar1984 3 роки тому

    Thanks again Matthew.

  • @markgenest6206
    @markgenest6206 3 роки тому

    The vids are consistently great Matt- well done and well researched so correct info is getting lit there

  • @yjmsrv
    @yjmsrv 3 роки тому

    You found another awesome one there Matt!

  • @reggiemurphy1523
    @reggiemurphy1523 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you brother Matthew for the history lessons and breathing life into these older guitars. It plays and sounded amazing before the adjustments. Keep doing what you do!

  • @guitfinger
    @guitfinger 2 роки тому +1

    great guitar. Maybe one correction: in summer 71 Fender changed the decal, there was no more "synchronized tremolo" but only one patent number on all strats, trem or hardtail

  • @OnTheFritz602
    @OnTheFritz602 3 роки тому

    Very cool, looking forward to the next video!

  • @jeremydicker6613
    @jeremydicker6613 3 роки тому +1

    Lurv this guitar...always wanted a 70s strat with the big headstock..❤

  • @motorosso3349
    @motorosso3349 3 роки тому

    Thanks for posting this one. I think the date code on the neck shows early 1974.

  • @bluzzjazz
    @bluzzjazz 3 роки тому

    Hey Mathew, I have Strat that I've owned since 1976, I traded an Ibanez Flying V, a Peavey 4x12 cab and $150 bucks for it. IT was original except a multi-colored custom paint job. I always thought it was a 67. After finally taking it apart, the neck, neck plate, pots have different neck codes from 67-69. Since most Fender guitars are component and not set necks, they often used parts that were made in different years. Anyway I researched what the neck stamp means on a late 60s neck since it was not a straight forward code. This is what I found.
    First two umbers are the guitar code, the next series of numbers is the production number, the next three are month/year. The final character is a letter that designates the neck carve. So mine looks like this......22 196 109 B
    22 code for Strat 196 Production# 10/9 Oct/69 B Carve
    For all the knock on CBS Strats, I've never played a Strat that sounded or felt better in my hands.

  • @danielanzalone5163
    @danielanzalone5163 3 роки тому

    Great video and i cant wait to hear the finished product!

  • @mistaklean3762
    @mistaklean3762 3 роки тому +1

    Looks like that ol girl has spent some time hanging out in smokey bar rooms. Nice score Matt ✌

  • @michaelmitchell5909
    @michaelmitchell5909 3 роки тому

    Beautiful guitar man....awesome color...

  • @steveyoung9491
    @steveyoung9491 3 роки тому

    Hey Matthew, thanks for the video, really interesting to see how you work with older guitars, I like the way you explain what and why you do things, keep it up. Cheers Steve

  • @hopper1
    @hopper1 3 роки тому

    The circular indentations on the bottom of the pickup covers are from ejection pins in the die which was used to make the covers. Plastic injection molding specifically. You'll find ejector pin marks on metal die cast parts as well.

  • @garyrouleau4676
    @garyrouleau4676 3 роки тому

    DUDE! I’ve been waiting all week for this!!! 🤪👍👍

  • @armata6530
    @armata6530 3 роки тому

    This was super fascinating, thanks for showing this process

  • @Zac.J
    @Zac.J 3 роки тому

    Looks great! Handy tips too

  • @oscarmartin5412
    @oscarmartin5412 3 роки тому

    Great video Matt, and good job. Peace!

  • @IslandsPC-hf8nd
    @IslandsPC-hf8nd 2 роки тому

    I had the twin to this guitar. I wish I would have kept it. Love the vids.

  • @Tonetwisters
    @Tonetwisters 3 роки тому +1

    Gorgeous color on that Stratocaster. And in the '60s, you had to gouge out the pickguard to get to the truss rod, just as you do today. Put a bridge on that, replacing the pot metal with cold rolled steel and it will really sing! I have a '73 version and other than really needing a fret job, it is a great guitar with a vintage Fender replacement bridge.

  • @DrDooDah
    @DrDooDah 3 роки тому

    Beautiful guitar, nice video. Many thanks, dude!

  • @farmerone3710
    @farmerone3710 3 роки тому

    I have been critical of your tone in the past but this one sounds pretty good. That strat is spitting some serious fire.

    • @jeramym9506
      @jeramym9506 3 роки тому

      Please post your tone so we can compare.

    • @saginawdan
      @saginawdan 3 роки тому

      @@jeramym9506 LOL - really.

    • @farmerone3710
      @farmerone3710 3 роки тому

      @@jeramym9506 you'll be ok, build a bridge and get over it bro

  • @barryengle12666
    @barryengle12666 3 роки тому

    Awesome. I love this guitar, super excellent find man!!!

  • @jimiadamec
    @jimiadamec 3 роки тому

    Great video very cool..sweet guitar 🎸.

  • @saginawdan
    @saginawdan 3 роки тому

    I really enjoy these types of videos - thanks!!! 🎸😁🎸

  • @jimbeaux4988
    @jimbeaux4988 3 роки тому

    I think I had one very similar to this when I was a teenager. Traded it away. Same color and all.

  • @shaindaman13
    @shaindaman13 2 роки тому

    Cool! I was born the 33rd week of 72

  • @paulwhickerthetallvicar
    @paulwhickerthetallvicar 3 роки тому

    Love old guitars and that one looks great. Also some good insights into what to look for.

  • @rosskirkes5470
    @rosskirkes5470 3 роки тому

    I have the sister (brother?) to this guitar. Olympic white, hardtail, strat w 3 position switch. I think it's a 1974. It was purchased new in 1976 for my 12th birthday. I'd love for you to see it!

  • @CamMead
    @CamMead 3 роки тому

    Nice one man enjoyed checking it out

  • @straight8ight
    @straight8ight 3 роки тому

    Well done once again Mathew. I have a hard tail. Love it. Thanks

  • @jarojasn
    @jarojasn 3 роки тому

    I love your videos as I’m living vicariously through them and your vintage finds. Ironically I’m from the time when nobody wanted a ‘70s Fender because of the inconsistencies. However, I am now aware that today we are farther away from the 70s than I was from the 50s, at the time. That makes me old and that means my own gear is vintage or approaching vintage.
    Keep it up, Peace

    • @pulaski1
      @pulaski1 3 роки тому

      I think about the "years ago" in respect of music too - there is obviously still a big following today of artists from the 60's and 70's, even among people who weren't _even alive_ when the bands were recording, but I am reasonably certain at that time, 40-50+ years ago, that music even from as recent as the late 50's sounded terribly dated, and that only your grandparents were listening to it.

    • @jarojasn
      @jarojasn 3 роки тому

      @@pulaski1 in the 70s we were living a nostalgia for the 50s, thinks Grease, the tv show Happy Days, and bands like Sha-Na-Na. In the 80s-90s the 60s were the golden era of rock music, with bands like Moody Blues and Pink Floyd still performing. My Gen Z child now believes that having lived through the 80s must have been the absolute coolest, and it kinda was. Only it didn’t feel like it at the time. Before I ramble on too much, I enjoy seeing Matt’s videos and can’t get over the fact that 20 years ago you couldn’t trade in an 80s Kramer or Ibanez electric, but now theirs a market for them. SMH

    • @pulaski1
      @pulaski1 3 роки тому +1

      @@jarojasn 20 Years ago my record collection wasn't worth it's weight in scrap vinyl. Today cheap reissued LPs I bought in the 80''s, of albums from the 70's, are listed on eBay for five _times_ what I paid for them!
      But to your observation about 70's nostalgia for the 50's proves my point - today's nostalgia seems to be for the 70's +/- _i.e._ 40-50 years ago, not the 20 years ago that people looked back to in the 70's.

  • @vadenk4433
    @vadenk4433 3 роки тому

    I had the same scenario on mine- same beginning #55 serial number with 73 pickups and 74 pots. There are definitely some good ones out there. I just stay away from any natural finish because Fender used absurdly heavy swamp ash in that era. I think that’s where a lot of the 1970’s Strats being called boat anchors come from. And since natural finishes were big in the 70’s a high percentage of the Strats you find for sale are made of ash.

  • @gmc8460
    @gmc8460 3 роки тому

    I`d say the neck is a 74 also Matt, those last two numbers can be swapped at times i`m told.. 74 strat with 73 pickups. love it.