Fender "The Strat"

[arath060]

Recently saw a 1981 Candy Apple Red Fender "The Strat" appear in the local ads, and it caught quite a bit of my attention. It states the pickguard was replaced along with the entire wiring. The gold knobs, saddles, & nut are gone too. The finish has a lot of wear and checking and looks great in my opinion. Wondering how much it's worth now and how hard it is to source those X-1 pickups and the rotary switch plus all the hardware. It's one of my favorite models and it's in my favorite finish, any info is appreciated.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

Very cool, I'd scoop it up if the price is right. I think Mincer has one? The alleged story on that one is that Fender ended up in a negative financial position due to the amount of actual gold in the hardware, but I have no clue how credible that is. Even without, I'd love to own just for it being one of the last few years of Fullerton Fenders, plus a unique model w/ matched headstock.

 

[arath060]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

It's a real nice axe. If I recall the headstocks are actually the incorrect shape from attempting to go back to the pre-64 headstocks. I would love to grab it if it's issues with the pickups/hardware are an easy fix.

EDIT: Guy wants $1000 for it. Anyone know if this is is a good deal?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

I do have one! It was my only electric for over 20 years, yet still looks brand new. Mine is an 82 in Sapphire Blue, which is sort of a rare color for these- they were originally in candy red, white, and Lake Placid Blue. Even more rare are the all-walnut ones. The X-1 pickup is certainly rare, as is the wiring, which is about as convoluted as you can get. The pic you have is of an early one with silver tuners- they had these silver tuners, but all other hardware was gold. If everything was replaced, I wouldn't think it would be worth much, though. They were made of northern ash, and the bodies were pretty heavy.

 

[arath060]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

I do have one! It was my only electric for over 20 years, yet still looks brand new. Mine is an 82 in Sapphire Blue, which is sort of a rare color for these- they were originally in candy red, white, and Lake Placid Blue. Even more rare are the all-walnut ones. The X-1 pickup is certainly rare, as is the wiring, which is about as convoluted as you can get. The pic you have is of an early one with silver tuners- they had these silver tuners, but all other hardware was gold. If everything was replaced, I wouldn't think it would be worth much, though. They were made of northern ash, and the bodies were pretty heavy.

Yep, the guy told me he just traded it, damn shame cause I was almost ready to go for it. However this did give me an idea...


Maybe find the bare neck and body of a squier classic vibe 50's in candy apple red w/ matching headstock. The most difficult thing would be finding an X-1 Pickup for the bridge & the rotary switch. I've seen the wiring diagrams online too. Wouldn't be exact but might get you close.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

It's erring cool. Get it!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

Yeah, the wiring inside is sort of a mess...and that 2 position switch had to be a custom component. I am not sure how all that gold plated brass contributes to the tone (or the weight), but the specs of the X-1 with 7.06 Kohms was considered 'hot' at the time. You can probably find something close if you can't find an X-1. Occasionally they are for sale around $100 US on ebay and reverb. I honestly think the switch will be the hardest to find. There might be other ways to do the wiring, though.
In addition to the standard Strat 5 way, you have these options:


1. Neck & Middle Pickups in Series.

2. Middle & Bridge Pickups in Series.

3. Neck & Bridge Pickups in Parallel.

4. Neck & Bridge Pickups in Parallel, with Middle Pickup in Series.

I am not a big fan of the series positions... they are way too muddy and not 'stratty' enough for me, though.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

S1 Switch?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Fender "The Strat"

I am not sure if an S1 can do what this switch does in the schematic. If anyone knows if it can, let me know.