Need Help authenticating 1976 Strat
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Re: Need Help authenticating 1976 Strat
I really like my 78 strat. I know all about the CBS era reputation but the neck on mine is fantastic. It's possibly heavier than my LP, it really is huge but it sounds great and plays great. IMO some of the negative reputation was merely because it was different and this is an industry that thrives on tradition. The only thing I really don't like on mine is the pickguard is closer to the strings than on my 62 RI and it's easy to dig too deep and hit it.
That said I'd look in to that neck a bit more because my 78 has the serial right under the word Fender on the top side. I don't know if that one should too but it should be checked in to. If it's the correct neck, and given that I'm not as opposed to CBS era guitars as some, I'd call it a $700 guitar. I think I have an original 74 PU for it if you buy it and are interested.
I really like my 78 strat. I know all about the CBS era reputation but the neck on mine is fantastic. It's possibly heavier than my LP, it really is huge but it sounds great and plays great. IMO some of the negative reputation was merely because it was different and this is an industry that thrives on tradition. The only thing I really don't like on mine is the pickguard is closer to the strings than on my 62 RI and it's easy to dig too deep and hit it.
That said I'd look in to that neck a bit more because my 78 has the serial right under the word Fender on the top side. I don't know if that one should too but it should be checked in to. If it's the correct neck, and given that I'm not as opposed to CBS era guitars as some, I'd call it a $700 guitar. I think I have an original 74 PU for it if you buy it and are interested.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Need Help authenticating 1976 Strat
Assuming all ‘70’s Fenders are junk is a mistake many make. Look at potential purchases like any other guitar. The pickups, bridge, and tuners are areas for improvement. Fender went to Schaller built tuners by ‘76, and if still tight and smooth can be left alone. The bridge is a single cast unit, but again is fine if the saddles and arm are problem free. You can brighten up the guitar some with a replacement bridge, but that boils down to the end user’s taste.
Things to look for are weight (if that is a concern), neck pocket fit and additional cost to bring out full potential. Will the neck need refretting? Does the truss rod work thru full range of motion? Has the body been modified?
I am very close to finishing my ‘75 restoration and you will some of the things I encountered
Assuming all ‘70’s Fenders are junk is a mistake many make. Look at potential purchases like any other guitar. The pickups, bridge, and tuners are areas for improvement. Fender went to Schaller built tuners by ‘76, and if still tight and smooth can be left alone. The bridge is a single cast unit, but again is fine if the saddles and arm are problem free. You can brighten up the guitar some with a replacement bridge, but that boils down to the end user’s taste.
Things to look for are weight (if that is a concern), neck pocket fit and additional cost to bring out full potential. Will the neck need refretting? Does the truss rod work thru full range of motion? Has the body been modified?
I am very close to finishing my ‘75 restoration and you will some of the things I encountered
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Need Help authenticating 1976 Strat
98% of the 70's Fenders I have repaired or tried have been......well great boat anchors!(and they have been numerous
)
But I have met the occasional normal functioning guitar, that needed very little help in getting back to playing shape.
Even the weight was quite ok, but the norm is bad neckpockets, uneven quality at best, extremely heavy with plingy tones and so on...no wonder the Japanese saw a market opportunity open up....
98% of the 70's Fenders I have repaired or tried have been......well great boat anchors!(and they have been numerous
)But I have met the occasional normal functioning guitar, that needed very little help in getting back to playing shape.
Even the weight was quite ok, but the norm is bad neckpockets, uneven quality at best, extremely heavy with plingy tones and so on...no wonder the Japanese saw a market opportunity open up....
Re: Need Help authenticating 1976 Strat
I have seen 70s strats in all original condition advertised for around £1800 in the UK, what they actually sold for is another thing though.
A friend of mine bought one in about 1983 and it seemed so heavy plus sounded so weak I always wondered if it was the real thing.
It ended being modded heavily with the fretboard replaced with a rosewood one, H/S/H and 5-way plus a body refin ( metallic blue instead of the horrid see-thru brown ).
Got to admit that I do like the larger headstock but 3 bolt necks are something I would steer clear of.
The Ibanez Blazer I bought around the same time was a far nicer guitar if you could see past the branding.
The original Squier series were also better IMO.
I have seen 70s strats in all original condition advertised for around £1800 in the UK, what they actually sold for is another thing though.
A friend of mine bought one in about 1983 and it seemed so heavy plus sounded so weak I always wondered if it was the real thing.
It ended being modded heavily with the fretboard replaced with a rosewood one, H/S/H and 5-way plus a body refin ( metallic blue instead of the horrid see-thru brown ).
Got to admit that I do like the larger headstock but 3 bolt necks are something I would steer clear of.
The Ibanez Blazer I bought around the same time was a far nicer guitar if you could see past the branding.
The original Squier series were also better IMO.
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