Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

[Pastor of Muppets]

Despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Strat hater I found myself strangely drawn to this one and bought it dirt cheap...it's an E Series MIJ but that's all I know about it. Being a predominantly LP player I know nothing about Strats, so can someone please tell me what the difference is between the various year models, as they all look pretty much the same to me...

Cheers!

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

I hate you... I can never find cheap 80's MIJ strats despite spending hours trawling Ebay for one.

Nice score by the way, you won't like it so sell it to me

Someone will chime in on different models but I think its just which years model it emulates - certain models were only maple necks, rosewood came later, how many ply the pickguard is and how many screws, size of headstock etc

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

That's a sweet Strat. "62" and "rosewood" generally go together.

I'm a Tele guy, and don't have much use for Strats, but if I owned one, it'd look a lot like that.

 

[Pastor of Muppets]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

Cheers guys - I'm not Strat man either but this one just looked right, and I have an E Series Tele so I know how good the early MIJs are...especially for £240 inc. shipping.

So, maybe a '62 reissue? Thanks Rich.

Lu - did you see these two? I think the first one is a relist too...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-Fender-S...ryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-STRATO...ryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

Cheers guys - I'm not Strat man either but this one just looked right, and I have an E Series Tele so I know how good the early MIJs are...especially for £240 inc. shipping.

So, maybe a '62 reissue? Thanks Rich.

Lu - did you see these two? I think the first one is a relist too...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-Fender-S...ryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-STRATO...ryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Both on my watch list!! Fancy the first one as I have a set of 'lil hummers waiting for a donor strat

Have my eye on this one too http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120213487849&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

 

[Gamera]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

They're all really subtle differences. Different finishes, neck profiles and pickups are the real variations. As far as I know as a general guide, 50's Strats have maple boards, 60's have rosewood boards, and 70's have the giant headstock. 70's era Strats had some other cost-cutting measures like a 3-bolt neck.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

I'm a big fan of the '62 (I just really dig strats with rosewood fretboards).

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

Personally, I like the 50's strats best, other than the tiny frets. I love the feel of the maple board, it's real smooth.

Careful playin that strat bro, you might actually like it. I was a LP guy thru and thru until I got a nice strat. Now I find myself diggin the strat more these days. The only problem with strats is they don't sound as good as LPs.

 

[Stratovarious]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

The only problem with strats is they don't sound as good as LPs.

hahahaha jks jks


um 50's strats generally used maple
as fender didnt make them with anything else back then (for the most part)
in the 60's they introduced rosewood fretboards so thats considered a "defining feature" of the era hence it being used on the 60's classic series and the 62' reissues and all that

and yeah the 70's
huge headstock and the the 3 bolt neck
personally LOVE the huge headstock


yeah strats ARE tone monsters
they can sound like god
they got tone that can make you cry
dont think otherwise

 

[Pastor of Muppets]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

Careful playin that strat bro, you might actually like it. I was a LP guy thru and thru until I got a nice strat. Now I find myself diggin the strat more these days. The only problem with strats is they don't sound as good as LPs.

It's due back from the shop tomorrow (needed a new nut), so I can A/B it with my R7. Should be interesting

 

[Gamera]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

Legend has it that rosewood fretboards were the number one requested feature on Strats in the early days but Leo never really saw the need. Then one day he saw one of his maple necked Strats on TV and saw the wear marks and scuffed up maple of a well-played neck. Next day he decided to offer rosewood boards.

 

[Stratovarious]

Re: Strats...54, 59, 62...what's the difference?

Legend has it that rosewood fretboards were the number one requested feature on Strats in the early days but Leo never really saw the need. Then one day he saw one of his maple necked Strats on TV and saw the wear marks and scuffed up maple of a well-played neck. Next day he decided to offer rosewood boards.

and nowadays fender sells that feature for thousands of $

o what a worlddddddd
haha