Authenticating an Early 1970s Fender Stratocaster

If you enjoy these videos, please consider leaving a comment and like. Thanks for watching me authenticate this early 1970s Fender Stratocaster guitar.
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2021 Gear:
1959 Sunburst Stratocaster
1958 Mary Kaye Stratocaster
1958 Gibson Les Paul
1959 Fender Esquire
1961 Olympic White Stratocaster
1964 Gibson Firebird I
1965 Gibson Dove
1959 Bassman
1964 Super Reverb
1968 Super Reverb
1969 Dual Showman

[@lfscrazy]

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.

[@darrenlivy]

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

[@MrHeliosoul]

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!

[@z6nestudio]

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

[@luthravin4774]

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

[@philjones2981]

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

[@PowerInOne22]

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

[@beatlesfan1963]

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.

[@pauleddy5146]

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

[@tomfowler8389]

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

[@tylerstockrahm3570]

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!

[@nickwebb9290]

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

[@doloresrohn4699]

Beautiful strat! Thanks for doing what you do, Matthew!

[@Keithrrr]

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

[@Sammywhat]

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

[@lisanagel9424]

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

[@orlandogonzalez-uw8ps]

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

[@armata6530]

This was super fascinating, thanks for showing this process

[@reggiemurphy1523]

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!

[@jefftaylor2595]

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!

[@generatornoiseheavy_a6546]

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

[@allentroxel9719]

I really enjoy videos like this. Keep up the great work.

[@garyrouleau4676]

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

[@steveg.3022]

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

[@georgebentley-ricardo9445]

Brilliant video Matthew, thanks for sharing. Love the detailed commentary, camera work and editing. 🎸🤠 PEACE

[@duanewelsh5611]

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

[@MrTonicAmps]

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!!

[@markgregory52]

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

[@SeanKerns]

Great video and cool guitar, Matthew. Thanks for doing this!

[@MikeJones-jr5hb]

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.

[@populustremula7496]

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.

[@Ukedc259]

Great vid. Love your content, and esp the old guitar tear downs.

[@paulhunter3247]

Nice work Matthew as always! Make me nervous to see these old instruments being taken apart, but you have a nice way of going about it to be fair to you, Enjoy your channel 👍

[@jayrad8321]

fascinating to hear about the details of all the components and history.

[@steveyoung9491]

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

[@paulrawnsley3963]

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.

[@kevinbrennen6773]

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

[@stephenschutte7070]

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

[@scottlunsford9426]

Great job , really enjoyed seeing this !!

[@danielanzalone5163]

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

[@richardcobb3307]

Very interesting and informative. I can understand the different date codes as some parts may have sat on a shelf for a while, especially a hard tail. Would love to watch you do the fret level and crown and polish work as I have just attempted my first venture into this job. Great video, keep them coming.

[@saginawdan]

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

[@barryengle12666]

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

[@wjewell63]

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

[@secretdaisy6484]

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

[@barrygoins6900]

Glad u decided to do this thanks

[@_RLP]

Lovely upload, Matt. Thanks for sharing.

[@steveperry3538]

Really enjoy these videos. Good work 👍

[@oscarmartin5412]

Great video Matt, and good job. Peace!

[@ariellise]

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

[@OnTheFritz602]

Very cool, looking forward to the next video!

[@DrDooDah]

Beautiful guitar, nice video. Many thanks, dude!

[@randomaussie1989]

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

[@thebudgetguitarist9721]

Your videos are very educational and your playing is awesome 🤙🎸

[@markgenest6206]

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

[@markgenest6206]

Oops- “out” there

[@jackchapman19806]

Great vid. Love the content. Keep 'em comin.

[@bruceducker2029]

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

[@Mordi_B]

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

[@tylermrhandon]

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🤙🏻

[@antoine2333]

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

[@jacksoneverage7163]

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

[@stevedowler2366]

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

[@LinkMassing]

Matt, you are just simply awesome and amazing.

[@yjmsrv]

You found another awesome one there Matt!

[@SixxiePlays]

Great find! I was hoping I’d see more on this 🎸 I actually cringed when you opened it up. Only because as a teen I destroyed so many guitars thinking if I jostled around the inner workings I could get a custom sound that no one else had. Thankfully most of my guitars back then were Strat/ Les Paul/ SG copies.

[@johnwylde2707]

I’ve just used this video to check out my ‘74 sunburst. Good to identify the authenticity and years of the pups (‘74), pots (‘73) and neck and body as ‘72. Keep making them Matthew. 🎸🤘

[@angel2of7death]

love these vids man

[@jonlavigne3270]

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

[@Zac.J]

Looks great! Handy tips too

[@paulwhickerthetallvicar]

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

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Awesome! Very interesting as always!🇨🇦

[@kellybennett1629]

Awesome and informative video ...as usual 😁

[@michaelscarn3258]

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

[@michaelscarn3258]

@@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.]

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]

Me too

[@CamMead]

Nice one man enjoyed checking it out

[@sngrytr1]

Another great video. Congrats on the nice 70’s Strat and what is obviously an inspiring instrument to play! Ive had a ‘79 Silver Anniversary for years now, and it is surprisingly only 7.6lbs, and a very resonant and nice playing Strat. I may pick another 70’s Strat if I find the right I one. Keep the great videos coming…🙂

[@stu-j]

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..

[@loumonte658]

Dude your channel is a gem in the KZbin land.🍻

[@davidpepper442]

Cool video Matthew!

[@pascalgalipeau8760]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@Anode230]

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!

[@straight8ight]

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

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

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.

[@livergen]

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.

[@johniacobelli6870]

As always great video, thanks

[@ericmay2d2]

Love the projects great videos

[@littvay]

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

[@hkguitar1984]

Thanks again Matthew.

[@jimiadamec]

Great video very cool..sweet guitar 🎸.

[@doster59]

Love the videos, keep it up.

[@michaelmitchell5909]

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

[@ernestschultz5065]

love your channel, dude.

[@michaelgreer4790]

Great stuff. Keep it coming.

[@buckellard]

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

[@FreddyFuFu]

TY for sharing your passion

[@druwk]

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.

[@PeterSpeak]

Thanks for the more detailed look!

[@andyryder5287]

Awesome work.

[@imSatsura]

Would've loved seeing you do the rest of the work on this guitar! Was enjoying the footage of the soldering

[@stevemehan7276]

Great look into a cool old Strat!

[@briano.5746]

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