Is This (Actually) The Worst Fender?

[@toddlee7498]

I have a '78 Fender Strat with the exact same finish but with rosewood neck and a hard tail bridge. Bought it new in 1979 at age 13 after saving up paper route money for 3 years. This was my main gigging guitar up until I woke up from the rock star dream in the early 90s. It is heavy for a Strat at a bit over 8.5 lbs. which I never noticed until I was in my 50s. I replaced the neck and bridge pickups with active EMGs to deal with the 60 cycle hum from all the dive bars with sh*tty electricity we played throughout the 80s and into the 90s. This guitar never failed me, even after grievous Pete Townshend like abuse onstage, or nights out in the van in 30 below weather on the Canadian prairies, after which she was barely out of tune and ready to rock as soon as I plugged her in. Poly finish has rubbed off to the wood on the rear top bout plus dozens of dings from the paddle board headstock to the rear strap button. Just picked it up and was dead in tune after not touching her for two weeks. Yes, Robert, those 70s Strats sure suck ;). Thanks for the video.

[@ToddHavel]

That hard tail is a real sleeper. few folks realize how stable a strat can be without the whamybar. Thumbs up for the three bolt neck

[@ericklapptschon5607]

I bought my 79 hardtail Strat in natural finish in early 1980 and I still have it. It has never been opened or repaired. It is totally original. It has a medium weight and I have played it a lot. I will never sell it because it is a great guitar.

[@samizdat113]

I love the big CBS headstock and one of the sweetest playing Starts I have ever played was a 71.

[@powbobs]

Hate the big headstock.

[@samizdat113]

@@powbobs Dork

[@Topher_ofthe_North]

Leo sold fender due to illness .he never stopped innovating his design. even now the Maclaren brothers are building his old designs they have found in Leo's g&l office . Leo is the king of guitar.

[@westinclinard8189]

but for some reason couldn’t play guitar? EDIT - I wasn’t saying he didn’t make great guitars, he did 100%, im saying he wasn’t king of guitar as he didn’t play guitar haha

[@lorelei2002]

​@@westinclinard8189you don't have to play to listen to what players want and innovate. He was a great innovater who not only added his on ideas but listened to musicians for help on what players needed.

[@aaronhiggs]

@@westinclinard8189I’d argue that made him more subjective. He wasn’t tied into making designs that was conducive to his style of playing. He could take the feedback from what the players wanted with out any of his bias going into it.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Trivia - Ted McCarty didn't play either.

[@NintenDub]

​@@westinclinard8189correct. Making it even more impressive. To create timeless designs and not even know what to look for, is impressive. If you design a car based on how others tell you it feels to drive,without driving yourself, is kind of insane to think about.

[@nellayema2455]

You're right--those were Leo's designs, some of which he carried over to the Music Man and G&L guitars. Leo never stopped innovating. I had a mid-seventies Strat that I bought used as my 1st electric guitar. It had staggered pole-piece pups, the 3-bolt neck w/serial number stamped on the neck plate only, and 3-way switch. I had to refret it, replace the tuners, and also installed a 5-way switch. It was not heavy like many '70's Fenders. It had a cool, naturally worn Olympic white finish. I eventually traded it for a car. The car's long gone. I wish I had that guitar now.

[@matthewdavis473]

I recently got a great deal on a 79 hardtail. No doubt it’s heavy but I love playing it

[@perjohansson2852]

I have a 78 and owned it since 84. I love it. It's heavy but it sounds awesome and it's Orange. My favourite color. That's the only guitar I will never sell. Don't use it much anymore but at the moment it's away to get refretted. This guitar has a special place in my heart.

[@tbdog99]

I was 19 in 1979. The Stratocaster was a dream that so many of us lusted after, that very few had the $$$ to buy. We wanted to be Richie Blackmore, Jimi and Robin Trower! Actually, new Stratocasters were not so easy to find. The guitar you have was a VERY big deal back in the day.

[@Joe-pb3lx]

im your age and i bought one for 199 bucks new......from Music Emporium in new jersey in 1979.......gibsons were 600, my brother bought one in 1980 and still has it.....made no sense why people couldnt get them, especially rock stars.....but i guess rock stars were poor before they made it big but man get a job

[@caiusmadison2996]

​@@Joe-pb3lxfor real. I bought a new strat in 96' when I worked for the parents. I had a breakdown and payment plan, and it was done in a year. Cost 799.99 list then. American Standard in Vintage White, with maple board. Great guitar, and I was a kid and managed that.

[@schmoemi3386]

I was born in 1979... 😳

[@richardclark6807]

I have my original 79/80 black strat. Stays in tune really well, it is brighter than my other strats and weighs a ton. It has belt rash, cracking paint on the body, Smokey discolouration. I still have the Original case a moulded fender flight case, hang tags and receipt- £300 in 1982 new. £30 for the case. On its second tremolo unit, now has CS 57/62 pickups in it. I have the original pickups still. They were really naff., have done the treble mod. On its 3rd set of pots! And came it’s a 3 WAY switch. Now a 5 way. Neck pocket is bad but it plays great. It had some tough student bar and pub gigs back then but still play it regularly- never selling it.

[@NoNameNo.5]

I was born in 85 and always wanted a genuine made in America Fender Strat. In green

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

I bought a '79 Strat (all black + rosewood fretboard) in 1982, and gigged it for decades. I sold it because I eventually bought a Tele and ended up using that far more. My Strat was excellent, and of course I wish I'd never sold it! It was quite heavy, and its out-of-phase sounds were super funky. I agree with Robert's mod (bridge pickup to tone control). As long as the three-bolt neck was kept tight, it was perfectly stable.

[@mightyV444]

I did that Bridge-to-Tone mod' on all more recent Strats I've had, too. And seeing The Edge with a Strat like yours in the early 80's made me want one so bad - but strangely, all Strats and Strat copies I've owned throughout my life happened to be in three-tone sunburst, with white pickguards! 😅 I do have a P-bass in your colour scheme and also a Squier Tele Deluxe, which is my favourite guitar (despite being inexpensive) and the one that made me realise that I too like Teles better than Strats! 😁

[@gregorygetable]

High school graduation. I ordered 1971, 3 bolt bullet Olympic white Stratocaster. Still have it. Love it. Refretted neck at Sauve guitar. Kent Armstrong rewound middle pickup. Thanks for all you videos always great playing and info

[@MikeS4628]

Visited Metronome a few weeks ago. Nice shop. Lost of high end guitars. They had a guitar in their used section that caught my eye. Didn't buy it at the time. The following week I went to a guitar show and a couple of shops but nothing stood out, but I was still thinking about that used guitar at Metronome. So I called and bought it over the phone and went and picked it up the next week. Really cool shop. Wish it was closer. I'm about an hour and a half away.

[@omikl]

I was a teen in the '70's. My Dad was a professional entertainer in the Working Men's Clubs of Northern England (Think VFW in the USA). I would sometimes go with him, and occasionally he would be sharing the bill with a band or a Guitar/Vocalist. Mostly they had Strats, '70's Strats. I got to play a few. I was, without exception, disappointed. They were uniformly heavy and not very playable. I wonder these days how much of the latter was down to players simply not knowing how to set up their instruments. A friend had a '74, well it actually belonged to his older brother who'd been a touring pro in the mid '70's. That wasn't too special when compared to my '77 Fujigen Strat copy. Back then they were 200-225 GBP used, whether they were a '57 or a '77, and a Japanese copy was about 150 GBP new. I still laugh a little at the though of a '70's anything being "vintage", when these were the instruments that caused players to seek out older guitars which kicked off the whole "vintage" thing in the first place. I wish I'd bought that '62 Tele for 150 quid back in '78 though...

[@mightyV444]

Some set the 'Vintage' limit at 1990 - I have difficulties with that 😅

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Also from northern England, and likewise met a number of WMC "turns". Most of them didn't have a clue about adjusting their instruments and just played them the way they came from the shop. I played bass in blues/r&b/prog bands, and having handled some really well set up guitars I sometimes suggested how they could improve theirs, but the reaction I got was usually a look of terror and a "No, I'll leave it like it is". I think they assumed that the factory setup was how they were meant to be and that altering anything might ruin them.

[@VanirTraditionalist]

How funny times change. Just a decade prior Strats (all Fenders, actually) were nearly impossible to find in England. They were considered a rare and exotic model. Hendrix was the catalyst for the Strat being available in the UK. (Not a fan of the Stratocaster myself but love the Telecaster. And my 64 Mustang.)

[@Johnny.D]

I grew up in the 70s with big headstock strats. I never knew anything else. Love them.

[@scallydave288]

I have Maui Blue 1979 Strat (with original case) and I love it. I bought it in 1985 an it now looks dark turquoise from being coated in nicotine after years of pub gigs, but I'm not going to to clean it back to it's original blue as it's current colour tells the story of all the gigs and fun times we have shared. I still have the 1977 Vox AC30 I bought at the same time 🙂

[@nickm.9474]

I really like those 79’s strats. Got a reissue. Saw that big ol headstock standing out amongst the other guitars. Had to have it. Haha.

[@markcheetah4960]

Most people won't agree, but 70s Strats are my favorite. I love the ash bodies, the target bursts, the large headstocks, the bold CBS logos, and the (common at the time) black parts. I also like the vintage frets but I hate the U shaped necks.

[@joermnyc]

Getting older I'm starting to not like heavy guitars, but also I don't like too light guitars either (feels like it wants to fly away). There's a sweet spot.

[@schmoemi3386]

So no Thinlines for you, then, I guess? 😉

[@gneric85]

I built a Les Paul copy in high school (1985) and that thing plays and sounds so well (Good Times, Bad Times by Led Zep) but feels like an anvil supported by my shoulder strap.

[@scottsalas9981]

Hit the gym then , limp wristed fairy

[@craiger2399]

I have a 74 that looks like yours but with white knobs and pickup covers (tuxedo). I absolutely love it. It's 7lbs 4oz and plays like a dream. If you put the volume at 9 it rolls a lot of the top end off the bridge pickup.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Best that thing sounds awesome!

[@whiteheat1007]

Years ago had natural wood 70s Strat - not holding on to that guitar is one of the great regrets of my life!

[@TheSouthernCrossband]

I have a 73 Hard-tail strat, which was refretted last year with Stainless frets, because it became unplayable, and a 72 Tele, which is the only Tele I have ever come across that can handle any amp at any gain setting without howling like a Banshee on steroids. I seriously do not get the hate directed at the 70's models by Fender. I have played many of the newer ones, after CBS got out of the guitar business, and I definitely prefer playing my two 50+ year old guitars over most newer models, a few Custom shop models excluded. I also have an early 2000's Showmaster here, which are as rare as honest politicians in Oz, but mine is even rarer, it somehow escaped the factory without a serial number being stamped on it, and yes I have verified with Fender that it is definitely an original, not a copy. I'm guessing the QC guy was on his Rostered Day Off when this one went through the system.

[@kudgeond755]

Glad you got a good one but rather than the features and design I think Fender's bad rep was mostly due to their poor build quality at that time. I was a roadie in '79 and recall going into a Guitar Center with a guitarist when we had a bunch of time to kill between the sound check and the show at a nearby club. He picked up a new strat and pointed out that the high E string drifted off the fretboard above the 12th fret. That guitar would never have left the factory if Fender cared about QC and of course it wouldn't have been displayed on a wall at a reputable dealer.

[@rilianriggs4620]

I still have my 79 Strat I got for Christmas in 8th grade. My uncle picked it out from GC Stratothon. Now it’s got a Hot Rail and Schallers on it. Due for a refret. I’ll never sell it

[@davejohnsonmusic]

Aside from wiring the tone knob to the bridge, you can also add a baseplate to your bridge PUP. Gives it a touch more fullness. I've got the Lindy Fralin Blues Specials with the bassplate in my 70's Strat.

[@KelvinPit-n6u]

Robert, I have a 1976 and it sounds awesome except it's been been modded with a floyd rose and Lindy Fralin pickups and yes it's really heavy but it's just a great guitar, anyway love all your cool video;s and amazing playing and content!

[@sinnertrain7405]

The big headstock started back in the around 1966 or so, even though its commonly associated with 70's. I like both the original headstock and the big version. The placement of the truss rod adjustment above the nut was a great innovation. WHY most of the Fender's CS Strats don't have this feature is baffling to me.

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

I always loved them 70s huge headstock with a reddish tobacco burst type❤❤❤❤❤

[@douglasaxtell]

I have a March 1982 G&L S-500 with three bolt neck and it’s fine. It also has the MFD pickups, another great Leo innovation. You can adjust each pole in each pickup to fine tune the tone.

[@jakollee]

The 5-way pick up switch started in 1977, and I believe it was done in response to the fact that guitarists (e.g., Hendrix) were already balancing the 3-way switch in the in-between positions to get that plunky, quacky sound. I have a Strat I bought used in ‘75, has a 3-way pickup switch, and no tone control for the bridge pickup!

[@brianwood7237]

strats didn't have a tone control for the bridge pickup until much later

[@scottenglert4083]

I have a pretty heavy 1979 natural hardtail Strat - bought it on a whim about 7 years ago... the woodgrain of the body is so cool looking to me... there are hints of flame maple here and there on the neck... I really dig the old school 7.25" neck for my smaller hands. I think it's a fun guitar and a bit of Fender history - and kind of wild to me to think I was just 10 yrs old and only barely discovering music when it was built...

[@Kovboi]

Love my 1977 Strat. I just got it in Feb

[@BigBri550]

A neighbor of mine who made his own guitars fixed my Strat tone by installing .033 µF tone capacitors. After that change, I got a creamier tone out of those stock pickups, except for the bridge pickup, like you mentioned. I learned to work with that, though. I seldom used the bridge pickup by itself anyhow, and when I did, it really made the guitar jump out there.

[@partycakes456]

I built my strat and put a 70s large headstock neck on it. Love it!

[@brettmckay7717]

I have this exact same guitar. Tobacco Sunburst. Maple neck. I had it modded with a Jim Williams pre amp/ bridge humbucker that everyone was doing early 80s. Sounded awesome- until it crapped out. 5 years ago, I ordered a fender pickgaurd with single coils. Ahhhhh got my Strat back. My parents gave it to me for graduation and it not only means alot to me- but it's a great sounding guitar. Oh and it's a black guard with cream pups which looks awesome

[@CoolCrowProductions]

Robert, been subscribed to your channel for awhile, like it alot. I have a Squire vintage modified 70's style, heavy like yours. Had Seymour designed pickups originally, but previous owner swapped them for generic Alnico, which sound ok. Would love to Duncans back in. I have 50's wiring which I really like, and tone control wired in for the bridge, big difference. And I love the vintage tuners. Good luck with yours!

[@Benji8461]

Representing the 419? Wow, I'm from South Toledo, and graduated from Maumee High School. Ya know, Trogly is from around that area as well. Rock on my fellow Buckey.

[@dermpath101]

I grew up in Toledo also! I thought maybe this store was one of the many music stores I frequented in the 1980’s. It looks like 419 area code extends down to Mansfield 110 miles away. I never made it that far south.

[@mightyV444]

1979 was the year when then 9-year-old me first started noticing Strats, and particularly the 25th Anniversary one, and they all had the big headstock, and for some reason I've always liked that one better, despite the rather silly reasons for that change 😅 I'd bought a 2nd-Gen 'Highway One' Strat used 12 years or so ago, mainly because I hadn't had a guitar with a vibrato bridge in my collection for ages, and I was very pleased after seeing its first photos and noticing the big headstock in them, too! 😁 I replaced the Parchment pickguard and other plastics with black ones at one point, making that Strat look a lot like the one in this video, just with a rosewood fretboard and Nitro finish on the body; I decided very soon that I actually prefer the look of the Parchment parts 😅 Nice guitar, too. Sold it during some financially tough times 6 years ago, sadly 😌

[@rickrichards2829]

That looks a lovely Strat certainly looked after . Love the sunburst and black pickguard with knobs

[@yogiguitar1]

hey i gotta '79 anniversary strat and its great man. its got the 4 bolt neck but apart from that its gonna be the same as yours. yeah mine is weighty but it sounds great anyway im a 6ft2inch guy so its not like its gonna destroy me or anything. i love my'79, infact i turned 16 years old in '79 and i used to walk past the local music shop and drool over that '79 anniversary in the window. finally got one in '93 before going on tour and had her ever since

[@robbnutter4665]

Do you have a preference between rosewood or maple fret boards and if so why? I've noticed you have both. Also - how many hours per day (on average) do you spend in your "music room"?

[@flapjackson6077]

You mentioned rewiring the bottom tone knob from the middle to the bridge. I agree the bridge pickups on Strats can sound to harsh. But what does the other tone knob normally control? Is it just for the neck? And will rewiring as you indicated you’re gonna do cause any tone issue with the middle pickup? Thanks for another interesting vid! 👍

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Yeah the other tone knob is for the neck. And rewiring wont effect the middle pickup for me anyways because I never use the tone knob for that one anyways

[@douglasprice2643]

Is the guitar balanced well with that big headstock when you put a strap on it? Thanks

[@gregholmes1289]

In 1971 I bought a CBS Fender Strat from a guy who worked there and apparently was selling guitars out the back door. It was a beautiful metallic red but with a Jazzmaster neck, which I never liked. The next year, I was broke. I sold the guitar to my brother and didn't own another electric guitar until 1996. I bought an Ibanez Roadstar II, which was a great guitar. Eventually I sold it, but I now have two Ibanez guitars and no Fenders. I also have two Squiers which are set up nicely and play great.

[@sevenpoundsalad3878]

I have a 70s reissue strat. To keep it from fretting out, you really have to raise the action. The fret radius is really round. I want say 7.5" and that's the problem. I've gotten used to it and use really light strings to compensate for that. The other thing about it is it's incredibly bright. I replaced all the electronics in mine to darken it and it's still incredibly bright. much brighter than my American pro and MIM standard. I honestly think it has something to do with the materials in the guitar. They are their own unique things. I also gave the bridge pickup a dedicated tone knob. If I use it the guitar in conjunction with a blues driver, it can cut glass.

[@richardclark6807]

I have three strats all 7.25 radius. Setup is tricky but can be low and easy to bend without chocking. Getting the right neck bow is the trick according to the tech I use. Had one set up 4 years ago and have never needed to tough a thing since. I use 10-46.

[@johntiger5]

I had a 1974 Fender Telecaster Custom in Sunburst with a maple neck that I bought new , and traded for a 1974 used Sunburst Strat with a maple neck which was fine. At the time I could only afford to have 1 guitar or I would have had both. Wish I still had the Telly. Even the smell of the guitar in the black case made me want to play it. Only guitar I miss trading or selling. The 74 Strat has been retired awhile due to wear. But, I never had a problem with it or any CBS guitars that I myself bought or traded for as opposed to pre-CBS, or post CBS Fenders. Enjoy your new edition to your guitar arsenal.

[@MonkeyFeat]

I loved mine. The 5 point selector switch gave so many tonal variations.

[@hazor777]

Ed King’s 1974 Strat , if I have it right - created that forever etched intro to SHA - it sold at auction for over $50k - again , if I’m not mistaken

[@guitarstring5981]

Hello, I own a 79 Strat and 81 Strat hardtail. Both are awesome and underrated. But pay atention that the Serial Number is not the right way to date these guitars. You have to check inside pickups, potentiometers and body to date right. My 79 and 81 have the same Serial Number firsts numbers (S9xxxx), but one of them was made in 1981. Same Specs from 76 to 82.

[@carlc2597]

Hey Robert - I love your show,subbed - the reason I enjoy your show is for the content obviously, but you remind me of all my guitar nerd buddies from the 70’s & 80’s except you can really play - we would have stared at you with awe and respect much like this😮!

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

I had a 70’s Strat. It had the infamous oversized neck pocket. The neck would move around so much that the strings would fall off the fingerboard. Sold it and bought a 73 Gibson SG. Still got it.

[@Nugmania1]

Being a child of the 60’s, I was around for these. The ash body on these puppies is what makes them super heavy. If you get a chance to play one, you’ll figure out a way to buy it regardless of the weight, good vid bud

[@markferguson3745]

Every design goes through changes, some of which reflect the technology or sensibility of the era, and some which are just the tinkering of sales and marketing.I like that Strats went through phases ,including the often maligned CBS era. Strats shouldn't be stupid heavy; there's no good reason to recommend it, before all else; having said that, I've specifically sold bodies that were too light, which was both disturbing and seemed to impact sound.But the two statements do not equate to "more is better",- more like ," enough is enough". I prefer the CBS headstock visually, as well as the reverse headstock functionally.When I got into building my own 15 years ago, gradually working up to finishing nitro bodies and refretting necks, I choose specific "left handed" headstocks that are also wider at the nut,- which IMO was a key negative change on the majority of Fender and Squier designs.It's one of a few reasons why aftermarket necks are often preferable to stock Fender,- that , and the absurd layers of clearcoat on maple fingerboards.

[@andyhayes7828]

I think that the big CBS era strat headstock is the coolest design ever 🤘

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

The big headstock is my fave on Strats.

[@TonyHislop]

Hey! Well this a nice little segment, love my Fenders❤too. Thanks Rob. 🤙🏻

[@pamelaarmstrong3612]

I still have my 78/79 I bought back then. It’s got a bit of twist in the neck, but still love it. It is heavy!

[@thomasmarkt]

Have you recognized the different bodyshape(not as contoured as the original) and the slightly wrong contour of the Pickguard in horn area?

[@midnighthour4299]

I had exactly the same colour strat but a 1980 in hardtail. The bridge pup was fantastic, but the quality wasnt great, frets and neck join, took a lot of setup work to get it playable.

[@lonegroover]

I had two 1980 Strats, similar to that one. I made one good guitar out of them, which I still have. Of the original guitars, one was ridiculously heavy and the other had a neck pocket gap you could almost get your little finger into. These ungainly '70s (and very early '80s) Fender guitars are what started the cult of the vintage guitar.

[@Bona-Who]

Blessed with 2 - ‘74 and a ‘75 one maple neck one rosewood, one burst one natural both hard tail. ‘74 had a Kahler. Had that removed and restored to full hard tail. Love them both!!!!

[@johndutton5881]

I bought one of those American ultra flame tops online, when it arrived i couldn't believe what a complete piece of crap i bought.Pickups were terrible in all positions, it was nearly as heavy as a les paul and the frets would literally cut you because they were sticking out so far on the edge of the neck.I took it back and just got another gibson sg.

[@joermnyc]

That was my MIM Player Plus Tele, looked gorgeous, but total boat anchor, and the neck turned into a cactus from fret sprout on both sides! I sold it for an ASAT Classic, night and day difference.

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

The first legitimately naturally relicede guitar I ever touched was a 79 Strat almost identical to that one. This was only in the mid 80s and it had obviously been played up, down, and sideways. It had obviously been gigged with a ton. I was sitting in my local shop playing it and going crazy on the whammy bar and it was staying in tune and the manager noticed and took it out of my hands and marked it up 50 bucks.

[@fluffkiller]

I’ll always associate that big headstock with Ritchie Blackmore.

[@DarlaGentry]

I had an '81 Swamp ash blonde, maple neck and fretboard hard tail. Lost it 15 years ago. Would kill to have another player like she was !

[@aaronhiggs]

The guitar I learned on was my uncles old 70 tele with a big cbs headstock. Loved that thing. The cbs years weren’t that bad imho.

[@buzzstankos8532]

nice find, Robert... thanks for sharing.. have fun

[@scottcrisp5369]

Maybe off-topic, but that opening little diddy was, IMO, the coolest I’ve heard from you! Loved it!!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Thanks man. The guitar inspired it.

[@AnomieTrain]

I just can't deal with those big 70s headstocks. It looks so ugly to me.

[@DerekRose_aka_DJ]

Have bought a number of guitars from Chris over the years. Great guy! Live right around the corner from Metronome

[@greendayray]

My strats with the bullet truss rod are the only ones I never worry about stripping. Much easier to adjust too. Having to get an allen wrench in an awkward position to use it is such a pain on all other guitars

[@justobserving7045]

I have a Mexican strat like that since 20 years and I love it, of course I changed the wiring of the tone control as well.

[@jeffanderson8384]

Let one of these get away from me back in the early eighties. Olympic white, hardtail... $200 (no one wanted them). Many years later, ordered one from the mod shop - the only way to get a hardtail at that time. Paid a "little" more but it was worth it. Always a sucker for the large headstock. Thanks for the video!

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

had a 74 sunburst which i bought in the uk for 300 pounds 2nd hand , great guitar, currently have an 83 that i bought in 92

[@RoyMcKaren]

The bridge pickup is perfect as is, I love it.

[@zachjones1716]

I've heard that in 1976, the ash ones are lighter than some of the others. The weight was another complaint

[@MKRISING75]

Bro that is my dream Strat the color black pick guard and pick-ups maple neck and I love the oversized 70’s headstocks congrats it’s a beautiful guitar 🤟🏻

[@johndaugherty4127]

I had a very nice ,'79 Antihua strat. Great guitar

[@pjjammz]

Another reason some people don't like those strats is the thick poly finishes. Idk, but some say they don't let the wood breathe like thin nitro laquer does and thus negatively affect tone.

[@markcheetah4960]

​@@maidenthe80slaYou're 100% correct... it doesn't affect the tone at ALL. I think poly finishes are better because they're more durable. I don't want a nitro finish that's thin, easy to scratch, and checks and fades over time.

[@JimhawthorneNet]

my favorite strat-mod ... master-volume, master-tone, 3rd-knob blends-in the neck Pickup, giving 2 more options.

[@TheAtariCreep]

So glad truth is coming out about 70s strats. Congrats, bro. Wicked rad git.

[@Wingman52]

I've got one of these, have had it since the early 80s. Mine is a hardtail (no whammy). A few years ago I decided a "real" Strat should have the whammy bar, so I went and played a few new Strats at GC and guess what, my old 79 sounded way better than anything they had. So I bought a Fender made brand new Mex 3 bolt body on eBay complete with the Trem System, and installed the neck and all the electronics from the old body.. perfect fit. The new body is cut with a precision neck pocket, and is much lighter (guitar now weighs

[@tonyjf64]

The '79 Strat (tobacco sunburst w/rosewood fingerboard) was my first guitar. Bought it new for all of $350. Gave it away years ago and have regretted it ever since. That old '79 had the best "Stratty" sound of any Strat I've ever played and I haven't been able to duplicate it since.

[@TommySG1]

Hey Rob, I’m not into that burst at all on this type of model, that 3-tone burst just looks off to me because the red just doesn’t transition very well imo ahah! I’m also not a fan of the larger clunky headstocks either. Last but not least the 3 screw plate never made much sense to me either changing it from the 4 screw one. While the bullet truss Rod really doesn’t irk me, I do think the usual one is just a nicer fit & finish as well… Lastly, it being a boat anchor would seal the coffin 🤣

[@donvape336]

I'll tell you, I bought a 2014 Fender Standard, used, a few months ago. It was supposedly purchased, put in a case and controlled storage. When I played it, WOW, it plays and sounds great. The neck is great. Edit: It was in new condition.

[@kazeo1953]

I agree! I have a 79 Strat I bought new and love it. I did change from a 3 bolt to a 4 bolt but other than that it has always played great! Don’t know why all the hate is on these! I predict that this will change and prices on these will go up and people will be buying these old strats! I love the big headstock on them!

[@RockBassTv]

My uncle has a beat up real 78 Strat, had it for like 20 yeas, sick ass guitar so much mojo... I loved it since day one

[@fbettr2627]

Sweet, fluid playing 0:33 secs to 0:36 secs. Congratulations on your beautiful 1970s strat. Maple necks rule.

[@mikedwiles]

I remember the first 70's strat I saw. I hated it. 3-bolt neck, that huge headstock, I didn't want one. Fast forward about 10 years, I got a Squier CV 70s for a price I couldn't resist. This one has a HB in the bridge, 4-bolt neck, and tone control wired for the bridge. I have an Eric Johnson, a Player, and a Mexican standard. But the 70s strat has won me over. It is my favorite of the bunch.

[@rodmorrison47]

The two worst guitars I ever owned were 70s Strats: a 74 sunburst M/N and a 79 yellow hardtail RW. Horribly heavy, appalling build quality and weedy pickups. The 74 was eventually stolen (I actually feel sorry for the thief) and I swapped the 79 for a Yamaha acoustic a third of the price because I already had a 82 Squier JV that was vastly superior in every way and, more importantly, a lovely thing to play. In fairness the 79 had a very nice neck carve but, like the 74, the neck didn't fit the pocket properly. It's not the three-bolt joint that's at fault but the punch press they used to cut the metal disc that the third bolt attaches to - the Japanese, Mexican and later US Vintage models were all perfectly sound and I would have any one of those in a heartbeat. To prove I'm not just biased against 70s Fenders in general I have come across two that I really liked, both 79s, both hardtail RWs, both a limited run transparent red, both in mint condition. In short, identical. Both in the west of Scotland (one on display in a music shop in Glasgow, the other in a remote recording studio in the darkest depths of the Highlands). I had to cross check with both owners to make sure they weren't the same guitar, the odds of two identical examples of such an ultra-rare instrument turning up in the west of Scotland being astronomical. I've never seen another like them and if I did I would sell my brother's house to have it. With him in it. That said, the one major flaw with 70s Strats that cannot be fixed but only replaced is that god-awful pot metal bridge. As soon as the plating on the saddles starts to wear, it's finished, and as for that horrible diecast plate and block... urgh. Replace, replace, replace IMMEDIATELY. They're overpriced now for what they are but a good one with a proper bridge and a bit of TLC is still a great guitar, if on the pricey side.

[@herewegoagain7403]

I love CBS headstock. The standard headstock just looks dinky

[@PawpawJamz]

Sweet rig, Man. Sounds killer 🤘

[@SILVERCHARGEDS]

How many guitars do you have that you would have to part with one when a new one comes in?

[@garybateman6869]

I have a 1970 Strat. I put a 1965 A width neck on it. They are extremely rare. Special order only.

[@michaeldionne3139]

I owned a 74 Strat with natural ash body that I bought new in 75. It was a beautiful instrument.

[@MiguelMakesMusic]

bridge sounds great through my monitors. something about those old orange interior cases of the 70s and 80s that were pretty cool.

[@guitarstring5981]

One of the worst things on that guitars from 76 to 82 are the bridge. Because it was made of die cast. Tremolo plate and block are the same piece. Also the saddles are the same material. A simple upgrade is to chabge the saddles for a new ones from Fender with current vintage specs

[@albertjabberin739]

They’re not bad. My ‘72 is over 9lbs. Coolest thing is they’re probably the only vintage big headstock and maple fretboard strats you can actually afford, the late 60s maple cap strats Hendrix and Blackmore used are unobtanium. On mine, I think the pickups just sound alright compared to my ‘65 custom shop. I would take a good custom shop any day of the week. The 3 bolt neck is the biggest drawback, even Yngwie changes those to 4 bolt on his big headstock, maple fretboard strats.

[@rw5170]

Sounds lovely. I hate strats lol. But, before everyone hates me . . . I have big hands. And I struggle to palm mute and strum a fender strat without hitting the volume. The volume knob placement is an atrocity in my opinion. I know some love it so you can roll it back with ease. But it absolutely ruins strats for me. I realize I can get a replacement guard blank and drill the holes where I want them, but I am not money enough to buy an expensive guitar and modify it.

[@davidh8928]

I got my first electric guitar from Metronome music in the "419". Electra x 260. Still have it.

[@1-eye-willy]

the 1980' elite models are a morbid curiosity of mine. also those 70's strats are fine if you shim the neck if the pockets cut sloppy, id take a cbs strat any day of the week

[@JohnJarvis-d8n]

I own a ‘74 registered (‘72 neck and body dated) hardtail sunburst that looks like it’s Rory’s No1. Worn in and sound to die for. People are crazy avoiding ‘70s strats.

[@tsunami6082]

Your melodic playing is so good