This guitar is a commission sale - if you have a high end or vintage guitar you’re interested in selling, please contact us.
Here for sale we have a Fender Stratocaster in Natural finish. Made in the USA, this guitar was made during Fender's CBS era, with the serial number and specification indicating that it left the factory in the latter part of 1976. Naturally, a bolt-on construction is employed, and comprises an Ash body, Maple neck and 21 fret Maple fingerboard. Chrome hardware is fitted including a 6-point synchronized tremolo bridge and split-post tuning machines. A trio of single-coil pickups are installed, and are wired to a 5-way blade switch, master volume, neck and middle tone controls.
After CBS acquired Fender in 1965, they began to implement changes to production methods and specifications including polyester finishes, the large headstock, bullet truss rod, 3-bolt neck plate with 'Micro-Tilt', 'F' Stamped tuners and a one-piece die-cast tremolo bridge. Whilst many of these changes were made with cost-saving aims, they helped to develop a distinct character for the '70s era Stratocaster which many players today are in search of. Due to their production during the CBS era, these instruments do not command the 'vintage premium' which pre-CBS guitars do, making them a much more affordable option for those looking for a genuine vintage-vibe.
The Maple neck plays very well, with the 'Fast Action Design' profile filling the hand nicely for a comfortable and practical grip across the register; more substantial than a modern Fender neck, yet remaining slim enough for fast articulate playing. Although the 7.25" fingerboard radius was maintained until the '80s, the radius of this fretboard is closer to 9.5" -quite common when an instrument has been re-fretted as modern players tend to prefer the flatter 9.5" radius. The re-fret work is truly exceptional on this instrument, having undoubtedly massively improved playability and adding a new lease of life to a 50 year old instrument.
The trio of Fender single-coil pickups installed in this guitar deliver glassy, clear and precise tones, just as you would expect from a Stratocaster. The pickups carry all the hallmarks of original '70s CBS era pickups with their grey-bottoms and flat polepieces. The 5-way blade switch was not introduced until around 1977, so it is possible that this guitar did ship with a 5-way switch, however as it was such a common modification it is also possible that an original 3-way was replaced with a 5-way early on in the guitar's life. With only neck and middle tone controls, the wiring in this instrument is vintage-accurate, perfect for the guitarist seeking a pure vintage sound.
A ‘70s period correct Strat/Tele Case is available at an extra cost if desired- please enquire.
This guitar is a commission sale - if you have a high end or vintage guitar you’re interested in selling, please contact us.
Please be aware that for international buyers import fees are not included in our postage and packaging cost, this only covers the cost of the guitar being sent to you. Import fees will be charged by Customs upon the guitar's arrival in the recipient country. Due to Brexit, this also applies to EU buyers. We advise checking the total import cost with Customs as this is not information we are able to accurately provide.
Fender Stratocaster Natural 1975 Vintage Electric Guitar
Brand- Fender
Model- Stratocaster
Finish- Natural
Year- 1976
Made In- USA
Body- Ash
Neck- Maple
Neck Profile- 'Fast Action Design'
Fingerboard- Maple
Fingerboard Radius- 9.5"
Frets- 21
Scale Length- 25.5"
Nut Width- 1.612"
Pickups- 3x Fender Single-Coil PIckups
Controls- 5-Way Blade Switch
Our ID: 1100925134420
Weight: 7.9lbs
Serial: 716442
Aesthetic Condition:
Headstock: Overall very good condition. The sides and rear of the headstock have been refinished, whilst the discoloration and patina of the front face has remained unaltered. The top front edge demonstrates several moderate indentations, piercing the finish slightly. These continue to a lesser degree around the perimeter of the headstock. A professionally filled and refinished hole can be seen behind the 1st E tuner, where the original tuners were fixed but have been replaced.
Neck: Overall excellent condition, the neck has been entirely re-finished and re-fretted. This has been performed to an exceptional standard.
Body: Overall good condition. The front face demonstrates very consistent light to moderate indentation across the entire face. This is most apparent to the lower bout towards the bass side of the bridge where a moderate indentation pierces and slightly chips the finish. Finish cracking is apparent stemming from a pickguard screw on the bass side shoulder running up to the neck pocket. The sides demonstrate similar indentation most consistent along the bottom edge, with finish cracking stemming from the neck pocket. The rear demonstrates a finish repair to the treble side of the lower bout that has been performed to an acceptable standard, however is immediately apparent upon inspection. Finish cracking is apparent stemming from the neck plate and running down the rear face towards the backplate. Similar cracking can be identified stemming from the backplate and running down to the bottom edge.
Condition of Frets:
This guitar has had a recent re-fret performed to an exceptional standard. There are some light signs of use, not affecting playability. There is considerable material remaining for future fret work.
Current Set Up:
Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (1/8" hex) not included.
Hardware: Fully functional with moderate signs of wear. The tuning machines appear to have been replaced as they do not carry the ‘F’ stamp that we would expect form the CBS era.
Structural: No concerns or issues to note.
Height of the string from the 12th Fret-1.25mm - Bass 1.75mm
Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.
Strings on Guitar - 10-46
Electrics:
Fully functional. The pots are not original and have been replaced with appropriate CTS pots at various stages during the guitar’s life. The legible pot code indicates it was made in ‘81.
Case & Accessories:
No case is provided with this guitar.
Truss rod tool and tremolo arm not included.