The 1970's CBS era bought a raft of changes for many models across the Fender catalog, with redesigns of their classic instruments and the introduction of a range of new models. This 1974 Fender Stratocaster is a perfect example of an early '70s Fender guitar, and shows that the CBS era produced some fantastic guitars.
This '74 Stratocaster is finished in a Black factory custom colour, which both looks the part and certainly adds to its desirability. This guitar is constructed from a Maple neck and rosewood fretboard and an Alder body. Unlike most '70s Fender guitars, this Stratocaster is truly featherweight, coming in at a very comfortable 7.4lbs. This lightweight build gives the guitar a lively, resonant sound, both unplugged and amplified. All the typical early '70s features are there, with the larger headstock design, three bolt 'F' stamped neck plate and bullet truss rod.
This guitar is in very good, all original condition, with some obvious signs of play wear and lacquer checking that are to be expected from an instrument of this age. The original pickups are present and correct, with the grey bottom neck pickup dating late '73, and the bridge and middle pickups featuring black bobbins. Although this was not the norm for this period, there are other examples of early '70s Stratocasters featuring a combination of black and grey bobbin pickups from the factory. The original pots show a date code of 137 7337, dating them to the later part of 1973. This guitar has benefitted from a re-fret, and the tone capacitor has been changed. This guitar also includes its original Fender hard case.
As with all our instruments, this 1974 Fender Stratocaster has been given a full service and appraisal by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 3 year warranty.
