1977-78 Fender Stratocaster

by Steve
(Oyster Bay, New York)

I bought it in 1988, tag claimed "1976." It's a natural wood Fender Strat with natural wood neck (I don't know the correct term - it's not a dark wood), hardtail, no tremelo routing/ strings through body, all original hardware down to the screws. Black pickguard, pick-ups and controls. Serial # S 7 69342 on headstock with "Made in U.S.A." underneath. Minor dings and scratches from regular band playing. Can you give me an idea as to value? Thank you Lynne.

ANSWER

Hi, Steve--

The serial number indicates that your guitar was made at the Fullerton Plant (Fender - CBS Era), USA in 1977 - 1978.

Here is the Blue Book general info:

STRATOCASTER THREE-BOLT NECK (CBS MFG. 1971-1981)
- offset double cutaway alder or ash body with smaller body contours, bolt-on three-screw one-piece 21-fret maple neck with black dot inlays, or maple neck with 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with clay off-white dot inlays, large Strat-style headstock with two string guides and truss rod adjustment at bottom, six-on-one-side tuners, tremolo bridgeor six-saddle hardtail bridge with STB, white laminated (1971-75, 1981) or black laminated (1975-1981) pickguard, three single coil staggered height (1971-late 1974) or flatpole (late 1974-1981) pickups with white covers (1971-75, 1979-1981) or black covers (1975-1981), three knobs (v, two tone), three-way (1971-77) or five-way (1977-1981) pickup switch, jack angled into the top, nickel hardware, available in standard 3-Tone Sunburst finish or various custom color finishes, 25.5 in. scale, mfg. 1971-1981.

The pricing info:

Mint $2,600
Exc.+ $1,950
Exc. $1,600
Avg.+ $1,300
Avg. $1,050
General $850

**Subtract 10-20% for Natural finish.

Lynne

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