1978 or 1982 Fender Strat, Left Handed

by Jeromy Johnson
(Opelousas, Louisiana)

I'm thinking about buying this guitar from an individual. Here's what he's got to say about it. I've also looked at many high resolution photos of the guitar from every angle and side, it looks to be in brand new condition. I was wondering what the true value would be so I can compare it to his asking price. One last thing, it's a three bolt neck.

This RARE beauty of a 1978 USA Lefty Fender Stratocaster, Serial # 870626, is one of the very last of the guitars ever assembled at Leo Fender's original Fullerton California plant!!! Fender made a few extra ?S8? lefty bodies/necks in 1978, and as I've been made aware of by a few other players/collectors who own S8 Serial numbered Lefty Strats, some of these guitars didn't actually go through final assembly ? most often as special orders ? for up to several years later, hence the 38th week of 1982 pot dates on this one. Definitely one of the last of its kind, it was bought brand new by an Old Time Country/Gospel player on 3/10/83. This absolutely drop dead gorgeous Sunburst Stratocaster was made in the same factory as all of the prized Telecasters, Stratocasters, Precision Basses, etc, etc, of the 1950?s, 60?s, and 70?s? made in the same factory as all of Hendrix?s Strats!!!

ANSWER

Hi, Jeromy-

Thank you for your donation. Here information:

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

The Blue Book does not distinguish between right and left handed configuration for this guitar. Here is the Blue Book description:

"STRATOCASTER THREE-BOLT NECK (CBS MFG. 1971-1980)
- similar to Stratocaster, except has alder or ash body, 3-bolt neck plate with neck adjustment ("Tilt Neck"), large peghead with truss rod adjustment, black logo, maple fingerboard with black dot or rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, gloss polyester finish, mfg. 1971-1980."

"During Leo Fender´s five-year consultant contract with CBS/Fender, he developed a neck adjustment system in 1970 that corrected the pitch of the neck in the neck pocket with a micro adjustment in the neckplate (rather than the old-fashioned method of using shims). This device, along with the 3-bolt neck plate, were installed on Stratocasters beginning in mid-1971. In 1972, Natural finish became a standard item. Ash bodies became more predominent in guitar production. In late 1974, flush polepieces replaced staggered polepieces in the pickups. In 1975, pickups were installed that had flat pole pieces along the bobbin top. A 3-ply black pickguard became available. In 1977, the 5-way selector switch replaced the 3-way switch. In 1980, the Fender X-1 lead pickup (hotter output) replaced original parts/design."

Here is the Blue Book pricing info:

1978-1980

Mint $1,750
Exc.+ $1,400
Exc. $1,150
Avg.+ $950
Avg. $800
General $650

Lynne