1979 Fender Stratocaster questions

by David
(Tennessee)

Hello Lynne.

I have a couple of questions regarding my Fender Stratocaster:

This Stratocaster serial number is S955800 with a wine red body with visible wood grain. Is this a correct color for the model year? How can I tell if the color has been refinished? I've taken the pickguard off the top and see that there is a paper sticker with the same serial number, but the bridge pup has a Fender Custom Shop logo sticker on it and the middle and neck pups have no markings. Should the pups have any markings like a printed number of any sort? How can I tell if the three-way switch and pots are 1979 vintage?

And finally, any idea of value since it does not appear to be all original?

Thank you in advance for your help.

ANSWER

Hi, David--

The serial number comes up as a 1978-1981 manufacture date.

First, let's look at the Blue Book general info:
(Bold is Mine)

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.


**SO--

It looks like maybe the guitar was somehow in the middle of the changeover from 3 way to 5 way switch. Like it may have been released in 1978 but was actually manufactured in 1977. On the other hand, the Pups may be replacements. You would need to take the guitar to a qualified luthier to find out for sure.

As far as the finish goes, it is definitely not original. These transparent finishes did not become available until later. (It IS really beautiful, though.)

I can give you the Blue Book values for the year, but I think you need to talk to a Fender expert to get the specific history of your guitar. You could try this site:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

I spent a lot of time there trying to find out about the finish on your guitar.

Here are the Blue Book Values:

1979
Mint $2,250
Exc+ $1,800
Exc. $1,500
Avg.+ $1,200
Avg. $950
General $700

**Another possibility: We have some VERY knowledgeable readers--maybe one of them will have ideas for you.

Lynne

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