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Ah OK thanks for the info,
Brand new Strats in the late 1970s were almost universally hated by the most prominent players of the time.
It was extremely rare to see any influential guitarist using one, in fact I can't recall a single one, with the exception perhaps of a couple that Ritchie Blackmore used with aftermarket pickups.
Yes, they really were that bad, can you imagine any modern mass produced guitar where a ten year old one is around the same price as a new one?
'Vintage' has nothing to do with aging or nostalgia, it would just be like having to buy a run of the mill 2008 Strat today to get something decent, and paying 1500 quid for it.
Fair plays for being so honest Mark.
I've played a fair few Antiqua strats, all of them without exception have been everything I don't like about that era - thick, thick polyester everywhere, shocking neck carve and just dead as a doornail.
I started playing early/mid 80s - none of us had any interest in those era guitars - I was more interested in one of the upmarket Westone guitars (remember them!), or even a Washburn/early Ibanez.
I do remember a couple of friends having juniors to learn on, and one mate with (from memory) a Vox AC4 which we took apart for fun (I'm sorry).
Back to Reverb prices - as I've said before, the big problem with these price guides for me is that you see many guitars described as excellent which aren't, and many described as fair or good which are pretty nice actually - it's too subjective
The Strat was natural finish, black scratchplate, maple neck, big headstock. Subsequent experience tells me it probably weighed 10lbs, had a badly-joined multi-piece body, thick plastic finish and weak pickups, but it didn't stop me thinking it was fucking amazing at the time.
I'm sure older, more experienced players were aware of Fender's poor quality at the time, but as kids we were blissfully ignorant and just wanted to own one! Maybe some of that nostalgia helps fuel the current prices, heart ruling the head and all that.
And remember for most of the 70's a used 'golden era' Strat was similar in price to a new 70's model around the £350 mark - In 1978 I brought a Strat with a refin body, but otherwise 100% correct, for around £300 and kept it for many years - The serious price increase started later - Players were not looking to buy an 'actual vintage guitar' in the mid late 70's, just a 60's guitar that they preferred the feel, build and tonal character of - The vintage guitar became a marketing tag that everyone quickly brought into
And remember that while a number of original and good refin examples could be found in the 70's, a hell of a lot had a brass top nut, 5 way switch, DiMarzio SD1 in the bridge and/or a set of Mighty Mite Brass saddles - Amazing how all of these Strats are now never offered for sale - You tell me the last time you saw such a guitar listed on the web, anywhere - I wonder what has happened to them ???????????????????????
It took me years to find out I don't actually dislike a Fender with a maple fingerboard - I just dislike the 70's versions with that treacle thick lacquer and mini frets - As soon as you start selling/playing a good Custom Shop 50's Strat, with a played in maple neck/board, you realise they are nice - So yes I was badly influenced from this 70's era
I used to sell new Strats in the mid to late 70's and can tell you that they arrived with issues and all needed setups (including adjusting the neck in the pocket), weighed a ton and had the thick finish on them. However, in spite of all that, there were some that sounded really nice, especially when they went to the flatpole pickups, there was a really good clean sound available from them.
I’ve been lucky to own some really nice Custom Shop Strats in the last eight years or so and there’s no doubt that they are making some really nice guitars. However, I went “all in” a couple of years ago and bought an original ‘65 from @jimmyguitar and since then I totally “get” the vintage thing. You may say it’s all psychological and I can’t point to exactly why it’s so, but there is something about these old Strats that even the Custom Shop, despite how good they are, just can’t capture. This ‘65 sounds exactly how I want a Strat or any guitar to sound in every position (the bridge, unusually, is just pure joyful rock n roll), it’s light and the neck is wonderful to play. I think there are very good reasons why vintage Strats are sought after and not just from the the rather boring investment side of things.