Guitar Center | 2 months ago
Buy a Vintage Fender Stratocaster from Guitar Center: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Vintage-Stratocaster-Guitars.gc?source=4GOA4LOBA
Whether you’re seeking a near-pristine collector-grade vintage Stratocaster, or a guitar with a modification or two that’s perfect for bringing retro sonics to your weekly gigs, this educational video will provide you with the tools to make an informed decision and choose the best old-school Strat for you.
Sit back and let the trio of Guitar Center Director of Used and Vintage Jack Hetherington, Guitar Tech/Vintage Specialist David Maddux and Guitar Center Hollywood Artist Relations Manager Eric Bradley take you through the “insides and outsides” of identifying and verifying vintage Stratocaster guitars.
“It’s amazing to me that we still have guitars that are 70 years old or older walk into our stores that are completely 100-percent original,” says Hetherington. “On the other hand, one of the great things about Stratocasters is you could change things out on them. If something broke on the road, you could get it fixed and get back up onstage. So, there are vintage Strats out there that are not exactly as they left the factory, but they are still amazing guitars.”
In this video, Hetherington, Maddux and Bradley evaluate a CBS-era sunburst Stratocaster by checking its finish, pickguard, headstock, electronics, body, neck, pickup selector and more. Watch as Maddux unscrews the neck and pickguard to reveal its potentiometer date codes, neck-date imprint, inspection stamps and more to uncover its secrets.
Experience more from Guitar Center’s vintage team here:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/gear-tips/guitars/how-to-buy-a-vintage-fender-stratocaster?source=4GOA4LOBA
Everything you need to know about the early years of the Fender Stratocaster:
The History of the Fender Stratocaster:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/gear-tips/guitars/stratocaster-history?source=4GOA4LOBA
1954–1965 | The Evolution of the Fender Stratocaster:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/gear-tips/guitars/fender-stratocaster-changes-1954-1965?source=4GOA4LOBA
1965-1985 | The Fender Stratocaster During the CBS Era:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/gear-tips/guitars/fender-stratocaster-cbs-era-history?source=4GOA4LOBA
Not quite ready for a vintage Stratocaster yet, but you want to explore what is currently available? Not a problem. Check out our rundown on the most popular Fender Stratocaster models today: https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/buying-guides/guitars/fender-stratocaster-guide?source=4GOA4LOBA
Shop our full selection of vintage gear including guitars, amplifiers, effects and more!
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Vintage?source=4GOA4LOBA
Chapters
00:00 - Intro with Jack Hetherington
01:04 - A Closer Look at a Refinished Early ‘60s Fender Stratocaster
02:52 - Refinished ‘50s Fender Stratocaster
05:20 - CBS-Era Late-‘60s Fender Stratocaster With Some Mods
06:38 - Examining a Late-‘60s Stratocaster with Jack Hetherington, David Maddux and Eric Bradley
09:56 - Vintage Repairs Specialist David Maddux on His Process for Identifying Vintage Fender Stratocasters
15:30 - A Closer Look at a 1969 Fender Stratocaster with a 1957 Wiring Harness
20:22 - On the Modular Nature of the Fender Stratocaster
22:15 - Outro
