❌SOLD❌ Fender Stratocaster Natural, 1973

Here is a Fender Stratocaster Natural, built during 1973 in Fullerton, California and demonstrating a number of the guitar trends of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The popularity of the electric guitar began dramatically expanding throughout the late 1960s and into the 1970s, and by the mid 70’s musicians wanted new sounds and better, personalised control over their instruments. Leo Fender’s bolt-together guitars adapted perfectly to this, and just like Hot Rods, customized guitars started appearing.

This demand led a number of individuals and companies to modify guitars and in a number of cases to start companies supplying after-market parts. Some of those companies still survive today, including diMarzio, Schecter and Mighty Mite, while others like Leo Quann have gone. The Twelfth Fret was founded in 1976 as a Guitarists’ Pro Shop, servicing working players and doing a lot of this type of custom work.

In Toronto, one of the prominent guitarists seeking new sounds and custom work was the late Domenic Troiano. His heavily modified Telecaster appeared on many recordings and performances.

Here we’re looking at a Fender Stratocaster Natural finish with a number of custom modifications to the wiring and hardware. Most visible is the replacement of the original three-position switch with a trio of 3-position toggle switches, offering all pickup combinations (including none) and phase reversals. These are mounted to a small piece of shaped pickguard plastic. The original plastic control knobs have been replaced with Telecaster knobs. The next most visible change is the brass Mighty Mite bridge. This part adds quite a bit of sustain, brightness and clarity. Finally, the original F-stamp tuners (made by Schaller) were replaced with Schaller M6 models.

On this Fender Stratocaster Natural, the finish and frets appear to be original. The poly finish on the Alder body and Maple neck has worn, checked and yellowed as expected. It plays well, has a wealth of sounds and certainly has a late 70’s vintage vibe!
Sold without case.