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FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / Hardtail Strat
(This message was last edited by Paul Boudreau at 05:03 PM, Jun 22nd, 2012)
(This message was last edited by SpiroGiro at 03:29 AM, Jul 5th, 2012)
Pre Owned current retail values UK
(This message was last edited by SpiroGiro at 07:51 AM, Jul 7th, 2012)
FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / Hardtail Strat
Previous 20 Messages
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
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Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jun 22nd, 2012 05:02 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Thanks, we'll see. I know some of them were "boat anchors" but this one shouldn't be. Neither is my blue/yellow/black '84 "bowling ball," my favorite solid-body electric (bought used in '89 from John Sprung) - 8 lbs.
All the books I've read that mention that era refer to the cost-cutting measures in a disparaging way but it's interesting to see that some of the features of those guitars have reappeared in some Fenders, like bigger frets and a 12" radius. Not the two-knob part but I kind of like it.
Peegoo
Contributing Member
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That chicken
is WRONG, baby.Jun 22nd, 2012 05:50 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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It always made sense to me. On the Strats I build, I usually have one vol and one tone. I really have no use for two tone controls.
redelitestrat83
USAJun 22nd, 2012 08:54 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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You may want to check the neck date on that hardtail. I have a hardtail Elite Strat and I was told many years ago that Fender stopped making hardtails partway into the production of the Standard/Elite series. Not sure how true that is, but you don't see many hardtails around from the ear (not that hardtails are all that common in the first place).
I just checked my Fender catalog from 83/84 which introduced the Elite and Standard series. There was no cream color listed as a finish for the standard series, only a color listed as Ivory, Of course, these guitars were being made under the shadow of CBS selling Fender closing the Fullerton plant, so who knows what could have been done. I do know that my Elite and taken on an amber tint since I bought new back in 1984.
I remember having to choose between a Standard Tele and the Elite Strat and picking the Strat just because it sounded and felt so good. I wasn't that happy with the look of the 2 knob strat at the time. Fender had also changed to a single ply pickguard for the standard series. But a lot of the features of the Elite were incorporated into the Standard Serier.
Bascially, it should be remembered, that there were really two purposes for the standard series guitars at that time. One was to make an affordable guitar that was still made in the USA. Also, it was to provide an alternative to the pretty radical (at the time) Elite guitars wtih the active electronics. And within a year, we were all wondering if Fender would still be around since CBS decided to sell it...
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
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Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jun 23rd, 2012 07:06 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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The seller took good pix & the neck date shown is 4/15/83. My "bowling ball" is an '84.
What color is your Elite? I've been eyeing those for years too.
I have that same catalog from back then but didn't manage to buy a Standard Strat or Tele at that time.
I have what I'd call a cream-colored '83 Standard Tele but the color has darkened (lighter under the pickguard) so "ivory" sounds about right.
Blacksunshine
Contributing Member
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Houston
Perfection and GraceJun 23rd, 2012 04:22 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Fender made a cream-ish color in '83, but I'm not sure what its officially called.
Paul, I have what sounds like what you're looking for. (not for sale though, sorry)
Enjoy the '83. I like mine. I've never heard of these being boat anchor heavy, quite the opposite, most are fairly light. Maybe you're thinking about late 70s early 80s heavy ash bodied Strats?
LeadSeries
United StatesJun 23rd, 2012 06:14 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Fender color, "Ivory" #549, used 1982-83
redelitestrat83
USAJun 24th, 2012 09:26 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Paul, my elite is what they called transparent wild cherry. I've only seen one other Elite model in that color, and it was an Elite Tele that ran across in Norm's Rare guitars many years ago. Still wondering if I should have bought it....
The neck date you list is fairly early in the Elite/Standard run, so that fits in with what I had heard about the hardtails.
Yea, I remember those bowling ball guitars. I was offered one when they first came out. I had a really good relationship with the sales guy at the shop I got my Elite from (and some other stuff), and he offered me one at something like $250.00. At the time, he really just wanted to get off the floor because he wasn't too fond of the look of it. It wasn't exactly my style either, so I passed... Oh well... but that thing sat there for a long time.....
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
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Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jun 26th, 2012 08:45 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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An interesting thing about the bowling balls is that each is truly unique, since each paint job is different, although within one of three general color schemes (blue, yellow & red). Some also have areas of gray where the paint mixed together in a certain way, which isn't too attractive. Mine doesn't have any gray (see pix in profile). I bought mine in '89 and it already had a few dings on it, although that just made it a player's guitar, not a closet queen, which is ok with me.
I've never seen "wild cherry" - sounds interesting.
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
**********
Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jun 29th, 2012 03:26 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I've been playing the hardtail '83 acoustically the last two days and I really like it. There's some fret wear on the first two frets but it doesn't interfere with playing. I sealed a fair-sized "ding" on the back of the treble-side bout that was down to the sealer with black marker & super glue. Hey, I'm an artist. The finish is pretty thick so now it won't chip any further.
It's out to Greg the tech tomorrow morning for Sperzels, Tele knobs and a pro set up. I may change the pickups down the road but not now (I'd love to try Barden rails and/or Fralin Split Rails in a Strat).
It was $950 or thereabouts, which I though was very reasonable. There's another one, in Blacksunshine's color, up on eBay for $2500, which is kind of a reach, I think.
Electron
Nullius in verba!
Nietzsche is my copilotJun 29th, 2012 05:24 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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The Smith Strat was the predecessor to the 83-85 2-knob top-loader strats.
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
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Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jun 29th, 2012 06:02 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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It doesn't seem that much was carried over into the '83-'84 Standards, though.
SpiroGiro
YorkshireUKJul 5th, 2012 03:20 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I have a 1973 Hardtail. Hardtails have a more resonant tone and slightly Darker sound and are snappier and thus ideal for rhythm.
I bought mine new when was a teenager and never mucked around with it much apart from a fret dress and change of pickguard a couple years back by none other than Ronnie Woods' guitar tech. I think she looks even better now!
I paid £195 new... he said he expected it now to be worth over £3,500 as was such a good example... Not life changing but nice to know something that has given pleasure for so long is worthy!
jefe46
Contributing Member
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State of JeffersonJul 5th, 2012 06:38 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I owned a near mint 1977 Hardtail..all original including case and candy.. a true barn find.
The body was a one piece natural/ maple board.
We did not bond.
I have heard others liked more.
I prefer hardtails to trems.
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
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Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jul 6th, 2012 06:49 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"... he said he expected it now to be worth over £3,500 as was such a good example..."
Over 3500 pounds for a '70s Strat? Really?
henrycat
Contributing Member
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The Island, Canada
He said he was a wit. He was half right.Jul 6th, 2012 06:58 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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SpiroGiro...that a real beauty! One of the nicest hardtails I've seen.
SpiroGiro
YorkshireUKJul 7th, 2012 07:45 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Well, it could be eminently plausible - just take a look at the pre owned USA Strats in a local UK Guitar Shop (scroll down)... remember these are £ £ GBPounds and not dollar values!
Blacksunshine
Contributing Member
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Houston
Beware of the Viscous Monster!Jul 8th, 2012 01:01 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"Over 3500 pounds for a '70s Strat?"
Its plausible, although that's probably on the high side for an exceptional example. Remember, there was no hard and fast "cut off" date for quality and workmanship issues.
Early 70s guitars, while still poly like from '68 on, aren't going to have the really thick mid to late 70s finishes, and the body contours will still be close to late 60s contours, rather than the "squared off" Strats of the later 70s.
I have a '74 Strat that could be the twin sister of my '69 that I foolishly sold years ago. Thin finish, light body, sculpted contours, lively pickups, the whole nine yards. Even the 3-tone sunburst looks like it was done by the same painter.
Blacksunshine
Contributing Member
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Houston
Beware of the Viscous Monster!Jul 8th, 2012 01:04 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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11,999 pounds for a '65 with a refret and changed switch. I don't feel so bad about paying what I did for my '64 Sunburst now.
;-)
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
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Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jul 8th, 2012 07:16 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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To clarify:
3500 GBP = approx. $US 5400
3500 GBP = approx. 4400 Euros
I'm not using the appropriate symbols since I'm not sure how to make them here in the USofA.
Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
**********
Washington, D.C.
"Surely not to live in pain and fear..."Jul 9th, 2012 05:05 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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To be filed under "right in front of my eyes":
The strap posts aren't the usual Schaller ones but the other "wider at the top" more "traditional" ones. Also no usual fuzzy thing under them so I assume they were changed at some point, since all the other '83-'84 Standards had the Schallers (to go with the Schaller bridges, I assume).
Previous 20 Messages
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