1978 Fender Stratocaster, Blonde

By Fender
£2,495.00

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Superb 1978 Fender Stratocaster in seldom seen for this era Blonde-over-Ash finish with Maple neck and black plastics. A great example of a late-seventies Stratocaster, the guitar has seen minimal use and is in in excellent condition throughout. The guitar has spent the majority of its 40+ years in storage with both the back of the guitar body and the neck showing light blooming from the case lining.

Featuring a Blonde finish over an Ash body, a classic Fender combination that is less commonly seen in the late seventies compared to the fifties, with no repairs of modifications. 1979 is the last year Blonde was offered as a colour option. The finish is superb with no wear or marks. The back of the guitar does display some finish discolouration from contact with the case lining otherwise it could easily be described as mint. The Maple neck has the attributes expected from the late seventies with a large headstock, bold Fender Logo, Bullet truss rod, two string retainers and Skunk stripe. The neck is in equally good condition with next to no signs of play wear. The S9 serial number prefix is used by Fender from November 1978 up to January 1981 with the neck stamp dating to the 48th week of 1978. The electronics comprise of three 1978 dated flat pole piece single coil pickups with three late 1977 CTS pots. The five-way switch and capacitor are correct and all wiring is clean and appears 100% unmolested. Hardware comprises of Schaller made Fender ‘F’ tuners, black plastic pickup covers and pickguard. The tremolo and saddles are the correct 1970’s Mazak unit. The hardware is in equally good condition with only light pick wear evident on the pickguard. The Chrome hardware is clean and free from pitting.

The guitar plays well, the original frets show little wear with notes ringing out clearly. The neck has a surprisingly large, rounded profile, bigger than the profiles used in the early seventies. The nut measures 40.99mm wide with a depth at the first fret of 23.09mm. The grey back pickups measure 5.46K, 5.39K and 5.41K in the neck, middle and bridge respectively. The guitar weighs 9.3lbs and comes with its original Fender Molded Case.