I'm a big fan of Billy Gibbons' playing on Blue Jean Blues and La Grange. Knowing that it was a '57 Hardtail meant that it was inevitable I was going to buy a hardtail strat at some point (i.e., I can't afford a '57 and haven't seen a good deal on a Robert Cray). This was popped up locally on Craigslist and I couldn't resist. I know some people don't love CBS era strats but I freaking love the bigger headstock, 70's logo, and the whole look of the Antigua. And this is honestly the best CBS era I've yet come across having own a '74 Deluxe (good guitar but I hated the neck) and a '79 Strat (great sustain but heavy). I'm not convinced that I'm taking this one to the grave as I still prefer my Silver Sky (a gift from my wife with sentimental value), but it's neat to own a piece of history like this for at least a little while.
That looks amazin, congratulations! For the record, my -77 strat is the best guitar I've ever played.
Antigua is one of those things you either love or hate. To find one in that condition is pretty amazing. You should have no trouble flipping it in the future. Congrats on the guitar and the wonderful wife.
Nice! Getting a guitar that inspires you, is always a good thing. Having a guitar that your wife got for you . . . priceless! Enjoy the Hardtail, and then give the wife another hug, just because.
Super clean. My 77 hard tail looks, (and smells), like 25 years of self abuse followed by chain smoking through rehab and two different twelve step programs.
It is possible to view some Antigua finishes and wonder what the marketing men were thinking ... the most recent limited run from Japan come to mind but others, faded to even greater subtlety, worn, used and loved can in my humble opinion look fabulous and that sir is one. I can remember going to Norwich with the family when I was 11 or 12 and first into Blackmore ... in an all consuming way... and had a camera as a recent gift. I took a photo of an Antigua strat in a music store window and kept it for ages. Indeed I might still even have it in a box somewhere. It was the first strat I'd seen in the flesh since I'd studied the photos on the Purple and Rainbow covers and read the legend 'STRATOCASTER'.
Congrats! Got my first hardtail last year, after wanting one for several years. Stratosphere had a loaded Robert Cray body in sunburst. Stuck a MIM neck on it while waiting for Warmoth to finish and send my new compound-radius, huge-fretted, new neck.
Nice man. The good 70s guitars are pretty good. If you get a good one its a keeper and they are pretty awesome. Love those 70s pups. Can handle gain pretty well. This one looks amazing and like a classic. Enjoy OP and congrats!!!
Congratulations, a nice guitar and I guess that color is kind of rare. Your making me miss my ‘79:Strat. Maybe someday, I’ll own another ‘70’s Strat. Enjoy!
Nice snag! Finish looks great. I'm with you on the big headstock. It just looks Boss. I have a 79 Hardtail as well. It's heavy as an ocean liner, but I love it. Hope you got a good deal. I got stabbed for 2K on mine. Second from left.
