Unpopular Opinion?

[Maranello94]

I played an AV 2 1973 stratocaster and compared it to my '78. They were nothing alike. The AV 2 feels like a modern strat even though it has the 7.25 radius and small frets

Funny enough, the 2 Squier Classic vibe 70's strats I used to own felt much closer to the '78

 

[slowesthand]

Maybe the collectors will never revere the CBS era strats as much as they do the '50s and '60s stuff but if you look at the reality Blackmore, Hendrix, Trower, Roth, Malmsteen, George and many other superstar players found them preferable .... and they had the choice of using 50s and 60s stuff while it was still really easily available and cheap too.

It always always comes down to the individual instrument and although it may well be true there were more that got through QC that shouldn't have in the late 60s and 70s compared to the earlier stuff that doesn't mean the best that were produced weren't the equivalent of the best that came before.

Personally I love the CBS era, it's what I grew up with...

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I agree.
I spent far too many hours standing in front of a stage in the late 70s, early 80s watching guys rip it up on CBS Strats and Norlin Les Paul's to believe the myth they were all bad.

There is a really good way to determine if a guitar is decent, pick it up and play it.

Oh, and really nice collection!

 

[ptb1]

I favor the 70's Strat's. Both from the visual looks and the 7.25 radius.
Today I have a `79, a `05 70s AVRI and a `99 MIM 70s Classic.

And - in my opinion there is no other guitar looking better than this one:

And - as long as Blackmore kept it and used it from 1986, I guess it's playbable too - like all the other 70's Strats he also have used, from the first one (a `68) that he bought in 1969.
In an intervjue last year he told that the one in the picture is a `82, put togheter from a neck from one and a body from another.

 

[Mac62]

I have a 10(?) Strats including a 74 black strat. I hate the finish- (wth was fender thinking?) - but frankly its a great sounding guitar. The large headstock stands out, as their marketing department intended, but im not staring at it when I play so I dont care.

I also have a 1982(?- i forget) Strat with the single tone knob and the jack flush on the pickguard. From its freshman-woodshop-esque neck to the noisy switch and pots to the pickups- it truly does suck.

Id love a 60s strat, but prefer to pay my mortgage on time.

For me, my favorites are my fender customshop 60s reissue. I like the thin neck (and just wow all over for build quality and tone). That doesnt mean I wouldn't buy that mint 60s strat if one of you made me your heir to your black liquorice empire fortune!

So, to your question: same reverence? Hard to beat guitar gods playing 50s and 60s strats as a viral marketing campaign, so that's unlikely. They will and do have their fans though!

If someone is looking for a well-built guitar that sounds amazing, go custom reissue or American vintage II- I have 2 of the AV2 and they are great guitars for the money and represent the year they are mimicking amazingly well.

We may not be in a golden age of guitar rock, but we certainly are in a golden age of guitar building!

Which ones are the AV2? Lol

The reissues are starting to get confusing.

 

[Scott Baxendale]

This is regarding the CBS era, large headstock Stratocasters. Will their "Vintage" value ever really be viewed as sought after? I know that the CBS years are viewed as pretty much a low point in Fender's history. My personal experience has led me to the same conclusion. I've never played a CBS era Strat and thought, "Wow!, I love this thing." I'm also not a fan of the look of the large headstock, and it seems like many players share this opinion. As a result, I don't believe that the vintage value of these instruments will ever be as much as pre, or post CBS guitars.

That being said, I wonder how much of my negative opinion of these guitars is justified. I mean, I will never find that huge headstock attractive, but was the quality of them really that much worse than pre/post CBS, or was I just programmed to believe that based on the negative things I'd heard about them all my life? Was I just mentally primed to dislike them? I don't think so, but if I was, would I even know? I feel like the build quality of that era is objectively not as good, but is it just me?

I can't imagine a day when people will look at those guitars with the same reverence that we look at the 50's and 60's Strats now, but then again, I never thought a Fender Mustang would make a comeback and be popular.

You must be older. During the 70’s we thought exactly the same thing. We thought the new 70’s Strats were inferior then and still do now. However, it seems younger players are divided equally as to whether they like the big headstock or the small one. For me it was more about the 3 bolt neck. Those necks never seat securely in the neck pocket and always have side to side play with the neck.

 

[Stratstrangler]

The 50's and 60's era Strats appeal because of the decade appeal IMHO. 1950's are associated with a booming economy in its stride after WW II manufacturing's devotion to the cause.
There was a sense of pride of “invention” and innovation more so than subsequent decades. 1960's saw the influence of the Beetles and Hendrix and an explosion of new guitar interest and the gizmos that produced the “beat”.

I've owned guitars from the late 50's on and had a couple of “dogs” and the very best, and each was pure enjoyment no matter what the price I paid. Each of us has a special guitar era of interest where we encountered that “special” guitar that spoke to us, or that significantly advanced our playing skills. For me, it was the early '70's and a Fender Tele Thinline, but I don't associate that decade as being one when the best Fenders were being made.

stratstrangler

 

[gitapik]

I played a ‘77 Strat as my main ax for a couple of decades.

Put a flat finish on the maple board, stripped the off white finish and poly’d the beautiful natural wood grain, put a hotter pickup in bridge, and installed a floating graphite bridge and tuning pegs so it would stay reasonably in tune.

Excellent guitar! Never even thought about the headstock being big…but it was heavy. I ended up selling it so I could finance a ‘57 AVRI, which was lighter and a bit more to my taste at the time. The guy I sold it to sold HIS ‘57 AVRI so he could finance my guitar.

 

[Tape Kitchen]

If you’re unaware of players, of any age, who love the big headstock and prefer it to the small, you simply need to get out more. They are legion.

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

If it played good and sounded good and I liked the looks of it, I couldn’t care less what year it was made or what anyone else thought.

I don’t have a Strat with a big headstock, but I have a reissue Telecaster Deluxe that I love (including the over-the-top big headstock):

 

[Bakkels]

I believe CBS bought out Fender in 1965,so CBS Strats are already sought after.Late 60s CBS Strats are excellent.Can't Stand 70s Strats personally but they have their fans and are sought after and cost an arm and a leg....couldn't give 'em away when I were a lad...

I always wonder if this is really true though? The fact that people ask an arm and a leg, doesn't mean they really sell for that much. Since Reverb became more popular, people tend to ask outrageous prices it seems.

 

[Sparque]

 

[Shoegoo]

I don't give a toss what anyone else thinks, this one was sought after by me and I made it mine, and for a damn good price. '74 in mint, original condition. I've owned 4 70s Strats, never got a "bad" one yet. Are they the best Fender ever made, no. But, I kinda dig 'em.

View attachment 815603

I had the same feeling about that model when it was hanging on the wall at a local music store back in the day. For some reason I never pulled trigger. Nice guitar.

 

[swiveltung]

While not a big fan of the LOOKS of the big headstock, looks are pretty low on my list of features.
Bought a hardtail in '72 new and it was a fine guitar.
I think many people prefer the smaller headstock, but based on the number of guitars produced, and designs and reissues promoted, the big headstock evidently is pretty popular...

 

[Wayne Adams]

I suspect if you go into stores, look around and play a bunch of guitars, you can find a good or even great one - and a bunch of crappy ones - from every generation. I picked up a $1500 Les Paul thirty years ago to check it out, and my partscasters were assembled better. Must have been built on Friday afternoon thirty minutes to quitting time.
Having said that, I never liked the big headstock, and still don't. Any neck I order for my builds gets the pre-CBS headstock. But that's just me.

 

[David PNW]

There is really no low-point, depends on the wood and construction. That can be any year. Today with the CNC machines, the necks and bodies can be cut all similar and the setup is where the tires meet the road. Decent pickups, and play ability make the guitar. Radius and finish, can be choices for the player. Some people loved the 57 Chevy Belair, but today, a Toyota is more economical, reliable, ergonomic seating and safer than than older car.
Point is play the older 70's 80's 90's instrument, and if you like it stay with it. If a newer one works for you do that. Keep it, and never expect to gain more $$ because of its age or condition if you decide to sell it. The one you feel comfortable and take out of the case is the one that makes the grade, at least for you! And another vote for the smaller head stock, visual wise, playing the guitar, not a factor to make great music.

 

[Whitebeard]

This is regarding the CBS era, large headstock Stratocasters. Will their "Vintage" value ever really be viewed as sought after? I know that the CBS years are viewed as pretty much a low point in Fender's history. My personal experience has led me to the same conclusion. I've never played a CBS era Strat and thought, "Wow!, I love this thing." I'm also not a fan of the look of the large headstock, and it seems like many players share this opinion. As a result, I don't believe that the vintage value of these instruments will ever be as much as pre, or post CBS guitars.

That being said, I wonder how much of my negative opinion of these guitars is justified. I mean, I will never find that huge headstock attractive, but was the quality of them really that much worse than pre/post CBS, or was I just programmed to believe that based on the negative things I'd heard about them all my life? Was I just mentally primed to dislike them? I don't think so, but if I was, would I even know? I feel like the build quality of that era is objectively not as good, but is it just me?

I can't imagine a day when people will look at those guitars with the same reverence that we look at the 50's and 60's Strats now, but then again, I never thought a Fender Mustang would make a comeback and be popular.

CBS owned Fender from 1965 to 1985. My 1st quality bass was a lightly used 1962 Jazz Bass that I initially played through a blond 1962 Bassman. I bought them in 1963 from the original owner. I replaced the Bassman with a brand new late 1964 black Dual Showman (the early 64's were blond). Those were my Pre-CBS Fenders. In 1967 I was in a band that just signed a record deal and was preparing to record an LP. The producer recommended I get a Precision bass to record so I bought a new one. The quality of the 67 P-bass was equivalent to my 62 J-bass and I recorded with it several times over the next 10 years. IMO, the price differential between Pre & Post CBS Fenders is more tied to Leo's legacy than reality. Good luck!

 

[uncle leo]

This is regarding the CBS era, large headstock Stratocasters. Will their "Vintage" value ever really be viewed as sought after? I know that the CBS years are viewed as pretty much a low point in Fender's history. My personal experience has led me to the same conclusion. I've never played a CBS era Strat and thought, "Wow!, I love this thing." I'm also not a fan of the look of the large headstock, and it seems like many players share this opinion. As a result, I don't believe that the vintage value of these instruments will ever be as much as pre, or post CBS guitars.

That being said, I wonder how much of my negative opinion of these guitars is justified. I mean, I will never find that huge headstock attractive, but was the quality of them really that much worse than pre/post CBS, or was I just programmed to believe that based on the negative things I'd heard about them all my life? Was I just mentally primed to dislike them? I don't think so, but if I was, would I even know? I feel like the build quality of that era is objectively not as good, but is it just me?

I can't imagine a day when people will look at those guitars with the same reverence that we look at the 50's and 60's Strats now, but then again, I never thought a Fender Mustang would make a comeback and be popular.

'73 sunburst. Bought it in 1980; was set up for a lefty. $400, and a great player from the start. Leaning on a '69 Bandmaster, found on local FB marketplace about 7 years ago. $850. Go find a better sound. Still have them both.
'74 black. Always wanted one. Bought in 2006 for 13 times as much as the '73, but in way much better shape. But not as good a player. Still have it, it will take a little work to get it there, but we will.

 

[pghbill]

This is regarding the CBS era, large headstock Stratocasters. Will their "Vintage" value ever really be viewed as sought after? I know that the CBS years are viewed as pretty much a low point in Fender's history. My personal experience has led me to the same conclusion. I've never played a CBS era Strat and thought, "Wow!, I love this thing." I'm also not a fan of the look of the large headstock, and it seems like many players share this opinion. As a result, I don't believe that the vintage value of these instruments will ever be as much as pre, or post CBS guitars.

That being said, I wonder how much of my negative opinion of these guitars is justified. I mean, I will never find that huge headstock attractive, but was the quality of them really that much worse than pre/post CBS, or was I just programmed to believe that based on the negative things I'd heard about them all my life? Was I just mentally primed to dislike them? I don't think so, but if I was, would I even know? I feel like the build quality of that era is objectively not as good, but is it just me?

I can't imagine a day when people will look at those guitars with the same reverence that we look at the 50's and 60's Strats now, but then again, I never thought a Fender Mustang would make a comeback and be popular.

I bought my Strat in 1970 at the age of 16. I still play it, even with 10 guitars, it's always my go to guitar. In January 1970, right before the Covid epidemic started in the US, I had it appraised for insurance purposes and it was appraised at $ 8500.00. I have always found that in the music circles which are like the car performance circles etc, it always cool to take a negative position on these issues

 

[Nick L Plate]

I think clean examples will be collected by those whose love of guitar, or music, got shaped in those years. And clunky as many CBS Fenders can be, they are quite playable and sound good. I think they are becoming incredibly over-rated, as most are simply mediocre guitars at best, but, again, they embody an era that has great nostalgia value for many. I think that's a good thing, and maybe there is enough gravity in such feelings that the value will hold up. No way are CBS guitars valuable as instruments. Fender's Mexican factory makes better guitars than some of those CBS atrocities. I've seen the finish split and fall off in big pieces a couple of times.

 

[Mac62]

I bought my Strat in 1970 at the age of 16. I still play it, even with 10 guitars, it's always my go to guitar. In January 1970, right before the Covid epidemic started in the US, I had it appraised for insurance purposes and it was appraised at $ 8500.00. I have always found that in the music circles which are like the car performance circles etc, it always cool to take a negative position on these issues

Is so cool that you still have it, and use it!