{"product_id":"fender-1973-74-stratocaster-3-colour-sunburst-maple-neck","title":"FENDER 1974 Stratocaster 3 Colour Sunburst - Maple Neck","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFender Stratocaster 1974 Sunburst Vintage USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fantastic example of an early 1970s Fender Stratocaster, featuring its classic sunburst finish, maple neck and fingerboard, three-bolt neck construction and original-era Fender electronics and hardware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore than 50 years old, this is a genuine vintage American-made Stratocaster with plenty of character, natural ageing and the unmistakable look and feel of Fender's CBS-era instruments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe've recently carried out a detailed inspection of this guitar, including removing the neck, checking the factory markings, dating the electronics and examining its hardware and finish. The results have allowed us to establish a much clearer picture of its history and originality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant Update: Dating \u0026amp; Pricing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis guitar was originally advertised as a 1973 Fender Stratocaster. Following a more detailed inspection, we've updated the listing to 1974 to better reflect the manufacturing dates found throughout the instrument.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe guitar features 1973-dated pickups and CTS potentiometers, while the neck markings are consistent with 1974 production. The neck plate serial number, 396890, is also consistent with this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was common for Fender to use components manufactured in the preceding year, so the combination of 1973 electronics and a 1974 neck is entirely consistent with Fender's manufacturing practices at the time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal 1970s Fender Electronics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most appealing aspects of this guitar is its period-correct electronics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe three grey-bottom Fender single-coil pickups carry 1973 markings, while the CTS potentiometers date to the 10th week of 1973.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe guitar also retains its original-style three-way pickup selector switch, providing the traditional switching arrangement used on Stratocasters before the five-way selector became standard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll three pickups and the electronics have been tested and are working correctly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is evidence of some previous soldering work within the wiring, although the pickups, potentiometers and selector switch appear to be original-era components.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaple Neck \u0026amp; Vintage Fender Hardware\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe maple neck features the large 1970s Fender headstock, original-style Fender F-stamped tuning machines and the three-bolt Micro-Tilt neck attachment system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe neck heel carries factory markings consistent with 1974 production, while the neck plate is stamped with serial number \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e396890\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe neck heel is stamped 0903 1943, consistent with Fender's 1974 neck dating system and indicating production around May 1974.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe neck has developed a lovely amber colour over the decades, with visible ageing and character consistent with an instrument of this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe guitar appears to have undergone a refret at some stage, with wider and taller fretwire than typically fitted to early 1970s Stratocasters. There may also have been some associated fingerboard finish work or overspray, although this has not been confirmed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinish \u0026amp; Overall Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe guitar retains what we believe to be its original sunburst body finish, showing natural signs of age and use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt presents as a well preserved vintage instrument rather than a heavily modified example, with the majority of its important original era components still present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs with any guitar of this age, there are signs of wear, finish ageing and evidence of maintenance carried out during its lifetime.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeatures \u0026amp; Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fender Stratocaster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1974\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry of manufacture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinish:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sunburst, believed original\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFingerboard:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeadstock:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Large 1970s Fender headstock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck attachment:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Three-bolt with Micro-Tilt adjustment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck plate serial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 396890\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePickups:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Three 1973-dated Fender grey-bottom single coils\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotentiometers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e CTS, dated 10th week of 1973\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePickup selector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Original-style three-way switch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTuners:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fender F-stamped\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBridge:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vintage-style six-saddle synchronised tremolo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrets:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Probable later refret\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElectronics:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fully functional, evidence of minor previous soldering work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Period-correct 1970s Fender hard case\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod-Correct Fender Hard Case Included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe guitar comes with a period-correct Fender hard case featuring a black exterior, Fender logo and orange-red plush interior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe case is in good vintage condition and is a welcome addition to an instrument of this age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The original 1970s tremolo arm is not included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Genuine Vintage Stratocaster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinding an early 1970s Stratocaster with its original-era pickups, electronics, hardware and finish is becoming increasingly appealing to players and collectors alike.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example offers the character and history of a genuine vintage Fender, with the added playability of what appears to be a later refret.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe've taken the time to inspect and document this guitar carefully, and we're happy to discuss our findings with anyone considering purchasing it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're looking for a vintage Stratocaster from Fender's early 1970s production, this is certainly one worth coming in to experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLooking to buy this 1974 Fender Stratocaster?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e You'll love Colemans Music. Visit us at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e266 Coventry Street, South Melbourne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, to inspect and play this guitar, or shop online with fast shipping Australia-wide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe're a proudly independent, family owned and operated Australian music store that knows gear and backs it up with great service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"leading-tight text-lg mb-3 font-roboto-light\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.colemansmusic.com.au\/blogs\/blog\/from-the-vault-fender-1973-stratocaster-3-colour-sunburst\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Pics and Info HERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"FENDER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44077920354356,"sku":"210000075559","price":7499.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0573\/5386\/3220\/files\/FENDER-1973-Stratocaster-1.jpg?v=1781208221","url":"https:\/\/www.colemansmusic.com.au\/products\/fender-1973-74-stratocaster-3-colour-sunburst-maple-neck","provider":"Colemans Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}