1972 Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Overview: So, this played-in old beaut is a '72 body and neck with a set of Dimarzio HS pickups, some old wiring, some new wiring, and even a boost available on a little mini 3-way switch. The pickguard looks old but is likely not original. It's been refretted (a nice job), the tuners are correct-looking but likely not original to the guitar, and the whammy is a period Fender unit but not original to it, either.

Does it sound excellent? Heck ya. Is it quiet on the noise-front? Heck ya. Does it look glorious? Heck ya. Is the neck a champ? Yes, sir. In short -- I like it!

In the video clip I switch the boost on once in the driven part of the clip but I didn't go up to position two on it for fear of blowing-out the input on my mic. It's also possible I'm not using the switch correctly in the video and its positions are actually "active volume reduction, passive through, active boost" rather than the "passive, boost 1, boost 2" I think it is. If you prefer the boost removed, I can rewire it to a standard Strat setup on the house, too.

Repairs included: This got some cleaning, a little bridge-fitting help, and a thorough setup and adjustments. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/2"
• Nut width: 1 19/32"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: 7 1/4"
• Depth at first fret: 0.87"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.89"
• Body width: 12 3/4"
• Body depth: 1 3/4"
• Body wood: ash (likely)
• Bridge: period correct
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Pickups: 3x DiMarzio HS noiseless
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/narrow

Condition notes: The tuners are likely replacements but look correct. The ferrules are oversized. The nut is newer. The frets have been replaced (a good job). The bridge is correct but not original to the guitar. The pickguard is likely a replacement. The pots and cap look like original equipment but the rest of the wiring harness (switch, boost, and pickups) are unoriginal. The whammy arm is something random from my parts-bins but the threads fit so it's likely a period old Strat arm I just happened to have! The arm tip is new. The knobs and pickup covers look right but there are three tone knobs (volume missing) so they're likely aged replacements or parts-bin replacements of some sort. The bridge-screw mount area was modified at some point but doweled and repaired. I had to slightly re-fit the screws to get the whammy working better. There is a cut-out "slope" in the whammy rout at the back that's not original and perhaps was intended for some sort of odd replacement unit at some point. There are plenty of small nicks, scratches, dings, etc. throughout and, of course, the finish has discolored as it's aged. It's original finish throughout, though.

It comes with: It has a decent gigbag.

Consignor tag: SSCH