One of the most iconic Stratocasters of the 1970's, the triple-black version with maple neck ALWAYS reminds me of one of the most memorable moments of the early 1980's-U2 Live at RedRocks. The Edge used this exact model during most of the show that night-through the rainstorm and into the frosty evening. Featured in the video for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" the performance was really incredible for any live music fan! The triple black model was new for 1976 and quickly became a popular choice for anyone who was wanting a new Stratocaster. This particular unit was produced at the original Fender factory in Fullerton, California U.S.A. in 1977. Although the model was popular with guitarists everywhere-so were modifications... This guitar has no such modifications!-it is 100% stock, all-original with the factory inspection tag included. Draggin' Guitars has carefully inspected and fully verified this unit as you can see for yourself by the photos. It has no repairs, no funny business. It is set up and ready to go-it needs nothing.
The body is the familiar double cutaway Strat-shape with both front and rear contours. The black finish is clean and has a beautiful shine. There is minimal handling evidence-mostly just faint lines from polishing cloths and such-see photos. The guitar has several Fender factory inspection stamps and markings including the customary "Sage" Fender employee stamp in the neck slot alongside "FL" in Blue chalk pencil. The serial sticker "S785196" appears underneath the pickguard-and again on the headstock, below the Fender logo. The neck slot has a great fitment with no issues-all of the adjustment features function as designed.
The neck itself is just as clean as the body. It is straight and has a really nice grain-figuring on the fingerboard side. The neck heel has several factory inspection stamps including the employee "Garcia" "3774" "F/R/R" and circle "42" assembly inspection stamp. Excellent provenance! The neck has a nice vintage C-shaped profile and standard 7.25" radius. The neck depth measures .860" deep at the 1st fret and 9.45" deep at the 12th fret. The neck has a nut width measuring 1.67" wide, so it is slightly wider than the typical 1 5/8" standard size-this provides additional string spacing-a nice bonus for comfortable fingering. The truss rod functions as designed. The back of neck feels smooth and clean. The F-tuners are in really nice condition and function smoothly. The headstock and logo both display excellent. The double string trees stand guard over the big CBS-style logo. The fingerboard is clean and feels smooth with no issues. The original frets are clean and display minimal, if any, wear-see photos. The string height is set low for a nice, easy action. The string height measures .010" at the 1st fret and .050" at the 12th fret. The guitar plays great all over the fingerboard.
The original pickups all have an excellent signal with perfect balance. The ohm resistance measures Neck: 5.79 Middle: 5.72 Bridge: 5.61 ... They have that classic Fender "bell" tone and vintage chime. The pickups are the expected Grey-bobbin units with yellow inspection marks. They also have the following production codes stamped on them-
Neck: 14 2977
Middle: 12 3777
Bridge: 12 3777
The wiring harness is clean and tidy. The potentiometers are the original CTS units stamped with a production code of 31st week of 1977 (early August). This guitar retains its original 3-way switch. The controls function smoothly and quietly. The pickguard is in great condition. The bridge and saddles all function and are in very nice condition. The arm has a white tip-which typically would be black by this point of production. The original owner claimed it is the one that came with the guitar when he purchased it new. The vibrato cover is also white-again it is claimed original-so maybe they both are.
The guitar is very comfortable and sits in your lap nicely. The weight is 9.27lbs. which is pretty common for a late 1970's Stratocaster. Not a lightweight, but also not a boat-anchor either. It sounds really good and plays so nice. Its a super-versatile guitar and gets the job done with style.
The original Fender hardcase is included along with the inspection tag and the acetate with Fender logo that was typically included in the owner's manual packet.
