Vintage Fender Stratocaster - USA 1974

The 1974 Fender Stratocaster represents a fascinating period in Fender’s history, as the company transitioned into the CBS era while still maintaining the classic elements that made the Stratocaster a legend. This era introduced distinct features such as the three-bolt neck joint, bullet truss rod adjustment, and the ash body with a natural finish, giving it a warm, resonant tone with excellent sustain.

This particular 1974 Fender Stratocaster, available at Premier Guitars, is a stunning example of the era, in remarkable condition and completely original. It features a solid ash body with a factory natural finish, showcasing the beautiful wood grain. The maple neck and fretboard, adorned with black dot markers, provides a classic Fender feel with smooth playability. The medium C-profile neck is comfortable and fast, making it a joy to play.

By the early 1970s, Fender was making notable changes to the Stratocaster, including:

Three-Bolt Neck Joint: Introduced in 1971, the Micro-Tilt adjustment allowed for fine-tuning neck angles.

Bullet Truss Rod: Easily accessible at the headstock, making neck adjustments more convenient.

Ash Body with Natural Finish: The 1970s natural-finish Strats became highly desirable, as Fender began highlighting the natural beauty of wood grain.

Original 3-Way Switch: Fender was still using the classic 3-way pickup selector (before switching to 5-way in 1977).

This example includes the original ashtray bridge cover and tremolo arm, both of which can tend to go missing on vintage models.

This Strat delivers classic Fender tone with plenty of clarity, snap, and warmth. The original single-coil pickups provide a balanced, bell-like chime, making it perfect for blues, rock, funk, and country. The ash body adds extra sustain and punch, while the maple fretboard enhances brightness and note articulation. The medium C-profile neck offers a comfortable grip, making it an excellent choice for both rhythm and lead playing.

This 1974 Fender Stratocaster at Premier Guitars is in exceptional condition, showing minimal wear for its age, and is a rare find. Don’t miss this chance to own a well-preserved piece of Fender history!

Features:

Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th fret: 1.75mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 21.6mm

Neck depth at 12th fret: 22.82mm

Nut Width: 41.28mm

12 fret width: 50.97mm

Weight: 3.53kg / 7.8lb

Finish: Natural

Body: Ash

Neck: Maple, Medium C-Profile

Fretboard: Maple with Black Dot Markers

Frets: Original

Truss Rod: Bullet-Style, Headstock Adjustment

Neck Joint: 3-Bolt with Micro-Tilt

Pickups: Original Fender Single-Coils

Electronics: 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Pickup Selector

Bridge: Vintage-Style Tremolo with Original Ashtray Cover & Trem Arm

Hardware: Chrome/Nickel

Case: Original Fender Hardshell Case