- FENDER
- chevron_right ELECTRIC: STRATOCASTER SERIES
Leo Fender's Stratocaster was his second guitar design after the Telecaster. The Stratocaster was designed in 1953, with actual production beginning in early 1954 (a Fender ad mentioned that "Shipments are expected to begin May 15"). The model went through a series of changes (detailed below) and various permutation through the years.
Here's some additional dates to remember to aid in dating those late 1970s and 1980s Strat variants: Fender's three-way selector switch was updated to the five-way in 1977. In the mid-1970s, the "Thick Skin" high gloss all-polyester finish was introduced. After CBS sold Fender in 1985, there was no production of Fender guitars in the U.S. from February, 1985 to October, 1985. When the Corona plant was started up, only the Vintage Reissue Stratocaster models were produced between late 1985 and 1986.
Finally, the Fender-Lace Sensor was introduced in early 1987. The Lace Sensor was offered in four models: the Gold (classic late '50s sound), Silver (more mid-range punch), Blue (a late '50s humbucker sort of sound), and Red (a high output humbucker-ish sound). A "Dually" was created when two Lace Sensors were placed side-by-side, looking like a humbucker but were actually two independent pickups.
Here's some additional dates to remember to aid in dating those late 1970s and 1980s Strat variants: Fender's three-way selector switch was updated to the five-way in 1977. In the mid-1970s, the "Thick Skin" high gloss all-polyester finish was introduced. After CBS sold Fender in 1985, there was no production of Fender guitars in the U.S. from February, 1985 to October, 1985. When the Corona plant was started up, only the Vintage Reissue Stratocaster models were produced between late 1985 and 1986.
Finally, the Fender-Lace Sensor was introduced in early 1987. The Lace Sensor was offered in four models: the Gold (classic late '50s sound), Silver (more mid-range punch), Blue (a late '50s humbucker sort of sound), and Red (a high output humbucker-ish sound). A "Dually" was created when two Lace Sensors were placed side-by-side, looking like a humbucker but were actually two independent pickups.