Fender Stratocaster question

[Kmaz]

When did Fender introduce the 22nd fret on their Stratocasters?

[monwobobbo]

late 1986 when the new plant started to make american guitars again.

[dmagalhaes]

Maybe in the US but weren't the Japanese C & E-Series with the System I, II & III Tremolo's the 1st ones? That was before 86' if I recall correctly.

[bluesmann8]

When gilmour played comfortably numb.:hiP

[John C]

monwobobbo and dmagalhaes are correct - the first USA-made Fenders with 22 frets were the American Standards in late 1986.

dmagalhaes is also correct that the very first Fenders with 22 frets were the MIJ models which came out in 1985 after FMIC bought the company from CBS (I know I saw them that summer so I'm thinking they were out say May/June of '85).

[Kmaz]

I've got a Fender Stratocaster with me right now that I believe to be a 1978 model. It's sunburst with a black pickguard, maple fingerboard and large headstock. The Serial number is gone except for the beginning "S."

It does have 22 frets, so I'm assuming that someone must have added it on their own.

When I think of the Fender Stratocasters from the 1950s and 60s, it is hard to believe that this '78 model is a variation of those instruments.

[Kmaz]

Some pics...

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0074.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0077.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0085.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0084.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0087.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0097.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0098.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0082.jpg

[K-Line]

Fret added later. A true 22 fret has an overhang fretboard.

[burningyen]

It doesn't look like it's properly placed unless you're into microtonal stuff.

[buddastrat]

Wow, that looks weird. Not stock at all. The extra fret looks wider than the others too. Crazy. Usually they add an extra screw to the 3 bolt. I've never seen an extra fret added. Though I read Brad Gillis had one added on his '62 strat neck that he painted black!

[kenneth]

Here is how Gary Brawer adds 22nd fret:

http://brawer.com/2010/12/adding-a-22nd-fret-to-a-21-fret-strat-getting-to-d-on-the-high-e/

[Kmaz]

Yes, there is really not enough room for that 22nd fret. Btw, I'm not positive about the year of manufacture but two of the pots date 1976 and the other is 1980.

[Corinthian]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/Kmaz_2008/1978%20Fender%20Stratocaster/DSC_0098.jpg

Completely OT... Was the S/N scratched off?

[Kmaz]

Corin, yes it was. There was what appeared to be a fake number on the little sticker imprint that you see but it fell off when my friend was cleaning the guitar. When I last spoke to him, he said that he could not find it. It was a really bad attempt at replacing a serial number. There were only four numbers on the sticker as well.

Can only assume that this guitar was stolen at some point.