1964 Strat in Natural Finish?

[newb3fan]

Has anyone owned, played or ever seen one? I had one in my hands last night. The owner is the only owner. He bought it in 1964. All original everything in VG condition with a natural finish. The thing weighed a ton. The rosewood board had some wear in the 3rd to 7th fret area. Minor blemishes but all in all really good shape for 48 years old. I did a lookup on the s/n and it ranges more like 1961 not 1964. Pickup selector was 3-way, not 5-way. Dont' know when they made that switch. Anyways it was a georgous guitar. I wish I could have heard it cranked through a Marshall or a Twin.

[Seafoam Green]

There is no such thing as a 60's Strat in a natural finish. It's a refin, quite a common one in the 70's, as the natural look was more the fashion of the day. It could well be all original in every other way of course, but the finish ain't.

Alternatively, of course, it could be completely original, but a 70's Strat instead? They did do natural finishes in the 70's. Did it have a small or large headstock?

[DRS]

Or it could be a collection of parts from different years and maybe not even all Fender. Check out the other thread on a 64 Strat here.

[newb3fan]

After re-looking at the pics I took of it, and taking your tips and doing a bunch more research, the guitar is 1974, not 1964. Three bolt neck, bigger headstock. Natural finish didnt start until early 70s as you said. My friends memory was off by a decade. . Thanks a lot. I really didn't think it was a '64. It is still a nice start though at the end of the day.

[loudboy]

Originally Posted by newb3fan

After re-looking at the pics I took of it, and taking your tips and doing a bunch more research, the guitar is 1974, not 1964. Three bolt neck, bigger headstock. Natural finish didnt start until early 70s as you said. My friends memory was off by a decade. . Thanks a lot. I really didn't think it was a '64. It is still a nice start though at the end of the day.

There's a biiiig difference, my friend. <g>