Fender the STRAT electronics

[Aldinyo]

I have a 1981 Fender the STRAT. Lake Placid Blue, Gold Hardware, Post CBS with body-matching small headstock, 4 bolt neck and with electronics that no other Fender has on it. I was wondering if anyone out there owned one of these and could explain the different Pickup Positions to me. I've done a bit of research, and every site says this thing has "4 tones that no other Fender has." But that doesn't make sense to me, shouldn't it have 5 with the series/parallel switch?

For reference, the 2 tones I use most often, are, if you're looking down while playing the guitar, the series parallel switch is turned clock wise, and the pickup selector is all the way up towards me, or in the middle.

Thanks!

[Aldinyo]

Anyone have one of these things?

[Rock Johnson]

Is it a Strat or a HM Strat? IOW, does the headstock say "Strat" in big letters or is it a more traditional looking strat?

[mc5nrg]

Its been a long time since I had one of those guitars in hand but IIRC correctly, one of the setting with the far brass click knob set is the same as you get without switching to whatever it does-because if you are adding one pickup, you can't add it to itself. Try tapping the poles (lightly) and you can figure out what is on and what isn't wwith various settings and I think you will find one setting will be one PU only regardless of where the far not tone but series/parallel switch is. (Just as it would be w/o the switch engaged.)

Hope you can understand the gist of what I am trying to say, confusing as it may be expressed.

[jetlag]

I used to have one of those back in high school in the early 80's. I really can't remember the extra combinations that well - one of them put the bridge and front in series and I remember using that sound. I used one of the other sounds as well - I think it was putting the bridge and front pups in parallel. I do remember though that there were only 4 additional sounds when you have that furthest "tone" knob clicked in. My "the strat" was white and probably weighed 9.5 lbs.

[Aldinyo]

yeah, Mine is lake placid blue and weighs almot 10, it's requires the over the shoulder boulder holder strap, haha, thanks for the advice, sorry it took me 6 weeks to check htis post again, I got it all figured out between Jetlag and Mc5nrg, thanks guys! This thing sounds awesome!

[Baxtercat]

As an owner you might like this European collector's page!
[I used to own the gold one.]

http://www.stratcollector.com/newsde...es/000273.html

[oxtone]

I have a 1981 Walnut "The STRAT", but I took out the original pickups many years ago, and now use Vintage Vibe SP-90's, which are much better!

I didn't like the tones with the original pickups - too bright and harsh, IMO. The SP-90's ROCK!

I also took off that hideous Brass bridge, and installed a Wilkinson Vintage Trem - much better! Also replaced the tuners with Sperzal's.
Have had the guitar re-fretted three times, and it now has Medium-Jumbo frets. The guitar plays better today than the original.

I recently saw a yellow "The STRAT", and it was the heaviest guitar (cement?) I have ever tried! It certainly was much heavier than my Walnut.