Fender Stratocaster, Natural (1973)

Sharing some of the 50s DNA found in those great early Strats, this early 70s Nattie offers amazing playability and tone at a considerable value.

1973 Fender Stratocaster in original Natural finish just into the shop!

The color, the headstock shape, and the 3-bolt neck plate tell anyone looking that this is squarely a 1970s Fender electric. But if you plug it in, close your eyes, and get to playing it, you'd start to think a lot differently about what the guitar is all about.

With its chunky C neck and resonant Ash body, this '73 starts to lean more 50s than anything else. Yes, we know it's a different breed of guitar, but there's something to be said for playing a Strat with similar specs to those earliest builds and finding common ground in how they sustain, resonate, and respond. The original stagger pole single coil pickups - still sharing the 60s CBS spec for the most part - sound fabulous in this guitar. The middle pickup was DOA, so we sent it off to Tom Brantley for a quality rewind. Otherwise, all of the electronics remain in great operational condition, including the 3-way switch. Plastics and corresponding hardware are also very clean.

The guitar includes its original hardshell case as well, which is in great shape.

It's hard to think you could find any Strat from this era that would check as many boxes as this guitar does. It's a total sleeper!