1980's Fender Stratocasters
08/06/08 22:43 Filed in: Fender Guitars
In the last 12 months, American made 80's Stratocasters have started to climb in value, and it would seem that most have gone underground as collectors quietly tuck them away for that day when it becomes official: 80's Stratocasters are the new collectables!
Like any period the eighties has certain periods which are more sought after than others, so here is a timeline of the models, and what to look out for.
Although officially only available in Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue, and later, Artic White, several other colors and variations of the original three official colours are known to exist, including "Stratoburst", Black (Cathay Ebony), Candy Apple Green, Sienna Sunburst, Gold, Natural Ash, Olympic White and Sapphire Blue.
1980 also saw the introduction of 25 Jimi Hendrix inspired, reverse headstock Stratocasters. These guitars are quite possibly the first "artist-related" Strats and featured a four bolt neck.
The ‘Gold on Gold’ Stratocaster shares some design elements with the Dan Smith Stratocasters, such as a smaller headstock, no Bullet, CBS-style headstock logo and the 4-bolt neck attachment.
A rare Gold on Gold ‘Smith’ Stratocaster from 1982
Walnut Stratocaster The Walnut Strat incorporated all the custom hardware and electronics of the STRAT in an instrument crafted entirely of selected solid Black American Walnut. The rock-hard finish and extra density of walnut gave the Walnut Strat all the great playing qualities of the Fender STRAT, plus a unique custom look. The main problem with this guitar is it’s weight, as a solid Walnut guitar is very heavy compared to a standard STRAT, and even they are heavy!
International Color Stratocasters Special custom colors: Arctic White; Morocco Red; Monaco Yellow; Maui Blue; Capri Orange; Sahara Taupe; Cathay Ebony; Sienna Sunburst; and, Cherry Sunburst. Note: unlike the other eight, the Sahara Taupe has a four bolt neck and non-bullet headstock, considered by many to be made from left over parts of the Anniversary Stratocaster..
Standard Stratocaster Now unoffically known as the "Dan Smith Strat", first introduced mid-to-late 1981 and features the smaller, pre-CBS headstock and the return to the four bolt neck with body-end truss rod adjujstment. The headstock "bullet" is also abandoned as is the "Micro Tilt" adjustment. Although it uses a narrower black headstock logo some logo exceptions do exist. This guitar is basically the forerunner of the American Standard introduced in 1987 by Fender-FMIC.
This was the first year Fender produced the American Vintage Reissue series and the first guitars had some unique idiosyncrasies that clearly distinguish them from later models. After the bodies were routed and finished, during assembly the completed pickguards would not fit the routing in the body. Fender used a fine router in the assembly area to cleanly route out the electronics cavity, generally on the lower side. The bridge-pickup route was also sometimes slightly routed.
You can tell it's a factory route due to the very clean route lines and if the solder is unbroken, as no one could have done this except the factory. Only 2-3mm of the wood was ever removed. They also used plastic wiring and only switched to cloth in the very late '82 to early '83 models. FInally, red bobbin pickups were used in some of the very early models, with later models using the standard black bobbins.
Features of the ’57 reissue included a 21-fret one piece maple neck, vintage size frets, alder body, white pickguard, 3 American Vintage single coil pickups, 3-position pickup selector switch installed (5-position replacement was included), and vintage style bridge.
Features of the ’62 reissue included a 21-fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, vintage size frets, alder body, white/black/white pickguard, 3 American Vintage single coil pickups, 3-position pickup selector switch installed (5-position replacement was included), 7.25" neck radius, and vintage style bridge.
According to the 1982 Fender Catalogue, these guitars were available in 2-Tone Sunburst as standard, but these other colours options were available: Black, Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue, Fiesta Red and Vintage White.
1984 Fender Stratocaster '62 Reissue
Standard Stratocaster Revision The Standard Stratocaster undergoes radical, cost-cutting changes with a new jack plate that is flush with body causing one tone control to be dropped.
In October, Fender-FMIC opens its first manufacturing facility in Corona, California. Original floor work force numbers approximately ten, and produces only five guitars a day and all of them were Vintage Reissues. (Fender instruments manufactured in Japan account for an estimated 80% of Fender sales from 1984 through to 1986).
1957 and 1962 American Vintage Reissues were the first guitars to leave the new Corona factory in October 1987, and were essentially a re-introduction of the models first introduced in '82-'84, with some design and construction changes. Firstly, the nitrocellulose finish of the earlier models was replaced by polyurethane and some body/headstock/fret marker changes are made in an attempt to more closely recreate the originals.
It needs to be said however, that it is THESE guitars that were made is extremely small numbers, five guitars a day in fact, as the total number of factory staff at this ealry time was just ten. Other places on the web claim it is the earlier 82-84 models which were made in extremely small numbers, but according to the book “The Fender Stratocaster’ by A.R. Duchossoir, they are wrong!
(The first Corona-made American Reissue was a 1962 Fiesta Red with serial number V000001, which was presented to Bill Schultz, the second is a 1957 Fiesta Red with serial number V000002 presented to Shadows guitarist, Hank Marvin).
It features 22 frets, a 9.5 fingerboard radius, "swimming pool route" to accomodate after-market modifications (in place of the usual three pickup routes), and a re-designed bridge/tremolo unit.
Fender Custom Shop is founded by John Page and Michael Stevens (the first Fender Custom Shop instrument is built by Michael Stevens: a double-neck Strat/Esquire with serial number 0001)
Eric Clapton and Yngwie Malmsteen sign "Artist Series" contracts with Fender, though their signature guitars will not be introduced until 1988
Strat Plus Featured the first use of Lace Sensor pickups in a Fender Stratocaster, roller nut and locking tuners.
Fender Custom Shop 35th Stratocaster Anniversary Limited Edition first Custom Shop "anniversary" model with a total of 500 being made.
Homer Haynes Limited Edition (HLE) first non-anniversary, numbered, limited edition Stratocaster made by the Fender Custom Shop with 500 being made.
Contemporary Stratocaster featuring a TBX tone control, 12" fretboard radius.
Which models to collect?
It is sometimes hard for those of us who started collecting in the early 80's to come to terms with the fact that the early 80's guitars are now older than most of the 50's and 60's guitars we started collecting way back then, but it is fact.
Many collectors have firmly placed their faith in the Custom Shop models which started to leave the Fender factory at Corona in 1987, particularly these early models with low serial numbers and again, time will tell if this is a wise move. With the quality of the instruments they turn out, it is unlikely to be a fruitless endevour. Certain ‘Master Builders’ such as the late John English are also well and truly on the Collectors radar, and John in particular is responsible for some of the finest guitars to come out of Fenders Custom Shop, as the stunning ’63 replica below shows.
Fender Stratocaster '63 Replica Master Built by John English
What has really started to take off in the last 12 months however, are the 1982-84 American made '57 and '62 Vintage Reissues, even though they are less accurate than the later models reintroduced after the take over of FMIC. With even a casual look at the guitars for sale around the world, you will see prices being asked which are two to three times the value stated in the Vintage Guitar Buyers Guide 2008. As well, there is a massive shortage of stock on the market, a clear sign of investors having 'got in early' and stashed away the stock for that next big surge in value.
1984 Fender Stratocaster '57 Reissue
One strange aspect of the collectibility of these guitars, is the fact that the most sought after models are the very early models which have extra routing, post finishing, and plastic wiring instead of the normally preferred cloth wiring of true vintage Stratocasters, and Red pickup bobbins instead of black. It is purely the rarity that makes these so desirable as there are no sonic benefits in the extra routing or wiring.
These guitars, if they continue on the path set in the last twelve months, will pass all seventies Stratocasters in terms of collectibility and price. The operative word however, is 'if'. Of course, I would not look past the Dan Smith models either, as they are great guitars in their own right and do not suffer the fate of being 'not quite right' when compared to their original counterparts, as happens with the '82-'84 vintage reissues.
We would also have to be looking strongly at the '86 early 87 Vintage Reissues as well, as these guitars are all hand made, and at a rate of only 5 per day, all of which translates to rare and well built, just like custom shop models. If you are really lucky, you may find one of the very first guitars off the line at Corona, when in October 1985 they started to make five Reissue guitars a day, so just three months production of hand built guitars!
Strangely, while the ’86 to ’87 reissues are increasing in value, they are not increasing as much as the earlier 82-84 reissues, which in light of the fact they are better guitars in terms of build quality and accuracy, is unusual. Personally, I think these are a bit of a sleeper that will certainly pay off for the keen speculative investor.
If you do your sums, five guitars a day, five days a week, translates to only 1300 guitars a year, which would make these early Corona guitars very rare. Of course they would have ramped up production from five a day to much greater numbers after the first year of production I am sure, so in reality there are probably 2000-3000 of these guitars made in the first full year (1986) of production at the Corona factory, which in itself is still low numbers and is certainly lower than the output of the last years at the Fullerton plant which had an output of 200 guitars a day in July 1984! (it also took 135 people to achieve that output!)
The '87 American Standard Stratocaster is, literally, the instrument that resurrected the Fender brand and this growing awareness of the significance of the American Standard is leading to an increased interest in its forerunner, the 1981-82 Standard Stratocaster, commonly referred to as the 'Dan Smith' Stratocasters.
These guitars still have some CBS traits which for me holds them back a little, such as the extremely thick lacquer on the necks and bodies. However they are the guitars that signaled change at Fender and at the very least look much better than the large headstock seventies guitars they replaced.
And let’s not forget the Gold on Gold version released in 1981, a truly beautiful looking guitar with the same jewelry grade gold plating as the Strat, surely the best of the Dan Smith guitars?
Finally, there is the Strat, with it's expensive jewelry grade 22k gold plating, and custom colour finishes (Blue, Red and later White) it may finally have it's day. And last of all, let's not forget that these instruments along with the 82-84 Vintage Reissues, are the very last to come out of the Fullerton factory which Leo Fender started so many years before.
Well, with all of this excitement over 80's Stratocasters, it once again feels like the late seventies/early eighties when the frenzy over early Fenders began, this is going to be an exciting time for guitar collecting, yet again!
NOTE: This article is the authors opinion, not necessarily that of Jacksons Rare Guitars, and does not guarantee the value or future value of any instrument in any way.
Recommended Reading for more information on Fender Stratocasters
Like any period the eighties has certain periods which are more sought after than others, so here is a timeline of the models, and what to look out for.
1980 Stratocasters
Strat or (The Strat as it is often referred to) featured modified wiring which allowed for nine different tonal configurations, 22K gold electroplated brass hardware (which it has been revealed was as good as what you would get on quality jewelry), and a hot bridge pickup called the X-1. This was Fender's first use of its trademarked name, "Strat" on a guitar.Although officially only available in Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue, and later, Artic White, several other colors and variations of the original three official colours are known to exist, including "Stratoburst", Black (Cathay Ebony), Candy Apple Green, Sienna Sunburst, Gold, Natural Ash, Olympic White and Sapphire Blue.
1980 also saw the introduction of 25 Jimi Hendrix inspired, reverse headstock Stratocasters. These guitars are quite possibly the first "artist-related" Strats and featured a four bolt neck.
1981 Stratocasters
Gold on Gold Stratocaster Originally named the Gold Stratocaster, and it eventually became known as the ‘Gold on Gold’ Stratocaster due to the Aztec gold color body being fitted with gold hardware. It is a member of the very short-lived early '80s Collector's Series and as such has a special serial number: CAXXXXX.The ‘Gold on Gold’ Stratocaster shares some design elements with the Dan Smith Stratocasters, such as a smaller headstock, no Bullet, CBS-style headstock logo and the 4-bolt neck attachment.
A rare Gold on Gold ‘Smith’ Stratocaster from 1982
Walnut Stratocaster The Walnut Strat incorporated all the custom hardware and electronics of the STRAT in an instrument crafted entirely of selected solid Black American Walnut. The rock-hard finish and extra density of walnut gave the Walnut Strat all the great playing qualities of the Fender STRAT, plus a unique custom look. The main problem with this guitar is it’s weight, as a solid Walnut guitar is very heavy compared to a standard STRAT, and even they are heavy!
International Color Stratocasters Special custom colors: Arctic White; Morocco Red; Monaco Yellow; Maui Blue; Capri Orange; Sahara Taupe; Cathay Ebony; Sienna Sunburst; and, Cherry Sunburst. Note: unlike the other eight, the Sahara Taupe has a four bolt neck and non-bullet headstock, considered by many to be made from left over parts of the Anniversary Stratocaster..
Standard Stratocaster Now unoffically known as the "Dan Smith Strat", first introduced mid-to-late 1981 and features the smaller, pre-CBS headstock and the return to the four bolt neck with body-end truss rod adjujstment. The headstock "bullet" is also abandoned as is the "Micro Tilt" adjustment. Although it uses a narrower black headstock logo some logo exceptions do exist. This guitar is basically the forerunner of the American Standard introduced in 1987 by Fender-FMIC.
1982 Stratocasters
1957 and 1962 Vintage ReissuesThis was the first year Fender produced the American Vintage Reissue series and the first guitars had some unique idiosyncrasies that clearly distinguish them from later models. After the bodies were routed and finished, during assembly the completed pickguards would not fit the routing in the body. Fender used a fine router in the assembly area to cleanly route out the electronics cavity, generally on the lower side. The bridge-pickup route was also sometimes slightly routed.
You can tell it's a factory route due to the very clean route lines and if the solder is unbroken, as no one could have done this except the factory. Only 2-3mm of the wood was ever removed. They also used plastic wiring and only switched to cloth in the very late '82 to early '83 models. FInally, red bobbin pickups were used in some of the very early models, with later models using the standard black bobbins.
Features of the ’57 reissue included a 21-fret one piece maple neck, vintage size frets, alder body, white pickguard, 3 American Vintage single coil pickups, 3-position pickup selector switch installed (5-position replacement was included), and vintage style bridge.
Features of the ’62 reissue included a 21-fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, vintage size frets, alder body, white/black/white pickguard, 3 American Vintage single coil pickups, 3-position pickup selector switch installed (5-position replacement was included), 7.25" neck radius, and vintage style bridge.
According to the 1982 Fender Catalogue, these guitars were available in 2-Tone Sunburst as standard, but these other colours options were available: Black, Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue, Fiesta Red and Vintage White.
1984 Fender Stratocaster '62 Reissue
1983 Stratocasters
Elite Stratocaster featured push-button pickup selectors, active circuitry, distinctive pickup covers (which are similar to Lace Sensor covers though the pickups are Alnico), and a new bridge-vibrato mechanism, known as the "Freeflyte" tremolo. Also the Gold Elite Stratocaster was introduced. The Elite was offered in some interesting finish colors, including Pewter, Mocha Brown, Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red, Emerald Green, Candy Apple Green, and, Stratoburst.Standard Stratocaster Revision The Standard Stratocaster undergoes radical, cost-cutting changes with a new jack plate that is flush with body causing one tone control to be dropped.
1984 Stratocasters
Bowling Ball Stratocaster also known as the "Marble Strocaster", approximately 100 Strats are made with this distinctive finish that featured red, yellow, or blue marbled streaks. Only 250 of these guitars were made: 108 in the red-black-white swirl; 105 in the blue-black-yellow swirl; and, 37 in the gold-silver-white swirl.1985 Stratocasters
In January of 1985, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) buys Fender from CBS for US$12.5 million, US$500,000 less than what CBS had paid for Fender in 1965! The FMIC purchase is accomplished by a group of ten Fender employees and foreign distributors led by then Fender-CBS President and now Fender-FMIC CEO, William (Bill) Schultz. However, the sale does not include equipment or manufacturing facilities.In October, Fender-FMIC opens its first manufacturing facility in Corona, California. Original floor work force numbers approximately ten, and produces only five guitars a day and all of them were Vintage Reissues. (Fender instruments manufactured in Japan account for an estimated 80% of Fender sales from 1984 through to 1986).
1986 Stratocasters
1957 and 1962 American Vintage Reissues were the first guitars to leave the new Corona factory in October 1987, and were essentially a re-introduction of the models first introduced in '82-'84, with some design and construction changes. Firstly, the nitrocellulose finish of the earlier models was replaced by polyurethane and some body/headstock/fret marker changes are made in an attempt to more closely recreate the originals.
It needs to be said however, that it is THESE guitars that were made is extremely small numbers, five guitars a day in fact, as the total number of factory staff at this ealry time was just ten. Other places on the web claim it is the earlier 82-84 models which were made in extremely small numbers, but according to the book “The Fender Stratocaster’ by A.R. Duchossoir, they are wrong!
(The first Corona-made American Reissue was a 1962 Fiesta Red with serial number V000001, which was presented to Bill Schultz, the second is a 1957 Fiesta Red with serial number V000002 presented to Shadows guitarist, Hank Marvin).
1987 Stratocasters
American Standard Stratocaster Although production began in 1986, the American Standard Stratocaster was formally introduced at the Winter NAMM Show in January of 1987. This was certainly influenced by the 1981/82 "Dan Smith Strat", and Dan Smith was most likely behind the 1987 American Standard concept, its final engineering design is credited to Fender R&D's Geroge Blanda, who was hired by Fender in 1985 to institute a "Custom Shop", but became a leading force in Fender's R&D department.It features 22 frets, a 9.5 fingerboard radius, "swimming pool route" to accomodate after-market modifications (in place of the usual three pickup routes), and a re-designed bridge/tremolo unit.
Fender Custom Shop is founded by John Page and Michael Stevens (the first Fender Custom Shop instrument is built by Michael Stevens: a double-neck Strat/Esquire with serial number 0001)
Eric Clapton and Yngwie Malmsteen sign "Artist Series" contracts with Fender, though their signature guitars will not be introduced until 1988
Strat Plus Featured the first use of Lace Sensor pickups in a Fender Stratocaster, roller nut and locking tuners.
1988 Stratocasters
Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster (prototypes by George Blanda) and the Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster released.1989 Stratocasters
Deluxe Strat Plus similar to the Strat Plus but with two Blue Lace Sensors and one Silver Lace SensorFender Custom Shop 35th Stratocaster Anniversary Limited Edition first Custom Shop "anniversary" model with a total of 500 being made.
Homer Haynes Limited Edition (HLE) first non-anniversary, numbered, limited edition Stratocaster made by the Fender Custom Shop with 500 being made.
Contemporary Stratocaster featuring a TBX tone control, 12" fretboard radius.
Which models to collect?
It is sometimes hard for those of us who started collecting in the early 80's to come to terms with the fact that the early 80's guitars are now older than most of the 50's and 60's guitars we started collecting way back then, but it is fact.
Many collectors have firmly placed their faith in the Custom Shop models which started to leave the Fender factory at Corona in 1987, particularly these early models with low serial numbers and again, time will tell if this is a wise move. With the quality of the instruments they turn out, it is unlikely to be a fruitless endevour. Certain ‘Master Builders’ such as the late John English are also well and truly on the Collectors radar, and John in particular is responsible for some of the finest guitars to come out of Fenders Custom Shop, as the stunning ’63 replica below shows.
Fender Stratocaster '63 Replica Master Built by John English
What has really started to take off in the last 12 months however, are the 1982-84 American made '57 and '62 Vintage Reissues, even though they are less accurate than the later models reintroduced after the take over of FMIC. With even a casual look at the guitars for sale around the world, you will see prices being asked which are two to three times the value stated in the Vintage Guitar Buyers Guide 2008. As well, there is a massive shortage of stock on the market, a clear sign of investors having 'got in early' and stashed away the stock for that next big surge in value.
1984 Fender Stratocaster '57 Reissue
One strange aspect of the collectibility of these guitars, is the fact that the most sought after models are the very early models which have extra routing, post finishing, and plastic wiring instead of the normally preferred cloth wiring of true vintage Stratocasters, and Red pickup bobbins instead of black. It is purely the rarity that makes these so desirable as there are no sonic benefits in the extra routing or wiring.
These guitars, if they continue on the path set in the last twelve months, will pass all seventies Stratocasters in terms of collectibility and price. The operative word however, is 'if'. Of course, I would not look past the Dan Smith models either, as they are great guitars in their own right and do not suffer the fate of being 'not quite right' when compared to their original counterparts, as happens with the '82-'84 vintage reissues.
We would also have to be looking strongly at the '86 early 87 Vintage Reissues as well, as these guitars are all hand made, and at a rate of only 5 per day, all of which translates to rare and well built, just like custom shop models. If you are really lucky, you may find one of the very first guitars off the line at Corona, when in October 1985 they started to make five Reissue guitars a day, so just three months production of hand built guitars!
Strangely, while the ’86 to ’87 reissues are increasing in value, they are not increasing as much as the earlier 82-84 reissues, which in light of the fact they are better guitars in terms of build quality and accuracy, is unusual. Personally, I think these are a bit of a sleeper that will certainly pay off for the keen speculative investor.
If you do your sums, five guitars a day, five days a week, translates to only 1300 guitars a year, which would make these early Corona guitars very rare. Of course they would have ramped up production from five a day to much greater numbers after the first year of production I am sure, so in reality there are probably 2000-3000 of these guitars made in the first full year (1986) of production at the Corona factory, which in itself is still low numbers and is certainly lower than the output of the last years at the Fullerton plant which had an output of 200 guitars a day in July 1984! (it also took 135 people to achieve that output!)
The '87 American Standard Stratocaster is, literally, the instrument that resurrected the Fender brand and this growing awareness of the significance of the American Standard is leading to an increased interest in its forerunner, the 1981-82 Standard Stratocaster, commonly referred to as the 'Dan Smith' Stratocasters.
And let’s not forget the Gold on Gold version released in 1981, a truly beautiful looking guitar with the same jewelry grade gold plating as the Strat, surely the best of the Dan Smith guitars?
Finally, there is the Strat, with it's expensive jewelry grade 22k gold plating, and custom colour finishes (Blue, Red and later White) it may finally have it's day. And last of all, let's not forget that these instruments along with the 82-84 Vintage Reissues, are the very last to come out of the Fullerton factory which Leo Fender started so many years before.
Well, with all of this excitement over 80's Stratocasters, it once again feels like the late seventies/early eighties when the frenzy over early Fenders began, this is going to be an exciting time for guitar collecting, yet again!
NOTE: This article is the authors opinion, not necessarily that of Jacksons Rare Guitars, and does not guarantee the value or future value of any instrument in any way.
Recommended Reading for more information on Fender Stratocasters