FENDER THE STRAT (1980-1983)

  • Fender The STRAT (1980-1983) candy apple red electric guitar
    Fender The STRAT (1980-1983) candy apple red
  • Fender The STRAT (1980-1983) candy apple red electric guitar
    Fender The STRAT (1980-1983) candy apple red

Overview

Brand name: 

Product: 

  • electric guitars

Series name: 

Dates of manufacture: 

1980 to 1983

Fender introduced their "The STRAT" model in 1980, during the CBS era of ownership.  It was designed as an upgrade to the standard Stratocaster model of the time, and it cost $250 more than the standard model. This model has "STRAT" in captial letters on the headstock.

The STRAT had some pre-CBS specifications, at this time CBS management were becoming aware that the sales and popularity of their late 1970s  models was declining whereas the reputation of the pre-CBS Stratocasters was increasing. Pre-CBS specifications included: a four bolt neck joint, small 1954-1965 style headstock, and no bullet truss rod nut. There were also some new features on this model. A  two-way rotary pickup selector switch replaced the middle tone control - combined with the 5-way selector this gave 9 pickup combinations in all.

The STRAT also had a higher output bridge pickup:  the Fender  X-1. The controls and hardware were 22K gold plated and included a heavy brass tremolo (for extra sustain), gold plated knobs and brass tuners.

The STRAT came with C, D, and U neck profile and Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue or Arctic White finishes (from 1981 onwards). They had matching color headstocks.

This model was also availble with a walnut body as the Walnut STRAT (from 1981).

Specifications (19)

Controls

Pickup selector controls2-way selector switch, 5-way selector switch
Tone controls1 tone control
Volume controls1 volume control

Electronics

Pickups brand and modelFender X-1 pickup(s)
Pickups configuration3 single coil pickups

General

Finish colorsblue finish, red finish
Made inUSA
Number of strings6 strings
Scale length25.5 inches scale-length

Body

Body materialalder body, ash body
Pickguard materialwhite pickguard

Hardware

Bridgetremolo bridge
Hardware colorgold hardware
Tunersbrass tuners

Fretboard

Fingerboard materialmaple fingerboard, rosewood fingerboard
Fingerboard position markersdot fingerboard position markers

Neck

Neck jointbolt on neck
Number of frets21 fret
Peghead (headstock)matching-finish headstock

Prices (18)

DatePriceConditionNameComments
2015€1800goodNorbertin olympic white with rosewood fredboard
2015€1300goodGiuseppeJust a comment: it plays wonderful. The best strat ever played
2015£1000goodterrynice guitar lots of different sounds
1982£450newStephenIn perfect condition. No changes since new.
2016$1600wornGPike
2016$1600.00goodDPOWELL1983 - Olympic white with rosewood fredboard
1981$200goodRyanLake Placid Blue. Maple fingerboard. Early non-gold Schaller tuners.
2016€1900worn
1983500000 GRD newPANOS VAMVOUKIS
2017$700good
1983$575new
1981$638newMike
2017kr4500worn
2018£2200excellentAs far as I can tell a totally original instrument 1982, Maple Neck, all gold hardware in Sapphire Blue (Not Lake Placid Blue) supplied with original fender case.
2014£890good
1987$400good
1984£395.00wornTonyPlays and sounds very good
2018€1790good

Reviews (5)

FENDER THE STRAT (1980-1983) reviewed by Anonymous

4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
Beautiful tone. But this guitar is the heaviest guitar ive played. Dam its heavy. The action on mine is so low without buzz, i cant bend the high e and b strings because my fingers push right off the string...yes its that low. I dont mind it for now because im using it as a jangly, chord strumming guitar for now. A beautiful sound clean, or with some dirt. Has that out of phase pickup option of sounds too which is great if you want that. If you dont mind a heavy guitar, you will love this

FENDER THE STRAT (1980-1983) reviewed by Giuseppe

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
This is not the guitar I bring with me daily because of the weight but when I'm looking for a superb tone for something special this is my choice. The richness of almost every tones available together with an extremely comfortable neck, not comparable with a modern American Standard, offer a lot of fun.

FENDER THE STRAT (1980-1983) reviewed by Steve Stravino

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
The Strat. The best Stratocaster ever made. They play great and sound great. What more could you ask for. Don't you wish you had one.

FENDER THE STRAT (1980-1983) reviewed by LJ

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
I've owned mine for 34 years. Best guitar ever. Rare stratoburst. blue and gray with gold hardware.

FENDER THE STRAT (1980-1983) reviewed by Claude Lejeune (Belgium)

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Exellente guitare polyvalante, est lune des meilleures Fender fabriquée main à 9 ,positions de son. (Second Switch Tone à 2 positions) Je possède la Fender "The STRAT" USA Candy Apple Red E 022884 et la ARCTIC WHITE G 022358. Elle sont en teck d'Amérique un peu lourde quand même. La WHITE ARTIC est un peu différente quand au manche apparence bois et plus fin. Guitare de collection ignorée longtemps des collectionneurs mais qui prend de plus en plus de valeur car plaquée or 22 carats.

Gallery (4)

Players (1)

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