FENDER “THE STRAT” 1980

We are happy to offer for sale this beautiful Lake Placid Blue “The Strat” Stratocaster. Details as follows:

• Year of manufacture: 1980
• Country of origin: USA (Fullerton, CA)
• Serial number: E022602
• Body Material: Alder
• Weight: 10.73 lbs
• Body Finish: Gloss Polyester/Urethane in Lake Placid Blue (matching headstock)
• Neck Material: Maple with a "U" or large C-shape profile
• Neck Joint: 4-bolt neck plate
• Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184 mm) vintage radius
• Fret Count: 21
• Frets: Vintage style
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
• Inlays: Dot
• Pickguard: 3-ply white
• Neck Pickup: Standard single-coil Strat pickup
• Middle Pickup: Standard single-coil Strat pickup
• Bridge Pickup: Hotter X-1 single-coil Strat pickup
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck pickup), and a 2-way rotary selector switch (for expanded 9-way pickup combinations) in place of the second tone knob
• Hardware Finish: 22-carat gold electroplated brass hardware
• Bridge: Gold-plated, massive cast bridge/tremolo unit with a large tremolo block for enhanced sustain
• Tuning Machines: Gold-plated "F" stamped tuning machines
• Notable Hardware: Gold-plated volume/tone knobs and input jack plate
• Condition: 7/10
• Case: NOHSC (Non-Original Hard-Shell Case)

Comments:

"The Strat" model was introduced in 1980 and produced until 1983 as Fender's attempt to create a premium, flagship instrument with both vintage aesthetics (smaller headstock, four-bolt neck plate) and modern electronic enhancements. This was a significant departure from the standard, single-model Stratocaster that had been in production since 1954. The guitar was designed to be a luxury item, featuring extensive 22-carat gold-plated hardware, which became a major selling point but also contributed to the model's high production costs. The most distinctive feature was the 9-way pickup switching system, achieved using a two-way rotary selector switch in place of the bottom tone control, combined with the standard 5-way blade switch. It came equipped with a hotter "X-1" single-coil pickup in the bridge position, providing increased output and drive. Due to its high price and production costs, including the expensive gold plating process, the model was discontinued in 1983, making it a unique, short-lived piece of Fender history.

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