Fender Stratocaster 1975 - Natural

The 1975 Fender Stratocaster is a classic "CBS-era" guitar, highly sought after for its iconic 1970s aesthetic. These models are defined by their large headstock, 3-bolt neck joint, and the introduction of black plastic components.

Key Specifications:

• Body Material: Ash (most common, especially for transparent finishes) or Alder (often used for solid colors).
• Bridge: Synchronized tremolo with "F" stamped saddles, though hardtail string-thru-body models were also available.
• Pickguard: 3-ply white or 3-ply black. 1975 marks the transition year where black pickguards, knobs, and pickup covers began replacing the traditional white plastics.
• Hardware: Chrome
• Neck Material: 1-piece maple or maple with a rosewood fingerboard.
• Neck Joint: 3-bolt system with a Micro-Tilt adjustment and "F" logo stamped on the neck plate.
• Neck Profile: Typically a medium to thick "U" shape or "C" shape carve.
• Headstock: Large 1970s style headstock with the "CBS" logo.
• Truss Rod: "Bullet" style truss rod nut, adjusting at the headstock.
• Fretboard Radius: 7.25"
• Nut Width: Typically around 1.65" (42mm) to 1-5/8"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Pickups: Three gray-bobbin single coil pickups with flat pole pieces.
• Switching: 3-way toggle switch was standard, though some came with or were modified to 5-way switches.
• Controls: 1 Volume, 2 Tone controls.
• Pots: CTS potentiometers typically dating to 1975.

This example is quite clean overall, showing just a bit of wear to the finish and patina on the hardware. The volume pot and tremolo arm are the only parts that are not original to the instrument. Straight neck has a comfortable medium C carve and measures 1.595" wide at the nut. Factory frets have been leveled and are low but playable. Pickups measure 5.83k ohms in the neck position, 5.67k ohms in the middle, and 5.81k ohms in the bridge position. Weighs 8.75 pounds and ships in OHSC shown.