Fender USA Vintage 1973 Stratocaster - wonderful guitar! LOW START - NO RESERVE!

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Source eBay UK

Hi. Up for auction - reluctant sale of the favourite guitar in my collection. I've owned this wonderful vintage 1972-73 USA Stratocaster and enjoyed it for many years. It's a fairly hard-to-find hard tail (non-trem) vintage Stratocaster in Olympic white, which has started to turn cream, and it's a featherlight 7lbs in weight - truly unusual for a 70's Strat, and such a comfortable hold.It has the original 3-Way selector switch and standard 3 bolt neck (no issues) and wonderful staggered pick-ups - these are the loudest I've heard on a Strat and the guitar really sings with these. The other details: Pickups - Original Grey bottoms, Black markings : Bridge 18373, Middle: 17873 Neck: 17373 Neck Heel Stamped - 22 Jan 72 B At some point in its 41 year history the lacquer has been carefully removed from the maple board - but in my humble opinion it's an improvement. It's easy to get those bends high up the slim neck and it's lovely to play. It has a new-ish set of 11-49 D'Addario's on it. The frets are jumbo-style and have many years of playing left in them - no issues at all. Check the pics. It also has some interesting recording history - I purchased it privately from Oli Drake, the original guitarist for indie band The Veils, and it was used on their debut 2004 album 'The Runaway Found'. Google to verify the details. It is an all original piece apart from a change of one of the pots by Oli Drake - the original is included :-) The back of the headstock has an interesting alpha-numeric carved into it - this was on the guitar when I bought it and with all the research I believe it could be a US Servicemen's ID or social security number. They often inscribed an ID to protect it from light-fingers when away on duty. It does affect the guitar in any way and to my mind adds some interesting historical mojo. The body in in good nick considering the age - the 70's gloss lacquer paint job is starting to show some hairlines here and there, and there is are the usual small nicks and marks consistent with normal play wear. I've taken a photo of the obvious chips near the neck pocket and top bout strap button. The case is the original 1973 Fender case - see pics - soft 'orange red' plush liner and large accessories pocket. All catches work fine and are secure with no rust. BIDDING RULES & NOTES: I've sold many of my personal guitars on eBay - I'm not a dealer but an avid guitar enthusiast. I only sell occasionally but when I do it is usually a very nice guitar. IF YOU ARE SERIOUS - PLEASE BID. IF NOT, PLEASE DON'T MESS ABOUT AND WASTE EVERYONE'S TIME. I love dealing with nice guitar people and want this guitar to go to a good home. DON'T bid if you have less than 20 feedback. No scammers, or flaky late-night questions and bids please - I WILL NOT accept offers, exchanges or trades - PLEASE DON'T ASK - I want to sell on auction ONLY. To this end - it will be a genuine low-start with no reserve to help everyone. NOTE - I WILL SEND OVERSEAS TO CERTAIN DESTINATIONS - BUT YOU MUST MESSAGE ME TO CHECK WHICH COUNTRY AND ASK FOR AND AGREE A COURIER QUOTE FIRST. GOOD LUCK AND !Hi all - fairly obviously - a typo above - the inscribed alpha-numeric on the headstock rear DOES NOT affect the guitar in any way! ALSO - In case anyone was wondering - there is NO buy-it-now for this Strat. I wish to it to be auction only thanks!Hi All, Due to a new work commitment next week, and also in response to more buyer questions about cash-on-collection - this is definitely now a Paypal ONLY payment auction. Thanks. read more

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