1979 Stratocaster - Finish Peeling (Pics Added)

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 13 Feb 2009 6:36 pm

Just wondered if anyone has an "active strat." I don't know the year of mine but it must have cost a few dollars. Gray in color with gold plating and uses a 9 volt battery. It won't play without it. I set it up to my liking and it plays the best of my 12 guitars. Sounds great as well. Bought it at a pawn shop for $400.

Mark Lind-Hanson · Post by **Mark Lind-Hanson** » 13 Feb 2009 10:07 pm

I had a '77 Strat that I really enjoyed. Only for a couple months however, & then it was ripped off.
What I might have done, if not... Oh well.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 13 Feb 2009 10:23 pm

I had an active Strat, and it was great. Don't know why I ever sold it.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 13 Feb 2009 10:27 pm

I made a youtube clip of the '79 Strat for a laugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu_ocr4LsLo

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 13 Feb 2009 10:35 pm

Chris, I had a 1979 Fender bass, black finish... and the paint buckled EXACTLY like your '79! It's uncanny... when I look at the picture showing the back of your guitar, it's like I'm looking at the back of my old bass! Mine was a little worse than yours though. It looked like it had been stashed in a 130 degree attic for 25 years... but of course it wasn't. I took good care of it, but the finish checked and buckled severely. I sold it a few years ago, but before I did I showed it to a Fender dealer and he told me "1979 was not a good year for finishes". Your pictures confirm that.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 14 Feb 2009 10:12 am

That's pretty wild, Doug. Thanks for sharing. I've heard this about the late 70s Fenders as well. There is always one or two on Ebay with similar finishes.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 14 Feb 2009 11:11 am

I had a same-era Fender "Lead I" that looked like that, except it was sparkly purple! Hey, it was $75... I tore off all the finish and stained it with brown walnut furniture dye, the neck was too little for me so I put one on from an Ibanez Roadstar that had a crappy whammy design - who knew then, huh?

Great guitar - GREAT. I wish I had that one back, cause it's still only worth $75 and it'd eat your mamma.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 14 Feb 2009 12:49 pm

my mama says, 'bring him on by, honey!'

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 14 Feb 2009 1:19 pm

I like those Lead I and II's as well....great-sounding guitars.

Here's the Strat with a Twin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlciYGMyAfs