same amp, same settings, neck pickup only. trying to keep it as fair as possible.
1966 vs 1974 Fender Stratocaster — both cbs era guitars, both sunburst, both rosewood boards, both original, both on the trem… but they don’t feel the same at all.
the ‘66 still leans a lot toward the older fender feel. smaller headstock, transition logo, kluson-style tuners, 4-bolt neck, heel-adjust truss rod. it just feels a bit more alive in the hands… more resonance, a little more give. the neck pickup has that bloom to it — warmer, bolder, and kind of wraps around the note instead of jumping out at you.
the ‘74 is full cbs era. big headstock, bold logo, f-style tuners, 3-bolt neck with micro-tilt, bullet truss rod up top. way more “modern” for its time. usually a bit heavier, a bit stiffer. and you hear it right away — more presence, more brightness. the chords just hit your ears immediately, more direct, less of that soft compression you get from the ‘66.
and yeah, that’s a big part of the price gap.
the ‘66 sits around $25k because it’s still close to that earlier recipe people chase. the ‘74 is vintage too, but it’s from that mid-70s period that doesn’t get the same love — 3-bolt neck, bullet rod, bigger headstock, all those changes.
to my ears:
the ‘66 = warmer, rounder, bolder, notes kind of bloom after the attack
the ‘74 = brighter, more present, faster attack, chords jump out instantly
same lick, same settings… but you can really feel (and hear) the difference.
which one are you taking?
@heli.diogo @falconguitars
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#fender #stratocaster #cbs #johnmayer #vintageguitar
