Like others in this review list I've also owned a couple original 70s era Strats. One was a 73 in cream color with maple board ala Malmsteen and another was a 78 in black with rosewood board and black p/guard. The 73 was light and airy & sounded beautiful. Very Hendrix like with the neck p/up but it suffered from a loose shifty neck do to the lousy fitting and the 3 screw neck plate. The 78 weighed a ton and sounded like shit with very little if any typical Strat tonal character. I paid only about $300 apiece for them back in the mid 1980s and it makes me sick to see what prices they bring now. This new American made 70s Reissue Strat is head and shoulders above either of those originals I owned in both fit / finish and in the tone dept. It also sounds wonderful when played unplugged which is always a good sign. It's just a beautifully made instrument in all respects. Mine is a clear coat with a beautiful wavy figured ash body. I've always loved the looks of the larger headstock too. This is how Fender (should) have made them in 70s.

In addition to some Gibsons and PRSs,I now have three strats: an American, an EJ and this 1970s vintage. I love the silky smooth maple neck on the 1970s vintage-very fast. The EJ's neck is thick and the finish is a bit like a gym floor (tho pretty). I love the large headstock on the vintage 70s model. My only concern is the lack of instructions about the "micro adjustment" neck. This is the strat I play the most. Put a vintage tint on the neck and it would be perfect, but it's pretty close to perfect now. Looks and sounds dynamic.

I have a original 77 and 79 strat and here's my comparison to this ash body one. both of my originals are black with maple necks. both original finishes are rough. Lots of cracking which was common as during that time the quality control was pretty rough. They are making these out of ash which seems lighter and since I purchased all three new, I know them to all be original everything. If you need a clean looking guitar with warranty and decent sound, pick up a new one. If your a Hendrix guy who loves you 5 position swich pinned hard to the neck pickup, you might prefer the sound of an original 79 (which will run you typically 300 bucks more than new). Personally I'll keep all of them as I like the neck on the 79, the bridge on the 77 and this Reissue has a real easy to get phased sound without having to play with the 5 way switch. All necks are similar enough and all suffer form the 3 bolt neck design of that period.