Smith Strats Redux, Congrats Tom Options

[greystoke]

Jeeze... If anything, my self flagellation is more pronounced today than ever - 6-7 yrs after the fact! Nutshell? Sold an immaculate '82 Smith Strat w/tweed case and bridge cover for yes, couple hundred more than I paid for it - BUT then the reality
set in and I realized what a chump I was.... Not just because of the value appreciation; More of the intrinsic and quality that was a historical fact that was recaptured, in a way that only custom shop efforts and of course vintage inst.s perhaps eclipse at a correspondingly huge price. It was indeed Fenders "Battle Of Midway" that started their slow climb back from dreck to, if not quite
glory days, a important attempt of regaining respect. AND they did sound fantastic. The hot lead pup [ x1-z1? ] was fresh and the attention to other specs was excellent. I had a 40th anniversary Strat {the 1 of 1954 made] effort and I thought - "Well this will appreciate [& I needed money] - So goodbye Smith! Well, when I had to concentrate on playing the "collectable", I realized that the Smith was more in sync with my rather amateur efforts and I came to hate the quacky, persnickity and unforgiving nature of those early Strats. Of course, in the hands of a master, moot point. Probably why I'm not fond of Teles. either. If I could make a wish come true - It would be to have grabbed the '61-'62 Strat that a friend had, that introduced me to the Strat sound and even though it was perhaps even more finish abused than say R. Gallaghers- ooh,it played like butter and was lesson [that I'm still learning] - Don't judge a book by it's cover.
So... Has anybody any remarks or info on the Smiths they'd like to share? I have a '65 Mustang and a '80s MIJ Jazz Bass that is great, but I sure miss my Strat.
Greystoke

[Tom Watson]

Dan Smith articles...

Dan Smith Stratocaster 1981 - 1983 (Strat Collector News Desk)

Standard ("Dan Smth") Stratocaster - Strats by Model

X-1 pickup in the bridge.


Tom