I am currently looking for an older Strat. I have seen pricing and it puts me in the 74-79 range of Strats for my budget.
Does anyone have suggestions on choosing a year? I know that the 74's have staggered poles but they are at the higher end of my budget. The 79's are really cheap right now. Are they a good investmnet?

Please help me make a good choice.
Thanks.

Ther is a good reason 79 Strats are cheap because the quality of these instruments is very inconsistant. This was probably the time when Fender produced their poorest quality guitars. I personally would steer clear of anything in the 74-80 range. Their value seems to be increasing but I don't for the life of me know why.

My advice find a good Smith from 82. But hey different strokes for different folks !!

Go for a Fender "The Strat" 1980-1983 ... they are excellent guitars - very well made and with particularly fine PUs - ad to that the exstra four sounds: Neck and midlle in parallel (humbucking) bridge and neck ditto, neck and bridge in series with middle parallel and bridge and neck in series (Tele) - plus of course the normal five strat combinations.

"The Strat" are except forthe Super strat (wich is a "the Strat" made from American walnut) the most expensive strat ver to come out of Fullerton - but these days they are among the cheapest - evevn in beautiful Candy Apple Red or Leake Placid Blue.

Well I did it. I got a 74. Thanks for all the info. I just had to go with what I remember them selling when I started playing. I havve to say that I really enjoy it. The neck seems seated good. It stays in tune so that's good.
I really like the pickups they are hot and loud. Coolness level of 10.

Uk Strat, while I can't argue your statement about late 70's strats being inconsistent, they may be, but If blinfolded you and gave you one of my 79's to play I think you would change your opinion. I do have a smith strat that's a bit more vintage sounding but I've had lots of more recent US and CS Strats and comparitivly speaking the 79's have a better sound than most and play great, I especially love the neck carves they were producing at that time. I only have hardtails which may contibute to their great tone. I think the 79's are worth every bit of $1000 and over if you can find one in good condition. Call me what you want but I've even sold off my boutique strats such as Grosh, Melancon, Anderson and Suhr because the 79's did the job at least as well as any of those and with the mojo that those others lacked. Gotta love that large headstock!! Very Cool!!!

I have to agree with RichusRkr, My 75 Strat is my baby. I've played alot of Strats in my 25 years of playing and it's as good as any I have ever played, barring the fact that I replaced the bridge with a vintage one, and switched the bridge pickup with a Custom Shop (2 very non-major changes). Other than that, the other 90% of the original guitar is great. There may have been some dogs made in the 70's, with the poor quality control and cheaper parts (mainly bridge and pickups- which is exactly what I replaced), but there were some good ones made also, so you just cant make a blanket statement saying that all 70's Strats are bad and to steer clear of buying one.