The "STRAT", a customized and souped-up variation of the Stratocaster, was introduced by Fender at the 1980 NAMM Show. Designed by Gregg Wilson, then chief of guitar R&D at Fender, with the help of Dan Armstrong serving as a consultant, the STRAT tried to blend classic features with modern electronics to rejuvenate the Stratocaster concept. With the STRAT model, Fender gave a nod to the past by reinstating the smaller 1954-1965 pre-CBS headstock design (however, since the original worn-out tooling was used, the STRAT headstock, though smaller than the CBS era design, was not an entirely accurate re-creation of the pre-CBS model); and, like the 1979 25th Stratocaster Anniversary models, the STRAT was fitted with the popular pre-CBS style truss-rod adjustment and four-bolt neck plate, replacing the CBS Bullet truss rod adjustment and three-bolt neck plate.
An eye toward the future
Looking forward, in addition to offering a matching headstock (the headstock painted to match the guitar's body color), the STRAT incorporated several noteworthy features:
* a hotter lead pickup (branded the X-1) with a much stronger output than the standard Stratocaster pickup (various X-1 pickups tested were between 6.0 and 8.5 ohms).
*a new wiring circuitry delivering 9 different basic tones:
a twin mode rotary selector switch replaced the bottom tone control which when used with the five-way pickup selector switch allowed not only for your standard 5 Stratocaster positions(tones) but also 4 "new" tones never before or since available on a Fender Stratocaster :
neck and middle pickups in series - humbucking
middle and bridge pickups in series - humbucking
neck and bridge pickups in parallel
neck and bridge pickups in parellel, with the middle pickup in series
Thus, the STRAT delivered nine (5+ 4) different basic pickup tones by combining the 5-position switch with the twin rotary selector tone knob. Otherwise the STRAT was fitted with the standard 250k ohm audio taper pots and the "master" tone control carried a regular .05 MFD capacitor. This unique wiring design delivers many tones not usually associated with a Fender Stratocaster and makes the STRAT one of, if not the most, versatile of any era Stratocaster produced by Fender prior to the recently introduced S-1 switching system.
*22 carat gold electroplated brass hardware including a re-designed extra massive(sustain) bridge and vibrato block, tuners, and volume/tone knobs that were officially dubbed the "Brassmaster Series". According to Fender, the hardware was actually plated with a 100 micron gold coat (the same as fine jewlery) and for that reason it's rumored that the company lost money on every unit sold. Some very early models are missing the gold tuners (same tuners but in chrome) and the gold plated pickup selector tip because of a delay in parts delivery.
The STRAT could be ordered with either a one-piece maple neck or a maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Three uniquely different neck shapes were available for the STRAT:
1. U shape - a very thick early 50s style "U" shaped neck.
2. D shape - a classic oval "D" shaped neck.
3. C shape- a classic "C" wide flat shaped neck with a flat radius typically only found on 1958 to early 1959 Stratocasters.
The availability of several width/thickness/radius variations indicate that there was no
standard neck for the STRAT model.
According to Fender pricelists, the STRAT listed for $995 in 1980 ($250 more than a Stratocaster), was raised to $1,095 in 1981 and was priced at $1,150 in 1982 at which it remained until discontinued in early 1983.
Tuners: An early version of the tuners later found on the "Elite" Stratocaster instead of the typical STRAT gold plated (or chrome on some of the early models) tuners.
Knobs: "Dome" gold plated Telecaster style knobs instead of the skirted gold plated "F" style knobs used on the production STRAT.
Electronics: The pickups feature three early prototype versions of the very under-rated X-1 pickup that was used in the bridge position of the production STRAT. Produces a very "woody" bell-like tone.
Bridge: Gold plated brass Stratocaster standard style bridge instead of the heavier production line STRAT "Brassmaster" bridge.
Finish: Olympic White, as opposed to Arctic White offered by Fender after the models introduction in either Candy Apple Red or Lake Placid Blue.
Pickguard: Fender was not using tortoise shell pickguards at the time, but the prototype has a very rare pickguard material imported from Italy that was used on limited production and top of the line guitars such as the LTD and Montego, referred to by some as "flamed" or Italian tortoise shell.
Weight: 7.3 pounds (most likely a swamp ash body).
