1973 Fender Stratocaster Vintage Electric Guitar Blonde Ash 100% Original, Collector-Grade w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1973 Fender Stratocaster in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Featuring a subtly transparent gloss Blonde finish over a solid ash body, this vintage Stratocaster is an exceedingly well-kept and soulful instrument, outfitted with its original trio of staggered pole alnico magnet gray bobbin single coils, offering a sparkling range of tonalities with the inherent note attack and midrange complexity of ash as a tonewood. The maple board also ensures a glassy snap in the treble frequencies, and the bridge pickup is slightly aggressive and chewy, dishing out ample twang and percussive cut. The neck position thickens up nicely and is bell-like and warm, with quintessential quack in the "in between" pickup positions on the original three-way switch. Weighing 8lbs 12oz, the guitar balances well on a strap and is lively and punchy both acoustically and plugged in. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Stratocaster is dialed in with fresh 10-46 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.The maple neck has a substantial U-shaped profile carve with generous shoulder, measuring .870" deep at the 1st fret and graduating to .960" at the 12th. It's a hearty handful reminiscent of Fender's '50s neck shapes, filling the palm and fretting effortlessly. The gloss-finished maple fretboard retains the original slender frets which have been dressed in the guitar’s lifetime, currently with quite low crowns, showing light wear on the crowns of frets 1-6. The guitar plays cleanly in all registers with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 9/16" in width. On the headstock, the original F tuners are intact, turn smoothly, and hold pitch as they should. The neck heel retains its original black January, 1973 date stamp, with numerous additional factory stamps on the heel and in the pocket.The electronics function flawlessly with untouched solder joints and the stock three-way switch which engages cleanly in each position. The original trio of gray bobbin pickups which all have matching 1973 black ink stamps, coupled to the original CTS pots which date to the 10th week of 1973. Stock plastics comprise the bright white three-ply pickguard, with just a hint of aging on the pickup covers and some greening and wear through the gold text on the knobs. The chrome plating on the hardware is positively gleaming, and even the original bridge cover is included.The gloss Blonde finish is 100% original with no touchup or overspray, showing a hair more transparency on the back of the body. Cosmetic wear is limited to just a few small dings and scuffs on the body perimeter, particularly on the lower bout body edge and treble side horn tip, and a few faint finish scratches in the clear coat of the gloss. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with just a couple shallow dings on the walnut skunk stripe behind fret 9.The original black tolex hardshell case with raised Fender logo on the exterior is included and also notably well-kept with clean black leather ends, a trio of original functional latches, and the stock handle.