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Average Price: $1,700
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Description
Step back into the golden age of rock with the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua, a vintage gem revered for its distinct character and unmistakable sound. Hailing from the late '70s, this solid body electric guitar captures the essence of an era defined by music evolution and innovation. The Stratocaster Antigua is celebrated for its classic three-single-coil pickup configuration, delivering a versatile tonal range that suits everything from bluesy licks to hard rock riffs.
The maple neck offers a smooth playing experience, perfect for both fast-paced solos and intricate chord work. With its iconic double-cutaway body design, the Stratocaster ensures easy access to higher frets, making it a favorite among lead guitarists. Crafted with attention to detail, this guitar showcases Fender's commitment to quality and craftsmanship, providing a reliable instrument for both stage and studio settings.
Whether you're a collector seeking a piece of music history or a musician looking to add a timeless sound to your repertoire, the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua stands as a testament to enduring design and legendary performance.
Key Features:
- Year of production: 1978
- Solid body electric guitar
- Classic three-single-coil pickup configuration
- Maple neck for smooth playability
- Double-cutaway body design for easy fret access
- Vintage style tremolo bridge
- Iconic design from a golden era of rock music
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Stratocaster |
| Finish | Antigua, Black, Blonde, Lake Placid Blue, Natural, Olympic White, Sienna Sunburst, Sunburst, Walnut (Mocha), Wine |
| Year | 1978 - 1981 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder, Ash |
| Body Shape | S-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Bridge |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Tan, White, Yellow |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss, Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Maple, Rosewood |
| Model Family | Fender Stratocaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | SSS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender Vintage CBS Era |
FAQs
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What makes the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua unique compared to other Stratocasters?
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The Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua is distinguished by its rare Antigua finish, originally introduced on the Coronado models. This unique finish features a greenish-gray sunburst pattern that sets it apart from typical Stratocaster finishes.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua?
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The Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua typically features a medium "C" neck profile, offering a comfortable grip suitable for various playing styles, from intricate solos to rhythm playing.
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What kind of pickups does the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua have?
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The Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua is equipped with a single-coil SSS (three single-coil) pickup configuration, providing the classic bright and clear Stratocaster tone known for its versatility across genres like rock, blues, and pop.
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Is the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua suitable for professional musicians?
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Yes, the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua's vintage construction and distinctive tone make it a desirable choice for professional musicians seeking a unique sound and classic aesthetics.
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What type of wood is used for the body of the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua?
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The body of the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua is made from alder or ash, contributing to its balanced tone with a strong midrange and excellent sustain.
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Does the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua have a tremolo bridge?
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Yes, the Fender 1978 Stratocaster Antigua features a tremolo bridge, allowing players to add vibrato effects to their playing by altering the tension of the strings.
Videos
Matthew Scott
Do 1970s Fender Guitars Suck? Lets Find Out..
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Stratocaster (1978-1981).
Build quality
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The 1978 Stratocaster Antigua is noted for its heavy weight, which some owners find distinct compared to other Stratocasters.
Source
Features and functionality
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings
It’s Okay
I borrowed mine from my sister. To be fair, however, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a legit strat or at least it was some sort of crappier version if this guitar. But the pickups were cheap, the neck felt odd, it sounded not bad, but not good either, and the tremolo bridge was smaller than the average strat.
Artist usage
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In the Gibson TV episode titled "The Collection: Kirk Hammett of Metallica," Kirk Hammett mentions that he owns a 1978 Fender Stratocaster equipped with a DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup in the bridge position.
George Harrison played a 1978 Fender Stratocaster during a live performance with Carl Perkins at Shepperton, as shown in a user-uploaded photo.
In mid-1997, Buckethead played a 1979 Fender Sunburst Stratocaster at several shows, as detailed in NatterNet's YouTube video, "The History of Buckethead's Guitars."
According to a Premier Guitar article, Jones was given a "late 70s" all-black stratocaster with a maple neck by Fender (Paul Simonon was also given a Precision bass). He apparently favoured using the strat in the studio. I don't believe I've ever seen a photo of Mick playing this particular guitar, possibly because Fender-sponsored David Gilmour was playing one around the same time.
Jack uses a Black 1979 Fender Stratocaster. As seen in the image, The guitar features a large 70's headstock and in some images, the guitar can be seen supporting a three bolt neck.
Jan posiadał ta gitarę od 1979 roku do 1989 (przez tę 10 lat była jego główna). Wielokrotnie przerabiana. W 1985 roku, Jan przemalował ja i zmienił pickguard na japońska flagę. Przerabiał ja też w 1988. Oddał ja przyjacielowi w 1989.
At 6:45 in a Youtube video posted in April 2020 showing off part of his guitar collection, Sullivan King highlights a black Fender Stratocaster. King mentions the guitar is a 1978 model specifically; the paint has begun to chip and peel with age.
King says that he initially borrowed the guitar from a friend to record his EP The Demented but enjoyed it so much he bought it from said friend.
Paco Huidobro used a Fender Stratocaster (1978-1981) as a backup guitar during the Pastel tour, and it is pictured being used for a soundcheck. The image credit goes to Fobia's Instagram.
In this 2005 MV of "ใจสั่งมา/Jai Sung Mah" (made for "Sek Loso The Collection" Compilation Album), Sek is playing a 1980 All Black Fender Stratocaster with a Maple Neck and Fretboard, SSS pickup configuration. He also used this guitar live to play "รับแฟนเธอไม่ได้" (Rab Fan Ter Mai Dai) during the Bird & Sek 2004 Concert.
Album Usage
The Fender Stratocaster (1978-1981) has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Stratocaster (1978-1981), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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