1976 Stratocaster Specs: Headstock logo decal now includes serial number, the letter representing the decade (“S” for 1970s) and the first number representing the year...

1975 Stratocaster Specs: Black plastic begins to replace white: pickguard (three layered), knobs and pickup covers. Transition to black is slow and not uniform, so...

1974 Stratocaster Specs: Around mid-year, the pickup poles become level (flush), replacing the uneven or”staggered” poles. However, staggered pole pickups have been found in Strats...

1973 Stratocaster Specs: Sees the first use of a black pickguard from the factory, but only in the new-for-1973 Custom Color, “Mocha Brown”.   <<...

1972 Stratocaster Specs: A second “butterfly” string tree added in late 1972. << 1971Strats by Year1973 >>...

1971 Stratocaster Specs: Introduction of the three-bolt neck plate with Micro-Tilt adjustment system. Truss rod adjustment switched to the “bullet” style at the headstock instead...

1970 Stratocaster Specs: Headstock logo decal now has one patent number: 2,741,146.   << 1969Strats by Year1971 >>...

1969 Stratocaster Specs: No substantial changes from 1968.   . << 1968Strats by Year1970 >>...

1968 Stratocaster Specs: Headstock logo decal changes to larger, black, curved logo with two patent numbers: 2,741,146 and 3,143,028 and decal is now under the...

1967 Stratocaster Specs: No significant changes from 1966. Note the transition logo still in use.   Note: Above images courtesy of Guitarelics, Inc. << 1966Strats...