I have seen the engraved model type on the neck plate before and also the brass in the cavities.
This guitar is from december 1976 and it looks like it's one of the project series models.
Excel pickups btw, which are very nice!
Yes it's origional. I have a 1976 SE-1000 serial # L7637XX which was built in Dec. 1976. It has the model # SE 1000 under the serial number and has copper plating also in the pick-up cavities for noise reduction. Mine has a 1 piece body & 1 piece maple neck with birds eye. The Project Series was like a custom shop guitar in a sense and the price in yen reflexs that. My SE-1000 in 1976 was a 100,00 yen. If you research on the web you'll find information on them and also check out the old cataloges.....Cheers
Hey Bonzo I'll check out some info on the SE-700 as the only SE's I've seen from project series catologes are SE-1000 & 1200. But as far as I understand (someone correct me if I'm wrong) project series SE guitars are the only ones that have the model number on the neck plate. Give me a bit & I'll get back to you.....Cheers
The 1977 Project Series feature 4 strats; SE-700, 800, 1000 & 1200.
The difference between the models are, as always, the specs.
The 700 only comes in solid colours and multiple piece body, PU-100 pickups.
The 800 is te same as the 700 but most likely a 2P body and has a sunburst finish.
The 1000 has a 1P body, PU-119 pickups, sunburst finish and the distinct metal scratchplate.
The 1200 same as 1000 but normal scratchplate and what I believe are foreign pickups but I leave that the ones that can read Japanese.
There's nothing custom shop about them. Just a new approach with shielding.
Here's the 700: