Glad you came to the rescue on the Black Strats, very progressive idea for the USA back then when we were lumbered with sunbursts LOL. I seem to recall an old photo of Gene Vincent's band playing at a UK townhall with a Black one, so thanks Dave it's jogged my memory so you are right again
I read somewhere that the serials were unclear in that important period.
So bottom line Dave , do you think it worth the asking price if genuine ?