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Post subject: Fender Villager 12-string (1968)
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:42 am
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I bought my Fender Villager in San Francisco in November 1968 from the Sherman & Clay music store downtown. I named her "Ramona" from the Dylan song "To Ramona" and specifically because of the last two lines in the song ("as someday baby, who knows maybe, I'll come and be crying to you.") and played nothing else for the next five years until I bought my first Martin D28.

Then I moved back to Texas in 1974 and started playing professionally around central Texas. By 1978 the heat and humidity and constant temperature changes weakened her bindings to the point the truss rod started splitting the butt of the guitar and I retired her. But I couldn't part with Ramona, not after all the times I came and cried to her. So now, 30 years later, I've finally decided to see if the Web might help me find someone to rebuild her.

I've taken her to some custom guitar builders and to the best known Martin repairman in Austin but nobody wants to touch her. Surely somebody out there loves the Fender Villager as much as I do. No other 12-string has a neck as easy to play as Fender. I've had Martins (D12-28 and D12-35), Ovation, and currently have a big Guild 12. But the necks are just too meaty.

So here's the question ... does anyone know of a Villager wizard out there who can bring Ramona back to life?


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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:41 pm
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I may not have this exactly right, but it is my understanding that your Villager was built, either by Moserite or a special joint venture involving Fender and/or George Fullerton under the direction of Semie Moseley. Also, Roger Rossmeisel was involved in the design of the Fender US built acoustics of that era, so someone comfortable with working on Rickenbacker or German guitars such as Hofner, Klira, Framus, Roger, etc might be able to help you. If you find someone to fix this, perhaps you could let us know. I have a Villager that needs work, too.


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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:13 am
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Thanks for the info. You just taught me more about my guitar than I've ever known. But then, where was the internet in 1968 (DARPA, that's where). I've got feelers out and about and if I find someone willing to work on Ramona who is competent to do so, I'll let you know. About three years before she started self-destructing in had a Barcus Berry pickup installed and she really sounded nice amplified.

I wish there was some more information about that Villager that's on eBay right now. The seller mentions cracks in the sound board but doesn't indicate whether anyone has looked at them to say they'd be fine with a little "dragon spit". I'll keep lurking a while longer.

Thanks again for the reply.


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