It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:59 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 8:10 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:43 pm
Posts: 26
I need a period correct pickguard for my vintage 65 Stratocaster. I see Fender has a PURE VINTAGE '65 STRATOCASTER® PICKGUARD, which should be perfect.

I have two questions, first, it is unclear in the pictures if the pickup screw holes are countersunk (they aren't on the 'modern' pickguard), I want to use my original screws which are oval head countersink screws. On this model are the pickup screw holes countersunk?

Second, is this pickguard available in any other color, like mint or aged white? I have some aged white pup covers and knobs I'd like to use with it.

Thanks for your help - Bruce


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 9:15 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
The screw holes for the pickups are countersunk (as are the holes for the selector switch).

Mint green would be inappropriate for a '65 Strat and Fender doesn't list any other pickguard colors for that year. Decades ago I saw a '65 (or possibly a '64) Strat with a tortoise-shell PG but I couldn't say with certainty whether it was original to the instrument or not.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:10 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:43 pm
Posts: 26
Thanks for the reply, glad to hear about the countersink holes. I've thought about trying to countersink myself, but they're so close to the pickup cutouts I was afraid of breaking through.

Good comment on Mint, I'll give my accessories a try with the eggshell and get a new set if they stick out too much. This is the obviously the right pickguard for my guitar (though after over 50 years, aged white would be nice too).

I think tortoise shell was still standard in 65, but only on white; I'm actually replacing a tortoise shell I'd put on because I liked the look, but it's just not right and the pickup holes bug me too.

Thanks again – Bruce
Retroverbial wrote:
The screw holes for the pickups are countersunk (as are the holes for the selector switch).

Mint green would be inappropriate for a '65 Strat and Fender doesn't list any other pickguard colors for that year. Decades ago I saw a '65 (or possibly a '64) Strat with a tortoise-shell PG but I couldn't say with certainty whether it was original to the instrument or not.

Arjay


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:36 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
I've had to counter-sink holes a few times prior to Fender offering their Pure Vintage line of accessories -- it's easier than it seems (do NOT use a Dremel tool though, do it by hand).

Fender's contemporary tortoise-shell pickguards do not look right -- too dark, too much brown, non-random dispersal of the various pigments. The best vintage-style tortoise-shell PG's were made by Chandler but they are now both rare and expensive.

If you're sticking with a period-correct motif, go with the white pickguard and parchment covers, knobs, and tips. They'll provide a nice subtle contrast without looking obtrusive.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 3:52 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:50 pm
Posts: 4602
Location: ˚ɷ˚
Retroverbial wrote:
(do NOT use a Dremel tool though, do it by hand)

It depends on the Dremel tool. The beefier ones have a low speed setting that won't melt the plastic. The slimmer ones and battery powered ones lack torque and as a result, they can't run at low speed. Their lowest speed is in the "way too high" range.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 5:30 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:43 pm
Posts: 26
Retroverbial wrote:
I've had to counter-sink holes a few times prior to Fender offering their Pure Vintage line of accessories -- it's easier than it seems (do NOT use a Dremel tool though, do it by hand).

Fender's contemporary tortoise-shell pickguards do not look right -- too dark, too much brown, non-random dispersal of the various pigments. The best vintage-style tortoise-shell PG's were made by Chandler but they are now both rare and expensive.

If you're sticking with a period-correct motif, go with the white pickguard and parchment covers, knobs, and tips. They'll provide a nice subtle contrast without looking obtrusive.

Arjay

I might try to countersink my tortoise shell, but wouldn't try it by hand or Dremel, a friend has a drill press and I think that's my best bet to make them all consistent and not too deep.

The colors are interesting, when I first saw this Vintage 65 pickguard they called it parchment, now it's listed as eggshell, the accessories are still parchment. I don't know what the difference is, but assume they're both similar 'off white' colors. Still wish there was a vintage aged white.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 6:13 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
A drill press and low RPM will be fine. A depth gauge for the bit would be prudent as well.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:47 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
I'm afraid that without sufficient evidence, i.e. picture, we will have to refer to this as an "alleged" 65 Strat. :(

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 7:48 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:43 pm
Posts: 26
shimmilou wrote:
I'm afraid that without sufficient evidence, i.e. picture, we will have to refer to this as an "alleged" 65 Strat. :(

I've owned it since it was new, lots of pictures, here it is posing with my Fender stool, no that's not the original color. 8)
Image
If you just want evidence ...
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 8:29 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
Beautiful specimen!

What color was it prior to the Lake Placid Blue refin?

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 9:11 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:43 pm
Posts: 26
Retroverbial wrote:
Beautiful specimen!

What color was it prior to the Lake Placid Blue refin?

Arjay

Thanks Arjay. It was sunburst, at 13 it took forever to save $275 and I couldn't afford another $30 for a custom color. It was natural by the end of the 60's and the pickguard painted with fluorescent paint (black lights!). I was young and everyone was customizing their guitars, I succumbed.

A few years ago I returned it to an appropriate 65 color and tried the Tortoise shell pickguard. I liked its unique look for a while, but as I said it's just not right, I have a black pickguard that looks good too, but same problem. Though I love it whatever it's wearing.

Right after getting its new clothes ...
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 9:24 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
A white or parchment pickguard will make that color pop.

Post some "after" pics when you change it out.

I sympathize about the day-glo phenomenon of the '60s -- my first Strat was a sunburst '66 purchased from the original owner in '68 and I made a few "alterations" of that nature too. Mercifully, it was water-based tempura paint which washed off easily once my fascination with that fad had passed.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 4:31 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Sweet. Thanks for posting the pics AudioHTIT.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:51 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:43 pm
Posts: 26
Retroverbial wrote:
A white or parchment pickguard will make that color pop.

Post some "after" pics when you change it out.
...
Arjay

Well it took two pickguards, on the first one the outer screws weren't countersunk. The vendor quickly sent another which was just right.

Image

Interestingly I'd never used the back plate that came with my Antique White accessory kit, I pulled it out and noticed it didn't match the other Antique knobs, it actually looks mint to me (this was a genuine Fender kit). So now I have three different colors, though on the back there's nothing to compare it too.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 65 Strat Vintage Pickguard
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:36 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
What a remarkable difference......it's beautiful.

If you end up obsessing about that rear trem cover, regular white single-ply versions are prolific -- you should be able to find one anywhere.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: