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Post subject: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:19 pm
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Hey all. New to the forum, but I figured THIS is the only place I could post the question I have and get the correct answer. It's a bit of a long story, so i will make it as brief as possible.

A few months back my cousin Larry passed away. Unknown to me, until last week, is he had told my Aunt he wanted me to help him finish a guitar he has had for a long time. Originally, it was going to be sent to me, but, he passed away the morning after he told her all of this.

Fast forward to last week when I was asked by my Aunt to finish what Larry had started. Needless to say, I was humbled beyond belief. The guitar was delivered to me today and I'm astounded by what I have sitting here.

It started it's life as a 1964 Olympic White Fender Strat. Larry received it in 1975. The body and neck are in damned good condition, but this is NOT a museum piece. This is a player and it's been modified under the pickguard to house a 1974 Fender Wide Range humbucker.

I have dated the pots to the 22nd week of '64. The neckplate and neck stamp date to '64. HOWEVER, the pickguard is NOT w/b/w. it's Tortoiseshell. So, my question is, did the '64 Olympic White strats EVER get released with the tortoiseshell pickguard, or, would it be aftermarket? The p/g is old, but seeing how one can't date a P/G, I'm at a loss.

Basically, it's been repainted numerous times and he finally decided to paint it sky blue with gold Fender hardware, which is where he was going with it and where I am going to finish it. It's bittersweet to have this here and any help with the pickguard question would be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.


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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:32 pm
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The tortoise-shell pickguard was available on a *very limited* basis for model year 1964 Stratocasters, usually in conjunction with custom Duco finish colors. Mostly, the tortoise-shells were used on Jaguars, Jazzmasters, the basses, and certain Mustangs in Olympic White and Dakota red (possibly the Duo-Sonic as well, with the same color caveats). Remember that real Fender tortoise-shell guards are 4-ply, with a white/black/white substrate. Also, Fender's pickguards back then used oval-head countersunk screws to mount the pickups and the selector switch. Any deviation from those two parameters guarantees that the pickguard is not original to the instrument and may not be a Fender part at all.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:50 pm
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Arjay - everything you described, fro the 4 ply to the screws are correct. Thank you for that help. The photo was taken with a potato, but this is how I received it. I have all the non used original parts in a bag in the case. Image


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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 11:02 pm
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shoco wrote:
I have all the non used original parts in a bag in the case.


Including the original bridge pickup?

Arjay

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"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


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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 5:42 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
shoco wrote:
I have all the non used original parts in a bag in the case.


Including the original bridge pickup?

Arjay


Sadly, no. It wasn't included, so I am guessing it's LONG gone. :(


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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:31 am
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Not a show-stopper by any measure. You might locate something period-correct on Ebay or similar venues.

Arjay

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"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


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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:44 pm
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Welcome to the Forum shoco. Sorry about your cousin, may he rest in peace. Very cool that your Aunt is allowing you to complete the guitar (nice guitar too). Let us know how it is going when ever you have some time.

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Post subject: Re: 64 Strat Question
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:35 pm
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I have no doubt Larry would be pleased that you are giving detailed attention to the guitar, Shoco, and your grieving aunt must be thrilled with your acceptance.

Great that you could join us here in the Forum. All the best.

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