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Post subject: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 3:44 pm
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As noted in another thread, I accidentally purchased what purported to be a Road Worn 60's Strat of eBay.

The guitar arrived today and is/was as disappointing as I thought it might be, but at least it provides scope for improvement.

It may well be a Road Worn but has been further molested with sandpaper and has a faulty volume pot which rendered it unplayable and prompted a strip sooner than I had anticipated.

On the positive side, it has Custom Shop pups and what is left of the sunburst body finish would seem to be nitro ....mmmm nice. The neck serial no is MZ80... but the frets are almost unworn.

I payed a little over £400 for it and will need to sink a bit more but think it may be quite a nice guitar ultimately. As I said in the previous thread, I think I got carried away and perhaps payed over the odds even if it was listed at £550 originally.

I will add some pics in due course but have done little other than remove the scratch plate and polish the body.

"Polish the body on a relic!!!??" Indeed so. To my mind any wear should look like wear not look like some idiot has rubbed it with sand paper, as was previously the case. So after 3 hours hard application of elbow grease and copious amounts of car polish (polish not wax) I've pretty much cleared any sanding scratches and developed the inconceived and illogical wear areas to look more like something which might actually be a result of playing. Again apologies for no pictures so far.

It does look a bit shiny and lush for a relic at the moment, bare patches aside, but it should soon dull down once I get to sweat on it a bit. It also looks more like it has been played and loved rather than found in a shed, or a skip/dumpster, and I feel less likely to catch something unpleasant off it

Next consideration is the pickguard. It arrived with an tortoise offering (never liked them) which was as badly pseudo aged as the body so it is going to have to go. But what instead, black, white, mint and if white single or 3 ply? I have a spare black 3 ply but aren't necessarily feeling it when joined by the aged white plastic knobs and pup covers. I do quite like black on a sunburst body though but guess that wouldn't be very 60's -not that that matters necessarily - it is what it is and is for playing not some sort of fake 60's memorabilia.

Another question - it has a vintage style rosewood board neck (no skunk stripe) with the heal truss rod nut. I've never had one before but was surprised that there is no clearance in the body to adjust the nut which you can only otherwise adjust by removing the neck. Is this right or am I going to have to scallop out the body?

Again, sorry that I haven't uploaded any pictures yet but I hope they will be worth the wait and thank you in anticipation of your learned comments regarding my queries.

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:16 pm
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If the fretboard is maple, a single-ply white pickguard would be most authentic. If rosewood, a mint 3-ply (or possibly parchment depending on your "druthers"). In the latter scenario, the "62 style" guard should be installed.

Pics will be very helpful when you can get them up, thanks.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 4:19 am
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Some pictures:-

As it arrived
Image

Image

Image


So how would that be pick rash?
Image

Much elbow grease later
Image

I'm still not 100% happy with the pick rash but at least it looks a little more like it may have been as a result of exuberant playing.

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Last edited by John Sims on Mon May 22, 2017 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 8:21 am
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See what you mean, John, re the 'pick-rash' area, which - for me (and obviously you as well) - is the bit that doesn't look quite right. But what can you do with it that you haven't already done? Apart from playing it hard and getting a bit more genuine wear on it! I take it it's nitro, so you've got a great guitar for 400-ish notes, especially with the - what are they - Custom '69's? The same 60's Road Worn is £949 at Rich Tone with Tex-Mex p/ups!

Think I'd prefer a parchment scratchplate, but as it's not my guitar, who cares what I think?! Can't help with the truss rod question - can't recall having had one like that.

Assuming it's a genuine Road Worn, and you get it playing nice, I reckon you have an absolute bargain, despite the last bloke's efforts!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:45 am
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I agree with Peter -- the relic effect is a bit overdone but you've done a credible job of making it look more authentic. Add some properly tarnished hardware and I think you're in business. BTW, neither of those pickguards (the tortoise-shell that came on the guitar or the black used in the mockup) have the correct screw layout. You need the '62 pattern with its re-located screw above the middle pickup. The body may already be drilled for it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 10:41 am
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Thanks for your comments and assistance chaps.

The pick rash is the only thing now which doesn't have me head over heals with Odee yet.

I've actually ordered (at great expense) a "Fender 009 4392 049 Eggshell Pure Vintage 3-Ply 12 Hole Mount '65 STRATOCASTER Pickguard" which should do the job.

The PUP's were listed as Custom Shop Texas Specials which, while not really authentic, may be quite sweet once I get it up and running.

It is nitro and I love it. Polishing has softened the surface a bit so it is marking up nicely and legitimately. There is even some crazing going off which I am very pleased with.

I enquired over the serial number and received the following:-

Here is the info for serial MZ8039025 dated 06/2008
Model Name: Road Worn® ‘60s Strat®
Model Number: 0131010300, 0131010305
Series: Road WornTM Series
Colors: (0131010300) 3-Color Sunburst,
(0131010305) Olympic White,
(Road Worn® Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, “C” Shape,
(Road Worn® Urethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Rosewood, 7.25” Radius (184 mm)
FRETS: 21 6105 Narrow Jumbo Frets
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender®/Ping® Vintage Style Tuning Machines
Bridge: Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Pickups: 3 Tex-MexTM Strat® Single-Coil Pickups with Staggered, Alnico Magnet Pole Pieces and Parchment Covers
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume,
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. (Middle Pickup and Middle/Bridge Pickup Combination)
Strings: Fender Standard TensionTM ST250R, Nickel Plated Steel, Gauges: (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046),
P/N 0730250206
Case: Deluxe Gig Bag, P/N 0991512000
Unique Features: Distressed Body, Neck, and Hardware Creating an Aged Appearance,
Aged Knobs, Pickup Covers and Switch Tip,
Vintage Styling,
Synthetic Bone Nut
Source: Mexico
Accessories: Deluxe Gig Bag
U.S. MSRP: $899.99
INTRODUCED: 1/2009
WRENCH SIZES: Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench, (.050” Hex), P/N 0018531000


so all pretty legit.

I've not put it back together yet as I'm waiting for a steel trem block but I can't help but keep picking it up and handling it. It is so much more tactile than any of my other Strats and I'm really looking forward to giving it a damn good thrashing.

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 2:04 am
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That's going to be really nice with that scratchplate, John! So glad it's a genuine Road Worn - I was a bit concerned that the previous owner had butchered an ordinary MIM. Especially when the current poly finishes are more easily damaged - my 2014 Special has somehow got chipped and I see that the paint is far thinner than it used to be!

I think you've struck lucky with the Texas Specials. I had 69's in the Special but went back to the standard TS's, which I much prefer. But if you don't, they're very desirable...

Funnily enough, although I'm not a huge fan of 7.25" radius, or that truss rod arrangement, or MIMs for that matter (probably irrationally!), I envy you a nitro Strat for - what - about £500 in total? Can't wait to see the finished article!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 6:16 pm
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John Sims wrote:
...I've actually ordered (at great expense) a "Fender 009 4392 049 Eggshell Pure Vintage 3-Ply 12 Hole Mount '65 STRATOCASTER Pickguard"...


12 hole? Fender never used a 12 hole PG....

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 12:20 am
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shimmilou wrote:
John Sims wrote:
...I've actually ordered (at great expense) a "Fender 009 4392 049 Eggshell Pure Vintage 3-Ply 12 Hole Mount '65 STRATOCASTER Pickguard"...


12 hole? Fender never used a 12 hole PG....


Indeed. And it fits all of my screw holes. It is marked as a Fender Genuine Pure Vintage but that is a bit of a misnomer in this case.

I'm not overly worried as I'm not approaching it as a full on replica, it has non period PUPS, 5 position switch and plastic insulated wire. Most telling, it has a M Serial No.

Subject to how I get on with it I may move more towards a replica but, on the other hand, a battered and used 50 year old guitar is unlikely to have all the parts it left the workshop with.

I fitted the pick guard yesterday and it is perhaps a little whiter than would be ideal. I'm looking for someting to yellow the top a bit but not found anything yet.

I'm still writing the story of the guitar in my head so the pick guard may have been replaced 15 years ago.

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 12:47 am
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Image

"Genuine Fender Pure Vintage" PG fitted and distressed a little.

What I am looking for is a yellowing agent to replicate what has occurred on my 20+ year old Strat. Look how sickeningly immaculate that body still is.

Image

Edit - But then through the wonders of internet compression both look pretty clean and white on the screen and even the aged plastic bits on Odee look whiter than they are.

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 1:49 am
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Quote:
...my 20+ year old Strat. Look how sickeningly immaculate that body still is


Yes John, but your 90's Strat is a poly thick-skin finish, almost bombproof! I recently sold a pretty knackered '91, but the body was virtually unmarked.

I've posted pics including white and white-ish scratchplates recently and they don't seem to come out very well, do they? Your new one does look a bit 'bright' white compared to the p/up covers & knobs, but I expect it'll fade off pretty quickly if it's not just down to the camera/angle/lighting/whatever. Hanging it out in the sun for ages will work - if we ever get any - but again it takes time!

Years ago I also recall immersing plastic parts in cold tea (after sanding them a bit). It did work, but I may've gone over the top time-wise or tea-wise as I recall they turned out a sort of light muddy brown!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 7:37 am
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Peter S wrote:

.....Years ago I also recall immersing plastic parts in cold tea (after sanding them a bit). It did work, but I may've gone over the top time-wise or tea-wise as I recall they turned out a sort of light muddy brown!

Cheers - Peter.


Solid tip there Peter. I'm off to put the kettle on straight away. :-)

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 4:50 pm
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John, that is an 11 hole PG, not 12. If that PG fits the holes in the body, and there are no extra PG screw holes in the body, it is definitely not a Road Worn 60s body, as the RW 60s has a different screw hole pattern.

Like this:
Image

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:31 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
John, that is an 11 hole PG, not 12. If that PG fits the holes in the body, and there are no extra PG screw holes in the body, it is definitely not a Road Worn 60s body, as the RW 60s has a different screw hole pattern.


Correct.

And if so, it begs the question: just which body is it?

What's the configuration of the pickup routs, S/S/S or S/S/H?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Odee (Old Dog) The eBay Relic.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 11:45 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
shimmilou wrote:
John, that is an 11 hole PG, not 12. If that PG fits the holes in the body, and there are no extra PG screw holes in the body, it is definitely not a Road Worn 60s body, as the RW 60s has a different screw hole pattern.


Correct.

And if so, it begs the question: just which body is it?

What's the configuration of the pickup routs, S/S/S or S/S/H?

Arjay


Naughty Amazon for specifying the wrong number of holes. In due course I might get an authentic space PG but having just spent £40 on the replacement Fender one I'm in no hurry. And having removed the plastic and generally distressed it (including application of tea) I'm in no position to return it.

The body is SSS routed and has the alternate hole position (so I could drill the PG and have 12 holes to really confuse people ;-) ) so that would further confirm the provenance of the body as an RW, and matching the neck serial no.

As noted previously, I'm not looking to produce a full on fake as that would mean sanding out the decals and serial no and applying new fake transfers. It is what it is which, in essence, is an 8 year old nitro body RW.

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