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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:17 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
Fantastic guitar and playing!

I was hoping someone would ask about the truss rod, but no one did so I guess I will. It looks like there's an adjustment access at the neck heel. However, it also looks like there's a place to adjust the rod on the headstock. After studying the pictures, the headstock area looks like a wooden plug and I don't see a hole. What's the story on the truss rod?

Thanks, its a fun guitar to play! As mentioned by Arjay, the '50's maple necks had a plug at the headstock with the truss-rod access at the heal of the neck. The rosewood necks of the early '60's also had access at the heal but didn't have the plug as the truss rod was placed before the rosewood cap was glued on. The first Telecasters (before they were even called Telecasters) didn't have a truss rod at all. Leo resisted the idea that his competitor Gibson was using. He figured if a customer's guitar neck warped, he would simply replace it. Don Randall, his first sales rep, was having trouble trying to sell the guitars because they would be warped by the time he got to the east coast. He fired off a few letters to Leo insisting the truss rod was necessary and Leo eventually conceded. Access at the heal is a bit of pain as you have to capo the strings at the first fret, loosen the strings, and then remove the neck to adjust it (well, that's my technique anyways). -Marty


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:44 pm
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:21 pm
Posts: 394
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Nokie wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Fantastic guitar and playing!

I was hoping someone would ask about the truss rod, but no one did so I guess I will. It looks like there's an adjustment access at the neck heel. However, it also looks like there's a place to adjust the rod on the headstock. After studying the pictures, the headstock area looks like a wooden plug and I don't see a hole. What's the story on the truss rod?

Thanks, its a fun guitar to play! As mentioned by Arjay, the '50's maple necks had a plug at the headstock with the truss-rod access at the heal of the neck. The rosewood necks of the early '60's also had access at the heal but didn't have the plug as the truss rod was placed before the rosewood cap was glued on. The first Telecasters (before they were even called Telecasters) didn't have a truss rod at all. Leo resisted the idea that his competitor Gibson was using. He figured if a customer's guitar neck warped, he would simply replace it. Don Randall, his first sales rep, was having trouble trying to sell the guitars because they would be warped by the time he got to the east coast. He fired off a few letters to Leo insisting the truss rod was necessary and Leo eventually conceded. Access at the heal is a bit of pain as you have to capo the strings at the first fret, loosen the strings, and then remove the neck to adjust it (well, that's my technique anyways). -Marty
Thanks so much for clearing that up as well as the great history lesson. I got my first real guitar in 1966 and it was a '66 Stratocaster (see my avatar). It had the heal adjustment which was so cumbersome. Being a dumb teenager, I mangled the pickguard to get to the adjustment nut. Oh well. I recently acquired a 2014 American Standard and treating it with a little more respect. :)


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:16 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
Nokie wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Fantastic guitar and playing!

I was hoping someone would ask about the truss rod, but no one did so I guess I will. It looks like there's an adjustment access at the neck heel. However, it also looks like there's a place to adjust the rod on the headstock. After studying the pictures, the headstock area looks like a wooden plug and I don't see a hole. What's the story on the truss rod?

Thanks, its a fun guitar to play! As mentioned by Arjay, the '50's maple necks had a plug at the headstock with the truss-rod access at the heal of the neck. The rosewood necks of the early '60's also had access at the heal but didn't have the plug as the truss rod was placed before the rosewood cap was glued on. The first Telecasters (before they were even called Telecasters) didn't have a truss rod at all. Leo resisted the idea that his competitor Gibson was using. He figured if a customer's guitar neck warped, he would simply replace it. Don Randall, his first sales rep, was having trouble trying to sell the guitars because they would be warped by the time he got to the east coast. He fired off a few letters to Leo insisting the truss rod was necessary and Leo eventually conceded. Access at the heal is a bit of pain as you have to capo the strings at the first fret, loosen the strings, and then remove the neck to adjust it (well, that's my technique anyways). -Marty
Thanks so much for clearing that up as well as the great history lesson. I got my first real guitar in 1966 and it was a '66 Stratocaster (see my avatar). It had the heal adjustment which was so cumbersome. Being a dumb teenager, I mangled the pickguard to get to the adjustment nut. Oh well. I recently acquired a 2014 American Standard and treating it with a little more respect. :)
What did you do with that ol' '66? How do we get a bigger picture of that cool avatar?!


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:59 pm
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:21 pm
Posts: 394
Location: Oklahoma
Nokie wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Nokie wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Fantastic guitar and playing!

I was hoping someone would ask about the truss rod, but no one did so I guess I will. It looks like there's an adjustment access at the neck heel. However, it also looks like there's a place to adjust the rod on the headstock. After studying the pictures, the headstock area looks like a wooden plug and I don't see a hole. What's the story on the truss rod?

Thanks, its a fun guitar to play! As mentioned by Arjay, the '50's maple necks had a plug at the headstock with the truss-rod access at the heal of the neck. The rosewood necks of the early '60's also had access at the heal but didn't have the plug as the truss rod was placed before the rosewood cap was glued on. The first Telecasters (before they were even called Telecasters) didn't have a truss rod at all. Leo resisted the idea that his competitor Gibson was using. He figured if a customer's guitar neck warped, he would simply replace it. Don Randall, his first sales rep, was having trouble trying to sell the guitars because they would be warped by the time he got to the east coast. He fired off a few letters to Leo insisting the truss rod was necessary and Leo eventually conceded. Access at the heal is a bit of pain as you have to capo the strings at the first fret, loosen the strings, and then remove the neck to adjust it (well, that's my technique anyways). -Marty
Thanks so much for clearing that up as well as the great history lesson. I got my first real guitar in 1966 and it was a '66 Stratocaster (see my avatar). It had the heal adjustment which was so cumbersome. Being a dumb teenager, I mangled the pickguard to get to the adjustment nut. Oh well. I recently acquired a 2014 American Standard and treating it with a little more respect. :)
What did you do with that ol' '66? How do we get a bigger picture of that cool avatar?!
Ha Ha. I'm very ashamed and continually kick myself. I sold the guitar and a 1966 Super Reverb in 1978 for $500. I can't believe I'm exposing that. My wife and I needed cash. The picture was taken in Mandeville Louisiana, 1967-68. We played in this "Old Gym" every week for a couple of years. We earned $200 a night and had 8 players which included horns. Not bad for high schoolers. I'll try to post the picture here, but will need to figure out how to do it. Also, if you want, send me an e-mail to lawleflore@yahoo.com and I'll attach the photo and send back. I am still amazed that you own an original 1955 Strat - Larry


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:26 pm
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Nokie wrote:
... I didn't trade anything in on it - just paid it in full ...

Nokie,
My forum counterparts are showing much more restraint and class than I can muster ... Can I ask how much you "paid in full"?

Ridiculously sweet guitar (you may even hear my high-fervor golf clap from where you are)!

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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 1:17 pm
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01GT eibach wrote:
Nokie wrote:
... I didn't trade anything in on it - just paid it in full ...

Nokie,
My forum counterparts are showing much more restraint and class than I can muster ... Can I ask how much you "paid in full"?

Ridiculously sweet guitar (you may even hear my high-fervor golf clap from where you are)!


I don't mean to be coy but the best I want to admit to is that it was about the same price as my wife's minivan. It was significantly less than what it would have sold for at the height a few years ago. I thought that was purdy good. Did my wife agree? No, but a trip to Europe helped ease the mood. And before it sounds like I'm Mr. Moneybags, I'm not. The cost of travel was offset a bit by my place of employment as I had a speaking engagement in Hamburg. The cost of the Strat is being eased by the sale of a number of guitars. -Marty


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:00 pm
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Nokie wrote:
I don't mean to be coy but the best I want to admit to is that it was about the same price as my wife's minivan.


In five years that Strat will be worth twice what you paid for the car.

:lol:

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: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:47 am
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Hi MArty

I'm a bit late to the party but... that strat sounds freaking fantastic,,,

of course, lets not forgot to mention.... the playing is top notch.. one piece of advice,,, try to have just a little more fun when you're playing... really.. you don't seem to be enjoying yourself much... --

( LOL!! of course I'm being a wise a---.. I'd be smiling just like that too man!!)

enjoy the playing!!!

/ray


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:19 pm
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Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:54 pm
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KidBlast wrote:
Hi MArty

I'm a bit late to the party but... that strat sounds freaking fantastic,,,

of course, lets not forgot to mention.... the playing is top notch.. one piece of advice,,, try to have just a little more fun when you're playing... really.. you don't seem to be enjoying yourself much... --

( LOL!! of course I'm being a wise a---.. I'd be smiling just like that too man!!)

enjoy the playing!!!

/ray

Thanks Ray! Yeah I'll try to not to look so depressed next time. But seriously folks, my wife was doing the filming and giving me a chuckle here and there from behind the smartphone. -Marty


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:22 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Nokie wrote:
I don't mean to be coy but the best I want to admit to is that it was about the same price as my wife's minivan.


In five years that Strat will be worth twice what you paid for the car.

:lol:

Arjay


Indeed, I expect the value curve of the ol' '55 is concave up. The car lost 5 thou just driving it off the lot. -Marty


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Post subject: Re: NGD 1955 Stratocaster all original
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 4:28 am
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:47 am
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Nokie wrote:
KidBlast wrote:
Hi MArty

I'm a bit late to the party but... that strat sounds freaking fantastic,,,

of course, lets not forgot to mention.... the playing is top notch.. one piece of advice,,, try to have just a little more fun when you're playing... really.. you don't seem to be enjoying yourself much... --

( LOL!! of course I'm being a wise a---.. I'd be smiling just like that too man!!)

enjoy the playing!!!

/ray

Thanks Ray! Yeah I'll try to not to look so depressed next time. But seriously folks, my wife was doing the filming and giving me a chuckle here and there from behind the smartphone. -Marty


ha!!! it was perfect..

congrats on your once in a lifetime score. many years of playing to both of you!


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