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Post subject: Custom shop 1960 NOS vs 1965 Relic
Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 4:54 pm
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I am looking at a 1965 Relic and a 1960 NOS. They are both custom shops and I’m pretty much unplayed condition. Both have the 3 way switches, with the 5 way in the cases. I’d prefer the 5 way so whichever I get I’d have that installed.

I’m not too concerned about neck style as I like most. They are both rosewood boards, which I also like.

I know the middle pickup in the 65 is reverse wound, so that is a good fit for the 5 way switch. Not sure about the 60.

I own a 69 with maple and just looking for a good second that would give me a different sound. While I’m drawn to the 60 as it’s a NOS burst, I tend to have the odd oops with my guitars and think the 65 relic would help me not be too worried about that.

Anyone have opinions on which year could be better in terms of pickups? Is relic the preferred choice over NOS for custom shop owners over NOS. I hear relics hold there value more but could be wrong.


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Post subject: Re: Custom shop 1960 NOS vs 1965 Relic
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:59 pm
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I've gone through a considerable number of FCS Strats, NOS and relics.. and personally prefer the relics.. but it's subjective to the individual. The greatest differences between the two, outside of the finish are the pickups and neck dimensions. The 60's neck will be the thinner of the two at .790 thickness at the 1st fret and .930" at the 12th. The 65' will be .820" at the 1st and .974 at the 12th.. These are the standard dimensions for each but FCS has many variations for you to choose from. Also the 65' will have Pearl narrow spacing face dots versus the 60's clay wide spaced dots. Lastly, the 65 will have a round laminated Rosewood Fretboard versus the 60' slab.

The pickups are the most interest to me.. I prefer the 65's.. Plain Enamel Wire and 6+ ohms.. versus the 60's FormVar wire at 5+ohms.. The 65's are cleaner with more power... I prefer a .1mfd cap on Tone 1 and a .047 cap on Tone 2.. and I wire the Bridge pickup to tone 2 and the neck and middle to tone1. This give me better control over the brightness of the bridge pickup..

Some artists, like Kenny Olson, prefer to modify the bridge pickup to a much higher output like 11+ ohms.. with the T2 bridge cap.. this allows for a P90ish tone.. But to each their own..


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Post subject: Re: Custom shop 1960 NOS vs 1965 Relic
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 11:54 am
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If you lean towards the 60 NOS, I'd highly recommend you find a 59 AV with rosewood neck. It has the clay dots (not on the CS). It has the oil and paper cap (not on the CS). It doesn't have a logo on the back of the head-stock (more period correct). It comes with the 5 -way installed and the 3-way is included with the case candy. The AV 59 also has the original hang tag and other period correct case candy. It has a more period-correct case. It has the 7.25" radius neck but if you prefer the 9.5" then go for the 65 relic (I also like the feature of not worrying about that first ding and in '65 the pearl dots replaced the clay dots).

I know my recommendation is given highly in terms of appearance but I am also a good player and consider play-ability and sound primarily. I have 4 CS Strats and 3 AV's and the latter compare just as well in terms of quality, pliability and sound, IMHO, at which point it's down to appearence. I play with my thumb over the neck most of the time so I prefer the 7.25" radius.


Last edited by Nokie on Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Custom shop 1960 NOS vs 1965 Relic
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:00 pm
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Well if you are looking for a different sound to the 69 I would shop around for a ash bodied custom shop 56 with HW pickups.
OK suppose that doesn't help.... :D


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