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Post subject: Classic series 50's Strat question
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:17 am
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I have the chance to buy a used 2003 Fender Classic series 50's Stratocaster MIM in Daphne blue finish. It is in very good condition, and is being sold for $275 w/ gig bag. If anyone owns one, I would like to hear what you think of it, and if you think that this is a good deal. I feel that it is, but would like to hear from some owners of this model. Thanks Stratophiles!!!!


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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:59 am
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I have one. It's ok. It needed a bit of TLC when new.

I had to take off the pick guard and clean off some pencil marks, fine tune the claw screws, saddles etc.

I also took some the sticky shine off the back of the neck with some wire wool (just preference - I'm sure people will be shaking their heads at that!)

The single ply scratch plate is a bit warped, which is my pet peeve (you can buy 9 hole 3 ply replacements, but I like the look of the 50's thin ones)

I don't know if I prefer the V neck to a C? and I don't know if I would prefer a rosewood board?

I sometimes think I should have got the 60's version, but I know full well that if I had, I would be thinking 'I should have got the 50's one'!!

It sounds very nice (not hot pickups by any means - quite mild) alnico's not ceramic like the MIM stds.
Nice big pots, very tidy inside.
Frets aren't as neat as my Classic Vibe Squier, but there are no highs lows or dead spots. some neck tint is slopped on the nut, and glossed over.

Mine is always in tune (I don't dive bomb, but I constantly wobble)

I can't wait for it to score a few ding's and dents!
it's a real shame that poly doesn't wear like nitro.

Very orange necks on these guitars. but not too bad.

Hopefully that's a fair objective description. If I think of anything else I'll post it.

(Mine is Shoreline gold from a 59 Pontiac it's nice)

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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:12 pm
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I think its a good deal. I dont own one, but I am aware of the prices. They are cool looking guitars.


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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:02 am
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Thanks for the input. Hey Randy, the guitar in question looks just like the avatar you have chosen. Who woulda thunk it.?
I checked out the guitar more closely yesterday and noticed some problems. The neck pick-up does not function at all. Not by itself or in the neck/middle position. It is either a switch gone bad(hopefully) are wire disconnected(probably) or a neck pickup that is shot(I hope not). After I brought this to the attention of the shop owner, he lowered the price to $212. I am leary of this problem, but $200 + tax is an awesome deal. The rest of the guitar is in good condition. Does Fender sell the type of Alnico pickup that comes stock on this axe?


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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:13 am
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paisley strat wrote:
I checked out the guitar more closely yesterday and noticed some problems. The neck pick-up does not function at all. Not by itself or in the neck/middle position. It is either a switch gone bad(hopefully) are wire disconnected(probably) or a neck pickup that is shot(I hope not). After I brought this to the attention of the shop owner, he lowered the price to $212. I am leary of this problem, but $200 + tax is an awesome deal. The rest of the guitar is in good condition. Does Fender sell the type of Alnico pickup that comes stock on this axe?


Now that bit just makes me a little leary. If it's a simple bit of soldering required why would the shop owner not do the work and keep it at the original price? He knocked off at least the price of a replacement pickup - what does he know that you don't? Has he looked inside - what did he see that justified that price drop?

On the other hand, supposing you'd intended redoing the electrics anyway then you'd regard it as a good price. Just be aware you might be buying a pig in a poke: after the price drop you'd have no comeback...

Cheers - C

PS Three of us with the same avatar: basically, we love this model guitar, don't we?


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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:31 am
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In the uk you can buy drop in pre wired pick guards all you need to do is earth it. They're a good price.
Look....

http://www.axesrus.com/pickassy.htm

Anything like this where you are?

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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:28 am
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Ceri wrote:
If it's a simple bit of soldering required why would the shop owner not do the work and keep it at the original price? He knocked off at least the price of a replacement pickup - what does he know that you don't?


If the pickup is "dead" (as can be determined with a multimeter), a lot of times the problem is a cold solder joint at the "eyelets" where the thin coil wire is soldered to the black/white leads that leave the pickup. The pickup can be brought back to life by simply reflowing the solder at those eyelets.

If you are not fully capable with multimeter and soldering, this operation may not be for you, however.

Of course, if you are a Ritchie Blackmore fan, you can swap the dead neck pickup and middle pickup around and be fully functional (because Blackmore [and others] never use the middle pickup) at no cost!

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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:25 pm
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[quote="paisley strat"]Thanks for the input. Hey Randy, the guitar in question looks just like the avatar you have chosen. Who woulda thunk it.?

Yeah, I believe the avatar is the American Vintage 57 Reissue, but they do look alot like the Classic series. Sounds like your deal keeps getting better. I think the 57-62 Strat pickups are similar if not identical to the stock ones, and you should be able to buy those as replacements. I'm sure you can find some pickups that will sound great in it if you really like the guitar. Good luck....


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:17 pm
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Thanks for all the input. The shop in question is a pawn shop, and the owner does not service his guitars, he sells them "as is". I am still deciding if the guitar is in my future.
Hey Ceri, I appreciate all the good info. You sound like a well versed technician and player. I look foward to your posts. [/quote]


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:49 pm
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Hi, is this Classic 50s strat available in Olympic white color? :roll: because I chcecked it on http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document ... 36&index=5 ....but i did not found it here on Fender :D so..? Its just a mistake? Plz someone help


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:43 pm
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Quote:
If the pickup is "dead" (as can be determined with a multimeter), a lot of times the problem is a cold solder joint at the "eyelets" where the thin coil wire is soldered to the black/white leads that leave the pickup. The pickup can be brought back to life by simply reflowing the solder at those eyelets.

If you are not fully capable with multimeter and soldering, this operation may not be for you, however.



Hi, i think your the man with the answer to problem. I have recently purchased and installed a brand new set of Custom Shop 69 Strat pickups. At time of installation i also fitted 3 brand new CTS pots and capacitor as supplied and a USA 5-way selector switch, all genuine Fender parts.

My wiring job is impeccable and very neatly done. However, upon testing i have noticed that the neck position sounds very dull and muddy and the tone controls do not appear to work on this pickup. The middle and bridge pickups sounds bright and quackey, and the tone controls work fine for the middle position as they should. I know the neck position is meant to be bassier but this just doesn't sound right at all!!!

I have checked and re-checked my wiring over and over again and everything is correctly positioned as to the supplied wiring diagram. I have studied many strat installations on the internet of original vintage pickguard assemblies, and mine is wired identical.

Please help, as i am baffled as to why the neck position sounds dull (it just sounds like the other positions with the tone knobs turned right down, very flat and muddy sounding!), i am left feeling disappointed. I even went to a Fender dealer and tried 2 Custom Shop 69 strats, which have the same pickups installed, and they sound bright in the neck position. What could be wrong with mine??? :roll: :cry: :(


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