I own a 1958 Fender Stratocaster. It's just old like me maybe. It's very plain. It doesn't have modern PU's in it, and no midrange boost. It's also a very boring two color sunburst. Should I put in some different pick-ups, and maybe sand it down and re-paint it? Also the tuners are very old and sometimes the B string doesn't hold tune very well if I use the vibrato arm a lot. Should I upgrade to locking tuners?

Any advice would be...uh... interesting?

You have to ask yourself if this guitar will never leave your possession. If you intend to keep it till death, do whatever practical upgrades you feel are warranted(new pups, tuners, paint).
But..... In my opinion, you should leave it stock, original and untouched. It has considerable value in original condition, even if worn and used. Get a nice newer Strat to fiddle with. The Made in Mexico Standard Stratocaster makes a great base for a project guitar, for not a lot of cash. Do all the mods on that guitar, not your 1958 Strat. The Made in USA Strats of today are great guitars, and sound and play really nice.
Bottom line, you would be foolish to make changes to your 1958 Strat that are irreversible, and change it from stock, original condition. But hey, do what you want..... it's yours!!!

Hi Paisley Strat. I strongly suspect the OP is having a bit of fun with us.

But in case not, I am willing to offer $500 to take that worthless piece of junk off his hands, and put towards a nice new shiny guitar. Shucks, I'll even come and collect that '58 in person, just to be helpful.

I can't say fairer than that now, can I?

Cheers - C

I'd offer about the same ...'cause it ain't like this '57 Strat :

http://www.frettedamericana.com/php/pag ... bv=&id=867

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Pete55,
You're kidding right?

+1 -- Exactly ... is this for real? If so, a guitar like that is a piece of very special antiquity that should likely not even be played any more. Also, by doing so you let its alrealdy extraordinary value increase.

I would not remove one wire or chipped-off piece of solder. The only thing you should do is make sure no decay (rust, insects, etc.) is occuring. And if so, take it to someone with experience in vintage instruments to address it.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Definitely having fun with us.. Oh God, I hope he's having fun with us.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

Ceri, how many 57s or 58s have we heard about here only to turn out a bust? I've heard the wolf story a lot so sorry if I'm sceptical man!

Hmmm...I dunno. For $500 I could likely sell it to ya'll, but the music store near me wants more than that for a shiny new Mexican one, and how do I know it sounds as nice as the old '58?

It looks dang near like that 1957 in the picture, but nobody famous ever owned it. It's likely not worth much because of that.

+1 not april fools day yet.

Hehe - it's been a few, hasn't it? Perhaps we're not quite as green as we're cabbage-looking (as we say in my part of the world...).

Actually, I was just scratching my head over that '57 Mike linked to [above]. A mere $60,000 for a near mint '50s Strat with a history? Something strange about that, no?

Cheers - C

PS Hi, LostinDesert: nice to see you around...

Did you ever hear what happened with that kid selling his grandfathers guitar?

Erm - not sure. Mr Lions-head - is that the one you have in mind?

He looked in the other day and said there's interested parties but no sale yet. Considering the experience of that South African party with his '60s Strat I'm sure Lions-head is doing it wisely.

I just recently reread that whole thread (seven pages): very amusing. My, we're a sceptical lot! But as the story progressed there seemed no reason to doubt its authenticity after all, far as we can possibly tell here in e-space. Here's the thread, coming nearly up to date at the end:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=11718

Cheers - C

No, this isn't an April Fool's thing. The guitar is real, and I'm not a kid either, so it's not even the only old guitar I own. I see crazier things posted here daily, so why would this be so special?

Just take a pic of you holding said guitar with your computer on the forum behind you and a today's newspaper and then we will all know!