Ok, i need some advice from my fellow forum friends... I value your opinions, so lets hear it

I have had this '75 Strat for a while now - It is completely original - im the 2nd owner - Now, its got some wear it, still looks great though - Im torn between whether or not I should just get some work done to it to get it to play like I want it to, which would mean new frets, new pick ups, etc... Which would totally kill the value of it, as far as thats concerned - However, I do not ever plan on selling it, I plan on keeping it and passing it down to my little boy one of these days - I just hate the thought of it sitting in the case - Im not much of a collector, im a player - I have plenty of strats to play, so that makes me wanna just leave it alone, but then again, its just too cool of a guitar, and I wanna play it - Im torn, just not sure what to do

Opinions please!

Personally I would make the repairs and continue to play it!!!!

How about some pics?

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I totally agree, especially since it is going to be retained as a family heirloom. It would serve no practical purpose to keep it in it's current condition as with the overhaul, it can be fully played and fully enjoyed.

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You dig?

Make it playable but in doing so keep the pickups, pots, switch and pickguard as a set and put them aside so that they can always be put back as original. Refret neck if you want and don't refinish it. I have seen many 70's Strats that are all original but have been well played to where the frets had to be redone.

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

That looks sweeeeet!!!!

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the reinforcement - you all have shadowed my thoughts and desires - the value of the guitar is least of my worries - I had always wanted a '75 Strat, from the time I started playing at least - Finally was put into a position to where I could get one, and found this one and immediately knew that this guitar was mine - so, its never going anywhere, and needs to be played - Im going to talk to a guy this week about a fret job!

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

Having a refrett won,t hurt the value. As said keep the pickups and other original parts.

guitars are meant to be played.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

wow,dude what a nice guitar.
i agree with all the wise choices to refret the guitar.
but, however is something wrong with the pickups?

If I were you I'd play it. Just keep the original parts somewhere.

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I'd say play that beautiful beckoning guitar!

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"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

wow, she's a beaut!

I agree with everyone else; get the fret job. Regardless if you intend to sell it or not, this change is oft forgiven by collectors.

As far as new pu's go, I agree there also; get a new pg, pu's, switch and pots. The only new solder points would be at the input jack and ground wire then.

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The mind is like a parachute; it doesn't work unless its open-FZ

Yea, thats gonna be the plan! I have a slew of pickguards, pots, switches, all kinda stuff laying around - I also have a new set of CS Tex Specials that im considering putting in there - I have them in another guitar, and they are pretty cool, so who knows - After getting her out last night to take the pic, I played around with her for a it - she only has 9's on her right now, with tiny frets, and im used to playing 11's, but it was still nice - that guitar screams to be played!

Have a great Monday friends!

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

Yes, that's what I'd like to know, too.

Anyhow, if you want different pups then why not just remove the entire pickguard and keep it safe? And do so by unsoldering the joins on the jack rather than at the controls: that way all the joins on the harness stay original, which is what collectors like to see.

You may have no intention of selling - but your children/grandchildren may be very glad of your carefulness in decades to come!

(Actually, I've heard of people peeling back the insulation on the wires and making the break somewhere that new joins can then be hidden by putting the insulation back in place. That way ALL the visible solder joints stay in tact. It'll only work with certain kinds of wire insulation, though...)

As others have said, new frets are often considered acceptable running maintenance by collectors.

Dave Gilmour plays his number 0001 Strat: that's an excellent example to us all...

Good luck - C