Hello All,
I just wanted to share with every one the story of one lucky '98 Fender Hard tail stratocaster of mine. I'm a long time strat player (semi-retired right now, which is even a longer story for another time) and have been on a hard tail quest for the

last couple of years. I don't really enjoy the CBS '70s hard tail strats too much, but I do enjoy the late '90s MIA models (go figure!). Anyway, I finally found a very nice white blonde, two piece ash "Big Apple"/"Double Fat" model online right before

Christmas '08.



Well, it played so well that it inspired me to do some modifications to make it "one of kind", something that would stay in my collection for a long time. I've always loved the "Mary Kay" color scheme, and since this guitar was just missing the gold

hardware, I spent the next couple of weeks scouring online dealers for gold Fender replacement parts. It took a while find them all (bridge, tuners, screws, jack plate, neck plate and strap locks) but about the first week of March, I had swapped
out all the chrome hardware for gold, and took it to my favorite local guitar tech for a setup/intonation and some wiring TLC. Getting it back was wonderful, it played like a dream and sounded hotter than dice, with the hum buckers, which was

also a new sound for me, at least with a strat.

Anyways, a couple of weeks go by, and I'm just returning to work after my lunch break, when I receive a phone call. It is our local Fire Department.

"Sir, this is Capt. Scott* with the fire department. I have your wife with me and I hate to inform you that you have had a pretty major house fire. Can you please come home as soon as possible?"

Yes. Yes, I can.

By the time I get to my house from work, the fire is out. The wife is slightly hysterical. Luckily, the kids were at school, so everyone was safe. almost everything in the house is destroyed, including the aforementioned guitar, as it was in the living
room, with some other recording gear, and a couple of small combo amps. After a house fire, it takes a few days or so of investigation by the powers to be, to determine the cause. In this case, it was old electrical wiring that started in the master

bedroom. During the clean up & inventory process, I pulled the guitar out from a pile of debris in the corner and did a quick assessment. The neck - toasted, frets & fret markers had popped out, the low tone side of the neck burn so badly wood

was actually missing. The pick guard & pups had melted into a horrid bulb of plastic and metal. The beautiful white blonde "Mary Kay" finish was bubbled and melted as well.

Was it salvageable, could it be rebuilt? Heck Yes!

So I want to introduce everyone to "Smokie", a truly "one of kind" guitar. Several hours are spent sanding and chipping off pieces of the finish. Surprisingly, I was able to save almost all of the gold hardware. And back to EBay I went for

replacement neck - had to be the right year, I'm a stickler for details like that, and then down street to Bellevue American Music for new Seymour Duncans, pots & posts, etc.



I'm happy that I was able to recover this guitar, because playing is one of the things that I truly live for, and once again, just a few months after the fact, the guitar is tuned up and ready to go.

More Pix:
http://seangephardt.com/guitars/1999.Fender.Stratocaster.Hardtail.smokie.jpg
-edited to remove broken links

Thanks for reading.

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SG.
"Walls" video from Zero in the Sun by Villains of Yesterday

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm glad your family was safe and sound. On the guitar note...any tone changes after the fire or does Smokie still sound like itself?

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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)

"Smokie" still sounds pretty good, as I replaced the pups with what was originally in the guitar. The guitar is a bit louder acoustically speaking, since there is almost no poly finish on the front.

I was really surprised how the gold hardware cleaned up using "Magic Eraser", and some elbow greaase. It is not quite the same gold color it was, but it all still functions fine.

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SG.
"Walls" video from Zero in the Sun by Villains of Yesterday

that is pretty cool, i really like it! and glad that you were able to salvage your guitar after such a horrible thing like a fire!

that is pretty cool, i really like it! and glad that you were able to salvage your guitar after such a horrible thing like a fire!

What a great story. I hope it gives you many years of playing. That guitar has a great will to live "with a little help from its owner". Seems that now it has a major case of mojo.

Awesome story and pics. I've also played since the late 70's and my favorite is my 98 mia. Something about the late 90's mia's that beyond perfect to me. The feel, the tone, the look, the vibe everything.

Mine was originally black, and I took off the thick poly finish to refinish it in a a vintage tint. It looks like this now...



... except it's a little more "road worn" for a ton of practices and gigs of the last few years since that pic.

And yes, the tone changed a fair amount. Acoustically it's louder and warmer. And I can "feel" the vibrations better. Plugged in, it's just a warmer more "open" tone.

Looks like you have a lifelong friend there. Very cool

Nice.

It's good you were able to rebuild Smokie!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

You see Nick? Thats how you burn a guitar properly! Seriously though, I honestly like that burnt look!

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate fire, but congrats on one seriously cool looking guitar!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Wow. That's one nice reconstruction. I am glad no one was hurt in the fire.

I see a future in this, Fender can call it the Fender Stratocaster Firehouse Series.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

That guitar has got some serious mojo.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

Reminds me of the LP that was struck by lightning Sure it's one of a kind Strat now!

Sorry for your house :I

I can just imagine the conversation when you moved back in after the fire..

Wife: Darling, we need to buy some furniture..

You: Mmm, looks like the neck might have survived..

Wife: And beds, the kids have nowhere to sleep..

You: Yep, I can definately save the body..

Wife: And what on earth am I going to cook on..

You: If I just sand it down, it could look cool..

Wife: Darling.. Darling..

You: Holy smokes! This pick-up still works!!

Door: SLAM

Sorry to make light.

Wow. That is verrrrry cool. I am especially loving the fact it is double-fat.

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

Like a marshmellow. "Tastes better burnt."

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