Restoring a late 70’s 3 bolt Stratocaster

kozy814 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 09, 2010 5:10 am

I have a 1979 3-bolt strat with a maple neck, which I bought used in the early 1980’s. The neck is nicely patina’d with typical wear marks, checkers, etc. The truss rod is perfect -- this neck is fast with literally no dead spots. And has a ton of vintage vibe.

The body is a different story. Near as I can tell it’s an original Fender body, but it’s been refinished a gold flake color (I’ve been told it’s 1966 GM Cadillac Gold). The problem with this body is that it’s been scalloped and altered to the point that it actually has changed (ever so slightly) the overall shape of the guitar, with the PU wells all butchered. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a clean job with a semi-pro finish – from half-way across the room you can’t really see a dramatic difference.

The pick-up are replaced with a Dimarzio noiseless SSS config, and the pegs are 6-in-line Shallers, everything else is original. This guitar plays like a dream, which is why I’ve been resistant to changing it. But lately I’ve had the itch to replace the body with a more period accurate body with a period correct finish. I’ve seen Fender RI bodies on-line for anywhere from $160-300.

What I would like is a Fender body that's relic-ized to match the wear on the neck. Any ideas? What should I expect to pay for such an endeavor?

I will post a photo of the guitar later on this evening

DetroitBlues · **Joined:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:58 am **Posts:** 2187

kozy814 wrote:

I have a 1979 3-bolt strat with a maple neck, which I bought used in the early 1980’s. The neck is nicely patina’d with typical wear marks, checkers, etc. The truss rod is perfect -- this neck is fast with literally no dead spots. And has a ton of vintage vibe.

The body is a different story. Near as I can tell it’s an original Fender body, but it’s been refinished a gold flake color (I’ve been told it’s 1966 GM Cadillac Gold). The problem with this body is that it’s been scalloped and altered to the point that it actually has changed (ever so slightly) the overall shape of the guitar, with the PU wells all butchered. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a clean job with a semi-pro finish – from half-way across the room you can’t really see a dramatic difference.

The pick-up are replaced with a Dimarzio noiseless SSS config, and the pegs are 6-in-line Shallers, everything else is original. This guitar plays like a dream, which is why I’ve been resistant to changing it. But lately I’ve had the itch to replace the body with a more period accurate body with a period correct finish. I’ve seen Fender RI bodies on-line for anywhere from $160-300.

What I would like is a Fender body that's relic-ized to match the wear on the neck. Any ideas? What should I expect to pay for such an endeavor?

I will post a photo of the guitar later on this evening

You need to find the famous Ceri on here. He's the man on restoring strats to their former glory!

kozy814 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 09, 2010 7:03 am

Ceri's work is indeed quite amazing! Not sure how he'd handle this one, with the new body contours. Maybe he'll take a look once I post the photos... :wink:

Voodoo Blues · **Joined:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:05 am **Posts:** 1333

kozy814 wrote:

This guitar plays like a dream, which is why I’ve been resistant to changing it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

kozy814 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 09, 2010 6:40 pm

Voodoo Blues wrote:

kozy814 wrote:

This guitar plays like a dream, which is why I’ve been resistant to changing it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Yeah you're prolly right. Here's the guitar

jag__man · **Joined:** Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:05 pm **Posts:** 101

kozy814 wrote:

Voodoo Blues wrote:

kozy814 wrote:

This guitar plays like a dream, which is why I’ve been resistant to changing it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Yeah you're prolly right. Here's the guitar

my god. that thing is gorgeous. please dont mess with it.
I mean really, im normally an avid reader of this forum, but rarely post. I logged in just for this. thats how great that guit-box is.

~Jag

kozy814 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:10 am

I know, it is sweet. I’ve been playing this guitar since I was in high school, and the only thing I’ve changed is the pickups. Sometimes when you have something this long you grow complacent. But my love for this guitar is continually contradicted by my need to make this awesome instrument more “original” in spirit. I’m sure changing it would alter its chemistry which is probably the biggest reason I’ve left it the way it is. But every now and then I want to give it a new “look”, thinking it’s doing me and this guitar a favor. Such is the paradox of the guitar junkie.

Thanks Jag_Man for the kind words -- it’s helping to put my brain back in the right place about the issue.

pjtrate3 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:40 pm

kozy814 wrote:

I know, it is sweet. I’ve been playing this guitar since I was in high school, and the only thing I’ve changed is the pickups. Sometimes when you have something this long you grow complacent. But my love for this guitar is continually contradicted by my need to make this awesome instrument more “original” in spirit. I’m sure changing it would alter its chemistry which is probably the biggest reason I’ve left it the way it is. But every now and then I want to give it a new “look”, thinking it’s doing me and this guitar a favor. Such is the paradox of the guitar junkie.

Thanks Jag_Man for the kind words -- it’s helping to put my brain back in the right place about the issue.

I agree with Jag_Man, she's a beaut! I wouldn't touch it!

nikininja · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:56 pm

Where is the body scalloped, I don't understand what you mean mate, can you explain please.

That to my eye looks like a regular CBS (fractionaly smaller) body.

Now I can give you some hints on relic'ing it, if you want. Personaly I wouldn't touch it. One thing CBS did do is plaster with paint. Consequently the 70's guitars dont wear like earlier or some later instruments. Because your near constantly in contact with the neck it wears a bit quicker than the body front.

pjtrate3 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:15 pm

nikininja wrote:

Where is the body scalloped, I don't understand what you mean mate, can you explain please.

I think I see where...lower horn is narrower than normal, also in the lower cutaway, the pg is closer to the edge of the body than usual. That is really the only difference I notice though and I had to stare at it a while and look at mine at the same time to see it.

kozy814 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:09 pm

pjtrate3 wrote:

I think I see where...lower horn is narrower than normal, also in the lower cutaway, the pg is closer to the edge of the body than usual. That is really the only difference I notice though and I had to stare at it a while and look at mine at the same time to see it.

Yep, pjtrate3 got it right. But it was tastefully done for the times. I really love this guitar -- not gonna do anything to it. It's about a relic'd as I want it to be -- there is a good size buckle scar on the back

Jeffytune · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 11:05 pm

Voodoo Blues wrote:

kozy814 wrote:

This guitar plays like a dream, which is why I’ve been resistant to changing it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

+100

Too many times we try to fix something that ain't broke in hopes of improving it and ruin it in the process.

ARG!!! · **Joined:** Fri Jul 02, 2010 8:21 pm **Posts:** 3

yo man how ya makin out,,,, listen I agree with most of the other guys don't mess with it. to me it looks pretty sweet, and you say that it plays like a dream so yeah let it be. as the one guy said repaint it if that's what is bothering you cause ya know that if you go strapin a new body on it that may change the sound drastically. if you do repaint it make sure you get the procedure correct that too can change your sound ( slightly if your lucky). I been ripping gitters apart since 10/11 yrs old, but only when they needed it well that may not be all together true,lol, but I would let this one alone for real.

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