I am just getting started with the process of building a Strat partscaster. I am going to build one like Fullerton 57 reissue I used to have. When ordering the body I noticed that they come cut to 50's, 60's or 70's style. Since I want it to be vintage specs, what are the main differences between the shape of a 50's body and a 60's body?

I know the 50's models were 1 piece ash. I know the contours and control cavity are different and the 50's body was wider at the lower end near the jack but are there any other differences in the shape of the two? How much different in appearance and feel are they? I would imagine the 60's shape with the better contour would be more comfy to play?

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Well they weren't all one piece ash mate. That was rare back then, particularly that the world was still feeling the after effects of WW2. Hence the tele slim headstock, due to maple shortages.

The only difference I know of is the deeper belly cut on the late 50's guitars.

You will have trouble replicating a Fullerton plant RI. Most of those owners state that Fender can't get em right now. The CBS drawings were lost when they were bought out.

Or do you mean the George Fullerton tribute guitar?

I wasnt sure about the one piece ash but I read that somewhere online that the first Strats were all 1 piece ash.

The Musikraft website says about the 50's body style "Our rendition of the vintage classic 50's style Strat body with the correctly shaped control cavity and contours. Our 50's version also has a slightly wider shape at the lower end of the guitar near the jack - just like the real thing!" but I couldn't tell much difference in the jack area between the 50's and 60's. Sounds like the 60's model will be more comfy with the deeper contour in the belly.

Here is the 83 Fullerton RI I had for a few months until I sold it for a friend of mine. This was a super super guitar. It really pained me to sell it because I wanted it for myself. The way that vintage white has yellowed is just so sweet. These things and the Fullerton AVRI 52 Tele are already IMO real hot items so far as the next wave of vintage goes. I am currently trying to get back both the Fullerton Strat and 82 AVRI 52 Tele I sold for my buddy a while back.

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BCB
OrvilleOwner has a 54, I think it's a 2 piece body. The 57 had the deepest belly contour didn't it? I'm sure it did, thats why people favour that body with the classic 62 neck ala Knopfler.
If I were you I'd be full steam ahead at re-acquiring that strat. Forget everything else and make sure your mate doesn't see this thread cos it'll put a grand on the price.

Lots of people drum that old tale out about 'all the first ones were one piece'. I think 53Strat's prototype is a one piece body. It's about the only one I've ever seen. I know you hold Musikraft in high regard, for good reason too. But their only in it to make a quid or two.

Worst part, it sold for $2500 when I sold it! I have tried to get the guy to sell it back to me but he collects the Fullerton RI's in particular and is not budging. he said for $4000 he would let it go and that's too rich for me at this point. So I figured I would make my own for around $1000 like I did with my Tele.

Not having Musikraft make a one piece body will save me $150 so that sounds good to me!

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Blues with a feeling.

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I think a higher percent of the early Strats had one-piece bodies, so that's where that Old Tale starts. Mine (from July) does happen to be one-piece.

As for body changes over the years, the routings were the biggest differences (going from 8 to 11 pickguard screws). The contours were more "hand made" so varied more than other features (and '57 tended to have the deepest belly contour). The radius of the curved edges changed a little bit over time too. But overall, the shape was pretty much the same from the '50s through the '70s.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

You know very well that Canadian Customs wouldn't allow that. Even with NAFTA and all that.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Hi BCB: if it's the features you're after rather than just some old paint why don't you just buy a nice American '57 RI?

I expect there's a good reason - what is it?

Cheers - C

PS: Orville, I can't at this moment find the pictures of your '54 (the "search" feature doesn't seem to have been fixed yet). Remind me please, is it ash or alder?

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The pictures all went off-line ... it's ash ... fairly light too, unlike my ash 1975.

I'm planning on reuploading pictures someday.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Go to http://www.fenderreissue.com. Use this as a reference only. Go into the Fullerton section. It contains much of what you are looking for. (P.S. according to Butterscotch, the website is part of the Reliablefender operation and you, being a veteran around here, understand where that guy is coming from.)
In addition to the deep offset waist relief in the '57 Stratocaster, the bodies reflect what have been called 'soft contours' in that the line angles where the surfaces transition are more curvelinear. If you look at the post '85 guitars you'll note that the upper edge appears bulkier, fatter, more angular and squared off. The transition on the top of the guitar where is slopes off into the forearm relief is a defined line. Not so in the vintage bodies. I read their narrative with interest, though I found that his photos did not quite accurately reflect the features being described. I am also of the opinion that even factory generated 'vintage' line in the current product lineup does not reflect the body contours you seek. You really ought to get your hands on the real deal. There is a Forum member who owns both an original and a repro '57 Fullerton. He posted pics of that guitar waaay back, but not the views which would really help. Perhaps Orville will be so kind as to photograph the sides of his '54 which will reflect what you really need to see for reference and anyone else who reads this and also owns an original. My '58 is gone ,otherwise I'd be most willing help you out.

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Honestly, I would spend $1200 on a 57 American made and I feel like for the same amount of money I can build my own that will be even better. (note: this is my opinion, no offense to anyone that thinks this is impossible)

My project Tele turned out so well that I want to build a Strat now. Thag particular 57 Ri was the best Strat I have ever played so I wanted to use it's specs as my blueprint, but with a 9.5 radius and different pups.

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

ZZ this is great info, thanks for posting this. I my be wrong, but I think this guy is the one who bought the 57 from me, only under a different user name on Ebay. I seem to remember the user name was something like fenderreissue or FenderRI. Looks like he sold it because according to the serial no in the pics of the one I sold, this is it. Looks like he put it in a tweed case though.

http://www.fenderreissue.com/fullerton/ ... -4499-sold

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

Nothing they do would surprise me,but you've got that website tagged correctly. Same dude....cause of the neckplate and COA debate The last time I characterized it, I got slammed. Anyway...the details on the bodies of the Fullerton AVRI's are close, but not exactly vintage. You need to see the real deal to get the idea. In the '57, the offset waist is so deeply cut that it extends further into the upper horn than most. I expect that the '57 is preferred because of that, and likely because of EC. ( The '59 because it was a transition year, saw the rosewood board, and likely because of SRV.)A.R.Duchossoir's book contains some excellent views of these body characteristics including the control cavity rout which, in the 8 screw version lacks the step which was needed to provide enough wood to hold one of the additional screws in the later versions of the guitar. If you don't own his book, you really must have it in your library.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Well he bought the guitar from me after it had only been listed for THREE minutes on ebay so he must have really wanted it...to flip for a profit.

Anyways, I'll be getting the Musikraft body cut to 50's specs, that contour on the 50's body you speak of sounds excellent.

Thanks for all the info my friend!

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

[quote="BlackCatBoneAnyways, I'll be getting the Musikraft body cut to 50's specs, that contour on the 50's body you speak of sounds excellent.Thanks for all the info my friend![/quote]

Do some serious research and get as many visuals as you can before you have them cut it.

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"Another day in paradise!"