After been separated from my 1982 Fender Strat for 25 years I have finally recovered it. The story is long and complicated so I will just skip that part.

This guitar holds an incredible sentimental value for me. It is in bad shape but I would like to restore it to new status or at least to functional status. It is USA Made Serial Number E 202334 Maple Neck No Tremolo Clear Lacquer Finish Strat. For some reason, the lacquer finish looks more darker than it was originally. This guitar has at least 29 years and it represents a time in my life when my father past away.

I need help finding a dealer to restore my guitar. I live in Puerto Rico but I'm willing to ship to the USA to have it fix.

Please let me know Who will you recommend to restore my guitar.

I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Best Regards,

Luis R.

Glad that you got reunited with your old guitar.First off the finish getting darker is due to the buildup of years of exposure to ultra-violet light and just the elements in the atmosphere.As far as restoring the guitar I wouldn't strip the original finish as that causes the value of the guitar to plummet.If you just give the guitar a good polishing and cleaning with products that are safe for a guitar's finish that should be sufficient.You can clean the metal parts with a solution like Sparklean and then buff with a Sparklean cloth and polish with a clean dry cloth and that should make the metal shine like new. You can find them here: www.sklean.com. (866)772-7556. There are many websites and books available that could help you do a basic set up of your guitar but if there are guitar stores in your area they should have a technician that could do a setup on your guitar for about $100.00.As long as the finish hasn't been stripped off a good cleaning is all that it needs,refinishing is absolutely the last thing you should do.If you could post pix so we could see what shape it really is in we may be able to answer you better.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Thanks much for your response it means a lot to me. I agree with you in terms of Not stripping the finish. It looks old as it is. Unfortunately most of the metal details has rust on them. Also the electric parts inside look moldy and rusted. I'm looking for a dealer to change all the electrical parts including the pick ups, the cover and the metal platings.

I have photos but don't know how to post them. Please let me know how to post them.

Thanks,

Luis R.

Sorry I can't be of any help when it comes to posting pix as my computer skills are nil. You may get away cleaning off your electrical components with an electrical contact spray cleaner,it would be a pity to throw away all these old components especially the pickups if all they need is a good cleaning.All you need to do is spray on the cleaner and gently brush off the parts with an old soft toothbrush.Also you could clean off any surface rust with WD 40 and an old toothbrush.A bit of rust just adds to the funkiness of an old guitar and as ling as it doesn't interfere with the playing of the guitar I wouldn't worry too much about that.I'm a real stickler for keeping as much of the vintage parts on the guitar as possible.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

man what a story i bet this is. i would give almost anything to hear it, bet others would too. if you get the opportunity to tell us please take the time. its stories like these that
really reach out and grab ones interests. congratz on your recovery and being united again.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Louis,
I'd suggest calling Fender's customer service and telling them your story and what you're wanting to have done. If they can't do it, I bet they could point you in the direction of someone who could.

Jeff

Great news that you have been reunited with an old friends!!!

In my opinion, the person you are seeking to restore your strat lives in Los Angeles, CA.

http://www.wescottguitar.com

John is no secret to us studio musicians, and recording artists. He is fair, honest and trustworthy.

I recommend him highly.

Take a few minutes...browse his site... give him a call him, I know he'll answer the phone.

Once again, congratulations on getting an old friend home.

I Luis.

I would think a Fender repair station would be a good place to start.
If it were mine I would only trust it to Portland fret works, they are a Fender warranty station, but They are also very talented craftsmen.

Now, with that said, Please do tell the tale of your guitar, you can leave out names, just tell us the tale.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Hi Luisrodz

Cool youve found that guitar from way back, wish i could get my first fender back, it was an 82 standard strat, ive since learned there referred to the "Dan Smith" strats. Cant even remember the serial no tho. So no real chance.

As for posting pics, one way is to.

1 Sign up tp photobucket (its completely free)
2 Upload yer pics to the site.
3 Copy the code that is assigned by photobucket to individual pics called image code i think.
4 Copy and paste this code into a topic here, check in preview then submit. Just may need to make the image a bit smaller.

hey presto thats all you do.

Similar story but mine wasn't lost for years, i put it in a case for tweny something years though.

Hi Gator that looks exactly like mine, bought in 79 or 80 can't remember for sure. I had never seen a cherry sunburst strat and the guy that owned the music store I used to shop at knew I liked cherry sunburst and gave me call. Saw it, played it and brought it home. It's been with me ever since.
She's a beaut keep on playing.
filerj

Yeah, love the color too. My buddy and I bought these 82 Smith Strats on the same day at Guitar Center. He purchased a black one. Recently, he had some work done on his and his neck was stamped 1983 whereas mine was stamped 1982. Somehow they put a newer neck on his 82 body. The guy at the music store said it was a nightmare to work on..

Luis,
Post some pictures on here buddy, we'd like to see just how far gone it is. Restoration sometimes makes a guitar worth less than more if you are concerned. But if its a keeper, than do whatever you must to restore it to its former glory.

_________________
"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


facebook.com/313DBC

If someone hasn't told you already the laquer is darker because of time. That's why older Fender necks and some bodies look darker.

I know a guy in Baltimore, Maryland who does great work. Check out http://www.philtone.com/. Phil Jacoby does really good work.