I am planning on getting a 60's Player Strat (sonic blue) and I want to get the correct pickups installed.
The problem is I have conflicting details about the Strats they purchased in 1965.
Story is they said to Mal, go get us some strats and he comes back with two sonic blue strats.

I have heard on one site that they were purchased in '65 but were '61's
and recently I saw a Fender book and they go through all the models and they show a picture of Harrison's "Rocky" painted sonic blue strat and they say it's his 1964 strat.

So, my question is what year are their strats? 1961 or 1964?
AND if they were 64's were the pickups '63's or 1964 specs
IF 1961 were they 61's
I don't want to assume anything.
i just want to get that "nowhere man" sound.....

thanks
Rob

Everything I've ever read concerning the Sonic Blue Strats points to them being '61's and outside of the paint job George gave "Rocky" there were no alterations done to them.So I would imagine that the pickups are the original '61s.BTW I have reams of Beatle related articles,books etc. and it all points to my conclusion as does The Beatles Gear book by Andy Babiuk that's probably the most exhaustively researched book on the subject.

_________________
'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. I have to guess that the Fender book is incorrect then. Do you think it's possible they sat on the shelf for about 4 yrs before they were purchased in '65 by the Beatles? I mean it was the '60's unlike today, less players I suppose....

Also, I noticed theirs have a chrome cover plate to their bridge/tremolo assembly. Any ideas on an aftermarket purchase for that?

thanks,
Rob
___________________________________________________________
Gibson custom J160 ('62 specs)
Gibson LP Jr (in the process of modifications like Lennon's)
Gretsch Country Classic 6122
Epiphone Elitist Casino VS
Epiphone EJ200
Fender Japan Rosewood Tele (w/'63 and '67 Klein pickups)
Ibanez Grand Concert Classical guitar AEG10NE

You know, here I was thinking it was something bigger than it was, duh? It was just a cover plate like the one I bought for the Tele I have....sorry to pose such a goof question.
I was thinking the whole assembly was one piece, not a separate piece .....

I see them listed on Ebay...... so it looks as if, I just have to pick up a '60's player in Sonic Blue and get '61 pickups and a cover for the "whammy"!

thanks
Rob

___________________________________________________________
Gibson custom J160 ('62 specs)
Gibson LP Jr (in the process of modifications like Lennon's)
Gretsch Country Classic 6122
Epiphone Elitist Casino VS
Epiphone EJ200
Fender Japan Rosewood Tele (w/'63 and '67 Klein pickups)
Ibanez Grand Concert Classical guitar AEG10NE

Check this site out,it will tell you alot about vintage Strats and each year model and what was changed....if you click on the link "inside a 1954 Strat"...then you can go to the next year and so on.
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

Just an FYI, the bridge cover won't fit the 2 point trem of the Classic Player's 60 model. Those covers only work with a 6-point vintage spaced trem. Trust me I owned the same model, it won't fit

Back in the 50s and 60s Strats came with the "Ashtrays" as standard equipment.They were called ashtrays as that was the fate that usually befell them and thats why you see so few of them on vintage guitars today.I doubt if the new Strats would be able to be fitted with an ashtray.

_________________
'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.

I've got several of the "ashtrays" and I don't smoke anymore,now what?

Ill take one !

Great question. I do know that in 1965 John and George told their roadie, Mal Evans, to go out and purchse two new strats. You probably already knew this, but thought I'd put my "two cents" in, if it helps !