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Post subject: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 5:10 am
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So I want to get one of those special strats, sits comfortably enough within my budget and I figure I can get a pretty good sound from it with a few mods and a good setup, the one thing I don't like is the big headstock and the decal.

I prefer the smaller head stock and standard decal but swapping necks would cost more. I was thinking it might be a good idea to get the head stock cut smaller and change the decal to the standard style,

does anyone know if this is advisable over just swapping it out with a standard neck?


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 5:23 am
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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 6:29 am
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If you're not satisfied with the infamous CBS styling, get an American Standard and throw the American Special's loaded pickguard on it!

Or put in a Warmoth neck.

There are no alternative solutions.

Altering the headstock is a pure mess, not recommended.

Changing decals is relatively easy to do.


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 6:54 am
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I agree with the others - better to swap the neck than to attempt to cut down the headstock. Actually you might be able to find a nice used American Standard for about the price of a new American Special since if you're planning on doing mods to the guitar. You might also find one of the first generation Highway 1 Strats (made 2003-mid 2006); they had the small headstock with the vintage-style decal and should be available at a fairly reasonable price.


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 9:35 am
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chromeface wrote:
Altering the headstock is a pure mess, not recommended.


+100!

Horsing around with reshaping a finished neck's headstock shape is whistling past the grave yard.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 9:53 am
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I did that very thing to a cheap Squire once.
All I can say is: Glad it was a cheap Squire.

If I was you (I'd have a better credit rating and more talent than i do, but that's beside the point),
I'd just get a-whole-nother guitar, one that you're happy with right from the start.


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 12:56 am
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what about swapping the neck for a standard? I have looked around and I can't find a used american standard for the right quality, price and color i want, I don't want to get a mexican so the special seems to be the best option for me, it's just that headstock....


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 7:37 am
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Diarm0 wrote:
what about swapping the neck for a standard? I have looked around and I can't find a used american standard for the right quality, price and color i want, I don't want to get a mexican so the special seems to be the best option for me, it's just that headstock....


I love those necks I only got an 89 standard with locking tuners to offer in trade but I would do it :)

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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 9:17 am
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thanks for the offer but I think I want a maple neck, I have a few guitars with rosewood and I would prefer maple for the snappiness and brighter tone.

I'm looking to go for a very vintage style tone with the strat I want to buy, my ideal setup is just the "special strat, CAR, MN" but without the CBS headstock,

I could buy a mexican with the exact setup I want but from what I have read the mexican strats don't really compare to an american made.


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 9:29 am
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Well you can always just buy parts on ebay Fender are so user friendly just about anyone can bolt one together.

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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 11:20 am
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donnycraven wrote:
Well you can always just buy parts on ebay Fender are so user friendly just about anyone can bolt one together.


+1!

I think it's the right solution, IMO!


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 8:03 pm
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If you don't like the "CBS" headstock, buy a different Stratocaster with the regular headstock? It sounds like you are planning to modify other aspects of the guitar as well. For what you are going to spend on the American Special, alter the headstock and possibly new pickups, you could just get an American Standard or even save money and get just a Standard.

Not sure what you are wanting. I bought a Highway 1 and greatly modified it, but I love the large headstock and love. My modifications were for tone and tuning
purposes only.

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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 12:45 am
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perhaps yeah, I think the main reason I want the special is simply for the "American Made" logo, all the used AM standards I have found online aren't in the right color/configuration I want or in the right condition, maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

I probably could get a MIM standard in the configuration I'm looking for but I'd really prefer an american made instrument. There is an element of posterity to it which might not make much real sense.

I have heard that the standards are good guitars but the AM standards are superior. If I could get a mystic red/ candy apple red AM standard SSS at a good price I would be a happy man.


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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 10:19 am
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Diarm0 wrote:
perhaps yeah, I think the main reason I want the special is simply for the "American Made" logo, all the used AM standards I have found online aren't in the right color/configuration I want or in the right condition, maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

I probably could get a MIM standard in the configuration I'm looking for but I'd really prefer an american made instrument. There is an element of posterity to it which might not make much real sense.

I have heard that the standards are good guitars but the AM standards are superior. If I could get a mystic red/ candy apple red AM standard SSS at a good price I would be a happy man.



Good luck with your endeavor. Let us know what you get, post pics as we love guitar pics.

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Post subject: Re: 70's headstock on special stratocaster
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 11:54 am
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cool, I will make sure to post pics of the guitar, though don't expect pics anytime soon haha,

think I found one online so we'll see if I can get my hands on it,

thanks everybody :D


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