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Post subject: MIJ 54 Reissue Hardtail?? Is this a rare guitar?
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 1:22 pm
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I bought this yesterday. Afraid I may have paid too much for it but I love the neck on this thing. It's a very pronounced chunky soft-V. Needs a refret though. Neck heel is stamped "ST 54" and the pocket is too. Paid $500.00 for it. (I'm in Memphis). The guitar has a 41 to 42mm nut width but the string spacing at the saddles is modern width.(is this weird?) Neck has 7.25 radius with vintage size fret wire. Can anyone see the photos well enough to tell what type of wood the body is made of? Also does anyone know if this guitar is rare. The guitar dater says it was made in the Fujigen plant in 93-94. Someone installed Fender Noiseless pickups and messed up the wiring. Only positions 1 and 5 work. Any info on this instrument is appreciated. This guitar appears to me to be of fairly high quality.
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Post subject: Re: MIJ 54 Reissue Hardtail?? Is this a rare guitar?
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 2:00 pm
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It is in fact a rare instrument and you got it for a relatively reasonable price. Note that the body appears to be alder (many of these '54 MIJ re-issues were less-desirable basswood). Take it to a trusted luthier and have him inspect the frets -- it's possible that all they need is a proper re-dressing. If the frets are too worn I'd have it re-fretted with the wire of your choice. As well, he may be able to straighten out the bogus wiring. If not, then consider a new set of pickups and fresh wiring to cure whatever's ailing it. Fender's CS '54 set of pickups would be an excellent choice as would the Fat '50s set if you prefer a less-brighter vibe.

Congrats on a great score!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: MIJ 54 Reissue Hardtail?? Is this a rare guitar?
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 4:30 pm
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Thanks Retroverbial. Appreciate it very much. I was thinking it looked like alder but wasn't sure.

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Post subject: Re: MIJ 54 Reissue Hardtail?? Is this a rare guitar?
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 5:06 pm
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Bshane84...nice score! These are fine guitars and I would follow Retro's advice to the "T" with one exception, might want to consider the Original '57/'62 Fender Reissue pickups, they have that nice bell like tone but aren't overly bright, have some nice beef to em.

Enjoy the puppy!

T2

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Post subject: Re: MIJ 54 Reissue Hardtail?? Is this a rare guitar?
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:46 pm
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These are great guitars. Good deal I would say, even if it needed some fret work. The guys ahead of me are dead on! :)

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Post subject: Re: MIJ 54 Reissue Hardtail?? Is this a rare guitar?
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:35 pm
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Mercifully, no one seems to have 'diddled' with it during the intervening years. It's difficult to find some of these vintage re-issues that haven't been routed for a humbucker, reamed to accommodate locking tuners, hogged out to install a Kahler, or treated to the benevolent wonders of a backyard relic job. I'm sure it'll serve you in good stead.

Arjay

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