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Post subject: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crowd
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:23 am
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Hi folks and greetings from West Sussex, UK. What a fabulous forum -I can't think why after 40 years of Strat ownership, I haven't found this site before! I bought my 74 Strat brand new in late 74 or maybe 75. I have never had the slightest problem with it, but not surprisingly it now needs a refret and relacquer. My issue is:- it is a lacquered maple neck, and I am reluctant to hand it over to a luthier I don't know for fear of ruining a beloved old friend! It is of course a CBS model, with 3 bolt micro tilt neck. I can buy a new neck, MIM, or MIA, but these are all 4-bolt. Will these fit my 74's neck pocket? And has anyone done this mod with any success?
Should I be more trusting of luthiers? ( no disrespect intended) or should I just give it a well-deserved retirement and buy a new one?

A few points about the guitar may be relevant- It is am most unusual colour. A very deep tinted transparent green in a heavy polyester type finish, that has now grown a number of "splits" to the surface. It is possible to see the wood grain through this finish, and yes it is the original finish. ( I have never ever seen this colour on any other fender instrument)

Sorry this is a bit lengthy, but I will welcome comments or advice from the forum members.

Kind regards, Geoff.


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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:07 pm
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Hi and Welcome!

I'm at the same point with my old Strat...frets worn flat and rutted in all the right places, but I haven't come to terms with the cost, method, and provider of this necessary but delicate repair.

Perhaps the only obvious benefit of a rosewood (or ebony) fingerboard?

I offered up the question here previously and got some good recommendations, but I'm still stuck.

My solution...play the newer one more until I figure it out.

Cheers.

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:09 pm
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Unless it's a playability issue, I'd leave it alone. The orig. finish helps retain it's value.

If it's playability, there are many Luthiers capable of doing a good job re-applying the finish. Check around and ask to see examples of their work or contact former customers. Visit shops and ask who they'd recommend.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:29 pm
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The neck from a contemporary MIM 70's Classic Series Strat should bolt right up, no problems. It's a 7.25" radius with vintage fret wire and the 3-bolt/micro-tilt features. Your original Fender "F" tuners likely won't fit the newer headstock but re-issue sets will drop right on.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:36 pm
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My opinion, interview luthiers until you find one that you feel comfortable with working on your guitar. There's no reason a refret can't be done that will maintain the integrity of the guitar. As far as doing a relacquer of the neck, I agree with Lightnin that unless it involves playability, your best to leave it naturally aged.
As far as the rare color, we can only bask in it's glory if you post a picture. Without a pic, it's Olympic White as far as I can tell.

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:24 pm
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Oldrenders wrote:
I bought my 74 Strat brand new in late 74 or maybe 75. I have never had the slightest problem with it, but not surprisingly it now needs a refret and relacquer. My issue is:- it is a lacquered maple neck, and I am reluctant to hand it over to a luthier I don't know for fear of ruining a beloved old friend!


Have no fear, provided you can find a competent one.
Ask for recommendations from local shops and then get references (talk to guys who have used his services).

You may get by with just a recrowning and leveling, avoid the cost of a complete refretting.

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:54 am
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Hi, and welcome to the Forums. Another mate from across the pond, seeking wisdom of this lot. Thanks for the cudos but one of us once suggested that an issue concerning ownership of a guitar be resolved by cutting it in half. :lol: :lol: BTW: Ceri, one of our regulars of long-standing resides in Peckham. He's a top-notch source, not to mention a few others on your side like Andybighair, and The Nutter. You can reach them via the Forums private message link if need be.

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:27 am
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Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, guys. I would be real upset if a refret went wrong, and I am now inclined to just retire the old girl rather than compromise the originality. I bought her when I lived in Liverpool, and I got the opportunity to play it at the original Cavern Club with my band, before they flattened the place and rebuilt the replica club for the tourists! Happy days...

Can anyone suggest an expert on old Strat finishes/colours? I am intrigued by the strange original v.dark green trans colour, and wonder if it might be a special of some kind? Has this colour been seen in the USA and did it have a name?

Once again, good to meet you all and thanks for your welcome.
Geoff


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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 1:47 pm
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Oldrenders wrote:
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, guys. I would be real upset if a refret went wrong, and I am now inclined to just retire the old girl rather than compromise the originality. I bought her when I lived in Liverpool, and I got the opportunity to play it at the original Cavern Club with my band, before they flattened the place and rebuilt the replica club for the tourists! Happy days...

Can anyone suggest an expert on old Strat finishes/colours? I am intrigued by the strange original v.dark green trans colour, and wonder if it might be a special of some kind? Has this colour been seen in the USA and did it have a name?

Once again, good to meet you all and thanks for your welcome.
Geoff


Post up a photo of it so we can see the green trans finish on it.

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Post subject: Re: New member saying hi, and seeking the wisdom of the crow
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 4:57 am
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just my thoughts.
You've lived with this guitar for 40 years, don't re-finish it, that's the mojo.

Just get the re-fret done.
and fret about it

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