what to do?
So I spent the day playing G-tech ... installing the new pup tubing, cleaning new strings, took the neck off needed shimming and all neccessary adjustments well basically a total tear down an set-up.
But unfortunately the thing is so old I can't really ignore the neck any more.
Needs a fret job. I could probably get away with a leveling job, and there lies my delema.. Would doing anything to it detract from getting top $ from some vintage collector? Or maintaining it properly be a positive?
Was thinking about sticking to Leo's original plan, and just getting a new neck. And keeping the old one in storage if I should decide to sell. As of this typing I haven't investigated prices ... But anything more than a couple bills, I might be better off to just pick up a $500 mim standard, and retired this ole gal to display duty!
Well just thoughts, wondering what thoughts any of you's may have...
But unfortunately the thing is so old I can't really ignore the neck any more.
Needs a fret job. I could probably get away with a leveling job, and there lies my delema.. Would doing anything to it detract from getting top $ from some vintage collector? Or maintaining it properly be a positive?
Was thinking about sticking to Leo's original plan, and just getting a new neck. And keeping the old one in storage if I should decide to sell. As of this typing I haven't investigated prices ... But anything more than a couple bills, I might be better off to just pick up a $500 mim standard, and retired this ole gal to display duty!
Well just thoughts, wondering what thoughts any of you's may have...
Comments
The value of one of these classic vintage guitars depends not only on the condition, but also how original all of its parts are.
Pre-CBS Strats are the most collectible. Completely original, or as close to that as possible is where the value is. Condition also plays a part.
These guitars are the easiest to work on, and swap parts, so it really becomes hard to find an authentic original pre-CBS Fender Strat.
Fret dressing is going to cost $100.
A re-fret job would cost $250.
A replacement neck is going to run about $300.
It may be tough finding a replacement neck with that \"D\" shaped neck.
As far as repairing the original...I would pick the best luthier you can find for that, considering the value of that guitar. Don't attempt a DIY job. Some of the value in a guitar like this, is who owned it prior, and who worked on it. It will make a difference.
You could ask Elderly about this work and advice on the resale values.
I'd regard them for luthier work as a consideration. http://www.elderly.com/welcome.htm
(P.S. check out the prices on some of those original '60's Strats at Elderly) :shock:
I think you have an awesome collector's guitar. You deserve to get some professional advice and recommendations, considering the high value at stake. Email with some good photos, and see what several good sources advise. I know from PM your brother 'n law is also a good source of advice and possibly an agent to sell this guitar. If you decide to work with him, gather all the back story, and research you can. A guitar's pedigree is always part of the prestige and pride of ownership.
Selling this guitar would be a very difficult choice to make. Personally, if I stood to make 20+k right now on this, I'd jump at it. But I am the worst guy to advise on investments. I have so many regrets from selling stuff in my past, that now would bathe me in luxury, if I still had them in my grip. On the other hand, having a collector's guitar like this, I'd never want to play it, for fear of devaluing it. I don't know if these guitars will continue to go up in value, or if they are kinda at the saturation point now. I don't know anything about collectibles. I mean, if this guitar had a big name in it's pedigree, like John Lennon or something...different deal. Then these things can climb to $500k or more. My luthier bro Doug Irwin, who made Jerry Garcia's guitars, inherited one of the guitars he made for Garcia, which he sold to a collector for 1 million. Some English dude snatched a '65 Strat Hendrix torched on stage, and stored it for 40 years, then his nephew found the guitar and sold it for $490k.
Lets hear some input!.. Whatcha think? Sell, Play or just admire in your own personal museum display case?
Olympic White, Mint Green pick guard...
In 1961, that was considered a custom ordered color!
Unless you stand to sell it for an obscene amount of money, like the 20 G's 'tou suggested, I'd keep it. There's lot of collectors out there with more money than sense, and as fine vintage stratoblasters are sequestered in collections or fall out of idiot's trunks, there'll be less n less of them and the prices will go up. Or you might find that one guy who had a git'r just like this one and will pay anything to have one again.
But don't play it, except once in a while, while fantasizing about groupies who adoringly throw themselves at you while you manfully plow through \"Little Wing\". :twisted:
That is one fine strat. Does it have the v-neck?
I studied this guitar real close, and I'm pretty certain, maybe, I think, you know, you have an old knock-off lawsuit model, called Finder Stratercastor. They aren't worth much really. Couple hundred at best. But since we are friends, and I really want to help you out, I'll give you $500 cash money for that guitar.
Lemme know, soon, because I can only hold this money aside for you today. Hurry...call now!
V.. Naw.. As tou mentioned it has super nice 'D' that I just fell in love with the first time I played it... If I remember correctly I think they stopped making V necks around 58 or 59.. But I could be wrong, it has been a while since I dug into fender history. As I said my fender history a bit cloudy but I think 60 was the thinnest 'D' then they started getting thicker each year after...
So what's ur vote jim.. sell, play or display?
:twisted:
Glad you still have that sense of humor tou...two more zero's it's yours!
Well, you drive a hard bargain, but Wow!...I always wanted a Finder! :P
OOps typO, tou! you misplaced the decimal 2 spaces. Move the decimal to the right two spaces. I lost my 59 LP that way... Not again.
MMmmm 10%?
Email these guys. Maybe they can tell you something.
http://www.stratcollector.com/scn/base/61.html
If I remember correctly you live in Ohio.
Dan Erlewine is a world renown guitar repairman and his shop is in Athens,Ohio.You can also contact him by e-mail at dan@danerlewine.com and the website is www.danerlwine.com .
You can also check out www.stewmac.com .It is affiliated with Dan Erlewine and has everything for guitar repair.
Obviously the choice is yours but consider that it is not just a vintage guitar but a piece of American history.You could always pass it on to the next generation that is family.Food for thought.
Take care and keep us updated.
LOL,
Don
Ummm....I'll need to play it first. Why don't you ship it out to me so I can take a look at her. Just PM me and I'll send you my address. Ill even pay shipping, of course. Then I can give you my well-informed opinion
Did you get the package yet? Let me know if you didn't, so I can put a trace on it!