Choochy Palooka Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 (edited) Hi All, I'm new to this whole forum gig, but it seems like a lot of knowledgable folks lurk here. I am in the process of re-doing my 1982 '57 US Re-Issue Strat. I bought in 1990 and the black body didn't age to well. It has decent checking, but it has melt marks (cigs) and refrigerator white pickguard etc. The last owner had also replaced the pickups with some sloppy Korean jobs but the maple neck is to die for! It's worn just right with the perfect amount of checking. Well the guitar is apart and I'm going to replace all the hardware and so-forth with all Callaham stuff. I want to go with Lindy Fralin PUs, I'm thinking maybe 54's but I might go slightly hotter, Any Recommendations? But I want to tackle the body refinishing on my own. It wasn't available in '57 but I want to go with Surf Green with parchment pickguard etc. I have been searching the internet for resources on paint, nitro lacquer tips for relic-ing whatever helps, throw 'em at me. Thanks guys! Lookin' forward to hangin' out. Edited January 26, 2006 by Choochy Palooka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signguy Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I guess my first question would have to be are you sure you want to do this? I know... stupid question but an 82 is just about 24 years old... Could have higher value associated to it just left alone. Otherwise, have you started with a search on this forum regarding refinishing techniques? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarGuy Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I guess my first question would have to be are you sure you want to do this? I know... stupid question but an 82 is just about 24 years old... Could have higher value associated to it just left alone. Otherwise, have you started with a search on this forum regarding refinishing techniques? +1 I would go with the cheap yardsale bargin for a first finishing job if it were me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 (edited) if you dont mind me asking, where are you from choochy? Edited January 26, 2006 by Nitefly SA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Guitar Reranch is good stuff. Read "Reranch 101" as it applies to their products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choochy Palooka Posted January 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I know the guitar's 24 years old. But this is going to be a player not a parlayer. Where as the necks finish and frets are in great shape, the black body hasn't fared as well. It's nicely checked but as I said, there are melt holes and chips all over. Plus the pickups had been changed from the previous owner to cheap Korean single coil buzz saws. I will be taking my time through this project and I want to do it right. I had checked out Guitar ReRanch and navigated to this forum where I'm hoping to obtain knowledge and resources. I also have a n extra sacrificial body here that I'll get some practice on. By the way, Nitefly, I'm in NC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 why would some one down grade pickups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 (edited) why would some one down grade pickups? Most likely whoever owened it before, took them out and put them in another guitar they owened. Edited January 26, 2006 by Godin SD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 I say replace the pups and leave the rest the same... the burns and checking gives it character! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choochy Palooka Posted January 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 (edited) I bought the guitar 15 tears ago in some litle neigborhood used guitar shop. I think the owner thought it was a later model than it is and made in Japan. It didn't have the original case either so I gave him $250 for it. Upon closer inspection, pulling the neck and checking neck cavity and heel, it was built in June '82 with serial #V002203. I'm assuming it was made at the Fullerton, CA plant. I have no idea why the pickups were changed out...(Some People!). But the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking...I'll just leave the body alone, change out the pickups and do a couple of hardware fixes and call it a day. Edited January 27, 2006 by Choochy Palooka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signguy Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 Another soon to be vintage strat spared. lol I know how you feel wanting it all shiny and new looking, but hey I think SRV's #1 is a beautiful thing! I've got a strat I want to re-do as well, but I think I'll build a new body for it, and leave the original as is. New pups, pickguard and the tremolo of my choosing. If I want to sell it later, just change them back to original... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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