Another 62 Strat Project finished!

[philc]

An interesting site Les, very expensive though. for example, original 1962 tremolo back plate screws (6) $399!

It's well worth a look at this site as it's an eye opener for guys that love Strats, old and new

Phil

[philc]

The original switch which was in the case, had had a real heavy bash, the connection ring had snapped off and the whole thing was twisted out of shape, also some of the connectors had snapped, here's the repair, with a bit of luck it should work

The neck pickup was not working at all, metering the three gives B 6.49 M 5.81 N 5.74 so that saved a rewind

Phil

[bor64]

Phil,

Like you wrote a nice site, with lots of original parts.....the only downside is you need a checkbook or two!
Years ago when I was afraid about my 58 pickguard, as you know, it had developed some cracks in places...so I did look around on Eddie's site.
Well lets say a was shy of a heart attack .....$4000 for a original plate....I'll settle for a good repro when needed.

Nice repair Phil, hope it works again as is was designed for!
Can't wait to see and hear the result!




Cheers Rob

[philc]

Old switch back in, much better to use original....and it works fine, the replacement was inferior in material.

After checking out the tremolo unit again, I believe it could very well be the original, in which case it will save me around £200, however, I need a vintage jack case, plastic back plate and tremolo arm and that's pretty much it

Phil

[philc]

Pick guard cleanup.

[Tuffty]

Nice repair on the switch, what did you use to fix it? Just love the guitar, you are very lucky.

Tuffty.

[philc]

Hi Tuffy,

The whole switch was badly twisted, the base had to be bent to get everything back in line, the broken ring was Superglued, then reinforced with Araldite, it's very strong now.

Phil

[philc]

The truss needed tightening but it was to the end of the thread (picture), the end nut was removed and a 6mm washer/shim was made and added, job done

Phil

[philc]

Just an update for those interested

After putting the neck back on, it has a slight bow from about the 16th to 21st fret, and more so on the bass side, the frets are new and a leveling might do the trick but the end frets would have a considerable amount of metal removed, so a heat job might be required, anyway, I've decided to send the guitar to Leicestershire Luthiers for them to sort it out, I'm in Portugal now so It will be done when I get home and it should be with them for around a month.

Phil

[philc]

One has to be really careful when buying these vintage guitars, as the price can be well over the market value.

For example, I have the invoice of what the last owner paid four years ago, this was from a shop and included HP....£11,980!

I have to mention that I only paid a fraction of this but when everything is sorted with it, it will be worth a lot more....I'm glad to say

Phil

[philc]

I decided to try the neck straightening myself rather than wait a month, so to re-cap, the neck was bowed inwards and had a slight twist, shims are used to get a reverse profile, also a guitar string attached to the machine heads to pull the twist out...hopefully this will work but there's no guarantees.

Phil

[philc]

Well!!! It worked, the neck is now straight with no twist, there's still a lot to do though, the nut slots need lowering and the frets need leveling under presure and bridge hight etc, saved me a months wait and £400 to £500

Phil

[driftin]

that's terrrrrriffic phil, really looking forwards to a listen...thank goodness people like you get these treasures and bring them back to life...well done mate

kind regards

les

[bor64]

I applauding you Phil, great result for a bolt move !
Your still unharmed after nicking the wives iron? ;P
After all the work is done, you will enjoy the guitar much more. I'm sure!
As I wrote before ,can't wait to see and hear the result!!!

Cheers Rob

[allclaphands]

Hi Phil
This is a perfect example of your commitment and determination to restore this guitar to its former glory
and your ability to be able to have the skill and the strength of mind to carry out this work yourself and
succeed in achieving it.

Pete

[philc]

Thanks All,

This is actually the first time I have attempted this as I have never had a bowed and twisted guitar neck,I think it's a matter of common sense really, it's not difficult to do, just a thick piece of wood (it doesn't have to be super straight) some cheap clamps and a few made up shims.

It's a matter of, just looking down the neck and targeting the areas that need correcting, put the shims in and tighten up until the neck is as you want it.

A steel rule is also needed to clamp too and distribute the heat from the iron which is turned on to almost full heat.

Rob...I did get the words "You're not going to break it for me...are you!" From her indoors

Phil

PS. The nut has been sorted, off to B&Q later, I believe they have some angled aluminium to level the frets under tension.

[cainy]

The cap on my 62 Strat was the brown square one, you can get repo's of them.

[philc]

I'm looking for a repro cap in the UK?

Here's the fret leveling under tension, the pictures not too good, and then dressing and finished result.

It's all together now, time to plug it in and learn to play

Phil

[grip]

Hi Phil,
Which repro cap?, sprague orange drops seem easy enough to find on an auction site and the POI "phone book" ones can be obtained from here:

www.charlesguitars.co.uk/manufacturers/luxe-capacitors/1952-1958-phone-book-wax-impregnated-paper-foil-capacitor-kit

Kind regards,


Chris

[philc]

The Red Dime one Chris but they are from Singapore, I was hoping to find on in the UK.

Phil

[grip]

Hi Phil,
Same site,
www.charlesguitars.co.uk/manufacturers/luxe-capacitors/1961-1968-strat-ceramic-disk-red-dime-capacitor-kit

Kind regards,


Chris

[philc]

Thanks Chris...on order.

Phil

[bor64]

That's the right CAP Phil,

You've looked at the potcodes yet??
A bit oil on the board after the new cap is installed and some proper strings and your good to go!

Cheers Rob

[philc]

I haven't looked at the codes yet Rob, but I will do when the cap comes.

I'll post some "Finished" pictures when I get a just ordered Canon 6D memory card, my original was by my mouse when a pc repairer fixed my pc, it mysteriously disappeared when he left

I have 12's on it now, tried it yesterday...sounds wonderful now it's virtually all done...well worth the amount I gave for it me thinks

Phil

[philc]

New/Old cap in.

[philc]

FINISHED!

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Phil,
Excellent work! Just shows what can be done when you put your mind to it.
Regards,
Charlie

[Steve Reynolds]

Looks an absolute beauty Phil. What's the long term goal? To keep or sell on?

[baz]

Congrats Phil...............sure you must be dead chuffed with your handiwork

Regards

Baz

[philc]

Thanks Charlie..it's nice getting to her from grotty to pretty

Thanks Steve... I don't sell my guitars, I get too attached

Thanks Baz...there is an eliment of satisfaction in restoring these oldie

Phil