Played my first vintage Strat today, a 59 refinish

[Lonn]

I didn’t plug it in because it didn’t have the original electronics and they were recording someone playing in the store anyway. I sat down and played it unplugged for a while, and I have to say I wasn’t blown away. The body seemed thinner than what I’m used to, and there was quite a large gap between the butt of the neck and the front of the neck pocket. $24k. That seemed pretty high for a refin although it was very well done. Didn’t think to take pics as it was a small shop and not much room to move around with the recording going on. I went there to sell my gray relic telecaster.

 

[FrieAsABird]

Huh, that’s kinda what I’d be expecting if I ever played a real vintage one. They get all hyped up but in the end, there were good and bad ones back then too.

 

[Intune]

Yeah that’s why I kinda laugh when you see a “is this neck pocket gap acceptable” comment. I’d love to have something vintage just because but I’m still blown away but most reissues anyway.

 

[Camel73]

I'm envious lol. I need to do this.
There's a $20,000+ Strat at a cool little local shop I could grab off the wall...
I haven't. Maybe... Hopefully I don't drop it.

 

[Stratattack72]

I would venture to say you would have to play quite a few to find one that was truly worth what they are asking. Being hand made the tolerances weren't quite as tight as CNC machined guitars . Lot of hype associated with the older Vintage guitars , but much of is just that hype. They are like any guitar old or new you have to play a bunch to find the few gems out there. Sorry it was a disappointment. Maybe better luck if you get another chance to play one.

 

[MTorr03]

Can you really call it a vintage guitar when it’s been refinished and all of the original pickups and wiring replaced? How much of the hardware was original?

It sounds more like a restored husk of a 50’s Strat. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth $20K based on what you’ve described…

 

[Lonn]

Only the loaded guard was replaced, the rest was original. I agree $24k seems WAY high to me but I'm no expert.

 

[wapalmer3]

I'm envious lol. I need to do this.
There's a $20,000+ Strat at a cool little local shop I could grab off the wall...
I haven't. Maybe... Hopefully I don't drop it.

Remember, in most cases a $20,000+ price tag is a price, not an actual value. There are only a handful of guitar shops in the country that can accurately value a vintage strat.

 

[kelia]

I didn’t plug it in because it didn’t have the original electronics and they were recording someone playing in the store anyway. I sat down and played it unplugged for a while, and I have to say I wasn’t blown away. The body seemed thinner than what I’m used to, and there was quite a large gap between the butt of the neck and the front of the neck pocket. $24k. That seemed pretty high for a refin although it was very well done. Didn’t think to take pics as it was a small shop and not much room to move around with the recording going on. I went there to sell my gray relic telecaster.

Don't have any pix but my 1958 had a perfect fit and the neck was as tight
as a frog's ass in the neck pocket !

 

[rolandson]

Which goes to demonstrate the wisdom of "trying before buying."

Just as now, even back then each instrument was...different.

This isn't just guitars...

I've a friend and fellow I have worked closely with who is a pianist. He has been retained on occasion, by those who could afford a five figure fee plus expenses, to evaluate pianos for potential buyers.

These evaluations took place all over the world (shipping a piano to Malibu from Hamburg or Vienna is ...expensive, especially when the instrument would be destined to someplace else, like Tokyo).

There is a very good movie that I recommend wholeheartedly...

The Red Violin.

Try before you buy applies to everything. Because not all are going to be a match.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

A friend of mine owns a near mint 1961 with original finish. I thought he was crazy when he paid $10K for it 25 years ago, guess who’s laughing now! Anyway, the frets are tiny and the neck is thin but the sound is as airy and chimey as anyone could ever hope for.

Similarly, I played a 1951 Tele that had the worst neck I’ve ever played (round like a baseball bat, including the fretboard) and the sound was out of this world.

 

[Wulfrik]

I’ve never been a Les Paul guy but I was once handed a 1959 Les Paul Custom to play, by a collector friend that used to own a music shop on the island.

It felt like it had no frets, and the intonation was horrible, and it wasn’t resonant at all.

I’m happy with what I can get, everyone else can fight over the vintage stuff

 

[3bolt79]

I didn’t plug it in because it didn’t have the original electronics and they were recording someone playing in the store anyway. I sat down and played it unplugged for a while, and I have to say I wasn’t blown away. The body seemed thinner than what I’m used to, and there was quite a large gap between the butt of the neck and the front of the neck pocket. $24k. That seemed pretty high for a refin although it was very well done. Didn’t think to take pics as it was a small shop and not much room to move around with the recording going on. I went there to sell my gray relic telecaster.

Hopefully, it will have a Jay Black in the neck pocket.

 

[busyangel1]

I didn’t plug it in because it didn’t have the original electronics and they were recording someone playing in the store anyway. I sat down and played it unplugged for a while, and I have to say I wasn’t blown away. The body seemed thinner than what I’m used to, and there was quite a large gap between the butt of the neck and the front of the neck pocket. $24k. That seemed pretty high for a refin although it was very well done. Didn’t think to take pics as it was a small shop and not much room to move around with the recording going on. I went there to sell my gray relic telecaster.

Having played since 1967 , I’ve played a half dozen early pre CBS Strats. A 56’ , a 57’ , a 59’ and a couple 62’s. The 57’ is my favorite. It’s light and has a thin neck just like I like em’. Of course being around this long when we all bought our instruments they were just used ….not vintage. No hype. Just feel. My other all time favorite is my 59’ Gibson I bought at storage auction for $5 in 1965 and restored. It sucks that reissues and nice old instruments are so pricey. I no longer feel safe gigging with them out. But to set the record straight, I love lots of Strats.

 

[rolandson]

Having played since 1967 , I’ve played a half dozen early pre CBS Strats. A 56’ , a 57’ , a 59’ and a couple 62’s. The 57’ is my favorite. It’s light and has a thin neck just like I like em’. Of course being around this long when we all bought our instruments they were just used ….not vintage. No hype. Just feel. My other all time favorite is my 59’ Gibson I bought at storage auction for $5 in 1965 and restored. It sucks that reissues and nice old instruments are so pricey. I no longer feel safe gigging with them out. But to set the record straight, I love lots of Strats.

We seem to be walking in one another's footsteps. My first electric was 67, classical before that. And indeed, they were "just cheap old used guitars...not the brand new shiny thing in the shop window that the 10-12 year old me lusted over.

Same with amps.

And like you, "the good stuff" didn't go to work. Even 'A' list headliners left their collectibles at home. Because being put back in the instrument locker...the Anvil case... after a show was no guarantee that it would still be there for the next sound check.

The audience out front doesn't care what the headstock says, they care about the song they aid to hear.

Ever wished you could time travel?

 

[Neil.C]

Of course there are going to be great and not so great vintage Fenders but the value mainly comes in the rarity and the fact that they were made in the original shop under the aegis of Leo.

A tangible link to Fender's golden age.

 

[thomquietwolf]

I didn’t plug it in because it didn’t have the original electronics and they were recording someone playing in the store anyway. I sat down and played it unplugged for a while, and I have to say I wasn’t blown away. The body seemed thinner than what I’m used to, and there was quite a large gap between the butt of the neck and the front of the neck pocket. $24k. That seemed pretty high for a refin although it was very well done. Didn’t think to take pics as it was a small shop and not much room to move around with the recording going on. I went there to sell my gray relic telecaster.

Wow

 

[Tremdaddy]

Some are meh but some are great. Just like now.

 

[El Gobernador]

The belly cuts and fore arm relief were deeper on old ones. That's why they appear to be thinner.

There's good guitars and bad guitars of every era. My 65 was mediocre. It's why it got sold after trying to bond with it.

My 79 hardtail was a boat anchor.

My 83 JV Squier is perfect. And has those deep cuts like it should.

 

[jtr654]

Every era had Great to horrible guitars and with Fender how much quality is there with 2 piece of wood bolted together by 3 or 4 bolts?