Seeking 1963 Stratocaster Restoration Advice

I'd leave it alone too. It can never be restored to its original spec with those irreversible mods and they are a quirky part of its one-owner back story!

Whilst Huw Price's restoration of the Chris Buck Strat was a superb piece of craftsmanship, the bit that stands out unattractively to me is the filled hole in the guard - that would really bug me.

Still, we all have our different opinions and red lines, so good luck whichever route you go.

 

The most sensible advise is to leave it alone, fer sure. While that is the most sensible advise, it is not what I would do. Personally, I'd try to bring it back to original state as much as possible, 'cause that's the Strat I like to play - with the original vintage appointments. I'd be getting that route filled and trying to match the paint in the route to make the repair as undetectable as possible. Yes, nobody sees that route under the pickguard but I'm also one who just put a wax and paper cap in a '50's reissue Jazzmaster even though nobody can see it and not because I can tell any difference in sound -I can't. Ideally, it would get an original pickguard but realistically I'd be happy with a good repro and then slap in the original pickups, switches and wiring. Alternatively, you could use the original pickguard with the Jag switches removed and cover the hole with a Blue Oyster Cult sticker (actually, some variation of that is not a bad idea - though you'd want to shore up the hole with more than the sticker).

 

Welcome! What an entrance!

Personally, I would only worry about the frets and the fingerboard. The mod tells a story of its past and is kinda cool IMHO.

Fantastic guitar.

 

I’d probably get a good vintage repro pickguard and and wire it up with a 5 way and enjoy a killer guitar.

As far as the refret goes, I’d be very very judicious on the person I’d have refret the guitar. A bad fret job would be disastrous.

 

+1. You have to be so careful with those thin boards.

 

Cool. Sounds like you’re set then. In fact, I’d ask this luthier the same question you asked the forums.

 

Regarding the Pickguard repair. I watched the videos awhile back of his repair on the Chris Buck Strat. For that repair he used the back side of a tort guard to fill in the gaps on the original guard. I understand his reasoning behind this - the original white nitro backing on the tort guard might start to turn green over time with light exposure. It didn't, and they look white and a bit out of place. Learn from this experiment. I would probably have Huw use a piece from a good mint green repro guard that would better match the color of your original guard as opposed to using the back side of a tort guard. Just my thoughts.

Also, you might want to get a repro metal back plate so you have some support behind the guard repair otherwise it could get knocked in.

 

I think whatever repro guard you have on there looks pretty good! it's hard to find a repro guard to match the original plastics, and that one really does!

 

You did what I would do getting the repro pickguard and restore the wiring on that guard. I wouldn't do any repairs on the pickguard or route. Nothing to be gained and the cuts are a part of its history.

I'd seal in a plastic bag the original guard, electronics, and diagram to document the guitar's story. Since it was done in the 60s/70s that explains the repro guard and the hidden route.

 

You probably already realize this but those are all re-production guards. I'm not sure I'd pay in the $400 range for a re-issue repro mint-white guard.

I support repairing and using the original guard as opposed to preserving it in its unusable state. It is already de-valued by the hole in it so you might as well try to repair it and put it back to use. An authentic original nitro mint guard is going to cost over $1000 if you can even find a decent non-broken one.

 

Check out my recent NGD: 61 Refin thread to read the saga of my own original nitro pick guard adventure. I replaced a crappy repro guard on my white strat with an original nitro tort guard off a 62 Strat. It had shrunk considerably, but I was able to get it on ok with some slight alterations to some of the screw holes and with some modification to the metal shield plate. Honestly, it looks amazing now. So don't let a little shrinkage completely deter you. That being said, I think you should stick with your repaired original guard since it is indigenous to your guitar.

 

There is no way to make a pickguard patch non-conspicuous. I'd either cover it with a sticker, or decal of some sort. Or just stick with the replacement guard.

 

Fourfingers, looks like your man wasn't even trying, with just four switches...

 

The colour match is spot on, I agree!