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Topic: Who will cry for an old Fender? |
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 1 Dec 2002 8:50 pm |
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True, it will still be a Fender... and it will be worth about 1/3 of it's normal of market value. But there are other "non-financial" reasons not to deface a vintage guitar.
I could see doing such a "conversion" on a guitar that's in very poor condition, but why not leave the Fender alone and buy a "beater" to modify?
Why play lefty at all? I'm left handed in every way... except I play steel (and regular guitar) the "normal" way. Lloyd Green is left handed, and so was Curley Chalker, yet they both play standard steel guitars. I advise everyone starting out to learn on a standard guitar. If you already play lefty guitar, that's another story. Anyway, defacing a vintage guitar that's in good condition is a no-no for several reasons, in my opinion. It makes better financial sense to sell it and buy something in rough condition to drill holes in, repaint, etc. "Sparing" a vintage instrument also shows respect for the instrument and it's importance in the world of steel guitar. We read a lot of horror stories here about guitars that have been cut up, drilled, and painted beyond recognition. It's almost become a sick joke around here 
This topic of left-handed steel guitar playing is an interesting one and worthy of a separate thread. [This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 01 December 2002 at 09:08 PM.] |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 1 Dec 2002 10:03 pm
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Herb
Dont you dare do that. The Ghost of Leo will haunt you, and if he dont I will.
How would you like holes drilled in you? and have you re-painted Candy Apple Red ...
Shame On You Herb,just when I was starting to like you  [This message was edited by Jody Carver on 01 December 2002 at 10:06 PM.] |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 1 Dec 2002 10:23 pm
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Speaking of holes...a good friend of mine in Hawai'i figured his OLD Stratocaster was just too heavy to sling on his shoulder...so guess what ? He has the "Holiest" guitar in the islands! He drilled 1/2" holes into every conceivable part of the main body!!!Must be at least 60 holes in that solid body. Well, it's much lighter now, but what a loss!
Don't massacre that Fender, please. I have been teaching steel for nigh on 40 years and every lefty I had as a student automatically played the steel normally just as anyone would sit down to a piano...you don't reverse the strings in a piano just because you are left handed! What about sax players and accordionists ? Most any instrument you can name can be played normally by lefty's. Besides, supposing you are somewhere without your own steel and you have the opportunity to play a steel...what then ? PLEASE...DON'T DO IT...if for no other reason than to appease Jody. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 2:06 am
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sounds cool to me--as long as you're making music with it rather than setting it up in a display case.
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 6:03 am
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Gentlemen Prefer Blonde's what makes you different
Herb keep it as original as you can. It is a
great guitar,,how much you want for it?.
I sold one of my old Customs to a friend years back. He hollowed the entire bottom of the guitar and I said "WHAT"? he said, it was too heavy so I made it less heavy.
This guy was and still is 6 foot 5 and weighs
235 lbs and Keoki knows who I mean. The guitar was a shell of its original self.
I know where the guitar is,I often go to visit it and place flowers on its resting place. Dont ask where it is,the crowd would go wild. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 7:28 am
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That old axe has obviously been through the wars. I still feel it should be treated with some dignity befitting an old war-horse like that...otherwise, if you are going to kill it, make it a quick death.
On the other hand, I do agree you should be playing it as comfortably as you are able. If it means only one hole, well not many of us (old war-horses) have gone through life without having at least one hole cut into our body by a surgeon! Main thing, PLAY IT and ENJOY! (Hope the patient recovers o.k.) |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 3:37 pm
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| I have a feeling Im in the wrong place at the right time. |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 4:06 pm
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IMO, do what makes you happy.
Understand the resale value will decline.
If you never plan to sell it what does it matter?
If that Swiss-Cheese-Strat has been making music for many years, and keeping it's owner happy, then I'm glad it has holes.
Much better that a mint example sitting in a plexiglass showcase. Guitars were ment to be played.
Robin's Egg Blue? YUK!
And don't worry about Jody. He'll never find you. He's still lookin for me.
[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 03 December 2002 at 09:29 AM.] |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 8:20 pm
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I've gotta go with Herb on this one ... we're talking about an old guitar, not a religious icon.
Those of you who are professional musicians have every right to modify the tools of the trade to help you practice your craft. Come to think of it, amateur musicians like me have that right, too -- albeit a weaker rationale for exercising it.
I guess I'd rather see a vintage instrument altered and played than hung on a wall. However, I think we'd all be a lot happier if the changes were made by a capable luthier (or "guitar tech," if you prefer). Alteration may not be a sin, but butchery is.
So Herb -- before you put drill to wood, think about the job at hand and consider the words of Dirty Harry ... "A man's got to know his limitations." (Harry might have relocated his jack, but paint his guitar robin's-egg blue? No way.)
Good luck -- |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2002 9:22 pm
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I have a related issue ... altering a "collectable" ....
I recently got a '38 D14 Ricky ... it has the "rod-less" bakelite necks and a cast aluminum body ... not stamped metal ...
Anyway, the bridges look like Ray's pitbull got 'em ... so I got some Lab-Metal (good stuff) and removed the offending bridges to fix ...
I had blamed the less than "stellar" sound of a guitar that is essentially half Frypan and half Bakelite ... to these bridges ....
Decay was much too RAPID ...
Well ... the entire body has that black crinkle paint ... and the area under the bridge was painted with that stuff TOO ...
It is so bumpy ... probably only half the bridge was making contact ...
I'm sure goin' ta take out those lovely Shoes ... masking tape the area ... and remove that "vibration-sucking" paint job ...
Vintage or not ...
------------------
"If the SHOES fit ... you must EQUIP..."
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 02 December 2002 at 09:28 PM.] |
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Cartwright Thompson
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 2:37 am
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Herb,
Have at it! It's just a slab of wood, do what you gotta do. But please, SONIC BLUE or better yet LAKE PLACID BLUE. And do it right, take it to someone who can spray nitro, it makes a big difference even on a solid body. |
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Ian Finlay
From:
Kenton, UK
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 3:12 am
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Herb, it's not like the wood body is complicated. Why not have a local cabinet maker make a left body, and just swap the hardware over? Custom colour, your name routed in the front, whatever!
Then you could get the original body refinished "correctly" and preserve or enhance your investment for later.
Ian |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 6:06 am
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Herb I always wanted Fender to paint me up a steel in "Inca Silver" with the black frets
it would be a knockout.
Mr. Young, I take your comment as being a religious "Icon" as a compliment. I hope you meant it in the manner it was intended.
Im not overly religious,nor am I an "Icon" as you wrote. But whatever,, do appreciate you putting me in that class. Thats the nicest thing anyone ever said to,or about me. |
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Ralph H. Moorehead
From:
Las Vegas, Nv. Clark
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 8:19 am
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| Herb what is wrong with a Magnatone. I played one for years. Loved the tone. Even had the Magnatone Amp to match. As for the fender Why not have a body made and just put the pickups in . That way the fender can be put back original some day. Jody will probably get after me for mentioning Magnatone |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 8:39 am
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| Magna WHO ?? |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 8:59 am
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Jody:
I've only been participating in the Forum for about six months, but it's pretty clear to me that if any "Forumite" has reached icon status, it's probably you! There are plenty of iconoclasts participating, but icons are in short supply.
(In order to avoid flames, I hasten to point that Jerry Byrd does not directly participate in the Forum -- so he doesn't count in this "icon" category.) |
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TonyL
From:
Seattle. WA
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 10:06 am
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Since we're on the subject of Fender colors, does anyone know how to determine the original color of a Stringmaster by serial number or date...?
TL[This message was edited by TonyL on 03 December 2002 at 10:09 AM.] |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 2:50 pm
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| OH MY YES...what is it you want to know?? e mail me. I have the info you want.N/C. |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 3 Dec 2002 8:26 pm
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And all the while I thought you were a friend
of mine. Im sorry you feel that way. |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 4 Dec 2002 10:15 am
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Of Course What?? Hey Herb where do you live?
Remimd me not to drive through your town,amd further more,,,what do you wanna be when you grow up "Only kidding Of Course" just like you kid me .Dont try you wont win.
The Knight Of The Tweed Case.
Guido Sarducci |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 4 Dec 2002 2:59 pm
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Herb
I wanted to be a baseball player and my dream was to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers.I tried out for the Dodgers,but I couldn't hit
the side of a barn. I was a good shortstop though.
As for the Fireman? I cant stand heat and smoke.
As for the Astronauts,,,sure I would have loved to have been a John Glenn or a guy like
Alan Shepard, but my mom wanted me to be a plumber.
I said a plumber? sure she said and I said well,you are probably right,if it were not for the plumbers,we'd all be Astronauts.
I appreciate you generous offer,but I wont be able to make it.But I do appreciate you asking me.Make sure Howard wears pants when
you take him anywhere.
Only kidding about growing up,,I never grew up and I like it this way.Be well my friend and keep in touch.I'll e mail you at your home.
Jody,,ask Howard what my real name is,,
Give Howard a Kiss for me,,on the cheek of course. : On second thought,dont kiss Howard
kiss your wife instead,,Herb where are you??
thinking of something to say?? or are you painting your house Sonic Blue with Rosewood
shutters.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 05 December 2002 at 06:18 PM.] |
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