Vintage guitars help

tosh · April 3rd, 2005, 08:53 AM

Hi
I went to look at a jazzmaster the other day to possibly buy.It had a '64 neck with '64 electrics, but the neck plate was the 'F' type with a '66 serial number.Also with the body,which was sunburst, the grain was not straight (slanting at about 30 degrees).
My first question is this:Could this still be a CBS guitar made with obsolete bits(or just parts)?And did fender cut their bodies so the grain was not straight .Although the body was the correct color and patina.

Any help appreciated.

FUMoney · April 3rd, 2005, 12:15 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if they had parts laying around and used them. I've heard stories of the old Fender factory not being too concerned about things like this. One of the stories I heard was Fender was just a basic machine shop and employees reached in the parts bins and used what they had. Let me clarify this before I get everyone in a tussle. I know of guitars having older decals then they should so I can see them doing this with other parts. This is just what I am led to believe. I think after the CBS transition they probably tightened the belt and became more efficient/cost efficient. (For better or worse) If I were serious about the guitar I would take it to a reputable vintage dealer and get it appraised.

Ed

April 3rd, 2005, 08:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
tosh Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 145	Vintage guitars help Hi I went to look at a jazzmaster the other day to possibly buy.It had a '64 neck with '64 electrics, but the neck plate was the 'F' type with a '66 serial number.Also with the body,which was sunburst, the grain was not straight (slanting at about 30 degrees). My first question is this:Could this still be a CBS guitar made with obsolete bits(or just parts)?And did fender cut their bodies so the grain was not straight .Although the body was the correct color and patina. Any help appreciated. __________________ Raw Power

April 3rd, 2005, 12:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
FUMoney Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cape May,NJ Posts: 255	I wouldn't be surprised if they had parts laying around and used them. I've heard stories of the old Fender factory not being too concerned about things like this. One of the stories I heard was Fender was just a basic machine shop and employees reached in the parts bins and used what they had. Let me clarify this before I get everyone in a tussle. I know of guitars having older decals then they should so I can see them doing this with other parts. This is just what I am led to believe. I think after the CBS transition they probably tightened the belt and became more efficient/cost efficient. (For better or worse) If I were serious about the guitar I would take it to a reputable vintage dealer and get it appraised. Ed