Mojo Mutt - my new Tele

[robt57]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Ah ............ mis-matched tuners.

Nah, that is prototype staggered...

[timgreene]

i say score.

[JimiBryant]

fugly yet still totally lovable much like the one-eyed Labrador Retriever mix
that I had as a child or my parents' fat old deaf cat they got after I'd moved out.

sounds as if it was talking to ya, so you prob'ly did good. congrats!

[Edutainment]

I'm in love. I don't know why but I really like that Tele. It definitely has character. Probably has a story to tell.

[Lost_N_Austin]

Well Good News and some bad news.
It's a 1966 Tele


It looks like someone tried to refinish a Blond body. It does look like the neck and the body belong together based on the old paint residue inside the neck pocket.

Now the bad news is some cretin butchered the neck pocket when they added the humbucker. I'm pretty sure this is a hanging offense here in Texas, at least it should be.


The control plate is really a mess.


I think the body was stripped completely and then sanded with coarse sand paper and a wipe on or spray on finish was applied. The electrical mastery on this guitar matches the woodworking skills.

So. If this was your guitar, what approach would you take to make it a player?

BTW, I do want to fix it up and keep it. It has a ton of redeeming features.

L_N_A

[Jack Wells]

The tuners seem a bit odd. From the back it appears all are double-line Klusons which a '66 should have but only two are split shaft.

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What do you mean "butchered the neck pocket"? I don't see neck pocket damage. Here's my neck pocket showing similar paint stick shadow.

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I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what you paid for this pawn shop find.

If you plan to restore it, it looks like you have enough to get a replacement decal from Fender if you're willing to jump through the hoops. I got a replacement decal for a '60 Strat once.

[teletin]

Originally Posted by Lost_N_Austin

Anybody know who made it?

The brass saddles look exactly the same as the brass saddles Mighty Mite made in 1980. Here they are on a custom built guitar me and my dad did back then.

[Lost_N_Austin]

What do you mean "butchered the neck pocket"? I don't see neck pocket damage. Here's my neck pocket showing similar paint stick shadow.

I meant to say the butchered Neck "Pickup" route.

I've gotten a little further in and Yes the bridge pickup with the large poles (Strat? Tele neck?) was "glued" to a copper three hole base. The pickup measured 5.53 on my ohm meter assuming you can accurately measure them while they are still soldered to the pots.

I've purposely avoided saying what I paid for the Tele because, well... pick a reason that suits you.

Depending on your perspective, I either paid too much or too little. I’m not sure why knowing would change anyone’s perspective. Just to put the question to rest, let’s just say I paid the equivalent of about three full tanks of gas for my Minivan.

I would encourage you to keep looking out there because there are still some hidden gems waiting to be uncovered and I think the high gas prices are going to flush some of them out of hiding.

I also think there is point in everyone’s life where the material possessions don’t mean as much to the family. Many people who are my age saw a Brand new 1964 Mustang or a 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe in the dealer when they were kids, may have gone out and bought one when they were grown up and their kids were through college.

However, their kids are interested in a rice-rocket or a new SUV. The kids, at least my kids have no idea what my stuff is worth and I’m sure when they have my Estate sale there are going to be some bargains because I’m the only one who knows what I paid for them or has studied the supposed value.

L_N_A

[Jack Wells]

I’m not sure why knowing would change anyone’s perspective. Just to put the question to rest, let’s just say I paid the equivalent of about three full tanks of gas for my Minivan.

Sounds to me like you got a great deal. My reason for wondering was to know whether good deals are still out there if you know what to look for.

I just noticed the doweled template holes on the back. That's a good thing to look for when looking at what might be an old Fender.

[play_loud]

What ever you do, dont pull out the bucker!!

Awesum find btw, she has soo much character!

Chris.

[Colt W. Knight]

Personally, I would restore this baby to its original 1966 glory. Gut all the aftermarket stuff, redu the neck route, and completely refinish it.

[bluesjuke]

Either way the body is a nice looking piece of wood.

[Jack Wells]

Personally, I would restore this baby to its original 1966 glory.

That's what I would do. Restoring this one would be a piece of cake compared to what BAW4742 has done to restore his.

[Lost_N_Austin]

I just noticed the doweled template holes on the back. That's a good thing to look for when looking at what might be an old Fender.

This is exactly why I want to post these pictures, I'm learning a lot.

jwells393 - Question - Is there a link to pictures of your 1966 Tlecaster on here where i can see what I'm shootin' for?

[robt57]

Originally Posted by Lost_N_Austin

Depending on your perspective, I either paid too much or too little. I’m not sure why knowing would change anyone’s perspective. Just to put the question to rest, let’s just say I paid the equivalent of about three full tanks of gas for my Minivan.

Well, I have a full size conversion van with a 33 gallon tank. I 'd happy to have grabbed that for the cost 3 full tanks in it. That would be 99 gallons, do the math.

Anyway, thanks for sharing, still love to hear it, or at least hear you impressions of it.


BTW, I have a neck pickup for this era if you are interested. It was rewound to spec due to deadness. PM me if that is the direction you are headed.

Ciao

FWIW: IMO I'd blackguard that with some Fralins or similar [or my old PUP], regular SC neck PUP with no screws. That neck PUP route under the guard won't make any difference. ;)

And this:

[timgreene]

i would get a better bridge pickup, and leave the rest as is.

[Jack Wells]

Is there a link to pictures of your 1966 Tlecaster

No .......... I've been meaning to do an in depth pictorial thread on my guitar but just haven't done it. Here are a few pictures. If there's something specific you'd like to see let me know.

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[robt57]

Originally Posted by teletin

Now look at that PUP ring. This is the kind of fastidious hand made parts that are hard not to appreciate. My Dad only had a ball peen and vise grip in his tool box.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by Lost_N_Austin

So. If this was your guitar, what approach would you take to make it a player?

I wouldn't change a thing.

[robt57]

While I am at it, Please educate me folks: I can't help but notice the fret board is hardly a slab-o-rosewood. It look like a heavy veneer almost. What is the pattern for this in Fender across the years?

I'd guess this may well be a by product of refret(s) on this particular neck, the frets are hardly original type for that I am guessing. And the fretboard being thinner on the treble side lead me to think fret job, or jobs given the age. ;)

I gotta get out of this thread, this Tele is giving me the worse case of gas I have had in a long Time.