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FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / Just played a real 63!

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dmoulton

canada

May 2nd, 2012 12:04 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Local shop has one in, the neck feels soooo played in, pretty nice.

I was surprised by a few things, one the rosewood was so dark, it looked like ebony. Two, the neck wasn't as skinny as the 60's reissues and actually had a bit of a D shape to it.
Three, it wasn't bright or harsh anywhere, I didn't get to set the amp up or adjust it, new Peavey classic 30 I think, but even in the bridge position this thing was mellow and sweet sounding.

Not sure I loved the neck profile, but it felt amazing, and I think sounded amazing, I've played other older Strats that didn't do much for me, but if I had the dough I'd bethinking about this one. Had one new pot, and has been finished a couple of times. Old white, with red, sealer, and wood underneath, all beat to hell.

I loved it! Funny thing is when he first brought it out I thought it was a Road Worn :-)

David. ( maybe the old ones are the best )

(This message was last edited by Chris Greene at 08:05 PM, May 5th, 2012)

Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
**********

Washington, D.C.

JH: It's not no game we're playing.
May 3rd, 2012 10:49 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Ok, I'll bite: How much were they asking for it?

fendrguitplayr
Contributing Member
*******

Greater Boston

Where suspense is never in short supply.
May 3rd, 2012 11:37 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Linky no worky?

5Strats
Contributing Member
**********
***

Edmond/OKC

Axe Victim
May 3rd, 2012 01:01 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
At least you played a good one.

I've played some pre-CBS Strats that I thought were just OK and a few that were definitely not good players.

Not all vintage Strats are created equal.

reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator

Hero, hero

you have done so well...
May 3rd, 2012 02:06 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I had the luxury of playing a documented Hendrix Strat back in the early '90s.

It honestly was nothing special, and many of the vintage instruments that came through a major shop that was a huge vintage dealer were merely ok. The room of vintage amps, though, was amazing, being able to pick and choose between a half dozen each of Princetons, Champs, etc. of different eras was mindblowing especially when trying out pedals.

I learned sooo much from that room.

MarkJ61

USA

May 3rd, 2012 02:12 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
"the rosewood was so dark, it looked like ebony"

Yup, it can be that way, I have a '63 Jaguar that has very dark board that, except for a bit of open grain, could be mistaken for ebony.

MLC
Contributing Member
**********

It's not just good..

...it's good enough.
May 3rd, 2012 02:29 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Hey, I got to play a real '63 Strat back in 2000.

I had just bought my JV Strat and I took it to my local tech for a pro setup. When I picked it up he had just finished restoring the '63. He was all stoked about having just completed the work and I think he just wanted someone to play it.

It was a real nice guitar and all, but I played both it and my JV side by side, one after the other, back and forth, and honestly, I liked my JV better.
Maybe I was still the "honeymoon stage" with mine, but I felt it played better and I actually preferred the sound of the stock JV pickups over whatever was in the '63 (I assume they were the originals since he never mentioned anything about them being replaced).

One cool thing was that both my JV and the '63 were white guitars so I got to see and feel what 30+ years might do to my guitar.

In the end, while it was certainly a nice Strat, it was nothing that made me think "vintage is best".

"Not all vintage Strats are created equal."

This is true.
The '61 Strat that the other guitar player in our band used to have was one that DID make me think that "vintage is best".
Oddly enough, that same tech now owns that '61.
My buddy sold it to him when he struck out to build his own business and he needed the cash. He did go and try to buy it back (years later), but the tech won't sell it to him, now. At least, not at what my buddy thinks is a reasonable price.
(BTW, he's fine with that and has since bought himself a '59).

So that's my '63 Strat story.

I'm kinda curious, too - what's the asking price on that '63?

dmoulton

canada

May 3rd, 2012 02:40 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
The store was in negotiations to buy it, so I'm not sure, but knowing the business I'm guessing it would be way lower than it's worth.

I only got to play it because I do some amp work for them.

If they get it and set a price, stating the fact I have nothing to do with the sale, I'll post the asking price here.

The link was a mistake, not sure what I did there, didn't have anything to link to.

I'd have to say my Deluxe V-Neck probably plays better, but those old worn nitro necks are just so smooth.

Yum!

David

Paul Boudreau
Contributing Member
**********

Washington, D.C.

JH: It's not no game we're playing.
May 4th, 2012 06:35 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Rosewood fingerboards will usually darken with use - finger oils. That said, Brazilian rosewood is usually pretty dark.

NoMonks

USA

Stardom, one receipt at a time.
May 4th, 2012 10:58 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Just about every pre-CBS strat I've played has had the same characteristics you describe.

They are the sweetest things. That's not to say new Strats aren't great. They are.

It's just the old one's have acquired a certain maturity to their voice over time.

Doc Sarvis
Contributing Member
*********

USA/Salt Lake City

Tuned Strings and Tight Lines
May 5th, 2012 10:52 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
My all original '65 sounds experienced.

Pinetree
Contributing Member
**********
***

Sorry, I just can't

think of anything to put here.
May 5th, 2012 07:09 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
A friend of mine is an experienced guitar repairman.

Once, he told me that he had a '62 in shop...

Me: "Holy cow man, you played a '62 Strat?!!!"

Him: "It's just a '62 Strat".

Sometimes vintage is just old.

reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator

Hero, hero

you have done so well...
May 5th, 2012 07:12 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Mr. Tree is vintage.

Chris Greene
FDP Host

Idaho, USA

Charlie Don't Surf
May 5th, 2012 08:10 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I've had the opportunity to play a lot of old Strats (and Teles). Honestly, we inject so much romance into them when they are, generally, not all that. Mostly worn guitars that sound the same as new ones when amp'd. Some of the necks have worn in pretty nicely but if it's important, you can do that on a new one.

One thing for sure, they were inconsistent.

Not trying to knock the vibe of an historical Fender but they are, IMO, not the same magic as hollow body electrics and acoustics.

reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator

Hero, hero

you have done so well...
May 5th, 2012 08:39 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Biggest difference is the quality of the wood available; the rosewood on the vintage stuff is otherworldly.

The current stuff is OK if you get a decent piece but it doesn't look the same.

What annoys me more though are skunk stripes on RW fretboard guitars - which ironically Squier has right on half their guitars now.

SoK66
Contributing Member
****

USA

We had the hit but Van got the money
May 5th, 2012 09:23 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
One thing's for sure, on a mass basis the ones made in the last twenty or so years are certainly more precise and consistent than the originals. OTOH, I have a '64 that I simply can't find a modern replacement for. It has a tone quality all it's own. No real explanation for it, the wood isn't particularly special, the neck pocket is rather loose and it's a 1969 factory refin. They shot over the original finish with poly, not the original nitro. So, it has the usual sunburst as a base, the original candy apple red custom color on top of that, and polyester Olympic White on top of the CAR. It should be dead as a post, but rings like a bell.

reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator

Hero, hero

you have done so well...
May 6th, 2012 01:34 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Yea, there are individual guitars of any vintage that have something that the other hundred next to them don't.

I have a modern MIJ Mustang that has a airy, metallic resonance that none of my beautiful vintage ones did. I attribute it to the hard as a rock thin poly finish that cracks off if I look at it funny as much as anything.

tiller2
Contributing Member
******

USA

May 6th, 2012 08:10 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
This thread is where science meets religion. Emphasis on the religion...

6L6
Contributing Member
**********
***

Lago, CA

Kick the tires, Light the fires!
May 6th, 2012 08:55 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
In '63 I bought a new CAR Strat. Gigged with it for many years and kept it in great shape.

However... I always hated how the first and sixth strings were so close to the edge of the neck. Kept pulling them off when playing.

I sold it because I found new Strats more playable. Fact is, my current Surf Green MIM Classic 50'S Strat w/Fralin pups would SLAY my old '63.

I got 5 or $6K for my '63 and thought I'd sold it at the top of the market...

WRONG!!!

I probably left $50K on the table.

As I've said before, my motto is, "Buy HIGH, Sell LOW".

6
(This message was last edited by 6L6 at 08:57 AM, May 6th, 2012)

anteriorl5

USA

May 6th, 2012 09:38 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I've had 5 or 6 '65-and-older Strats including a '55 I played for almost 30 years. They all sounded much the same. I traded the not-very-original, beat '55 for an original lefty '58 a few years back and the bridge pickup has a bite like no other. All my other Strats were a little wimpy there. Quartersawn neck is very stiff, tiny, grooved frets - you have to work to play it. Love the feel of a maple V-neck with that 7.25 radius. The only guitar that comes close is a lefty George Fullerton G&L that I foolishly sold years ago.

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