OT: Painting a Fender Strat

[flipper35]

We have a Fender Stratocaster that was donated to our church some time ago and it has gone through a lot. So a couple of us decided to put it in our care and fix it. It has had it's bridge broken and the paint needs to be re-done. We are going to have a pro fix the mechanical things, but we wondered about the paint. Would it be handled similar to a car as far as prep and type of paint? Is there anything special to do?

[Tongue Pirate]

What is the finish now? Is it clear? Color? Is the fretboard rosewood or maple? I'm not real sure on fenders but I would think they are laquer>? Usually at the factory on bare wood they will put down a clear sealing coat & sand it with a fine paper to smooth it over, apply the color coat then put a bunch of clear on top, finish sand & polish.
The neck depends on the fretboard. If it is rosewood you would tape off the top of the fretboard, on a maple freboard you paint the whole neck minus the frets. Fender uses a semigloss clear on the neck to give it a satin finish.
The hardware is all replaceable with aftermarket parts. Easily found online. A good source of parts & finishing supplies is....

www.stewmac.com

[flipper35]

The neck is actually in good shape and we will leave it alone, it is a natural wood color. The body is a single color. Like a turquoise. The hardware needs attention from a pro to be set up properly again. Beyond my knowledge.

[Tongue Pirate]

As far as paint prep it is pretty straight forward if you have done body work. Not much different other than being wood

[flipper35]

Thanks, didn't know if there was some different paint used because of the wood.

[Tongue Pirate]

A lot of newer guitars have a polyurethane finish. Some people argue that it effects the tone of the guitar adversely. I have a couple new hollowbody guitars that sound great with polyurethane.

[flipper35]

I can't imagine a poly would have much effect on a solid body. Maybe so. This is a pretty old one anyway. Not an old original, I think from the mid 70s.

Thanks again.

[Maricopa]

Even a '70s Strat can be fairly valuable, and doing a 're-fin' can vastly degrade the value of any vintage guitar, even if the paint is in very bad condition. Please have it looked at first. The parts needed are available at many places on the web. Also check out the repair section at www.mimf.com

Mike
http://www.maricopaguitarco.com

[flipper35]

Maybe we should trade it for one that sounds good then. it is used by our youth band.

[Maricopa]

I'd still have it checked out by a pro first and determine if it has any real value. A brand new Mexico-made Strat can be had for under $200. They sound and play great.

Mike

[G.R.]

My brother is a muscian--plays guitar--If I were you from what I have learned from my brother, I would first have the guitar looked at by a person knowledgeable with Fenders---some early and late '70's are worth quite a bit--depends upon the model and condition--if it is a Stratocaster could be worth some $$--my brother bought a reconditioned early '70's Stratocaster a few years ago for around $1200 from a shop in LA, had been rebuilt to specs and finish. It is his prize axe
Just something to think about---sell it in it's orginal condition if it is worth it--then use the funds to support the youth group-- or if not just finish the body anyway you want--like finishing a glass body -- just a FWIW


Several years ago I refinished Ron's 12 string Martin, electric pick-up, after he badgered me for awhile-- he dismantled the guitar,strings, electrics, and frets, and I then refinished the body and neck. I used a clear lacquer finish, about 10 coats. Still plays the thing, usually with his church group

[flipper35]

I have a newer Strat myself, plays great and sounds great. I knew some of the older ones are worth a lot of money. Maybe we should have this one looked at I guess. How do you know the year for sure?

[GASKETBOY]

Brent,

Perhaps I can be of help here, just so happens that my employer is Fender.

Email me off line and I'll get you to the right folks.

Jeff Guisto

[TheSaint71]

I take my guitars to a music repair guy in those shops atleast here they have all the repair tools, paint and accessories saves time and money try to find one near you..

My favorite guitar is Les Paul Epiphone CUstom black with gold hardware baby!



old used guitars are alot of fun to mess with me and fix up

[flipper35]

The local music shop here knows less than I do, so that is out of the question. Maybe in San Diego, but I don't know SD very well. A friend had the same LP, with the pearl inserts.

[Tongue Pirate]

Les Pauls are great guitars. I have an older one that had a cracked neck when I puchased it about 12yrs ago. I fixed the break, replaced all of the hardware with new & It has been a great guitar.

[ronzara]

Brent,
Early Fender Guitars (50's & 60's era) had Serial numbers that you had to research to find the production year... Although you can remove the neck and check for the build date on the butt in of the neck & also in the neck pocket of the body.

Starting iin the 1970's the serial # will start with an "S" for 70's then the 1st number will be the year of that decade (So, # S8******** would be a 1978 model, and so forth)....
Same the 80's and 90's... Except you will have an "E" or an "N"..

Starting in 2000 an "X" was used....

Hope this helps!

RZ

[flipper35]

Will take a look thanks.

[Bill V]

Two points I agree with here are:

1. Since the body of a strat is solid, repaint will not adversely affect the sound, however...

2. If it's a vintage Strat manufactured before 1965 when Leo Fender sold the company, then the last thing in the world you'd want to do is refinish it.

You wouldn't refinish a Stradivarius because it's scratched, right?
Just find out what you have before you make any changes to it.

[flipper35]

It isn't that old for sure. Mid 70's the guy said. All I know is that it is the worst sounding electric I have ever played.