Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This February, I got into a rage that I couldn't sell my '62 AVRI Strat and decided to take it apart. I took off the neck and removed the knobs (I ended up putting gouges in the pickguard and lost the knobs), and attempted to remove the pickups, but I wasn't that brave. So I left it sitting in the case for months.

I have been longing for a '60s Strat, and planned on buying a Classic Player's '60s Strat in Sonic Blue for Christmas, so I could have a George Harrison-vibe guitar but my mom thought I went all Townshend and smashed the AVRI, and said, "Not no, but [heck] no! Not after you smashed the '62 Sunburst!"

I spent all of Friday night with a screwdriver in my hand putting the neck back on, and putting the gouged pickguard back on. I walked downstairs showing her what I had, and she was lost for words. She said, "It looks much better than those Road Worns we saw at the local music store!" I asked, "Can we think about fixing it up for my Christmas present." "Sure," she said, "we'll go get you some parts tomorrow."

So, we went to the local music store, (also laughing at the "Road Worn" Strat they have for sale, knowing what better condition my AVRI was in) and we immediately bought some Ernie Ball .011 gauge strings as well as AllParts mint green knobs for it. We also ordered an AV mint green 11 hole pickguard for it.

Once the job is completed, I will have pics for you all to see.

I've always known that other guitars besides Rics are good, too, and getting my Strat up and working is a sure sign that I'm not a Rickensnob. This Strat will soon become my main guitar again.

And even better, I've seen pics of George, Tom Petty, Hendrix, Ronnie Wood and Pete Townshend with sunburst '60s Strats

Let me make sure I have this straight: In a display of totally ineffectual anger, you disassembled a $1900 guitar that your parents bought for you, damaging it in the process, left it sitting for months, and are now having them pay to repair the damage you did?

sloop_john_b wrote:Let me make sure I have this straight: In a display of totally ineffectual anger, you disassembled a $1900 guitar that your parents bought for you, damaging it in the process, left it sitting for months, and are now having them pay to repair the damage you did?

I never damaged the guitar itself. That was fine. Just one gouge in the pickguard. I just removed the neck, and took the screws off the pickguard. No damage done.

And I bought it for $1,350 back in Nov. '07

I think JB is referring to the principle here, Jake, not the details.

JakeK wrote:I have been longing for a '60s Strat...

You will never find a better Strat than the '62 AVRI.

Back in the early days, Fender would pull sunburst finished bodies off the line and refinish them in custom colors when ordered; you could likewise refin your sunburst in Sonic Blue, thereby making it closer to a period correct-type custom color finish! Personally, I'd rather have a Sonic Blue Strat than a sunburst anyway-it's more distinct IMO, but that's just me and my preference for flashy finishes.

As for disassembling a guitar when one's irritated with its inability to sell, taking frustrations out on the guitar isn't a solution. Disassembling an instrument hardly makes it easier to sell, and gouges in the pick guard don't help either. The best way to sell something is a bit of patience, and a little marketing research-check out some other ads to see what similar guitars have sold on EBay and CL for.

JakeK wrote:... planned on buying a Classic Player's '60s Strat in Sonic Blue for Christmas, so I could have a George Harrison-vibe guitar

I'd bet you could get the '62 AVRI refinished in a Sonic Blue for a whole lot less than the cost of a new Classic Player's '60s.

wmthor wrote:

JakeK wrote:... planned on buying a Classic Player's '60s Strat in Sonic Blue for Christmas, so I could have a George Harrison-vibe guitar

I'd bet you could get the '62 AVRI refinished in a Sonic Blue for a whole lot less than the cost of a new Classic Player's '60s.

Plus, it would be a Made In USA Strat.

wmthor wrote: I'd bet you could get the '62 AVRI refinished in a Sonic Blue for a whole lot less than the cost of a new Classic Player's '60s.

Shur can...

paologregorio wrote: As for disassembling a guitar when one's irritated with its inability to sell, taking frustrations out on the guitar isn't a solution. Disassembling an instrument hardly makes it easier to sell, and gouges in the pick guard don't help either. The best way to sell something is a bit of patience, and a little marketing research-check out some other ads to see what similar guitars have sold on EBay and CL for.

Very good advice here Jake. Personally, my take is unless you're trying to prove authenticity of a vintage instrument to a buyer, or trying to fix a specific problem that requires disassembly, there's not much need to disassemble a guitar. It's very easy to chip the finish around the neck pockets on most Fenders--and with Strats in particular, it seems it's very easy to cause hairline cracks in the neck pockets from over-tightening the backplate screws or otherwise stressing the neck.

Just a thought...you've got a really nice Strat there--why not just enjoy it? I'm a fan of Fender's pastel colors too, but don't get too hung up on the color because Harrison or someone else had one that color--the only reason Harrison's was blue is because that's what Mal picked up for him and John--George didn't pick out the guitar.

I think sunburst Strats are gorgeous myself.

Bill

jps wrote: Plus, it would be a Made In USA Strat.

You say that like it's a good thing...






(runs for cover)

Well, there are still some good things made here!

'Scuse me...Umm, Jeff...you gotta gas problem?