Blackbird is back! Successfully refretted!
This guitar is simply a dream. Sound, action, tremolo, looks: perfect in every respect. Now that the neck has been refretted, Blackbird is being nicely played in.
Fender Stratocaster 1972 Restoration
Back to the original look and feel…
Fender Stratocaster 1966 Restoration – No-Tone-Mod
First and foremost – for me – a guitar must sound good and be comfortable to play, regardless of whether it is brand new or very old. The No-Tone-Mod (thx to Daniel) for the neck pickup may be a sacrilege for the collector, but for the player and for the sound, at least to my taste, it is essential. That’s what happened!
Blackbird refret
I was fascinated by the Blackbird right from the start. On the one hand, the playing traces testify to the fact that this guitar has been intensively worked on musically for decades and, on the other hand, that this is a Black Over Sunburst version. But especially the sound and the way this guitar can be played are proof that seventies Stratocasters aren’t all bad. At the beginning there was still the idea of selling the guitar again after the reworking, but it is clear that this horse is staying in the stable. To ensure that the guitar is fully operational again for the next few years, it needs a new fret job. A good guy from Delmenhorst has taken on this task and will refret the neck of the Blackbird. I’m already looking forward to the result.
Fender Stratocaster 1966 Restoration
Following its restoration, the body is now being refinished by Matthias von Bassart. Until then, the rest will be extensively tested with my 62 body. Kloppmann has rewired the pickguard and rewound a pickup to match the two other original pickups. An absolute dream guitar and perfect in every respect. A sensational sounding Stratocaster for players!
Fender Stratocaster 1966 Restoration
Frank and Dirk, the guitar bros, revive a heap of antique and matching guitarparts wreckage. The previous possessor had extensively tampered with this gorgeous ’66 Stratocaster over time, temporarily reconstructing the body into a left-handed guitar resembling a PRS.
# The neck is visually perfect, maybe even “outstanding perfect.” That’s how it should look. (11/10)
# The decal is original. (10/10)
# The tuners are not original, but visually contemporary and of decent quality. Could be replaced with originals without damage. (7/10)
# The tuner holes are not enlarged. (10/10)
# The string retainer is original. (10/10)
# The nut is still usable but could be replaced. (7/10)
# The truss rod works. (10/10)
# The neck attachment screw holes are not stripped. (9.5/10)
# The neck plate is original. (10/10)
# The screws are original. (10/10)
# The frets are quite worn but still functional. (6/10)
# The tremolo is original, although without the arm (8/10)
# The tremolo arm is new (3/10)
# The strap buttons are no longer present (0/10)
# The pickguard is possibly original, although I doubt it because there’s a missing cutout. It’s also trimmed and visually questionable. I would replace this with a contemporary pickguard with accessories and include the supposed original in the case. (4/10)
# All other plastic parts are either not present or not original (3/10)
# The pickguard screws are not original but old (6/10)
# The neck pickup is original (10/10)
# The cover seems original. (8/10)
# The middle pickup is original (10/10)
# The cover seems original. (8/10)
# Bridge pickup is not present (0/10).
# Kloppmann needs to work on this and wind a new pickup (6/10)
# Two of the three pots are probably original. (6.6/10)
# The volume pot is 270 kOhm! (10/10)
# The cables are partially original. (6/10)
# The jackplate is not original, neither is the jack socket. (4/10)
# One capacitor is original. (10/10).
# The other capacitor can be replaced (6/10).
# All parts are functional (10/10)!