Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

[Jethro_Dull]

Okay, I have a 1975 USA hardtail Stratocaster I am going to sell. The primary issue is that a previous owner ADDED 3 TOGGLE SWITCHES. I see four options relative to dealing with this issue and selling the axe:

1. Leave it as is and fully disclose what the previous owner did.

2. As recommended by jazz guitarist Rob Dame: Remove the switches and repair the pickguard.

3. Remove the switches and replace the pickguard with something that isn't vintage.

4. Remove the switches and replace the pickguard with a vintage pickguard.

I lean toward option 1 as it is as close to vintage as you can get without additional modification. Do you agree with this or any of the other three options (technically, option 2 may be best) or have an alternative I haven't listed?

Also, and I guess in conjunction with the modification, there are two volume knobs and one tone knob which is an improper configuration of knobs. Should be 2 tones, 1 volume. I am resolving this by throwing in a non vintage tone knob.

Currently, I am hoping to pull at least $3,500 but I tend to overestimate the value of my own guitars. Go figure.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and observations. Jeff

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

Got pics?

Any routing under the p/g?
Original guts?

I'd say somewhere between 1 & 4(full disclosure,vintage p/g)...

.02

How the Hell do you repair a pickguard?
;P

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

Another option would be to "restore" it to vintage specs (new guard and knob) and include the old guard and knob with the sale. Then the buyer can choose.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

I would go with PFDarkside , restore it. Also as Rand-O-Monium asked any permanent modification like routing?

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

Are the three toggle switches of the 'mini' variety and arranged along the slot normally used by the 3 or 5-way blade switch ?

If so, that was a very common mod to '70s Strats (allowing for many wiring configurations, including 'all off') and it wouldn't be a bad thing to simply leave it that way. Or, remove the toggles from the slot and install a standard 5-way blade selector switch and include the three mini-toggles with the sale so a new owner could reinstate the '70s switching if they so chose.

(I know this stuff because i was playing back then and had a couple of '70s Strats set up like that myself. It was very common).

 

[Jethro_Dull]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

^ ^ Nope, that's not what i was thinking of. That looks kinda scrappy to my way of thinking. Oh well, move to one of the other plans i guess.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

No offense man but where did you come up with 3.5K? I've seen some mid 70's strats sit on the local Craigslist for a year or more at 2K.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

No matter what you do to it, it's not worth a lot. I'd just sell it as is and be done with it.

If not that, then find an original guard for it. The one on it is not original; '75's had 3-ply black guards. Are any of the electronics original? Some '75's had white covers and knobs, but most had black ones.

 

[stringbender11]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

$3,500 seems unrealistic to me. The market is terrible right now as many of us know, and a '75 hardtail is not that sought after a guitar. I'd be surprised if you could do better than $2K - $2.5k on it.

But to your questions, I'd probably replace the PG with a non-vintage PG and have it wired back to normal by a pro. I'd also disclose what was done and include the original PG along with the toggles as part of the sale. You also might be able to find a 70's PG on eBay relatively cheaply ($75 or so) & put that on, but I wouldnt invest much more than that.

Good luck whatever you do though.

Editing to add I wouldnt list it on Craigslist. I'd use eBay or maybe sell it on consignment. CL doesnt work well for higher priced items IME. Everyone expects dirt cheap prices on everything.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

Get the scratchplate up and take a look at the electronics. It is possible that the pickups are non-original.

Even in absolutely mint condition, a CBS/Fender hardtail Stratocaster is unlikely to top 2k USD. The easiest course of action is to sell as is. Be open about things. Let the purchaser make the changes to return the guitar to original spec.

Personally, I would not bother restoring to original spec. A friend of mine has a 76/77. He dumped the infamous Mazac bridge saddles. The shop where he bought it had already installed a set of Velvet Hammer pickups. (THINK - slightly overwound APS-2s.) My friend was lucky to have landed a three-bolt Strat on which the neck fitted the pocket tightly. Over thirty years later, he still has the guitar.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Conundrum: selling a vintage "modified" Strat. What to do?

That's not even what I would call a vintage guitar.

Regardless, if you have the skills and know how to make it look perfect again, I would.

1. Get a new pickguard or if you can find an old and used pick guard that looks exactly the same as your existing pick guard did when new, I'd use that. Make sure the mounting screw holes are in exactly the same locations.

2. Install the old pickups and old volume and tone controls and 5 way switch in the new pick guard.

3. Solder everything as neatly and as perfectly as possible, using wire that looks exactly the same as the original wire.

4. Put it all back together and sell it. Include the old damaged pickguard.