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Fender refurbishment ?

  • 22-04-2009 10:12am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182
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    My bro has written me an e-mail, he wants to see what it might take to get this old Fender sorted out. Can anyone who knows anything about this area please advise me? it is way out of my leauge. It is a Fender Bullett, any help would be very much apreciated. It is an area I am particulary interested in because I have a Tele that needs a touch of paint and if there are any experts in this field I would like to speak to them about the cost. Thanks.


    Hi Dav,

    Don't remember if I told you, but Laura's brother Steve found a vintage guitar in a charity shop which he intends to refurbish and sell on, and he was wondering if you would have any info on what would need to be done, and what the value of the guitar. Steve doesn't have an amp that he can test it out on but he does have a lot of knowledge on musical intruments in general, and he's already done some exensive work on it.

    I know specifically he was looking for a screw to fit where the strings are anchored, and he was wondering if you would know any places he could source specific guitar parts as he couldn't find the screw in Woodies. We can get photos as necessary.

    The guitar is a Fender Bullet Series 1 from 1979-81

    --
    Lorcan Nagle



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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,180 Seziertisch
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    A proper "vintage" guitar is probably worth more in its unrestored state than refinished.

    I would say that he could be reckoning with a couple of hundred at least. I know of a professional lacquerer in Germany (a family business passed down from father to son over a number of generations) and I think he used to charge a couple of hundred for a body and €150 for a neck. I saw his work and it was completely professional. One of his main clients was Framus guitars, as well as doing stuff for a number of smaller luthiers.

    As to what a Bullet might be worth... Hard to say really. I would guess maybe somewhere around the €500-700 mark (basing this on what a a 70's Mustang would be worth second hand, and depending of course on its condition), possibly even a bit less.

    The condition of the neck and the frets is probably or greater importance. I can't see the Bullet being bought by a collector, so as such I don't think getting it refurbished for the purpose of making money from it is such a great idea. I would say maybe get it set up properly, and then try and sell it, or just sell as is.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182 dav nagle
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    Thanks for the informative reply you certainly know your musical history as proved many times on this forum, so in relation to setting it up as opposed to restoring it where would be a good place to get components so the OP can do it himself and secondaly what components would be of the upmost importance? Would we be talking about volume knobs bridge and nut or would that take away from the original configuration? Thanks again .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,706 120_Minutes
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    originality is the key here. if he's planning on selling it on, a "vintage" guitar, the more original it is will fetch more on the collectors market than a restored or modified one.

    you mentioned he's already done work to it. what has he done? can you provide pics? whats missing? whats modified? only then will we be able to give you more specific advice.

    as far as i know bullets are not as collectable as others, but you may find a "bullet nut" who just has to have what you've got.

    as has been said, get it playable and set up and thats all you may have to do. it may have that "mojo" that will sell itself quicker than a shiny new paintjob would.

    get some pics!


    *edit*

    there are plenty of places on the web that specialise in parts for restoration projects, but ive never seen stuff for a bullet, not that i've been looking. but if you're looking for a worn volume knob thats missing or even a fender decal thats been rubbed off, they're not as hard to get as you'd think...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 164 johnnylakes
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    Derrick Nelson...Dublin . Might be your man


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,706 120_Minutes
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    Derrick Nelson...Dublin . Might be your man

    or eugene kavanagh, if such services are required....he might be able to do everything himself.


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  • Hosted Moderators Posts: 8,344 fitz
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    This should really be moved over to the Instruments forum to get the most response/help/suggestions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182 dav nagle
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    Here are some images of this old horse I will ask Steve what work has he done to it.



    l_3c40a2c8c6a744ebae73174dc90e3c0a.jpg






    l_ea271b35aa9440a8a57ffcea214410c2.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,599 BumbleB
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    I have a '63 strat with a broken toggle switch .I'm told I can't replace it as it will totally devalue the guitar.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 801 PMI
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    Dont touch it....

    Think plastic surgery....not the best idea always !!!!

    The war wounds are all part of its history....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,180 Seziertisch
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    That looks like it needs a set up at the most. Either of the guys mentioned should be fine (from what I've heard).

    Otherwise BumbleB, if the broken toggle is preventing you playing your strat and getting full enjoyment out of it, just replace it and keep the broken part. Should you ever decide to sell it you can just reinstall it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,706 120_Minutes
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    the bullet: assuming the electronics are ok, the pickups work,the bridge and nut are fine, the neck isnt warped, and the truss rod works. then new strings and a set up is all thats needed.

    looks cool! allthough mustard isnt my fave colour....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182 dav nagle
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    the bullet: assuming the electronics are ok, the pickups work,the bridge and nut are fine, the neck isnt warped, and the truss rod works. then new strings and a set up is all thats needed.

    looks cool! allthough mustard isnt my fave colour....

    Thanks to you all so a bit os polish new strings and a good test is all thats needed so far, cool stuff .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182 dav nagle
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    Okay so here is an update of the parts needed and work Steve has done and a new picture. Here is the letter..

    Haven't done anything serious so far apart from sand down the rust and badly flaking paint on the metal pick guard with a view to repainting it. Other then that its just getting a good cleaning, leaving all battle scars etc intact, i hadn't planed on bringing it back to as new condition, just dust off the cobwebs as it were! The body is fine other then the usual wear and tear (some nicks / scratches and a small patch of the paint is warn down to the bare wood on the top edge of the body) The neck is not warped and the fretboard is in condition.I read on one website that apparently these were made with surplus Telecaster necks but i don't know how true that is, your brother may be able to tell from the photo. The only bits missing are a bridge screw and spring and the plastic tip of the toggle switch (as circled in the attached photo).
    Thanks again for your help, see you, good luck



    l_7166c8ed937a45bd9deea628a2f336ae.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,706 120_Minutes
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    you're grand so. switchtip, spring and screw are easily got from some guitar shops or specialist sites. repainting the plate wont be a big problem either.

    whats curious though is your original pic has the bridge as a single piece while your new pic (which i'm assuming is a different guitar as its red) has the bridge as part of the pickguard.....hmmmm

    theres one similar to yours on ebay at the mo at about 200 odd dollars, so they dont fetch much....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,180 Seziertisch
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    I'd be inclined to say hold on to it and play it. He might be able to find someone willing to pay a bit more for it, but ultimately it never found fame anywhere. I am sure that it is as good as a lot of 70s Mustangs, except they achieved a level of recognition that the Bullet doesn't have i.e. they were used by famous and successful bands. The market dictates the value of such things, and I don't know is it worth your while selling it. There might be a couple of quid in it, but really I would say keep it and enjoy it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182 dav nagle
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    I'd be inclined to say hold on to it and play it. He might be able to find someone willing to pay a bit more for it, but ultimately it never found fame anywhere. I am sure that it is as good as a lot of 70s Mustangs, except they achieved a level of recognition that the Bullet doesn't have i.e. they were used by famous and successful bands. The market dictates the value of such things, and I don't know is it worth your while selling it. There might be a couple of quid in it, but really I would say keep it and enjoy it.

    If it was mine I would give it a total makeover from head to toe as a fun project but perhaps that would devalue its authenticity?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,182 dav nagle
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    He must be using the pic as an example but not to worry I am getting some nice advice from everyone, thanks guys +1 :)


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