I don't like to use the word Frankenstrat. That conjures up an image of a guitar thrown together with whatever parts were available. That was not the case here. A lot of thought and money went into it. Here's the story:


I have a Fender Custom Shop 1960 NOS. I'm not really excited about the pickups and the three way switch. I bought what I thought was a 1987 Fender American Standard complete pickup and pickguard assembly. One piece, drop it in. I opted to not mess with the Custom Shop model. I may, at some later time, but not now. So, this assembly sat on a shelf a couple years. I know that in the late Fullerton days, they made some Stratocaster necks that were wide, close to 1.75". This is very close, as you can see in the photo. I looked for a long time for a 1983 neck and finally found one. And paid. Then came the body search. I know in the late 80s and early 90s they had some pretty cool colors and I tried to find one. Wine red, teal, etc. Everything I saw was either beat to crap or was $1000. I finally found a 1989 body in sunburst that is in very good condition except of some superficial stuff and a pretty good sized chip in the finish. I then sought and bought all the little stuff, the bridge, neck plate, back cover, all that. Every single piece of this guitar is from an American Standard except the neck, since they weren't called that in 1983. It was undoubtedly from one of those two knob models. Actually I bought the neck and tuners from the same guy and they were 'married' in 1983, so a small bonus there, no extra holes or chiseling. The pickups tuned out to be from a 1995 but that shouldn't matter because it's my understanding they were all the same from around 1986-7 to 1999 or so. The guitar plays and sounds very good. It doesn't need anything that I can see. I don't know of any way to improve it, other than just setting it up for your liking. It comes with a new hard case.


I currently have three Stratocasters. This one, my silver sparkle 1960, and a red early 1987 American Standard. I don't play Strats much, but when I do, I gravitate to the red one. Therefore, this one can go and clear some shelf space for a hollow body I'm pondering.

This item is sold As-Described

This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.

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Listeda month ago
ConditionVery Good (Used)
Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Stratocaster
Finish
  • sunburst
Categories
Year
  • 1983 1989 1995
Made In
  • United States
Right / Left Handed
  • Right Handed
Number of Strings
  • 6-String
Body Type
  • Solid Body

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ksdaddy's guitar stuff

Caribou, ME, United States
Joined Reverb:2015

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