No worries about not going 100% authentic or "time-correct" on the rebuild. I really dig the idea of the modded electronics, because from an artistical view, it is crucial to unblock your performance as good as possible. If that means to get rid of the limitations of a vintage wiring, go for it. You are not pulling apart an all original instrument, nothing will be lost compared to the point where this project started. You are the performer and this will be your custom tool. I have barely seen anyone has such a sensitive and caring approach to those old parts and guitars, please go on exactly like you do and keep following your intuition.
I’ve never liked the big headstock look but if you don’t have that hang up and if you intend this guitar to be your personal player I suggest you pick the neck that feels and performs best to you - and not care what anyone on youtube thinks... present company excepted of course. :)
Hi Matthew, from what I can tell, you have good instincts about what works best on a given instrument. Follow your gut, first impressions are often correct. The " purist" folks will have a hissy, but you are playing it not them. Love the electronics.
I can't wait to see how this turns out! I'm watching this while building another Junkcaster with parts from old Squiers, MIM and whatever else I got in my boneyard.
The pre-cbs neck, though rare sized, is probably “human error” at the factory. I know from my time at Gibson, sometimes “non-spec” guitars fall through the cracks. That includes neck shape and size!
your headed in the right direction .YOUR guitar is an extension of YOUR personality so how ever you do it is great.i like 64 neck and smaller headstocks myself plus I was born in 64
On video it looks like the neck closer to you has a shorter scale, maybe just the perspective but if it isn't it's a jaguar neck. That's 24" scale. Love these old played in strats, if they're worn they are played hence loved.
It sort of looked that way to me too. He did say he had re-fretted it, so I am assuming he knows what scale it is. Still though, with the camera angle it did look a bit shorter, just not a whole 1.50" shorter.
I'm not rich so I have moded my squire with 59^er pickups and all fender bridge pots switches input.,only have the keys left...thanks for the inspiration. ,also got a fender amp.i thanks to you and man I love the sound of this mod
Looking vintage with the reliable new guts is smart for what you need. You can always put together a back up pickguard with original parts if you need it for either guitar.
I really like players guitars and like seeing a instrument that’s been played like they were intended to be. Personally I’d use the 64’ neck but I like wider nut widths but I say use whichever feels best.
Matthew, speaking as both a guitarist and a car guy, I am totally behind your resto-mod. In both worlds it is considered a hangable offense to mess with a survivor in good condition. As the saying goes, they're only original once. What IS acceptable, and even commendable, is to rescue an abandoned orphan that would otherwise just rust/rot away, resurrect it and get it back on the road again. Hat's off.
I would definitely go with the more “interesting” neck. There is a further modification to the electronics you might want to consider - replace one of the tone pots with a pull pot. With the pot pushed in it will operate as it does now, but pull the pot and you can also select two more pickup positions - bridge + neck and all three at once! A couple more options for when you’re playing.
@@gunkanjima3408 Even a small plate will affect the pole piece magnetic fields. Kind of how the Jaguar pickups have the side guides to alter the tone ever so little bit. Magnetic fields are pretty amazing, even a chamfer/bevel on the individual pole piece magnets change the focus and shape of the magnetic field the strings pass through.
I had a plate under my bridge pickup in a previous strat. It isn’t quite tele, because the plate is still quite a bit smaller than an actual tele bridge. But it worked well. I had the blender mod so I could blend in the neck while on bridge, and vice versa. Could blend in the neck while on bridge/middle for all 3, too.
You asked us the question about which neck to use but it sounds like you have the answer to use the first one. It's unique and would be great in a hard tail guitar. The electronics are cool and make sense to use. Get it built and start making music with it. 👍😀
Awesome man, i cant wait to see this come together, i think we'll all be surprised at how heavenly this is gonna sound, tough one on which neck i love em both, gonna look amazing is this, God bless ya man, 🙏👏👏👏🙏❤from🇬🇧
Cool idea, go with the unique 1964 neck, Bridge pickup looks like an interesting idea, certainly worth the try. You gotta let us know what pots those are. I'll read through the comments, maybe somebody has already identified them. Mixing and matching components is always fun, you never really know what you might end up with, sometimes great, sometimes magic and many times just the first of many combinations that become a work in progress. Good Luck, can't wait to hear those pots and Tele style bridge pickup.
64 neck seems like the one and seems your set on it !! Go for it do what best suits you cant wait till see it together and here you play man one day I hope to play like you and build my own Strat like you!! Enjoy man!!!!
I have a pickguard being made right now with all duncans...ssl-1 neck, ssl reverse wound middle, and ssl-5 bridge. The ssl-5 bridge in my Gilmour strat is so clear, no shrill highs, and just a beast. Matt...love your content, keep em coming.
Sweet, can't wait to see how this comes together and your thoughts on it! That's one of the beautiful things about Strats, because of the assembly line production they are so easy to just mix up to get the best of what you are looking for
HAve a 75custom telecaster, original body(2piece) with a cavity cut for centre pickup.(Don't know what clown did that). Original neck(a1cond) with tuners,neckplate. Body was painted 3times(red,black,white) originally wood grain. Needs loaded pick guard, strap holders,bridge gear. Has been stressful on what to do but now know. Thank you mate, now know where I'm going with it to completion.
Love this build. I like the idea of the 64 neck paired with that amazing hardtail body. The electronics choices seem right on and I can not wait to hear it!
I would use the one off 64 neck since it is unique and in great shape. I like the idea of using new more reliable electronics. Can’t wait to see how it comes out.
Go with the '64 neck so you can sell the '66 to me! I'm putting together a hardtail strat too and that big headstock rosewood board neck would be perfect.
I think it's going to be awesome with whichever neck you choose. I kinda like the earlier, small headstock, but both are cool. As far as the electronics, you have the cool vintage look on the outside and reliable modern stuff on the inside. For a guitar you're going to be playing on stage, I think it's a good way to go. If you were restoring it to original, that's a different story. Electronics have come a long way since the 50's. Smaller, more reliable, and more efficient. If they sound good, that's all that matters. When you're done, you'll have a badass guitar! Btw...I love the hardtails. I learned on a hardtail and it's what I'm used to. I block the trems on my guitars that have them. I'd love to have an old one like that. Good luck with it and I'm looking forward to the next video!👍😎🎸🎶
another great opportunity Polish the Fiesta red which would fall into the small head era very well. put the correct neck plate to match the neck on it. the cuts on the body are all wrong.So if you could find a 59 rosewood that would be cool. As far as the wiring. Don't overthink it. As a Fender Tech may I suggest a good set of Fender pure Vintage pickups with the middle pickup reverse wound with a 5 way. Fender Pots and a.02 cap. buckle up and blow some blue notes with that set up through your bassman. Great project. old wood new fender guts make for a killer player.
Matthew, I'd roll with the '64 neck just because it's a unique item. Besides, I prefer the smaller headstocks. The electronics sound like your friend was going for tone and "gigability"! I really appreciate that the front of it looks like it's old with some of the plastic being yellowed. If you decide to go with that combination, it'll be classic!