1966 Mustang project

ian850 · Post by **ian850** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:23 am

Hi,

I finally got myself a Bronco and a musicmaster, then My dad calls me from holiday in Florida, saying a guy has offered him a beat up 66 stang for $200!!

Needless to say it's now back in the uk. It needed new pickups, switches and scratchplate.

Is there any good places to buy original parts? Also is there anyone in the UK that could either help me or actually respray the body (it's pretty beatup!)

Pics to follow,

Cheers.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:41 pm

you'll get vintage parts on ebay, peanutlady1 and bluesjay part out loads of shortscales (or they used to). they're both in the US.

pics please!

ian850 · Post by **ian850** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:45 pm

Here are the Musicmaster and Bronco, the Musatng will follow shortly.

ian850 · Post by **ian850** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:55 pm

And here is the 'Stang. I have got new kent armstrong pickups, new tort scratchplate and new switches for it. I've given the body a light wet and dry and t-cut, it has come up alot better (alot of the staining appeared to be nicotene)

What do you reckon I should do with her? Refin or leave well alone? If anyone has any parts suitable let me know.

knpknpknp · Post by **knpknpknp** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:00 am

I usually like my guitars to look nice (to me, nice is non banged up) but something about the wear on that is really flashy. Is that an open spot on the top horn?

I would just put something on it to ensure it doesn't get really screwed up, like ensure the wood stays good underneath, and then put a nice new tort guard on it.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:06 am

I'd do something to keep the pickguard from flaking off any more but that's it.
That thing looks amazing!

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:12 am

That's an amazing find for $200. Looks Like someone lit it on fire and let it burn the pickguard. That neck looks so worn and delicious!

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:40 am

If the pickguard is fragile what about watered down pva glue to hold it together? As it should dry clear. If not I might just leave it, or just replace the guard. I absolutely love the look the body has taken on.

mellowlogic · Post by **mellowlogic** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:47 am

Damn dude, someone blasted that thing. I'd get a pg and rock it as-is

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:52 am

play it as is... Beautiful.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:10 am

mickie08 wrote:play it as is... Beautiful.

light rail coyote · Post by **light rail coyote** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:14 am

scandoslav wrote:
mickie08 wrote:play it as is... Beautiful.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:06 am

That thang is rougher than a broke dick dog. The fretboard looks well thirsty, yet appears as though it's been through a flood. Good deal, but if I got those pics from a friend from the oppsite side of the pond, I can't say I'd have paid much more for it, sight unseen.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:45 am

DON'T REFINISH IT!

get yourself a tort guard and a white cover for the neck pickup (personally i'd get rid of the hot rail too) but don't touch the paint. it looks amazing.

ian850 · Post by **ian850** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:33 am

The pick guard is dead, it just crumbled away to nothing.

It's interesting you say aboutb it being in a flood, all the electrics are really rusty, could this be due to it living in the humid climate of Florida?

STEWART- I see your in Edinburgh, om only ip the road in Aberdeen, any recommendations for someone to completely refret the neck?

Cheers.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:06 am

Does it need a full refret? The frets on my 64 duo are about as worn as you can get without them being dead but i think that's what makes it play so well. I considered a refret recently but i'm worried it'll change the way it plays for the worse. So have a play about with it before you make a big (ish) decision like that.
If you DO decide to get it refretted i'd recommend jimmy egypt in glasgow, they work out of CC music. I know it's a fair trek from aberdeen but they seem to be reasonably priced and they know their stuff. I haven't been in aberdeen for a while but i don't know of any good music shops there, unless one's opened up in the last couple of years. Euan might be able to help out more, he's from up that way.

ian850 · Post by **ian850** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:52 pm

Looking at the frets, I would say that it needs the first five frets to be replaced. what do you think of the frets?

I think this is the 5-7 frets

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:32 pm

They're not that bad, a fret dress may be all it takes to fix them.

Oh and don't refinish it, just take that sticker off, get an aged pickguard and some robroe pickup covers and rock it as is.

Zack · Post by **Zack** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:43 pm

please leave that mustang as is, pickguard & all, it looks beyond beautiful. Plus the juxtaposition of the chipped pickguard & the chipped/worn away paint just magnifies it's uniqueness.

ian850 · Post by **ian850** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:50 pm

The pickguard is sadly no more, it just crumbled away in my hands, im on the lookout for an authentic period replacement, there is one on US eBay finishing soon.

How would a late 70's Bronco pup sound in the bridge position (I have a spare)

Also are theer any tips out there for pup refurb? The orig neck pup is in a bad way.

Thanks again for all the comments, Ian.