Resurrecting a Squire

[EddieDavis]

Not putting this in Work In Progress because it has no Warmoth parts (except for a trem cover).

My friend gave me this Squire and I'm going to fix it up a bit and turn it around as a student guitar on CL for some cash. 

I should have taken a before pic of this thing, it was filthy and covered in ugly stickers, some of them half peeled off, sticker goo all over it, years of fretboard gunk too.  The pickguard was yellowed (and not in a cool vintage looking way, just nasty!) It even had crayon markings on it. 

I see some potential with it though as a guitar for someone just starting out.  So I have just a few small changes I'll do to make it look presentable and give this old Squire a new life.  Ordered a new pickguard and thinking of maybe using chrome pickup covers with some round top chrome knobs.

This will be a good opportunity to learn how to drill on a finished body too!

 

[rgand]

Sounds like a good project. Is it an Affinity? If so, it probably is made from a good piece of wood. A call to Cust Serv at Fender with the serial number and they can look that up for you, if you're interested.

 

[EddieDavis]

Sounds like a good project. Is it an Affinity? If so, it probably is made from a good piece of wood. A call to Cust Serv at Fender with the serial number and they can look that up for you, if you're interested.

Good to know!  It says Standard Series on the headstock.  I will totally give them a call and find out what it's made from, I had just assumed it was plywood. 

 

[rgand]

Sounds like a good project. Is it an Affinity? If so, it probably is made from a good piece of wood. A call to Cust Serv at Fender with the serial number and they can look that up for you, if you're interested.

Good to know!  It says Standard Series on the headstock.  I will totally give them a call and find out what it's made from, I had just assumed it was plywood.

:icon_thumright:

 

[EddieDavis]

Found some chrome parts for when the pickguard arrives

 

[EddieDavis]

:glasses9:

 

[EddieDavis]

Got the pickguard in the mail today, will take some new drilling and additional tinkering to get these parts to fit correctly, but ~ here's the new look!

 

[rgand]

That brings it to life.  :icon_thumright:

 

[EddieDavis]

That brings it to life.  :icon_thumright:

Indeed!  Now I'm on to the more difficult step of making it functional and getting it to sound good....    :blob7:

 

[Tonar8352]

The guitar is looking good and just for fun if anyone ever wonders if they can sound good give a listen to what happens when Jack Pearson gets one in his hands. At about 7:32 in he lights it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUbt56uKKWE

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The guitar is looking good and just for fun if anyone ever wonders if they can sound good give a listen to what happens when Jack Pearson gets one in his hands. At about 7:32 in he lights it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUbt56uKKWE

That is some sweet playing by both, indeed!

Is Tommy playing on EMG's in that?  Never would have called that.  I dig the brass Mighty Might bridge on his Tele.  My fave trem was one those 6 hole, all brass, with big blog trems I had on an old Ibanez Blazer some 30 years ago.  Didn't stay perfectly in tune as it was pre-locking tuners, but man did it have some tone & sustain.
http://www.abalonevintage.com/guitar_boogie_bodies_1978_strat_139_san_dimas_charvel_evh_koa_brass_bridge.jpg

 

[fdesalvo]

I love the pg!

 

[EddieDavis]

A call to Cust Serv at Fender with the serial number and they can look that up for you, if you're interested.

I called Fender with the serial number and they looked it up.  Made in China, only wood description they had on file was 'hardwood'.

The guy said this means pieces of wood glued together horizontally across the guitar, instead of plywood's vertical stacking.

Should be ready soon!  Just needs some new guts, and I'm going to pilfer the humbucker off my other squire.

 

[ghotiphry]

Well done!  But.. *Squier.

 

[rgand]

A call to Cust Serv at Fender with the serial number and they can look that up for you, if you're interested.

I called Fender with the serial number and they looked it up.  Made in China, only wood description they had on file was 'hardwood'.

The guy said this means pieces of wood glued together horizontally across the guitar, instead of plywood's vertical stacking.

Should be ready soon!  Just needs some new guts, and I'm going to pilfer the humbucker off my other squire.

It'll be interesting to find out how it sounds.

 

[EddieDavis]

Finally finished with this project!  Aside from a thorough set up, it's good to go.

My wife did an excellent job cleaning up the wiring, and we swapped the bridge pickup for one that had been in my other squire for the 10 years I've had it.

I was originally going to flip this thing for a little cash but now that I've plucked around on it I don't know if I wanna let it go..  it actually sounds really good!  It's got a ripping unpretentious sound and lots of attitude! 

Would be just perfect for a sleazy rock show...

 

[fdesalvo]

Nice and clean wiring.  So cool for you both to collaborate on something like this.