The Joy of Fender System I

HarrySeven

Some of you may recall I picked this up a while ago...




I eventually found someone with a couple of System I vibratos and these were duly purchased.

I thought it was about time I tackled the job, so I unpacked the parcel...it seems I have some cleaning to do...




And here are all the bits and bobs which came with it...





This one's almost complete...




I'm just wondering what to soak the black one in...Pepsi? (it's worked before!) WD40?

Sassafras

I've always found diesel, which I keep in my drinks cabinet, to be quite efficacious on grime and the causes of grime.

HarrySeven

Sassafras said:

I've always found diesel, which I keep in my drinks cabinet

Next to the Absinthe and Pernod?

MattFGBI

I might have a new black plate.... I'll have a look tomorrow 

HarrySeven

MattFGBI said:

I might have a new black plate.... I'll have a look tomorrow 

Ooooo! Please do - thanks!

Sassafras

HarrySeven said:

Sassafras said:

I've always found diesel, which I keep in my drinks cabinet

Next to the Absinthe and Pernod?

Instead of the Absinth and Pernod.

historyisjunk

My vote would be WD40 or some cheaper type of the same. Apart from the smeg, the black one is mostly corroded on the steel parts, the alloy doesn't seem that bad. I'd think P*psi etc might be more likely to lift the finish, maybe try some WD on the underside first.

FWIW the alloy on mine is much more oxidised & the chrome is really pitted, those are cosmetically much better. The left hand blade on the black one is the most worrying thing. You might even be able to sell the bits left over for more than you paid for the Strat as I recall. Look forward to seeing it back together.

FelineGuitars

I often start with one of those ultrasound baths that you can use for jewellery 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/jpl-ultra-7000s-ultrasonic-cleaner-a04un?cmpid=ppc:home_electricals:pla:google&gclid=CLCAjqXll9MCFQYo0wod2-kNaA

steer

The answer is:  WD 40 * / Gaffa Tape*

*delete as appropriate

Rox

Fender made some excellent trems in the 80's, but often get overlooked because they're not Floyd and they're not traditional.

I had an MIJ Strat with a System II trem, and it was brilliant.  I usually dislike those kind of trems because palm muting is next to impossible, but the System II was brilliant.  I never should have sold that guitar.

Another one that got away!

I'm also enamoured with the brass trem found on the "The Strat" from the early 80's, but know it'll be impossible to find one for a reasonable price.  Made by Kahler, it's looks smashing.

guitars4you

Rox said:

I'm also enamoured with the brass trem found on the "The Strat" from the early 80's, but know it'll be impossible to find one for a reasonable price.  Made by Kahler, it's looks smashing.

are you on about the ones with the fluorescent finishes ? - pink yellow and some in black - with the big graffiti style headstock logo - always had a soft spot for these - for some reason as I'm not a locking trem guy

maltingsaudio

FelineGuitars said:

I often start with one of those ultrasound baths that you can use for jewellery 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/jpl-ultra-7000s-ultrasonic-cleaner-a04un?cmpid=ppc:home_electricals:pla:google&gclid=CLCAjqXll9MCFQYo0wod2-kNaA

Hmm interesting would one of these work on microphone grilles do you know @FelineGuitars ;

CasperCaster

@guitars4you , I suspect it is the 1980-1983 'The Strat' model with the hotter X1 bridge pickup, complex pickup switching (one of the tone controls is a rotary switch), and an atrophied small headstock:

http://www2.fender.com/experience/guitarchive/the-stratocaster-in-the-1980s/

FelineGuitars

maltingsaudio said:

FelineGuitars said:

I often start with one of those ultrasound baths that you can use for jewellery 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/jpl-ultra-7000s-ultrasonic-cleaner-a04un?cmpid=ppc:home_electricals:pla:google&gclid=CLCAjqXll9MCFQYo0wod2-kNaA

Hmm interesting would one of these work on microphone grilles do you know @FelineGuitars ;

Yes - as long a there is nothing that would be damaged by warm water and maybe a bit of Fairy Liquid.

Certainly gets things clean and in the case of some parts sanitises them too

guitars4you

CasperCaster said:

@guitars4you , I suspect it is the 1980-1983 'The Strat' model with the hotter X1 bridge pickup, complex pickup switching (one of the tone controls is a rotary switch), and an atrophied small headstock:

http://www2.fender.com/experience/guitarchive/the-stratocaster-in-the-1980s/

I see which one you mean now - I was on about this series - HM models

CasperCaster

Mark, like you I have a soft spot for those 80's HM Strats with the graffiti headstock logo and the Kahler Spyder trem. Those and the Contemporary Series (as per this thread) were some of my earliest GAS - unfortunately I never got either, and had to settle for an Ibanez Roadstar. Quite a nice guitar, though the Pro-Rocker trem was at best average!

guitars4you

CasperCaster said:

Mark, like you I have a soft spot for those 80's HM Strats with the graffiti headstock logo and the Kahler Spyder trem. Those and the Contemporary Series (as per this thread) were some of my earliest GAS - unfortunately I never got either, and had to settle for an Ibanez Roadstar. Quite a nice guitar, though the Pro-Rocker trem was at best average!

I don't mind those 'speed machines' if they have a neck that still retains more of a classic vintage C profile, with big frets and something like a 9.5-12 radius - it is the skinny necks I can't handle

impmann

I had a Contemporary Series "Telecaster" on long term loan once... wish I'd kept it. I'm not much of a fan of two-post trems but I remember that one being great.