hi there. So to cut the first part short someone selling a 65 mustang is willing to trade it for my USA Special Strat + some cash their way.
it looks great in photos and is all original aside from the pickups.
the issue here is that I really do not get along with gloss necks. I'd be really tempted to get the neck sanded down or whatever it needs doing to make it smoother by a luthier but would this really devalue the guitar all that much. Just wondering what your thoughts are, would you do it? Am I mad for considering doing that to a 65' guitar. It's likely I'd keep it but these things are always an investment too
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What scale length and width is the neck? This is critical in valuing a Mustang of that age. 'A' width and especially 21.5" scale (often found in combination) are worth significantly less. You can tell very easily from photos - if the last fret dot is at the last fret, it's 21-fret, 21.5" scale. if it's at the second last fret, it's 22-fret, 24" scale. The neck width is harder to tell from pics but usually possible if there's a clear shot of the nut area.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
FWIW The back of my 66 Mustang has no signs of any gloss left, it's nice and matt and great to play. That said they are all different, can you get the seller to send you any pictures as you can usually tell.
cheers
Also the neck is gloss, they didn't do satin finishes on Fenders in the
Still waiting on them to get back in touch but they didnt really say whether it 'was' gloss or if it still is by that message. And I'll definitely check it first, will get a mate to come with me too hopefully.
If it's the original finish it's unlikely to be very glossy by now, if it's been played much. They were still nitro-finished in '65 and it's pretty thin and wears off quickly in the playing area.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
He is right they didn't do satin necks, but neither did they do nitro finishes thick enough to still be gloss if they have been played over the last 50 years.
Its silly things but lift the pickguard, check underneath, and more than anything be willing to walk away.
If I was you, sell the strat and then keep an eye for something on guitar-auction.co.uk if you are desperate for an older guitar. There are bargains to be had still, but some comeback if things are not as they seem.
It's a Duo-Sonic with a Mustang neck