RedwoodSurfer
Joined: Sep 05, 2017
Posts: 4
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Posted on Sep 11 2017 03:33 PM
Greetings everyone! After my father and I recently watched "Muscle Beach Party", it sparked the topic of his old '58 blue burst strat. He's always been curious of its custom paint history, but has never had the "technological resources" to get too deep into the subject. A quick google search brought me to this forum, which looked like the perfect platform for other gearheads to nerd out on!
A little history: In 1972 my father purchased the guitar from a buy/sell/trade music shop in Costa Mesa, off of Old Newport Drive. He said it had just been traded in that morning for an acoustic by a local musician who said it had been sitting in the closet for years. My dad is a fender lover and knows of the poor record keeping regarding the early custom colors. He's always hoped that it was done "factory" rather than refurbished, and for what it's worth, some experts he's had look at it say it doesn't appear to have been sanded down.
If anyone would like to offer some insight/questions or possible history tips on where this guitar might've been, I'd love to hear!
Anyhow, on to the good stuff!
Last edited: Sep 11, 2017 15:42:18
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1872
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Sep 11 2017 04:08 PM
That is really cool! Do you have any pictures of the inside, or the neck pocket?
I assume you know of Dennis Swiden.
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Sep 11 2017 05:19 PM
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing these pics. (looks like it has a 5-pos switch)
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RedwoodSurfer
Joined: Sep 05, 2017
Posts: 4
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Posted on Sep 11 2017 06:13 PM
Only recently have I heard his name on some of the threads here on the forum. I must admit that the possibility of him painting it sparked my curiosity quite a bit! I was hoping that the pics where you can see the wear through the layers of paint might help confirm/deny it is consistent with his materials/style.
Sadly I didn't grab any pics of her guts all opened up. Is my memory correct that there may be some serial or batch info that could be handy in tracking info down that are only visible when you take her apart?
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Matt22
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 2813
Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Posted on Sep 11 2017 06:31 PM
WOW! That's REALLY cool!
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Sep 11 2017 08:28 PM
So... get this appraised at Norman's Rare Guitars(or another expert) and then get this guitar insured. A 1958 is going to be worth about $30K. A one-off custom color, by Fender, with artist provenance is going to be worth a bit more. The Jazzmaster version of this guitar showing up created quite the stir, and this is a strat. Strat = bajillion times interest than Jazzmaster.
Again, get this guitar insured.
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1872
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Sep 12 2017 10:58 AM
In addition to what Jake said above, I'd contact Steve Soest at Soest Guitars in CA. He's the guy I heard about Dennis Swiden from, and knows a lot about Fender history from that time period. He would be able to tell you far more than me.
And, while I don't think it is his, I'd get ahold of Art Munson, rhythm guitar player from Dick Dales Del-Tones. He has a website where he sells original music, so he should be easy to contact. For some strange reason, I remember him saying he sold his Del-Tone guitar after it sat for years unused. But, I can't find where I read it.
I personally think this guitar is one Dennis Swiden did, just because of the colors, and the burst pattern. It looks very much like many of the guitars he did that I've seen.
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
Last edited: Sep 12, 2017 10:59:22
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Pablomago
Joined: Mar 23, 2017
Posts: 85
Fort Collins, CO/Moonstone Beach, CA
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Posted on Sep 12 2017 11:05 AM
All I can say is, WOW!
That is a rare bird.
— All opinions expressed by this poster are well thought out and based on actual experience and/or scientific experimentation, except for those which are knee-jerk reactions or good sounding fantasies.
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websurfer
Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 1746
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Posted on Sep 12 2017 11:02 PM
What is interesting is that in the wear area it looks like the default yellow stain used on most Fender guitar bodies. These would usually go on to be Sunburst, or sometimes painted with a primer coat for a custom color. Primer coats were typically white, Desert Sand, or (gold or silver for CAR).
So this looks right from the pictures. I just am unaware of this sort of custom finish being done in 1958.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10320
southern Michigan
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Posted on Sep 13 2017 01:35 PM
Sonichris wrote:
And, while I don't think it is his, I'd get ahold of Art Munson, rhythm guitar player from Dick Dales Del-Tones.
Why don't you think it's Art's, Chris? It sure looks like his!
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1872
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Sep 13 2017 02:38 PM
IvanP wrote:
Why don't you think it's Art's, Chris? It sure looks like his!
I hope it is Art's old guitar, don't get me wrong. It just looks too dark, especially compared with Nick O'Malley's JM. I know lacquer ages and yellows, and maybe the 3 weren't all exactly the same color.
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10320
southern Michigan
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Posted on Sep 13 2017 08:59 PM
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1872
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Sep 14 2017 12:05 AM
I hope you are right, Ivan. It would be awesome if it was Art's. But, by his own admission, Dennis Swiden painted lots and lots of guitars, new and re-paints. And maple neck strats were plentiful.
to me, the Nick O'Malley JM looks closer to the pics from the movies than the OP's guitar.
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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