Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

  1. #1
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    8,163

    Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    In the mid 90s, I bought my first Strat, a white, MIJ 68 reissue. Lovely large headstock. Looked stunning.

    The problem? From the 11th or 12th fret up, each note was actually a cacophony of several tones. I'd play an E on the 12th fret, and an F and B might sound as well.

    I took it back to our rinky dink shop and its inept repair dudes. They tried to set it up and adjusted the truss rod, but the guitar still sounded multiple notes from what should have been one note. I eventually traded it for an MIJ 62 reissue Tele--long gone.

    Was there anything else that could have been done? Was the problem in the neck?
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  2. #2
    Forum Member Gravity Jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    205

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    Sounds to me like it either needed a fret leveling, or had a hump in the fretboard up there. Since the limit of most guitar shop "techs" is changing strings, they would not be able to fix it. A pro technician would have had it singing.

  3. #3
    Forum Member sticko's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Memphis
    Posts
    30

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    I had one of those MIJ 68 Reissues. Maple neck, sunburst. It was a really cool guitar. However, it eventually turned into a Twin Twelve which I still have and use often.

    Can't speak on your problem, sorry. Strats can do some weird things like that.

  4. #4
    Forum Member Gravity Jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    205

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    Quote Originally Posted by sticko View Post
    Strats can do some weird things like that.
    As can every other guitar.

  5. #5
    Forum Member style0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    28

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    Pickups too close?

  6. #6
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    8,163

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    Quote Originally Posted by style0 View Post
    Pickups too close?
    I tried adjusting them. It probably was some abnormality in the neck. It was a beautiful guitar and otherwise sounded very 60s-ish.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  7. #7
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    8,163

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    Quote Originally Posted by Gravity Jim View Post
    Sounds to me like it either needed a fret leveling, or had a hump in the fretboard up there. Since the limit of most guitar shop "techs" is changing strings, they would not be able to fix it. A pro technician would have had it singing.
    I don't doubt it. I was living far from any reputable luthier then and had to have a working guitar so traded it first chance I got. At that point, I knew less even than I know now about fretwork and other possible remedies, so I took for gospel what the local shop said about the impossibility of a fix.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  8. #8
    Forum Member Kris Ford's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Wixom MI
    Posts
    62

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    I had one of those (necks anyways on a MIM body)...didn't notice anything unusual..

  9. #9
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    8,163

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    That's a great looking guitar, Kris. I love that headstock and was really sorry to let go of mine. Hard to believe it's 20+ years ago that I had that guitar.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  10. #10
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Ever heard of José Carioca?
    Posts
    4,651

    Re: Mid-90s 68 reissue Strat Mystery

    I love that headstock!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •