68 Custom Shop Strat

basile865 · Post by **basile865** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:22 pm

Ya know whats funny, my very first strat was a made in japan 68 strat. Woodstock looking. Didn't have the big black logo though, it had the earlier more like 67ish decal. Then, like a dumbass kid, I got bit by the EVH bug. So I bought a locking nut, floyd rose, stripped the body and spray painted it yellow, put in a little 59 in the bridge, which was WAY too hot for the other pickups. It ended up being a dog! Haha. I needed a guitar that just played well and was set up so I traded a friend straight up for this black peavy tele knockoff. Haha. Funny and sad at the same time. My new build has the old trem from that japanese 68 in it. I broke the whammy bar off in the block years ago and its still in it haha.

I do like that new japanese 68 reissue though man, looks great. Don't really see them on ebay much but who knows, I could give one a shot.

basile865 · Post by **basile865** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:33 pm

Those japanese ones online look awesome, but shipping from tokyo is like 120 bucks.

I saw a left handed version of my old 68 japanese reissue for a buy it now of 1799. What an idiot! Those things were like 499 when I got one.

Freedom · Post by **Freedom** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:41 pm

basile865 wrote:I do like that new japanese 68 reissue though man, looks great. Don't really see them on ebay much but who knows, I could give one a shot.

I bough mine directly from japan (ishibashi) but at the begining of the year they stopped exporting Fender Japan guitars for some reasons...still 3-4 months ago i was thinking of buying another RI '68, i mailed stringnet.co.jp and they had no probs selling Fender Japan at least to the EU...

Freedom · Post by **Freedom** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:44 pm

basile865 wrote: I saw a left handed version of my old 68 japanese reissue for a buy it now of 1799. What an idiot! Those things were like 499 when I got one.

Yeah, thats why i wouldn't bother with ebay...send an email to stringnet they are OK...

Tone Slinger · Post by **Tone Slinger** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:03 pm

I agree, the 'new' Japanese '68 reissues have the 'stratocaster' part on the decal (I think Jimi's were the FIRST I ever seen of this decal) which I know Jimi had in September of '68. So maybe the summer of '68 this decal change happened ? Anyway's, the '68 reissues back in the 90's had the earlier logo (no 'stratocaster') and the body wood was wrong (either clear ash, or basswood for the solid White,black or sunburst) This always kep me from owning one. I loved how the japs got the 'lamenated' fretboard right though. I LOVED the necks on those.

I hear the '68 reissues being made in Japan now are JUST like Jimi's white one and black one, alder bodies and all. I also have heard that they cannot ship these to the states.

basile865 · Post by **basile865** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:57 pm

this one was the same model I used to have, except mine was in white:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stratocaster ... 18Q2el1247

check this out - one of the more recent 68 reissues - looks incredible -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Japan-68-Rei ... 18Q2el1247

basile865 · Post by **basile865** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:46 pm

I found a website that sells japanese fenders, and ships to the US

tommyguitars.com

The only thing is, those 68 reissues are about a grand + shipping. For the money I'm not sure. I'd still consider building my own for that kind of money.

Tone Slinger · Post by **Tone Slinger** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:16 am

After I found out that the 'JAPANESE' non export '68 models were EVXACTLY like REAL late 60's Stats , I got excited. They were alder and had the transition 'F' tuners and extended 'stratocaster' decal (unlike the export earlier '68 type klusion tuners and 'Fender' decal) The price seems reasonable. The only thing is that I like bigger fret wire(6105) My reliced "68" is perfect for me, but if I ever want another I might seriously consider the Fender 'Japan' '68.

frenchie · Post by **frenchie** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:53 am

basile865 wrote:this one was the same model I used to have, except mine was in white:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stratocaster ... 18Q2el1247

check this out - one of the more recent 68 reissues - looks incredible -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Japan-68-Rei ... 18Q2el1247

WHAT THE F.......K !!!!!

put a calaham block , nice pups and that's like the REAL deal

F......K !! so bad i can't try one ...and this guy makes a fuckn' good price on those

razelfrax · Post by **razelfrax** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:44 am

I build my own guitars and have 3 strats and recently compared my Homebrew late 60's strat to a 3 year old Fender custom shop 69 relic and they were close enuff that the guys at the music store couldnt tell with there eyes closed but I have a 2008 limited edition Custom Shop S1 Relic tele that is hands down the best guitar for feel and resonance and tone that I have ever played . And everyone who picks it up agrees. It is heavily reliced and the finish is taken down to the wood on the back of the neck. I could do without all the "damage " to the finish on the body but the lack of finish on the back o the neck has a feel that is so warm and inviting that I have done it to all my Partocasters. I think it sweetens the highs as well. The 68 relic mentioned in this thread is of the same series as my custom S1 relic tele so I would bet its also an amazing guitar. There are vids on youtube for all of these new custom shop guitars. I really wish I could of got my hands on a 68 Relic but they are all sold out at Fender so my Guitar store cant get one in for me to try!! Sorry for the long post but if you love guitars you owe it to yourself to try one of these recent FCS special edition guitars.

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:27 pm

hmmm, the Rory Gallagher Strat feels great to me!

Bunnest · Post by **Bunnest** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:43 pm

I have come to realize that any guitar you buy, expect to spend a lot of time, customizing it...set ups and pickups make all the difference. I can't recall EVER picking up a new guitar and having it ready...

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:12 pm

I guess I have been lucky with my '57 Reissue Strat and my YJM Strat. My 1987 Hamer Chapparal as well, though I bought it used. All these I haven't had to change anything. My other guitars I needed to modify, to be at their best. My Heritage Gary Moore's, new bridges and stoptails, requiring some drilling, as the Nashville had different dimensions, new frets, that was both guitars. Then my 1994 Washburn Steve Stevens SS80, it needed the pickups height adjusted, and as the pickups are body mounted, I had to use some wood dowelling to raise them up. Also the Schaller liscenced Original Floyd Rose, had soft metal in the saddles, going out of tune. I bought an OFR when they were being sold by Fender, works great. So I agree, often a lot has to been done to a new guitar. I have had my eye on the '68 MIJ's as they are great and an alder body now!!
Why can't Fender USA do the same, oh stupid question Dave!! They are too busy tooling up loser relic's to the stars guitars.

yngwie308

Tone Slinger · Post by **Tone Slinger** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:41 pm

The neck on my 'reliced' 68' style is just like the one in that Malmsteen/Stiller looking photo. No bullet rod to get in the way of my behind the nut bends(damn that didnt sound right

)

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:08 pm

You mean this one, a real '68:

yes very nice......
yngwie308

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