Vintage Fender Strat Question...

[candh]

Did Fender make a flame or any other figured top and burst strat back in the late 50's or early 60's? All I've ever seen are non figured bursts.
Just curious...

 

[ssorl]

Just the 2 tone sunburst I believe. Gibson had the burst top on lock with the '59 LP. The burst was light where you could see the wood grain

 

[candh]

So, no two tone burst over a quilt or flame book matched top?

 

[ssorl]

Not that I am aware of. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Pretty sure Fender finished in the '50s where very straight forward. Either solid colors or a 2 tone burst. May have had a "flamed" look where the wood was showing like the LP's had due to the "lack" or finish coating on the guitars

 

[candh]

The reason I ask is... a fellow is posting on another forum and saying he has an original '62 flame two tone burst, rosewood neck strat. I don't want to call him on it but I was sure Fender never did a deliberate flame top strat back then.

 

[ssorl]

The reason I ask is... a fellow is posting on another forum and saying he has an original '62 flame two tone burst, rosewood neck strat. I don't want to call him on it but I was sure Fender never did a deliberate flame top strat back then.

Think he may just be mixing up the paint used where the wood grain is showing with a flame finish. Unless it's a '62 that has been refinished

 

[IPLAYLOUD]

No.
George Fullerton made a very custom Strat for himself in approx 1955 with a flame top and neck, sunbursted body and headstock, for himself.

What he says makes no sense, as sunbursts in 1962 were 3T.
BUT...the one thing I have learned about Fender is that you can never say never.

WE NEED PICS!!

 

[candh]

Here is a pic of the guitar.....I'm not accusing him of anything...I'm just curious if this can be an original '62. Again, I've never seen an example of a (vintage) flame top strat.

 

[ssorl]

No.
George Fullerton made a very custom Strat for himself in approx 1955 with a flame top and neck, sunbursted body and headstock, for himself.

What he says makes no sense, as sunbursts in 1962 were 3T.
BUT...the one thing I have learned about Fender is that you can never say never.

WE NEED PICS!!

Great info! There's your answer to the OP. Like I said, I wasn't too sure, just what I thought. But that's good stuff to know. Couldn't remember the year they went to 3T. Thanks playloud!

 

[ssorl]

Just saw the pic, I do not think that is an original '62. But again, that's my opinion

 

[tamader74]

Ahhh, The early '60s Fenders, a time when FACTORY refin.'s were all the rage. There is a book that has a listing of some of the serial (L letter started ones only)# 's that were refin.'s, I cannot remember the authors name,...But, you could start at Barnes and Noble. Tom

 

[candh]

Thank you guys for the replies. The first thing I thought was a custom shop guitar. Refinishing is one thing....but a flame top??

 

[Flogger59]

Early 90's Fenders had "Photo Flame", a translucent overlay applied before the finish to simulate flamed maple, on the Japanese models. And 62 is a vintage reissue model designation, therefore...

 

[candh]

Early 90's Fenders had "Photo Flame", a translucent overlay applied before the finish to simulate flamed maple, on the Japanese models. And 62 is a vintage reissue model designation, therefore...

Yes..I know the early 90's had quilt reissues. However, I can't find any evidence of an original.

 

[monwobobbo]

the flame comes from maple which wasn't used for fenders at that time at all. no way that is an actual 62. a reissue with 62 specs perhaps but even then i kinda doubt it.

 

[nosacter]

the flame comes from maple which wasn't used for fenders at that time at all. no way that is an actual 62. a reissue with 62 specs perhaps but even then i kinda doubt it.

This

 

[Seafoam Green]

Here is a pic of the guitar.....I'm not accusing him of anything...I'm just curious if this can be an original '62. Again, I've never seen an example of a (vintage) flame top strat.

As others have said, there is no way this is an original 62 Strat. Flames are wrong, dots are wrong, and that's just what can be seen in this image.

 

[Bill M]

pick guard is wrong also