I do believe (but not in a religious kind of way) that an old guitar that's been kept intact, played and loved for many years acquires a mojo or.... "something". It's just a collection of parts, but after a while those parts belong together. Which is one of the reasons I don't buy vintage guitars.
I imagine if someone went back in a time machine to the 50s and told Leo Fender that people would avoid repairing his guitars one day in order to retain their collector's value, he would be somewhat bemused; he never set out to build a Stradivarius, or anything other than a working musician's tool.
Philly, I agree with you to an extent, but, having been a pedal geek for a while and getting caught up in and out of the whole component mojo thing, I'll tell you one thing. Certain components in certain applications will make a difference, but not half as much as the the ability of the person building it to tune what he's made properly. Or the ability of the guy playing the instrument.
I could launch into a story about a very nice clone of a Jen tonebender i acquired recently but i won't. despite the difference in components, the pedal and clone are indistinguishable. That was down to the guy who built it knowing exactly what he was doing.
What i don't agree with is all the parts being necessary to a guitars mojo. A switch is a switch, plain and simple, same with a pot, I don't think this is going to affect the sound like the wood or pickups would or even, believe it or not, a paint job (especially refinishes). I don't like old guitars that have been modded past their original function (cutting holes in scratch plates and adding switches. as long as the neck, pickups and body are original, then i'm good. Everythiing else is necessary repairs. I don't even mind refrets, because after 40 -50 years, it needs to be done.
Which is exactly, as mecca pointed out, what Leo intended. he made them the way they were for a reason. Easy to mass produce but high quality. Something wears out? neck, damaged body, electronics? replace it, just like your car. What he wanted from the start. affordable working musicians instrument.
Gilmours Black strat is a case in point. Thats what, the third neck now? 4th bridge? 3rd set of pickups? does it sound less good for it? nope. because the Gilmour is playing it.
At worst I'd prefer the body, neck and PU's to be from the same-ish period.
Enough point labouring from me :lol: Crack pipe auction and no mistake. Still trying to find the dude who parts out guitars. he's there though.
