Old Friends...Part 2

When Leo (Fender) made the Telecaster (Broadcaster & Esquire... and, er... Nocaster) back in the 50's, he made it with the idea that when a neck wore out, the guitarist could easily replace just the neck. All the electronics came out of your average radio and it's wiring for the day and age (1950's). How many 1950's televisions still work? The tube might light up, but I'll bet the vertical hold and horizontal hold are a problem... as well as a scratchy volume pot, that crackles, and goes from 2 to 11 in a short twist of the dial. I am also sure the channel selector needs to be balanced a little off some of those channels in order to get them properly... assuming you live in a country where it would all still get any reception. Point is... 'collectors' want these guitars to be totally original, fully functioning pieces from a 1950's timewarp... a-la "Back to the Future"... as if the 'Doc' went to 88 mph in the DeLorean in the shopping center parking lot and came back a second later with a brand new Leo creation in the passenger seat. THIS IS UNREALISTIC. What is realistic? New equipment... including Custom Shop stuff currently made (Masterbuilt... remember), and also builders like Linhof and Nash (and more makers I am trying out as we speak)....and stuff that works....more later....Ciao...