'66 Combo...neck plate original??

[vibramute]

OK...I'm still on the hunt for a sunburst Combo. There is a fairly nice one on Ebay that caught my eye (see link)

The guitar is fairly clean and unmolested, but the neck plate looks funky/non original to these eyes. I can't say I've ever seen a Mosrite with a plate like that (although I'm no expert with the mid to late 60's models). Is this something to be concerned about? I wrote the seller yesterday asking for a picture of the the plate removed but haven't heard anything back yet.

Thanks in advance!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1966-Mo ... 447wt_1049

[Veenture]

I wrote the seller yesterday asking for a picture of the the plate removed but haven't heard anything back yet.!

Good move, exactly what I would've done too. I would need to see first what possible iniquities that sizeable plate may be 'covering up'

[FritzCat]

It's got a non-original bridge too. Still, it's a nice-looking piece.

[vibramute]

It's got a non-original bridge too. Still, it's a nice-looking piece.

AH...good eye, I didn't even catch that! My gut tells me to walk away...they're asking kind of a premium price anyway.

I think I'll keep hunting

[Veenture]

It's got a non-original bridge too. Still, it's a nice-looking piece.

AH...good eye, I didn't even catch that! My gut tells me to walk away...they're asking kind of a premium price anyway.

I think I'll keep hunting

Well spotted indeed! You could always ask the seller: "Is the original bridge also included in the sale?"
(that'll make 'em think again and realize they're dealing with a knowledgeable inquirer (Points for haggling! ).

[vibramute]

It's got a non-original bridge too. Still, it's a nice-looking piece.

AH...good eye, I didn't even catch that! My gut tells me to walk away...they're asking kind of a premium price anyway.

I think I'll keep hunting

Well spotted indeed! You could always ask the seller: "Is the original bridge also included in the sale?"
(that'll make 'em think again and realize they're dealing with a knowledgeable inquirer (Points for haggling! ).

I had thought about it, but the fact that two days have passed with no response back about the neck plate has me pretty much over the guitar. If it was 1K, I'd roll the dice, but they are asking close to top end for that one, IMHO. From what I've seen on Ebay recently, for a few hundred more I could snag a fairly decent mid 60's Ventures Mark I.

Besides, I really want a Wilson/McGee spec Combo. I've waited this long, what's another few months/years?

[Veenture]

Yeah, you're right, vibramute. I notice that the pole pieces in BOTH PICKUPS are slotted screws and not the more familiar Phillips head screws one might want to expect...i.e. another replacement issue, perhaps?

[edit] I just tried to ask the seller a question and I got an ebay message instead, saying:

"We're sorry we couldn't find an answer for you. Unfortunately, this seller is not able to respond to your question. We suggest reviewing the item again to see if your answer is in the seller's listing."

Well, if that ain't a deal breaker...

-Paul

[Tsunami Tom]

Hi. My name's Tom and I went ahead and bought the Combo. Now, I have a few questions, one regarding the pickup pole screws, another question regarding the neck screws, and a few other questions. First of all, the guitar plays really well and has great tone. There are no issues in that area. As was noted, the pickup pole screws at one point were replaced with slotted, rather than Phillips head, screws. I went ahead and bought the correct size Phillips head screws from my local hardware store. They fit and look great. My first question is, is there anything wrong with using hardware store screws? The new pickup pole screws didn't affect the sound at all. I'm just wondering about that.

My second question is regarding the neck screws. As was also noted and suspected, the plastic plate on the back is definitely covering an issue with the guitar. Before I bought the Combo, I asked the seller to describe what was under the plastic cover. He told me that there were a few gouges around the holes. I thought that's no big deal, but what he neglected to tell me was that the original neck screws had been replaced with shorter screws. So, the tops of the 3 screws aren't at the top of the back of the body. Instead, the tops of the screws are about an inch or so down inside the 3 holes. They fit tight and the holes aren't stripped or anything like that. They're holding the neck on fine and there doesn't seem to be an issue with that; however, I'd like to get the guitar back closer to the way that it was originally. You can see, among the gouges around the holes, the outline of where the original 3 washers or ferrules were. That's my second question. Was it washers or ferrules that were used on Combos and Celebrities when a plate wasn't used? Washers will be easier to find replacements for but, if they were some sort of ferrules, it might be much more difficult to locate replacements. Regardless, I plan to do some repair work on the gouges and it would be nice to have longer screws holding the neck as was originally used. So, my final questions would be whether or not matching pieces for whatever these were, washers or ferrules, are available anywhere? Or, does anybody have a recommendation for another course of action I should pursue? One last unrelated question is that the neck on this combo is a bit chunky. It's narrow, but chunky. The serial number on the neck matches the serial number on the Mosrite label that can be seen inside the F hole. So, it's the original neck. I'm just surprised by the chunkiness. Did Combos from the 60's have chunkier necks?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate any help!

[dubtrub]

The correct screws for the pickup would be Fillister head screws, They are similar to hardware store Phillips but the have taller/flat sides. As long as the screws you installed are not stainless steel and they sound didn't change they should be fine. Regarding the neck screws. I'd try to find the correct screws with the right size head and diameter. Also the neck screws did not use flat washers they used counter sink shoulder type.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_p ... &xsr=43590

[vibramute]

Hi. My name's Tom and I went ahead and bought the Combo. Now, I have a few questions, one regarding the pickup pole screws, another question regarding the neck screws, and a few other questions. First of all, the guitar plays really well and has great tone. There are no issues in that area. As was noted, the pickup pole screws at one point were replaced with slotted, rather than Phillips head, screws. I went ahead and bought the correct size Phillips head screws from my local hardware store. They fit and look great. My first question is, is there anything wrong with using hardware store screws? The new pickup pole screws didn't affect the sound at all. I'm just wondering about that.

My second question is regarding the neck screws. As was also noted and suspected, the plastic plate on the back is definitely covering an issue with the guitar. Before I bought the Combo, I asked the seller to describe what was under the plastic cover. He told me that there were a few gouges around the holes. I thought that's no big deal, but what he neglected to tell me was that the original neck screws had been replaced with shorter screws. So, the tops of the 3 screws aren't at the top of the back of the body. Instead, the tops of the screws are about an inch or so down inside the 3 holes. They fit tight and the holes aren't stripped or anything like that. They're holding the neck on fine and there doesn't seem to be an issue with that; however, I'd like to get the guitar back closer to the way that it was originally. You can see, among the gouges around the holes, the outline of where the original 3 washers or ferrules were. That's my second question. Was it washers or ferrules that were used on Combos and Celebrities when a plate wasn't used? Washers will be easier to find replacements for but, if they were some sort of ferrules, it might be much more difficult to locate replacements. Regardless, I plan to do some repair work on the gouges and it would be nice to have longer screws holding the neck as was originally used. So, my final questions would be whether or not matching pieces for whatever these were, washers or ferrules, are available anywhere? Or, does anybody have a recommendation for another course of action I should pursue? One last unrelated question is that the neck on this combo is a bit chunky. It's narrow, but chunky. The serial number on the neck matches the serial number on the Mosrite label that can be seen inside the F hole. So, it's the original neck. I'm just surprised by the chunkiness. Did Combos from the 60's have chunkier necks?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate any help!

Congrats on the Combo purchase. If you can, post some photos of what's going on with the neck screws, it might be easier to offer some advice.