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Topic: Pricing old Fender pots |
Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 19 Nov 2013 11:31 am |
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So I just bought an old Fender Custom T8. The seller said it was a 1949. I opened up the controls to have a look and it appears to have the original pots. The tone control was coded 304107, which I was able to learn was made by Stackpole Electronics in the 7th week of 1951. The number on the volume control is obscured by solder but I'm sure it is of similar vintage.
I don't think the cap is original (see photos), but the pots turn freely, function properly with no scratchiness. I'm guessing these may be of use to someone restoring an old Tele and I am considering putting them up for sale. Can anyone venture a value for the two pots on the collector market?
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 19 Nov 2013 6:33 pm
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Tom, I think the parts for restoring an old Broadcaster/Nocaster/Tele have already been exchanged.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 20 Nov 2013 3:01 am
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| Chris - The pots are definitely original - clearly coded as made in 1951. So is the switch and I believe the knobs are, too. I think the only non-original part is the cap. |
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 20 Nov 2013 5:00 am
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I do not believe the scenario that someone would capture the original collectable caps, yet leave the pots. I think original pots and caps etc were replaced by old pots and new wire etc. The value of an original cap is higher if it retains its original solder joint to its original pot.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 20 Nov 2013 10:13 am
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| Quote: |
| I do not believe the scenario that someone would capture the original collectable caps, yet leave the pots. |
No I don't believe that scenario makes sense either. I am confident the correct scenario is that the original cap was faulty (you can see some ooze on the plate)and was replaced to restore functionality. Nothing else appears to have been touched.
| Quote: |
| I think original pots and caps etc were replaced by old pots and new wire etc. |
I doubt anyone would use valuable 1951 pots to restore an old steel guitar. Old steels have virtually no collectible value - most are sold as players. Did you look at the photos? Clearly the cloth wiring and everything is original except the cap and its spliced in bit of rubber insulated wire. Anyway, thanks for your opinions. Much appreciated. |
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 20 Nov 2013 10:47 am
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Alright, whatever.
Back to value, if your pots were unused with no solder on them, they would be worth whatever someone would pay to restore a guitar that matches the date, and they would likely pay up to $200.
With solder obscuring the code, they are not worth removing and replacing, in fact when you say you have two 1951 pots, I do not know how you arrive at that conclusion.
Is that ground lug even soldered down to the case on that one pot, or just bent to touch it?
Anything that makes the pot look like a non-Fender factory soldering iron hit it hurts its value.
I have jars of old pots because I remove them from every Wright, Fender and other projects I have because correct pots really do not matter to steel guys, other than Bigsbys and Emmons Wraparounds where the pots are a tell. My pots used to go to a friend who restored Stringmasters and Dual Professionals and Customs. What do you call a triple neck Dual Professional? There are replaced 1950 pots in here:
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.
Last edited by Chris Lucker on 20 Nov 2013 1:31 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 20 Nov 2013 11:02 am
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If it is a 1949, as the guy originally thought, the slot head screws will be worth a lot. If it is a 1951, you will likely have original slot heads on there somewhere. That would be a really early guitar to be all Phillips as they started to appear late 1951 in mixed use. Which version of the round Dakaware do you have?
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars. |
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