The Steel Guitar Forum

I just bought a Fender 1000, and it's a little different than the one I owned in 1957. I'm curious when this one was built. It has bridge and nut rollers which my old one didn't have. Ser # 01815
Jim

I think it was in early '63 that Fender went with the roller nut, and and did away with the solid-bar bridge (though there may have been a few made in late '62). Some guitars may have been improved with these features by custom builders, too.

A little later, in the '63-'64 timeframe, the scale length also changed from 24 1/2" to 23". The earlier (longer scale) guitars had a wide pickup, and the later (short-scale) guitars had a narrow (Jaguar type) pickup which was mounted on an angle. Other distinguishing features of the guitars were the bridge covers, which were rectangular hinged-type on the early models, and D-shaped on the later models. This later model also sported a built in mute (which was seldom used by anyone).

If your guitar has all the "late model" features outlined above, it had to have been made after 1962. (Probably shortly after, in the late '63-early '64 timeframe.)

Thanks Donny, You described it to a "T". I've seen those with the narrow pickup and the built in mute. This one is just as you described with the wide pickups and the hinged rectangular bridge covers. I lucked out, this one is in what I'd call excellent condition, although the finish shows it's age. It's the "Sunburst" finish that shows the wood grain. A lot of nostalgia there. Thanks again for the info.
Jim

Then I'd say your's is a late'62-early '63 model. Having the (old) long scale and the newer nut-bridge components makes it one of the rarer models. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 08 May 2003 at 06:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

Fender had a "conversion kit" that consisted
of a roller nut and bridge. The mods were done in the field by reps.This was in 1961.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 09 May 2003 at 06:35 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jody,

Any chance of finding two of those
conversion kits for the 1000 anywhere today?

Rick

Jody is correct.

I sent off for the kit and installed it on my Fender 400 PSG.

There was also another mod. The original 400/1000 models did not have the little "hooks" between the ball of the string and the changer fingers.

So I sent off and installed these also. But NOTHING but nothing would stop this steel from breaking the .011 high G#. It was impossible even to get the string up to pitch let alone press pedals.

Since I was NOT willing to go to an Eb or D based tuning, I finally in desparation sold it and bought an Emmons P/P in the fall of '69.

While a number of things were solved in doing this, I hated (still do) the basic built-in slop that is necessary on a P/P when strings are raised AND lowered.

It is worth repeating, all pull all the way for me. If your Fender has the moving bridge (later design) it is a good 'un.

God bless you,

carl

Carl,
I purchased a "400" in early 1960,and it had the "hooks" on it. I bent the one that pulled the G#-A to where it had almost a straight pull and had real good results.
Had a friend of mine offer (for free)one of the later "400",may go back and get it.

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Bill Ford