Help with a 1965 Mustang.

[MattK]

This one doesn’t have contours, tho

[broomhandle]

Cool guitar with lots of history!. To add my 2 cents, I don't think the daphne is original either, as I believe they phased out that color for mustangs around 1969. I don't think i've ever seen an original daphne mustang with contours.

I was thinking the same, I think it’s sonic blue. I found more under the bridge. I still feel stupid to never check. Like I do with all my guitars. This one I just played. Haha.

And I do this Daphne and Sonic was offered in 1965 for Stratocaster. It would be nice to see each year colors were offered.

[broomhandle]

This one doesn’t have contours, tho

Agreed. I think it’s a 65 body. This guitar came from the San Fransisco area. So who knows. I got a 1977 twin reverb a few years ago from SF. The main stage all parts were pulled. They could have just pulled the tubes and it would do the same thing.. so who knows the past on these instruments.

[broomhandle]

Hello,

Digging up my old thread. I have chipped off a little of the red. Anybody want to confirm Daphne blue? Sonic I think is light blueish.

also, can anybody confirm if this bridge is original or not?

I wish I could chip off all the red. But I would be over 100 when its done. And the red is also vintage. I am thinking 70's or 80's.

[Axolotl]

Looks like the original daphne blue underneath. Nice!
Bridge looks original too.

[broomhandle]

Cool. thanks.

now if to chip away all the red or not.

And its funny i wanted a Daphne blue mustang when i was looking for this. If I turn it back to blue, will have to get another fiesta red mustang to replace it. haha

[Axolotl]

I would so chip away the red, as I always wanted an vintage daphne Mustang. Is one of my favorite Fender colors. Besides, it will be much more valuable with the original finish showing. By looking at the hue and the primer underneath, I daresay that's definitely the original daphne. Lucky!

[broomhandle]

But how to chip away all the red is what I think may be a huge challenge. on the back the red is pretty thin. I am not sure I could pull this off. Thick in some spots, thin in others.

And same here. Love Daphne blue. I also have a 1975 MusicMaster that was originally white. Somebody painted it with maybe a brush daphne blue.

[Axolotl]

Not sure on how to proceed removing the red paint (lots of wetssanding and patience, you propbably have to go really slow), but I'm sure there are lots of knowledgeable forumites that will point you in the right direction.

[Rob]

As far as I know, the 1964-1968 Mustang finishes were just "Red," "White," and "Blue," in name. I don't know if they were de facto Dakota Red, Olympic White, and Daphne Blue, or if there were unique "Red," "White," and "Blue" formulations just for Mustangs, Duo-Sonics, and Musicmasters. The 1965 color chart specifies that custom colors like Sonic Blue were not available for Mustangs.

If it were me, I'd be picking off as much of that red as you can manage. Even if you don't get all of it, it would still look awesome as the remaining red wears down into softer edges.

[broomhandle]

I agree, I would like it back to blue. But how to do it correctly. If i keep chipping it with a razor blade, not sure if that is the best way. I need a razor blade with a safe plastic to protect the blue. Or something different.

[MattK]

Thinking maybe cautious amounts of water might be your friend there - allow the blade to slide along the blue paint without catching or scuffing. I'd be changing the blade often as well, your best bet is one of those dispenser packs of single edge blades they have in the hardware store.
e.g.

[broomhandle]

Water? So at the edges of the paint? So far i have been just under the PG. I can maybe use a spray bottle. But I don't understand the water part..

[MattK]

I just meant a drop or two of water on the paint surface beside the edge you're working on - obviously test to make sure it's OK! The idea is that the underside of the blade would slide along the paint you want to keep.

[will]

Wet sanding could cause some troubles -
red paint dust + water could create a red stain that seeps into the cracks in the finish.

Chipping or scraping the paint might be the way to go. ...or just let the refinish chip away over the years as you play it?