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My '66 Electric XII (s/n 154xxx) is sunburst, unbound with a dot neck. Behind the headstock and under the "F" tuner plates, you can see dark spots of filler down the centre-line - check the Reverb image below.

We're in lockdown so I can't photograph mine but it's the same on this guitar only more pronounced - darker filler.

I'm pretty sure mine never wore Klusons as the filler is very clearly underneath the finish, which is checked over the top. To me, this indicates they had the necks pre-drilled waiting for Klusons then made the change to Fender Fs.

Does anyone know when the F tuners were first used, or was it a gradual thing? Are there any Electric XIIs out there with Klusons, for example?

My XII wore Klusons when it left the factory. Neck date NOV 65, then it was ‘upgraded’ with Schallers. Now it has the same double line Klusons as my ‘65 Jazzmaster.

Klusons were factory standard in 1965. The necks were made in batches. When they used up all the Klusons up the new CBS F branded F tuners were installed (from 1966 onwards). Since a batch of necks had already been drilled for Klusons dowel was placed in the exposed pair of holes at the factory as in the picture you show, and as you describe for your own guitar. So it is common to see this with 1966 XII necks.

FEXII wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 04, 2021 12:59 pm

Klusons were factory standard in 1965. The necks were made in batches. When they used up all the Klusons up the new CBS F branded F tuners were installed (from 1966 onwards). Since a batch of necks had already been drilled for Klusons dowel was placed in the exposed pair of holes at the factory as in the picture you show, and as you describe for your own guitar. So it is common to see this with 1966 XII necks.

Cool, I figured this was the story but have never actually seen one with Klusons. Also, I've read varying dates when Fender started using the F-type on Electric XIIs and they're later than my guitar. Like 1968.
DD

Yep, my XII is a ‘65 model and has Kluson tuners. Interesting to see one that was definitely at the transition point.

Highnumbers wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:48 pm

Yep, my XII is a ‘65 model and has Kluson tuners. Interesting to see one that was definitely at the transition point.

That's cool to know they're out there in the wild. I've still never seen one though. Could I trouble you to post some headstock photos?
Cheers,
DD

DaddyDom wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:03 pm

Highnumbers wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:48 pm

Yep, my XII is a ‘65 model and has Kluson tuners. Interesting to see one that was definitely at the transition point.

That's cool to know they're out there in the wild. I've still never seen one though. Could I trouble you to post some headstock photos?
Cheers,
DD

Highnumbers posted pics in his XII NGD thread

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=118506

Yep, here again for posterity

What's the story on the other dowelled hole? The one right next to the low 'e' tuner (tuner #2 in my mind.)

Shows up in both examples posted above, and I'm sure I've seen the same round mark on other XIIs.

(a quick google image search showed up with several more examples.)



Anybody know the story there?

SignoftheDragon wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:00 pm

What's the story on the other dowelled hole? The one right next to the low 'e' tuner (tuner #2 in my mind.)

Shows up in both examples posted above, and I'm sure I've seen the same round mark on other XIIs.

(a quick google image search showed up with several more examples.)

Anybody know the story there?

It's called an "indexing hole"

Basically, it was used to hold the pin router template in place on the neck while carving the shape, then filled in before finish work. The same thing exists on other models but it's usually covered by the tuners. It's loud and proud on the Electric XII though, more than other models.

Highnumbers wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:59 pm

-

Great info- thanks!


(I love this forum.)

Highnumbers wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:59 pm

It's called an "indexing hole"

If you look for it you can also see evidence of these indexing holes on the body of guitars too.

[/quote]

Highnumbers posted pics in his XII NGD thread

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=118506
[/quote]

Great thanks. I was clearly elsewhere that day. Beautiful CAR guitar!