'61 Strat Knobs

[ManicStratAttack]

Hello all! I have a 1961 AV II Fiesta Red Stratocaster and would like to change the control knobs from the modern large numbers to the more period correct small numbers. I've tried to find some online, but I'm not having much luck. Can anyone recommend an online store where I could buy some? I don't want them aged, as I want them to look new so that everything can age together naturally. The controls and pickup covers on the guitar are either the aged white or the cream. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Intune]

These fender pure vintage 60’s kits are what you’re after, assuming.

Fender 099-2097-000 Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Accessory Kit https://a.co/d/4wcaOWq

 

[ManicStratAttack]

These fender pure vintage 60’s kits are what you’re after, assuming.

Fender 099-2097-000 Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Accessory Kit https://a.co/d/4wcaOWq

Hi. I did see those when I was looking before, but I was worried about the colour. Those are vintage white and the colour of the knobs, etc. on my guitar are aged white or cream. Do you know of any aftermarket sellers?

 

[ManicStratAttack]

Although, I suppose I could find a way to age those parts.

 

[Intune]

Well those are exactly what should have come on your 61 strat reissue. Not sure why fender went back to the large font again but it’s just another mystery added to fender and their ways. Still those 60’s knobs and whatever colour they are is correct for your guitar.

 

[ManicStratAttack]

Well those are exactly what should have come on your 61 strat reissue. Not sure why fender went back to the large font again but it’s just another mystery added to fender and their ways. Still those 60’s knobs and whatever colour they are is correct for your guitar.

You're probably right. I'm assuming here, but I imagine the greener pick guard and cream coloured covers, knobs, etc. are essentially meant to simulate an aged instrument. Yeah, I'm not sure what Fender's thought process was when they made the decision to go with the larger numbers. Only they know. At any rate, those parts aren't a lot of money, so it might be worth a shot.

 

[Intune]

Yeah I’m pretty sure aged white/cream or whatever fender is calling either kit will be identical to the colour on yours now. Either way it’s what was using on the previous 2 versions of 60’s Strats to yours. So to me those are the correct ones anyway.

 

[Bazz Jass]

Although, I suppose I could find a way to age those parts.

Pretty much impossible to change the colour of knobs in my experience. Pickup covers and switch tip colour up nicely in some hot strong tea, but I could never get knobs or pickguards to age this way...

 

[ManicStratAttack]

Yeah I’m pretty sure aged white/cream or whatever fender is calling either kit will be identical to the colour on yours now. Either way it’s what was using on the previous 2 versions of 60’s Strats to yours. So to me those are the correct ones anyway.

That's a good point about the Fender nomenclature. Also the colours in the photos are so misleading too. Thanks for the chat and the help.

 

[ManicStratAttack]

Pretty much impossible to change the colour of knobs in my experience. Pickup covers and switch tip colour up nicely in some hot strong tea, but I could never get knobs or pickguards to age this way...

I've been reading a few posts about this and that seems to be the consensus.

 

[JDug]

Also another vendor whom I’ve bought from as far as Fender plastics:
Overdrive Custom Guitar Works
www.stratcat.biz

 

[Intune]

That's a good point about the Fender nomenclature. Also the colours in the photos are so misleading too. Thanks for the chat and the help.

This was one of my guitars. Both of the pure vintage kits here. The 60’s kit is installed, the loose ones are the 50’s kit. I did aged the knobs on the 60’s kit but didn’t do anything by aging to change the colour.

 

[SpeedKing]

Perhaps this might help ...?

'Pure Vintage' '60's 'White' plastic kits..... which white?

Afternoon all (well it is here), hope this finds you all as happy and as healthy as can be. I'm just considering swapping the plastics (just covers, knobs and switch tip) on my recently finished partscaster a tribute build to Blackmore's 4 bolt but one piece neck '71. Here is the current...

www.strat-talk.com

My own experience. Considering that experience with the mint guard on your AV2 I'd say the PV 60s set are the way to go without doubt.

 

[Fenderbaum]

S Type Vintage 57/62 Small Numbers Knob Set

A set of knobs with 1 Volume and 2 Tones with small numbers for Strat guitars made in Japan. These will push-fit onto CTS potentiometers and guitars made in the USA.

www.charlesguitars.co.uk

 

[ManicStratAttack]

The PV 60's look great against the mint guard. Cool. Is that Lake Placid Blue?

This was one of my guitars. Both of the pure vintage kits here. The 60’s kit is installed, the loose ones are the 50’s kit. I did aged the knobs on the 60’s kit but didn’t do anything by aging to change the colour.

View attachment 633884 h

 

[ManicStratAttack]

Perhaps this might help ...?

'Pure Vintage' '60's 'White' plastic kits..... which white?

Afternoon all (well it is here), hope this finds you all as happy and as healthy as can be. I'm just considering swapping the plastics (just covers, knobs and switch tip) on my recently finished partscaster a tribute build to Blackmore's 4 bolt but one piece neck '71. Here is the current...

www.strat-talk.com

My own experience. Considering that experience with the mint guard on your AV2 I'd say the PV 60s set are the way to go without doubt.

That's a good thread. Yeah, the more I look at it, the PV's 60's are the way to go.

 

[ManicStratAttack]

UPDATE

I got some of the PV 60's and was able to install them this weekend, and I have to say that I couldn't be happier. They look great on the guitar and I think the guitar looks better than it did before. Thanks for all the input everybody.

The first photo is a comparison between what the guitar comes with and the PV '60's, and the second photo is after the installation of the PV '60's.

 

[Intune]

Looks much better. Now when they age it all should look even. Still baffled as to why fender puts out these reissues with such dark tinted parts but brand spanking new chrome and finish. I get it, who wants a bone white neck but damn it’s gonna look so odd in 20 years with a dark brown neck and brown plastics. Anyway these do look great and much more accurate to a NOS guitar.

 

[ManicStratAttack]

Looks much better. Now when they age it all should look even. Still baffled as to why fender puts out these reissues with such dark tinted parts but brand spanking new chrome and finish. I get it, who wants a bone white neck but damn it’s gonna look so odd in 20 years with a dark brown neck and brown plastics. Anyway these do look great and much more accurate to a NOS guitar.

I understand what you're saying. It would be nice if everything was new and could age at similar rates. While I like the tinted neck, I was wondering what would become of the look after years of playing and natural aging. I thought it would just become a deeper yellow, but maybe you're right about it becoming a shade of brown.

 

[Intune]

I understand what you're saying. It would be nice if everything was new and could age at similar rates. While I like the tinted neck, I was wondering what would become of the look after years of playing and natural aging. I thought it would just become a deeper yellow, but maybe you're right about it becoming a shade of brown.

Oh don’t get me wrong, I love the look. However I was after the AVII 60’s pbass. Finally found one locally and ran out to look at it. The neck was so dark orange I could not get pass it. That’s when I thought was is the rest so brand new but that neck so dark. I could see if the body was faded(not aged just faded).

I know the custom shop obviously does relics but they also seem to tint the necks, slight age to the body and hardware so it looks more uniform. I mean either way they are sweet but just really odd choices going on lately.