Conference napalm::guitar

    
>		Anybody got a date? - it has a tele headstock SN E111031
    
    The original Bullets looked like Teles and came out in 82 I think, then
    they went to a Strat-like body around 1984 or so.  The production went
    offshore around 86.
    
>		It seems like those are humbuckers w/tap switches, am I
			correct?
    
    Strat-shape Bullets came with a few pickup configurations, single
    humbuckers, double humbuckers, triple single coil.  If you have only
    two pickups, they are likely humbuckers.
    
    							Brian

	I expected a date between 1980 and Stratmania (1987/88). And
	84-86 sounds good.

	I recon they gotta be hummbuckers cuz they pass the TV test with
	flying colors. (Stand in front of a running TV with the guitar
	plugged into an amp and flip the tap switch a few times - which
	setting is for hummbuckers gets real clear)

    I got a bullet, black and love it. Bought mine used also and don't
    know the date. I have had it for two 3 years bought at $100.00 after
    someone modifyied it. I have redone it back to its original setup
    except the pickups and its a fine guitar. I would agree with the other 
    noters in here about its date 84/86 area. 
    
    
    Rj

<<It was dropped and has a small dent in the back. How do
<<I seal it against moisture.


Depends on what happened, how big ? is it just laqure damage ? is the
true wood visible ????

If one is not concern with the cosmetic effect,,, just wants
to reseal..

take some good clear laqure, and drop it in, let it dry, repeat a few times.

"DEFT" is real good..


Each time, make sure that the laquer falls into the ding and spreads smoothly.
but don't brush, load the brush, and DROP it in,, let it spread by itself,
and dry.  (I usually put something like a glass or cup over the
area so as to minimize the dust the wet laqure will hold..)

Wait at least two hours of drying time at room temp.  In fact, the longer
you wait, the more effective each coat is.

btw.. A small modeling brush works good.

Each application will leave a film, but the time you get three of four
coats in there, it'll start to build up a surface,  then continue till
your satisfied that you've got it the best you can.   This wont be a
"Perfect, so as you'd never kow job,, that requires time, and experince.

There's touch up kits available where you can match the color pretty close, 
call someone like Macduffs in Shrewsbury for available kits.  (He'll proabably
be able to let you know where to pick some up.  Plus, if you like he'd do it..
reasonable rates, and excellent work.  None better then Dr. Rich..)

	Sounds simple enough. 

	I called the Fender 800 number listed in the manufacturer's info 
	note (1214?) and they tell me this one was made in 1981. Could
	be that I have a FrankenBullet? I pulled it apart. The body
	is routed for 2 humbuckers and a single coil in the middle. Plenty
	of upgrade possibilities. First order of business is the conductive
	paint.

	One strange thing is that this thing has a faint aroma of hickory
	smoke. (This is your brain. This is your brain on a plate with
	ccb's  1981 Fender Bullet)

	Nobody knows anything about replacement string trees?

	ccb

	This reply is to satisfy my archival tendencies on the assumption
	that somebody else is gonna want to know this eventually.

	There's a company called Graph Tech that makes replacement nuts
	and string retainers (trees) out of a graphite composite material.
	Music Workshop in Salem, NH had a StratPack (nut, 2 trees) for $10.

	I installed the trees and they work like a charm. No more comming
	back flat after them bends. I'll have the nut dropped in in a
	few weeks after the SG comes out of the shop.

	Pulled off the neck. Date stamped on there is 2 15 83.
	Scrawled on the back of the pickguard is says 2-14.

	This is more in line with Brian's recollections on the
	matter....


	ccb_Maple_Neck_Convert

	It's now a Bullet from Hell. I got out the soldering iron and
	installed one of those Fender TBX tone controls. This is a mod
	that I'd recommend for any Fender guitar. It took $13 and 20 mins
	with a soldering iron to get deluxe twang.