1979/80 Strat HELP !!!!

[The Big UJ]

Hi All,
I have a 1980 Strat that has a 1979 neck, must have found a 79 neck lying around, I am in the process of refurbing it. and I need some advice.
1. When I brought this, it had a gold pack on it, the bridge is a very heavy gold plated 'lump' no fender markings but seems substantial, however, I want to replace it with a chrome one. I have seen on ebay PW36 bridges for USA strats, will this fit ?? if not what should I be looking for.
2. I have got to the original colour (natural) and will be laquering it up soon, I want to refurb the neck but the nitromos does not remove the coating ?? and it needs attention. What can I use or any suggestions ....
Kind regards
The Big UJ

[Don]

Do you have pics of the guitar? Did the bridge mount with 6 screws like an old Strat?

I'm not familiar with a PW36 bridge. Does that mount with 6 screws? Do you know any specs on the bridge?

[The Big UJ]

Hi Don
The body is the 1980 bit of the guitar, (one in the avatar), it has 6 screw holes and I believe I need the USA as any other will not fit ie: mex, jap etc, I was looking at various ones on ebay but just totally confused, does a vintage one fit .. etc, I have a 1993 MIM strat and none of the parts from this will fit.

regards

UJ

[The Big UJ]

Ebay item is 170447162813 ...

[Don]

I believe a vintage style bridge should fit. The type with the wider spacing. I assume your MIM bridge is too narrow?

If in doubt measure the distance between the outside holes, center to center. I believe a vintage style bridge is 2-7/32" (55.5mm) where the MIM bridge is 2-1/16" (52.4mm).

[phantomman]

The bridge you need is Fender part # 0992049000 -- the Fender Tremolo System. This is the vintage-style unit in chrome with 2-7/32" string spacing. It comes complete with "FENDER-FENDER" stamped saddles, base plate, steel block, trem arm, claw, springs, all fasteners, and the correct allen wrench to adjust the height of the saddles. You can usually find these new on Ebay for around $90. Check with Steve at Angela Instruments -- he generally has these in stock.

HTH

[The Big UJ]

Thanks everyone ... I have just purchased the PW36 Fender block & saddles, it was worth a punt but I am really hoping that it will be the vintage spacing. Thanks for this info as I have seen many vintage bridges on ebay and never known .......

Any Idea what will remove the polymer coating from the neck ???

regards

UJ