[quote name='BB2000' post='12194' date='Jun 4 2007, 03:39 PM']Don Randall and Leo Fender had nothing to do with Fender by 69. QA seemed to slip. Natural finish (Ash) became popular in early 70's, Fender purchasing started buying Northern Ash and any old crap to meet the demand (hence the 12lb etc. precisions in late 70's). Up to '73 ish most instruments were assembled with quality components and timber, after that it was hit or miss for quite some time.[/quote]
Actually, apparently, supposedly back in the day swamp ash was the junk would you could get for cheap compared to the good heavy quality stuff. What is hip seems to change with the decades.