Trying to identify my Nitefly SA

[PatchworkBoy87]

Hello all,

Recently bought a used NiteFly, just working out the year based on the serial number on it: 032238 USA

It is of the Refined generation - Dimarzio pickups with italicized font in the bridge, no stereo/mono button, but I am struggling with the serial number. Using the guide here viewtopic.php?f=6&t=63 I have worked it out as below:

Nitefly Method:
March 2002, 238th guitar
You can see why this confuses me as with no stereo/mono button and the control layout, it can't be 2002

Refined (2003-2006) Fly Method:
32nd day, 23rd guitar, 2008

Pre-Refined Fly Method:
32nd day, 23rd guitar, 2008

A little help would be much appreciated, thank you all.

[vjmanzo]

Hi @PatchworkBoy87; can you post a photo or two?

Does it have a battery compartment? Are you certain it’s Refined? If you bought this used, it’s not unlikely that the original electronics were changed. A photo of the electronics cavity would likely confirm that.

[PatchworkBoy87]

Hey v,

Yes, it has a battery compartment on the back.

[vjmanzo]

Interesting! Thanks fine posting those—looks great btw!!

I would be shocked if that neck was not, in fact, a 2002 neck. The saddles, for sure, are from 2007 or later, and those saddles in combination with the unconventional electronics you’ve described suggest to me that this is a 2002 that has had some modifications. It definitely did not leave the factory with that combination of parts.

[PatchworkBoy87]

That would make sense, the seller did mention that the bridge was replaced. It's also gutted - no trem mechanics, just a block of wood, and no piezos either.

[vjmanzo]

Gotcha! I think we’ve solved the mystery then, @PatchworkBoy87!

If you had the interest, you could get it back to the original electronics setup and a standard Strat-style “trem claw” would do the trick to get the vibrato going; I have a Tremol-No in my NiteFly, which has been working well:

[PatchworkBoy87]

I'll have to take a look at fitting a Trem Claw and source some springs too. That Tremol-No looks interesting, I'll take a look into that too. Thanks V.

[vjmanzo]

You got it!