[Dacious]

Every 'real 52Ri is ash. The only real changes over the years was that there were some in black, some in a very attractive copper finish.

There were also a few hybrid models like the FSR which IIRC had gold vintage hardware, MOP dots on the fretboard and a different radius neck and thicker frets. Some of these are cool guitars, too.

All AVRI (American Vintage Reissue) Teles should have a bakelite pickguard, slotted-head screws over the whole guitar including strap lugs and neckplate screws, cloth wiring. Even the pickup mounting screws are slotted, not Phillips.

Pre-July 2006 they all came with a certificate of authenticity (COA) signed by the CEO of Fender which interestinlgly enough said Custom Shop on top.

They also came with a bag of 'case candy' which included a skinny old-style strap with a shoulder pad, a six-barrel string-through bridge, a modern-style wiring kit with .022 capacitor and 1 meg pots with wiring diagram, a vintage style lead that's actually good quality, and an ashtray bridge cover. And it came in an orange-lined Tweed hardcase.

Lots of people misplaced the case candy, and Guitar Center often sold the guitar without the rest, if it is missing the c-c or original case, deduct value.