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What do you want first, the good news or the bad news?
Clearly, there's some issue with the body. The back has ash grain, the top looks almost like maple. Tele customs were bound front and back, and that transparent reddish finish is not fiesta red and not consistent with a custom color Fender which were done on alder bodies. It's almost certainly a refin, and possibly a repro body.
Beyond that the neck was probably oversprayed when refretted.
Isn't the eight hole pickguard also a later feature? Clearly at least the switch tip has been replaced. You won't know what you've got until you look under the control plate.
The good news: the neck, the neck plate, the tuners, and the bridge are probably worth $3,500, unless there's an issue with these parts that I don't see.
I'm hardly an expert, but I guess I'd buy it on the understanding that I'm getting a cool player's grade guitar at a decent price.
BTW, what does the case look like?
As Eliot suggests, this guy may be a little craftier than he lets on.
allen
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