Telecaster Special Owners Club

[JeffsJeep04]

Hope this isn't inappropriate, but I know you guys are fans of the guitars, so I thought I'd let you know. I've gotta let her go, a deal dropped in my lap so this one has to move on. She's in the classified section. Would love it to go to a TDPRI'er, so it's only listed here for now.

[OrovilleTim]

Originally Posted by JeffsJeep04

Hope this isn't inappropriate, but I know you guys are fans of the guitars, so I thought I'd let you know. I've gotta let her go, a deal dropped in my lap so this one has to move on. She's in the classified section. Would love it to go to a TDPRI'er, so it's only listed here for now.

Well, it went to another TDPRIer. I've got it now!

Very happy with it and found this thread digging up some info on the Tele Special.

The neck did seem a little muddy at first, but after adjusting the height I got it to clear up a little. It's much more dominant than the bridge in all configurations, but I'm throwing a Lindy Fralin Blues Special in the bridge so things should even out a little. Not that the bridge isn't a good pickup, it had the twang, but I have always wanted a Fralin bridge pup and now's the chance since I had some dough after selling an amp.

Extremely happy with it though. It's got the "broke in" look and feel already, with a vintage appearance as others have noticed. I was instantly comfortable with it when I yanked it from the box. Sounds great with everything I plug it into, and can't wait to get the Fralin put in.

[dremag]

A friend of mine has a telecaster special exactly like the one in the first pic of this thread. He asked me to sell it for him but honestly I dont know what a used one goes for these days. Its in good condition. Im temped to buy it off him but wondering if anybody has an opinion about say...500.00 bucks for this guitar. TIA!

[CharlieO]

As a Tele Special owner, I'd be very happy to tell you that it's worth $500. Unfortunately, I don't think that it is true. I watch prices quite a bit, and I don't think I have seen any that have sold for more than about $425 in the past couple of years. Maybe some of the others who own them will correct me on this. I'd say that you should be able to buy a very nice one for $400 or less. Of course, if prices are increasing, that's okay with me.

[OrovilleTim]

Originally Posted by dremag

A friend of mine has a telecaster special exactly like the one in the first pic of this thread. He asked me to sell it for him but honestly I dont know what a used one goes for these days. Its in good condition. Im temped to buy it off him but wondering if anybody has an opinion about say...500.00 bucks for this guitar. TIA!

I bought the exact one from the first pic in the thread for $375 shipped. More than I'd normally pay for a MIM, but I was without Tele and took a liking to that one. Even with price increases, I'd probably not put one at over $400/$425 with allowance for shipping. A face to face deal I'd not pay over $350... but that's just my opinion. I'm not of the idea that MIMs "appreciate" (at least not yet.)

[CharlieO]

Originally Posted by OrovilleTim

I bought the exact one from the first pic in the thread for $375 shipped. More than I'd normally pay for a MIM, but I was without Tele and took a liking to that one. Even with price increases, I'd probably not put one at over $400/$425 with allowance for shipping. A face to face deal I'd not pay over $350... but that's just my opinion. I'm not of the idea that MIMs "appreciate" (at least not yet.)

Actually, I don't see any reason why MIM's can't appreciate in value over time, or why the most desireable ones can't be "collectible." I paid $225 for my mint condition Telecaster Special seven or eight years ago, with a brand new deluxe Fender gig bag. I'll admit that was a steal even at that time, but I can tell you that there were plenty of good Telecaster Specials available then for $275-$300 or so. It does seem that the current range is $350-$425, so I think that's reasonable appreciation.

I am actually quite surprised that these guitars are not worth a lot more today. I'm expecting that it will take a few more years, but then the collector market will discover them.

[OrovilleTim]

Originally Posted by CharlieO

I paid $225 for my mint condition Telecaster Special seven or eight years ago, with a brand new deluxe Fender gig bag. I'll admit that was a steal even at that time, but I can tell you that there were plenty of good Telecaster Specials available then for $275-$300 or so. It does seem that the current range is $350-$425, so I think that's reasonable appreciation.

I wouldn't call that appreciation, I would simply call that prices adjusting for inflation. 7-8 years ago I could by a local "deluxe" style hamburger for around $1.49. That same burger is $3.49. Is that same burger worth more now, or is my dollar worth less?

On a different but related note; the recent Fender price increase also has the used market raising prices. But, while I see MIM Strats disappearing from Craigslist daily for under $200, I see the $250-350 ones hanging around, reposted day after day. Apparently the price increase only matters to sellers at this point.

[CharlieO]

Originally Posted by OrovilleTim

I wouldn't call that appreciation, I would simply call that prices adjusting for inflation. 7-8 years ago I could by a local "deluxe" style hamburger for around $1.49. That same burger is $3.49. Is that same burger worth more now, or is my dollar worth less?

I don't have my financial calculator handy, but I think that the increase in value for Telecaster Specials is at a rate higher than the rate of inflation over the past 7 or 8 years. Even if it isn't, most things that we buy tend to decrease in value over time, so I'm happy with any amount of increase.

[milospilo]

I just joined a soul band so my special has come out of semi-retirement. It's a great guitar. I need to change the bridge , though.

[OrovilleTim]

I still stand by my original generalization.

Originally Posted by OrovilleTim

I'm not of the idea that MIMs "appreciate" (at least not yet.)

I bought a 1997 MIM Powerhouse Strat a few years ago for $250. I can't unload it on Craigslist for $300. It's only 8 years away from being vintage, but when I tried to sell it the first thing people commented on was it being MIM. Well, it's "worth" more to me than $300, so I keep it... but I can't sell it for that much.

The Tele Special in this thread that I ended up buying wasn't "flying off the shelf" before I bought it (it sat at least a month on here.) I doubt I could get back what I paid for it right now in a local sale from the way things are going on Craigslist.

Beleive what you will, but for the person that originally asked if one was worth $500, it ain't *unless* you are the seller, you have one you wish to feel good about buying, or you just *must* have one.

The only reason I bought the one I did, was because I wanted a Tele Special with vintage style hardware with some years of use already on it. Even then, as mentioned, I paid $375 and that included shipping/packaging from Wisconsin (~$45?, a Fender gig bag in like new shape (~$25?, an extra vintage style bridge (I sold for ~$40 with the pickup from the guitar so I'll call it ~$15), an extra pair of strings, and some picks (I assume he knew he left all that in the bag :)). Take off the price of the extras and that puts it under $300. This one definitely didn't appreciate, even before adjusting for inflation.

[nick.s]

mine is my birthday tele from two years ago... removed the tbx thing - otherwise a great tele...

[braderrick]

Here's min finally. It's a '95 model still in mint condition. I did change the bridge pickup and and the bridge. The seymour duncan hot tele stack seems to balance a lot better with the humbucker.

[Rasputan]

I'd like to join the Tele Special
Club. Only thing is, I can't find
one to purchase. I'd be interested
in any color except Red. Completly
stock.

=================================

<><> Rasputan <><>

[Verne Bunsen]

Count me in! Here's my '95 Special as she WAS...



And as she is now...



Pups are SD Hot Lead Stack in the bridge and Full Shred in the neck. 4-way switching and push-pull coil cut. F-Logo B5 for extra mojo. I LOVE this guitar!

[Brian Krashpad]

[stantheman]

Well - I'm on the lookout for one of them.
Has anyone noticed they have a LOT of the same features as an "Albert Collins"?
Is this here "The Working Man's Iceman"?
And with "a Seth Lover mod" how much difference can there be?

[yrock777]

Hello everyone...this is my first post! Anyway...I have a near mint...tele special '95 or'96tobacco sunburst with black pick guard. I would give it a solid 8 or 9...it has two small bumps in the finish behind the front strap pin and thats it!. It looks new! It is beautiful! I really hate to part with it, but I have a new baby on the way and I need a storage building to clear out the garage. It also comes with a black tolex fender hard case with plush red lining. Shoot me an email and I will send some pics...yrock777@yahoo.com

[yrock777]

it looks just like the pic above!

[Singin' Dave]

Originally Posted by stantheman

And with "a Seth Lover mod" how much difference can there be?

HUGE difference/improvement in the tone of the neck pup IMO.

[James D]

Here's my baby, which I sadly need to get rid of for financial reasons Send me a message if you are interested.

[Spiderbridge]

I have the one depicted I think it is a 94' and I have done a few mods-as you can see. I want to get one for my younger brother any leads on where to find them and what they go for nowadays?

[Squier Buyer]

.....stolen.