12th fret’s dot inlay spacing – Why is there some differences?

[5595bassman]

While examining my six Strats, I noticed that there is 3 different double dot spacing among them
For a group picture of them see Post # 114 on
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/guitar-ow...ml#post2243217

My MIJ 3TS has those dots centered on the A and B strings, while my USA and MIM have much closer dots.
But my MIK Fender Squire Series and my CIK Squier Pro Tone Series have them much away from each other.
Unfortunately on my MIJ Limited Edition Hellecaster there is none since this fret wears a special inlay.

All of those guitars were bought used and are from 1992 to 2006 and assumed original.

A friend has a rarer USA made Squier that also shows far apart dots. He bought it new in the USA in 1991.

Is this gap size has any relationship with an era or a production shop or manufacturing location?
Is this fact can be used as a clue on identification of neck’s origins

Thanks!

[rp1138]

The closer dots you mention on the USA and MIM were the standard configuration on Fender necks up until about 1952. Fender then changed them to the further apart style you see on the MIJ. The kept this config until sometime in 1963, when they switched back to the former config. It stayed thus through the eighties at least, even with the MIA 57 Reissue, with Fender stating that they couldn't do the wider spacing with the equipment they had in house. The MIJ Fenders had the 52-63 spacing from the get go.
Fender now has the capacity to do either format, and have adjusted to the proper spacing on all the reissues (as far as I know), but other than reissues, I don't know if there's any rhyme or reason to which spacing they use on which model.

I don't know about the USA made Squire from 1991. Perhaps this was about the time that Fender was able to start making the wider spacing, and on some early models they got it too wide. It wouldn't be the first time they initially used incorrect dimensions for vintage appointments.

I have no idea why they made these changes. I've never heard any reason given.

[5595bassman]

Thanks!

[E5RSY]

Sratocasters didn't appear until 1954, so the above is basically true for them going forward from that date. It's really a Strat thing...

As for Esquires/Broadcasters/Nocasters/Telecasters, I have never seen one, regardless of age, that did not have the more tightly spaced octave dots. The only exception I can think of is the Danny Gatton Signature models, which do have the wider spacing under the A and B strings.

Scott

[rp1138]

Originally Posted by E5RSY

Sratocasters didn't appear until 1954, so the above is basically true for them going forward from that date. It's really a Strat thing...

As for Esquires/Broadcasters/Nocasters/Telecasters, I have never seen one, regardless of age, that did not have the more tightly spaced octave dots. The only exception I can think of is the Danny Gatton Signature models, which do have the wider spacing under the A and B strings.

Scott

I've never seen any in person either, but then I've never had the chance to play an actual 50's or 60's Tele type. If you look in the Fender Telecaster book by A.R. Duchossoir, on page 37 (which is one of the color photo pages) all of the Teles on that page are from the mid to late 50's, and all of them have the wider spacing. There's also a very sweet looking Blond '58 that looks just like my CV 50 now that I've switched the pickguard to white.

[giginthesky]

i thought the change in dot spacing had to do with worn out tooling more than design.

[E5RSY]

Originally Posted by rp1138

If you look in the Fender Telecaster book by A.R. Duchossoir, on page 37 (which is one of the color photo pages) all of the Teles on that page are from the mid to late 50's, and all of them have the wider spacing.

Man, I'd be interested in seeing those pictures. Could you scan and post it for us? I only have the Duchossoir Stratocaster book.

I did find one other Tele with the wide spacing: the CP Baja Telecaster.

Thanks,
Scott

[rp1138]

Originally Posted by E5RSY

Man, I'd be interested in seeing those pictures. Could you scan and post it for us? I only have the Duchossoir Stratocaster book.

I did find one other Tele with the wide spacing: the CP Baja Telecaster.

Thanks,
Scott

Not the best scan, but it gets the idea across.

[E5RSY]

Very interesting. Thanks. I was just looking through the Bacon/Day "Fender Book" and not one Tele-type in there ('cept the Gatton model) has the wide dots.

[scojan]

I know this is an old thread, just wanted to say thanks for the info, I always assumed the necks with wide dot spacing were fakes, i guess it's not always the case.