MIJ thinline special / TN-85SPL / TN-93SPL

riolux · May 6th, 2008, 04:36 PM

I really like the looks of this model, and with the texas specials and a humbucker it seems one could get a lot of versitality out of it. However, the only way I could get one is buying it straight from Japan, without playing it first.

So who's got one? How is it? Hows the finish, hows the sound? Are those real texas specials or some japanese wannabes? Does anyone know what they have been sold for on ebay? Any answer appreciated.

And heres a picture for the oblivious:

more, "real" pics at http://www.stringnet.co.jp/site_new/TN-93SPLn.p.html

Southern ILL · May 6th, 2008, 05:23 PM

I bought at least 2 dozen Fender Teles/Strats when you could still get online here in the USA.....I had one that was fairly heavy....but all of them were very really good guitars.....I think you would be fine.

getbent · May 6th, 2008, 09:36 PM

that thing is righteous! how much? I love the CIJ guitars. I bought my CIJ thinline sight unseen and it is the guitar I use the most.

riolux · May 7th, 2008, 06:06 PM

Thanks, yeah I've got good experiences with japanese Fenders aswell (got two mid 80's strats), but I would really like some first hand info on this particular model.

riolux · May 7th, 2008, 06:15 PM

Oh, getbent, it's about 105.000 Yen which is about I guess $1.000 which in turn is roughly what we have to cough up to get a MIM 50's tele here in GAS-chonomically crappy Sweden. Shipping included, however customs may or may not add another 25%...

Jeru · May 7th, 2008, 06:40 PM

Dunno about the model in your picture, but the only guitar I have ever bought sight-unseen is my CIJ '62 RI tele, which is my #1 and by far my favorite guitar out of the roughly 10 electrics that I have owned over the years.

In my limited personal experience the Japanese instruments are great. From what I read, MIJ/CIJ duds really do seem to be pretty darn few and far between.

You might even try used on the 'bay...?

Great finds can still be had if you are patient (and bid wisely)

riolux · May 7th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeru

You might even try used on the 'bay...?

Great finds can still be had if you are patient (and bid wisely)

I've heard about them occasionally popping up on ebay but
1. I don't live in the USA and I don't have the guts to wire money and goods over the Atlantic unless I'm dealing with a well known (well sort of) company.
2. As a result of online bidding my guitar collection now contains a no-name, bright pink HM-type strat copy with lousy PU's and non-fender-interchangable parts. Dont ask...

stevetat · May 7th, 2008, 10:58 PM

I bought a used TN-85SPL on eBay a couple years back. Seller was "Bluzey Guitars" in Tokyo. At the time, the price was a little over $800 shipped. Since then, they've been selling for ~$900 +shipping.

As you suspected, it is a versatile guitar. Fit and finish on mine is exceptional. The humbucker is a little "polite" sounding, but adjusting the height gave it some grit. No complaints about the Texas Specials.

It's a keeper!

riolux · May 8th, 2008, 04:11 AM

Thanks! A beauty!

riolux · May 19th, 2008, 06:22 AM

After some sigging in the TDPRI i found this pic:

It's daviddoubleu's and I guess it's one of the original colours of the earlier versions, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Just thought I'd add it for future googlers.

kreyzgym · May 19th, 2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern ILL

very really good guitars

Hahaha.
GOOD.

fungusyoung · May 19th, 2008, 07:02 AM

I don't have that exact model either, but I've purchased 3 CIJ Teles since 2004... including two 72 RI Thinlines (put original Seth Lover pups in one of them) and a 72 RI Custom. GREAT guitars. Sold all my other Teles since realizing I don't need anything more. The electronics (pots, switch & jack) are kind of cheap and very inexpensively upgraded, but the fit, finish & everything else was fantastic on all 3 of my CIJ's.

May 6th, 2008, 04:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
riolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 250 6 Photos	MIJ thinline special / TN-85SPL / TN-93SPL I really like the looks of this model, and with the texas specials and a humbucker it seems one could get a lot of versitality out of it. However, the only way I could get one is buying it straight from Japan, without playing it first. So who's got one? How is it? Hows the finish, hows the sound? Are those real texas specials or some japanese wannabes? Does anyone know what they have been sold for on ebay? Any answer appreciated. And heres a picture for the oblivious: more, "real" pics at http://www.stringnet.co.jp/site_new/TN-93SPLn.p.html

May 6th, 2008, 09:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,172 37 Photos	that thing is righteous! how much? I love the CIJ guitars. I bought my CIJ thinline sight unseen and it is the guitar I use the most. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

May 7th, 2008, 06:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
riolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 250 6 Photos	Thanks, yeah I've got good experiences with japanese Fenders aswell (got two mid 80's strats), but I would really like some first hand info on this particular model. Last edited by riolux; May 7th, 2008 at 06:08 PM. Reason: didn't realise ** was a bad word, sorry English isn't my first language.*

May 7th, 2008, 06:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
riolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 250 6 Photos	Oh, getbent, it's about 105.000 Yen which is about I guess $1.000 which in turn is roughly what we have to cough up to get a MIM 50's tele here in GAS-chonomically crappy Sweden. Shipping included, however customs may or may not add another 25%... Last edited by riolux; May 7th, 2008 at 06:15 PM. Reason: slipping on keyboard

May 6th, 2008, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Southern ILL Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 38 Posts: 982	I bought at least 2 dozen Fender Teles/Strats when you could still get online here in the USA.....I had one that was fairly heavy....but all of them were very really good guitars.....I think you would be fine.

May 7th, 2008, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jeru Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 100	Dunno about the model in your picture, but the only guitar I have ever bought sight-unseen is my CIJ '62 RI tele, which is my #1 and by far my favorite guitar out of the roughly 10 electrics that I have owned over the years. In my limited personal experience the Japanese instruments are great. From what I read, MIJ/CIJ duds really do seem to be pretty darn few and far between. You might even try used on the 'bay...? Great finds can still be had if you are patient (and bid wisely)

May 7th, 2008, 10:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
stevetat TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 76 16 Photos	I bought a used TN-85SPL on eBay a couple years back. Seller was "Bluzey Guitars" in Tokyo. At the time, the price was a little over $800 shipped. Since then, they've been selling for ~$900 +shipping. As you suspected, it is a versatile guitar. Fit and finish on mine is exceptional. The humbucker is a little "polite" sounding, but adjusting the height gave it some grit. No complaints about the Texas Specials. It's a keeper!

May 8th, 2008, 04:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
riolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 250 6 Photos	Thanks! A beauty!

May 19th, 2008, 06:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
riolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Age: 30 Posts: 250 6 Photos	After some sigging in the TDPRI i found this pic: It's daviddoubleu's and I guess it's one of the original colours of the earlier versions, please correct me if I'm wrong. Just thought I'd add it for future googlers.

May 19th, 2008, 07:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 940 22 Photos	I don't have that exact model either, but I've purchased 3 CIJ Teles since 2004... including two 72 RI Thinlines (put original Seth Lover pups in one of them) and a 72 RI Custom. GREAT guitars. Sold all my other Teles since realizing I don't need anything more. The electronics (pots, switch & jack) are kind of cheap and very inexpensively upgraded, but the fit, finish & everything else was fantastic on all 3 of my CIJ's.