A rare CIJ lefty...1 more from "da vault"!

Elliot Easton · May 7th, 2008, 10:48 PM

I had Fender Japan build this for me a few years ago. It was a custom order and so I requested that the body be made of period-correct alder rather than their more typical use of basswood. Once it arrived at Fender USA, Ronee Peña at the Custom Shop gutted it and replaced all of the Japanese hardware and electronics with the 'good stuff', including Broadcaster/Twisted Tele pups, 4 way switch and all the other of my preferred specs and tweaks. The solid color on the edges is much more of an Ocean Turquoise Metallic than is indicated by the photos-really pretty! I think this model is very rare in a left handed version-hope you enjoy!
Best,
EE

boris bubbanov · May 7th, 2008, 11:08 PM

That's a gorgeous guitar, Elliot.

I like the recipe you came up with to get the CIJ body and the good mechanicals.

Yes, the color looks like LPB to us, but I have a mental image based on other Ocean Turquoise ones I've seen.

Very nice.

Question: Did you find the CIJ catalogue gave you lots more lefty selections in colors and models, or did it basically about double the choices you had?

Much obliged,

Norrin Radd · May 7th, 2008, 11:09 PM

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the vault with us - great stuff!

Elliot Easton · May 7th, 2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

T

Question: Did you find the CIJ catalogue gave you lots more lefty selections in colors and models, or did it basically about double the choices you had?

Much obliged,

I didn't actually see a CIJ catalog. I just ordered it from Fender with my little change in body wood. I'm pretty aware of what they offer: I've had 2 Rosewood Teles over the years (very pretty but too heavy plus very thin sounding) and an early Japanese Paisley from '84. Don't know why the photo makes it look like LPB but there is definitely some green for a turquoise vibe in there.

three barrel · May 7th, 2008, 11:31 PM

Flower power! That is some looker. You know, after seeing your guitar there, I think I personally prefer the floral print over a paisley. Somehow it just has more visual pop (if that makes any sense). Thanks for sharing.

petebradt · May 7th, 2008, 11:33 PM

Very Pretty. Stock pups or something else?

Stuco · May 7th, 2008, 11:33 PM

That's really beautiful. I didn't know you could do custom orders from fender japan. (but then again you're you and and I'm me :) )

Elliot, how do you think the CIJ fenders compare to the USA and Custom shop stuff? I've always been really impressed by them for the most part.

Elliot Easton · May 7th, 2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuco

That's really beautiful. I didn't know you could do custom orders from fender japan. (but then again you're you and and I'm me :) )

Elliot, how do you think the CIJ fenders compare to the USA and Custom shop stuff? I've always been really impressed by them for the most part.

Well, I've been with Fender since 1979 and they occasionally will do favore like this for me. I would say that it compares favorably with Custom Shop stuff, aside from having real hands on involvement with a Master Builder. They really have an amazing talent for accuracy and their reissues are generally dead nuts on. Not just Fenders either. I've got a couple of the John Lennon Casinos that are real time machine guitars, incredibly like the real thing from the '60's. This Blue Flower Tele is probably just as good a guitar as the real thing from '68.

Elliot Easton · May 7th, 2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by three barrel

Flower power! That is some looker. You know, after seeing your guitar there, I think I personally prefer the floral print over a paisley. Somehow it just has more visual pop (if that makes any sense). Thanks for sharing.

It makes sense to me-that's why I got one! I also dig the fact that they're so much less common than the paisley, and you know, sometimes a pearlescent pink guitar with bathroom wallpaper is just a bit too much for one's sensibilities. The blue one is also much closer to the original while the real '68-'69 paisleys had a much warmer, darker burgundy look around the edges that was more muted and tasteful, if I can use that word when describing a pink paisley guitar!

mrbdxmpl · May 7th, 2008, 11:55 PM

Elliot, you're killin' us!

It's a thrill every time I hear one of your solos, so thanks for takin' the time to post here--it's much appreciated.

Keep 'em coming!

ROADMAN · May 7th, 2008, 11:55 PM

beauty Elliot...you must love goin into the vault with a dust
cloth and a cup of tea and rub your babies till they sparkle.

I've got an 80's MIJ 62 RI and love it ....rock on bro and thanks for sharing

Elliot Easton · May 7th, 2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petebradt

Very Pretty. Stock pups or something else?

See my description above. No stock anything! The only thing on the guitar that came from Japan is the neck and body. It had these real cheap small pots and a toggle with plastic construction. Everything on it comes from the Custom Shop.

Elliot Easton · May 8th, 2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbdxmpl

Elliot, you're killin' us!

It's a thrill every time I hear one of your solos, so thanks for takin' the time to post here--it's much appreciated.

Keep 'em coming!

Thanks-it's my pleasure. This is a really fun, mellow forum and folks around here don't get so militant and anal like they do over at the Les Paul forum-those guys get pretty nuts! They argue about crazy stuff like vintage plastic parts and trussrod 'condoms'! I also like all the DIY guys here-because Fenders are so modular, they are fun to customize, much like hot-rodding cars! You guys are great!

Elliot Easton · May 8th, 2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROADMAN

beauty Elliot...you must love goin into the vault with a dust
cloth and a cup of tea and rub your babies till they sparkle.

I've got an 80's MIJ 62 RI and love it ....rock on bro and thanks for sharing

Always a pleasure...

Stuco · May 8th, 2008, 12:06 AM

Oh yeah, today while running errands, "let the good times roll" came on and I just had to crank it!

62_Inca_Esquire · May 8th, 2008, 12:07 AM

meh...just another plain ol' boring guitar.

JUST KIDDING !!!

Definitely a beauty ! Thanks for sharing !

Elliot...do you collect vintage stuff as well, or mostly custom shop , mij, etc? I know you posted pics of one vintage Tele (58 was it ?)....

Elliot Easton · May 8th, 2008, 12:11 AM

I used to have a gorgeous '65 L series LPB Tele in lefty, but it's long gone. Vintage lefties are pretty rare and todays prices are a turn-off, especially when you can get such killer new stuff like this and the Master Built Custom Shop guitars that in some cases are better than some of the vintage ones and certainly more consistent. I sincerely feel that we're into a second golden era. I mean the new Martins, historic Gibsons, Gretsch, etc. This it the best time for new guitars since 1965, IMO.

Elliot Easton · May 8th, 2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuco

Oh yeah, today while running errands, "let the good times roll" came on and I just had to crank it!

Well, let 'em-roll that is!

Filthy McNasty · May 8th, 2008, 04:43 AM

Another beauty you've got there, Elliot. I noticed that that is the third one you have posted with the killer Broadcaster/Twisted pickup combo. Those things, especially the Twisted neck, sound absolutely fantastic, got 'em on a Baja and I can understand why you insist on them.

Elliot Easton · May 8th, 2008, 04:50 AM

I love that combination. To me, they're as good as anything out there.

sneakyjapan · May 8th, 2008, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliot Easton

I sincerely feel that we're into a second golden era.

I posted the same remark last week but I was referring to MIJs, the prices on the 70s/80s Grecos, Tokais, Fernandes, Ibanez Artists... and even Burnys now... are getting really nuts and there are so many guys looking these days so I`ve turned my sights on the great guitars being built right now in Japan. If you ever come over try to play a Van Zandt or Seymour Duncan...names you are familiar with I`m sure...but maybe not familiar with their line of guitars...then there are the Japanese brands.

e-merlin · May 8th, 2008, 08:15 AM

Once again, nice one.

I have a couple of questions. Have you kept any guitars that you had when you first started playing? What turned you on to Teles?

serialsteve · May 8th, 2008, 08:28 AM

EE-Again, thanks for sharing! I had a really nice 80s blue flower Tele that was surprisingly good bone stock. The pickups even sounded really good-the first 80s MIJ that I didn't have to tweak. I traded that one and a 75 Ibanez Destroyer for a super-early Hamer Standard (#0017), so it doesn't sting as much as I thought it would then!

Agreed about the quality of the new stuff. Some fantastic guitars coming out now.

magicguitar · May 8th, 2008, 08:43 AM

Another nice one Elliot, thanks for sharing.

surfoverb · May 8th, 2008, 09:34 AM

Sweet! BTW nice gratuitous toe shot...

May 7th, 2008, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Elliot Easton Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles Age: 54 Posts: 238	A rare CIJ lefty...1 more from "da vault"! I had Fender Japan build this for me a few years ago. It was a custom order and so I requested that the body be made of period-correct alder rather than their more typical use of basswood. Once it arrived at Fender USA, Ronee Peña at the Custom Shop gutted it and replaced all of the Japanese hardware and electronics with the 'good stuff', including Broadcaster/Twisted Tele pups, 4 way switch and all the other of my preferred specs and tweaks. The solid color on the edges is much more of an Ocean Turquoise Metallic than is indicated by the photos-really pretty! I think this model is very rare in a left handed version-hope you enjoy! Best, EE __________________ *It's impossible to tell lies on a Telecaster!*

May 7th, 2008, 11:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 5,120	That's a gorgeous guitar, Elliot. I like the recipe you came up with to get the CIJ body and the good mechanicals. Yes, the color looks like LPB to us, but I have a mental image based on other Ocean Turquoise ones I've seen. Very nice. Question: Did you find the CIJ catalogue gave you lots more lefty selections in colors and models, or did it basically about double the choices you had? Much obliged, __________________ Bubban0v

May 7th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,686	That's really beautiful. I didn't know you could do custom orders from fender japan. (but then again you're you and and I'm me :) ) Elliot, how do you think the CIJ fenders compare to the USA and Custom shop stuff? I've always been really impressed by them for the most part. __________________ -"You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do" J. Garcia

May 7th, 2008, 11:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
mrbdxmpl Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Age: 42 Posts: 139	Uncle! Elliot, you're killin' us! It's a thrill every time I hear one of your solos, so thanks for takin' the time to post here--it's much appreciated. Keep 'em coming!

May 8th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,686	Oh yeah, today while running errands, "let the good times roll" came on and I just had to crank it! __________________ -"You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do" J. Garcia

May 7th, 2008, 11:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Norrin Radd TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Paul Age: 41 Posts: 24	Awesome! Thanks for sharing the vault with us - great stuff!

May 7th, 2008, 11:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
three barrel TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Age: 52 Posts: 50	Flower power! That is some looker. You know, after seeing your guitar there, I think I personally prefer the floral print over a paisley. Somehow it just has more visual pop (if that makes any sense). Thanks for sharing.

May 7th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
petebradt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Niner Country Posts: 3,021 12 Photos	Very Pretty. Stock pups or something else?

May 7th, 2008, 11:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
ROADMAN Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: delta b.c. canada Age: 53 Posts: 686	beauty Elliot...you must love goin into the vault with a dust cloth and a cup of tea and rub your babies till they sparkle. I've got an 80's MIJ 62 RI and love it ....rock on bro and thanks for sharing

May 8th, 2008, 12:07 AM	#16 (permalink)
62_Inca_Esquire Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 863	meh...just another plain ol' boring guitar. JUST KIDDING !!! Definitely a beauty ! Thanks for sharing ! Elliot...do you collect vintage stuff as well, or mostly custom shop , mij, etc? I know you posted pics of one vintage Tele (58 was it ?)....

May 8th, 2008, 12:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
Elliot Easton Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles Age: 54 Posts: 238	I used to have a gorgeous '65 L series LPB Tele in lefty, but it's long gone. Vintage lefties are pretty rare and todays prices are a turn-off, especially when you can get such killer new stuff like this and the Master Built Custom Shop guitars that in some cases are better than some of the vintage ones and certainly more consistent. I sincerely feel that we're into a second golden era. I mean the new Martins, historic Gibsons, Gretsch, etc. This it the best time for new guitars since 1965, IMO. __________________ *It's impossible to tell lies on a Telecaster!*

May 8th, 2008, 04:43 AM	#19 (permalink)
Filthy McNasty Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: upstate N.Y. Age: 38 Posts: 659	Another beauty you've got there, Elliot. I noticed that that is the third one you have posted with the killer Broadcaster/Twisted pickup combo. Those things, especially the Twisted neck, sound absolutely fantastic, got 'em on a Baja and I can understand why you insist on them.

May 8th, 2008, 04:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Elliot Easton Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles Age: 54 Posts: 238	I love that combination. To me, they're as good as anything out there. __________________ *It's impossible to tell lies on a Telecaster!*

May 8th, 2008, 08:15 AM	#22 (permalink)
e-merlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 4,312	Once again, nice one. I have a couple of questions. Have you kept any guitars that you had when you first started playing? What turned you on to Teles? __________________ WARNING:This post may contain items including, but not limited to, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole intended to bring humor to this discussion. Those of you who are overly sensitive or who have no sense of humor are better off ignoring this post.

May 8th, 2008, 08:28 AM	#23 (permalink)
serialsteve Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 418	EE-Again, thanks for sharing! I had a really nice 80s blue flower Tele that was surprisingly good bone stock. The pickups even sounded really good-the first 80s MIJ that I didn't have to tweak. I traded that one and a 75 Ibanez Destroyer for a super-early Hamer Standard (#0017), so it doesn't sting as much as I thought it would then! Agreed about the quality of the new stuff. Some fantastic guitars coming out now.

May 8th, 2008, 08:43 AM	#24 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 291	Another nice one Elliot, thanks for sharing.

May 8th, 2008, 09:34 AM	#25 (permalink)
surfoverb Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 655	Sweet! BTW nice gratuitous toe shot...