52 reissue/Baja

[fancychords]

Would anyone care to comment on the differences between these two..Excluding the obvious...s-1 switching etc..I'm curious as to the overall sound..Treble pickup,neck pickup,etc..In other words do they sound similar

[chabby]

completely different neck, completely different electronics.

Only similarities is that they are both availble in butterscotch.
Personally, I'd take a Baja over 52RI having owned a 52RI and played a Baja.

But I qualify that statement by saying I'd also have to have a few particular specs on both - especially body weight.

[VWAmTele]

they each have diff pickups - a tad hotter in the Baja. also neck radius (7.5 vs 9.5) and frets - vintage vs med jumbo.

[twangcaster1]

The baja seems to have a slightly thicker neck, if I'm not mistaken. Also, I like the pickups in the Baja much better, they are voiced much better if you like twang and punch to your tele-tone. As far as quality, it's every bit as good. When it comes to value for your money and good design, it's a good model if you're just lookin' for the best "stock" tele you can get for a good price. Much better than the 52. Most tele-enthusiasts will agree that no tele comes perfect right out of the factory. Some kind of somethin' always has to be tweaked or modified or souped up in some way or another.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by twangcaster1

The baja seems to have a slightly thicker neck, if I'm not mistaken. Also, I like the pickups in the Baja much better, they are voiced much better if you like twang and punch to your tele-tone. As far as quality, it's every bit as good. When it comes to value for your money and good design, it's a good model if you're just lookin' for the best "stock" tele you can get for a good price. Much better than the 52. Most tele-enthusiasts will agree that no tele comes perfect right out of the factory. Some kind of somethin' always has to be tweaked or modified or souped up in some way or another.

I respectfully disagree with almost everything you say. Someting tells me you're not very familiar with the '52 RI.

You're entitled to an opinion though ...

MINE is that the '52 RI is the best guitar Fender has produced since the early ones - maybe even better.

[newtwanger]

I spent last Saturday morning playing both at a local dealer, so here goes..

It's not always the case (but usually in my experience) but the baja weighed about 2 pounds more (7-7.5 vs 9++).

The baja neck is thick the 52 not thin, just less thick by a noticeable amount.

the setup was quite different on them, maybe due to neck radius difference or frets, I dunno but the 52 had lower action.

The pickup specs are worlds apart, but if you're the tinkering kind, that wouldn't matter (I am).

I'm not gonna be much help with this opinion: "The baja is a great $700 guitar and the 52RI is a great $1400 guitar".

If I was being given one, I'd take the 52RI (definitely prettier), but if I was paying, I could make the Baja amazing with different pickups, wiring and setup for under a grand.

Buy either one though!

[twangcaster1]

I think if you were to take both of them and put some good Lindy Fralins or Hamels in em, the only thing left to base your decision on would be feel and finish. I personally think the butterscotch '52 is prettier and more fulfilling when it comes to nostalgia, plus, I like the feel of the smaller, vintage-style frets better. Other than that, though, it'd be hard to say that one's a better guitar than the other.

[Louthunder]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

I respectfully disagree with almost everything you say. Someting tells me you're not very familiar with the '52 RI.

You're entitled to an opinion though ...

MINE is that the '52 RI is the best guitar Fender has produced since the early ones - maybe even better.

I agree, I had a Baja,and even though I never got into it, it was a pretty good guitar. When I played my friends '52RI(for an extended time), I thought it was possibly the best Tele I ever played. It was a 50th anniv. model if that helps?

[chabby]

And the GE Smith runs circles around them both for 1400 bucks.
It is without a doubt in my mind, the best production Tele made.
Not only that, but it's the coolest looking too

And I tried to post for all of you how well the GE Twangs, but I can't figure out how to post and mp3 here. Not sure if it's possible

[boris bubbanov]

The only solution is to find an AV 52 RI for the price of a Baja:





I've got a few of these AV 52 FSRs and a few of the Bajas; At M A P the Baja is better value for money. A lot of players are gonna find the 9.5 radius and the larger frets easier to play, aside from chords. Each set of pickups has a different reason for existing; the one you choose will depend on the sound you are after. My FSRs have stock Nocasters, not OVs, but I have 3 OV equipped guitars so I feel pretty familiar with them.

Many folks would be delighted with either guitar and if so, buy the best example of either you can get your hands on. Otherwise, choose the one that seems right to you. Neither is superior in any absolute sense.

[Dennis68]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

...the '52 RI is the best guitar Fender has produced since the early ones - maybe even better.

+1. As I mentioned elsewhere, I find the '52 to be my favorite contemporary production Fender guitar. But Fender makes other models so we all can choose what suits us best.

[Louthunder]

Originally Posted by Dennis68

+1. As I mentioned elsewhere, I find the '52 to be my favorite contemporary production Fender guitar. But Fender makes other models so we all can choose what suits us best.

Excellent point!

[AngelStrummer]

Originally Posted by newtwanger

I spent last Saturday morning playing both at a local dealer, so here goes..

It's not always the case (but usually in my experience) but the baja weighed about 2 pounds more (7-7.5 vs 9++).

The baja neck is thick the 52 not thin, just less thick by a noticeable amount.

the setup was quite different on them, maybe due to neck radius difference or frets, I dunno but the 52 had lower action.

The pickup specs are worlds apart, but if you're the tinkering kind, that wouldn't matter (I am).

I'm not gonna be much help with this opinion: "The baja is a great $700 guitar and the 52RI is a great $1400 guitar".

If I was being given one, I'd take the 52RI (definitely prettier), but if I was paying, I could make the Baja amazing with different pickups, wiring and setup for under a grand.

Buy either one though!

I own both and I have to agree with everything you say, Newtwanger. I would add that whilst the AVRI is the "better" instrument, the Baja definitely delivers more bang for the buck.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by AngelStrummer

I would add that whilst the AVRI is the "better" instrument, the Baja definitely delivers more bang for the buck.

I agree that both the Baja and the MIM 50's and 60's Classics are better bang for the buck than the AVRI's, but sometimes you just want the "best" and if you can afford it, it's well worth it IMHO. It's the only way to cure GAS i guess ...

[63dot]

i know the baja has more options and a now more popular flatter neck which allows for lower action and faster playing, not to mention the price being more reasonable

and i think the baja is one sexy instrument

but i still like the old '52 butterscotch blackguard and reissues, and even replicas/copys from other companies

stranger yet, i like the original wiring with the extra bassy neck setting as i like to sometimes play bebop and that pup gets a decent sound for that

normally the neck pickup in regular mode is more suited for rock, but a bit anemic but these days it has enough power for me to keep my happy

the '52 is prolly fender's best non-custom shop guitar and a lot more affordable than the relics and one of a kind special order fender calendar telecasters i drool over every month i turn the page :)

[fancychords]

Tell me though..What is it about the '52 re-issue that makes you feel it's better...better in what way...

[63dot]

Originally Posted by fancychords

Tell me though..What is it about the '52 re-issue that makes you feel it's better...better in what way...

basically, i started playing in the late 70s so i am fond of the 7.25" inch radius neck for light pop, new wave, country, and strumming, especially in the first few frets

outside of that, all things are prolly basically equal

in the late 70s through the late 80s, i then loved heavy metal, ala eddie van halen, the scorpions, mike varney, steve and joe, and sweep picking and the 9.5" and 10" inch flatter radius necks were perfect for guitar pyrotechnics

the lower action that could be had with flatter radius removed some twang and replaced it with duller sounding notes, but who would notice with a marshall half stack backing you or similar amp

....so to make a long story short, i like the slower, higher action, twangier '52 and '52 reissues these days

like said before, no guitar is an all around better instrument...it's what fits you

the '52 hot rod had different dimensions and has a neck a lot like my early metal inspired charvel soloists, flat and very fast....some have medium necks like the jacksons and charvels, and some have a slightly thinner neck like the esp/schechter/ibanez wizard necks, and though the appearance of a hot rod '52 is like an old guitar, it's really a freaking F-16 meets randy rhodes simply hiding behind the shell of a '52

i know james hetfield of metallica is fond of old looking teles, and this hot rodded '52 guitar would clock the same 0-60 speed of any of his esp signature explorers or sleek, fast esp and ltd trucksters

i hope this helps

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by fancychords

Tell me though..What is it about the '52 re-issue that makes you feel it's better...better in what way...

Well, first off, the AV52 has Gotoh "klusons" not Ping "klusons" . The amount by which a Gotoh is better new varies, but the Gotoh definitely feels better after 6 months' use. But Pings are better than they used to be.

Secondly, when you crack open an AV52 and a Baja, or a half dozen or so of each, you will find compound residue in many places inside the Baja, much less likely, much smaller amounts in a AV52.

The fit of the neck pockets, when you look over large numbers of examples, the AV52 has been fussed over more and is likely to be a better fit.

The weight of the AV52 on average will be less than the Baja, with better graded ash used from the start on the AV52.

Inside the control panel, the wiring in an AV52 is as bulletproof and purty as you can get. I don't think anyone goes "ahhhh" when they crack open the Baja control plate and see the rats nest of tiny wiring. Plus the S-1 switch is a maintenance item, no getting away from that.

Having said all that, a persistent or skilled or lucky buyer can without that much trouble find a Baja that plays better and sounds better than any AV52 handy nearby for sale. Mostly it is about which guitar floats yer boat. But I do see things you might consider. I sure don't think folks buying AV52 are being ripped off, that's obvious.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Well, first off, the AV52 has Gotoh "klusons" not Ping "klusons" . The amount by which a Gotoh is better new varies, but the Gotoh definitely feels better after 6 months' use. But Pings are better than they used to be.

Secondly, when you crack open an AV52 and a Baja, or a half dozen or so of each, you will find compound residue in many places inside the Baja, much less likely, much smaller amounts in a AV52.

The fit of the neck pockets, when you look over large numbers of examples, the AV52 has been fussed over more and is likely to be a better fit.

The weight of the AV52 on average will be less than the Baja, with better graded ash used from the start on the AV52.

Inside the control panel, the wiring in an AV52 is as bulletproof and purty as you can get. I don't think anyone goes "ahhhh" when they crack open the Baja control plate and see the rats nest of tiny wiring. Plus the S-1 switch is a maintenance item, no getting away from that.

Having said all that, a persistent or skilled or lucky buyer can without that much trouble find a Baja that plays better and sounds better than any AV52 handy nearby for sale. Mostly it is about which guitar floats yer boat. But I do see things you might consider. I sure don't thing folks buying AV52 are being ripped off, that's obvious.

It's hard to disagree with what you said ...

I may add that the fret work in general, especially the fret ends, and the hand rolled fretboard edges of the '52 RI feels better than any other Tele model I've played.

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

It's hard to disagree with what you said ...

I may add that the fret work in general, especially the fret ends, and the hand rolled fretboard edges of the '52 RI feels better than any other Tele model I've played.

and since the frets on that, the '57/'62 strats, '62 custom tele, and other vintage and classic fenders are low so when you fret and bend, you can usually feel the fretboard to a great degree

american standard fenders and many custom shop fenders have the much taller buttery smooth frets but it totally minimizes the contact of your fingers on the fretbaord...and some like that faster nimble feel, while other like me, feel that i am playing a plastic or graphite neck

granted, i can fly like a race car on fat, tall frets, but that's not my style anymore these days

[Tele_MEL]

I'm in the hunt for a new Tele.

and there is a used Baja in my area for sale - so I just visited my local store to assess one - before driving some distance to see the used one.

The Baja's really do sound nice, and I'm surprised how the fuller neck feels - even though I have small hands.

now to address the OP -

At the store: there was an AV52 ( beautiful Butterscotch Blonde ) right next to it, so I A/B'd the two back and forth -- trying to tell myself the added expense is mental - due to the exclusivity, history, vintage, whatever... etc.

but after playing both - <to me> - the 52 has .. an " it "
.. something special.. a purity to the simple Twang in the Bridge, and fullness in middle position - and then I didn't like at all the original neck pickup wiring.. so I couldn't tell ya how a modern neck wiring would sound..

Dunno if the 52 sound can simply be attributed to the pickups? ... but it's there.

Darn... cause the Baja sounds quite good!
Too heavy for me though.. ... and I wonder how much I'd use any of the out of phase ( S1 depressed ) settings...

The only added pickup I THINK I'd want.. is the Two pickups in series.. does get a big full sound..

If money were no object.. get 'em both 8-).. but since that's rarely the case.. I personally would rather throw quarters in a jar and really try to get the ONE that is right..

even if it costs more and takes me longer to get.. rather than have that nagging feeling that I somehow compromised to get one that sounded good

.. " for the price "

[AngelStrummer]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

I agree that both the Baja and the MIM 50's and 60's Classics are better bang for the buck than the AVRI's, but sometimes you just want the "best" and if you can afford it, it's well worth it IMHO. It's the only way to cure GAS i guess ...

Absolutely. That's also why I bought both.

[AngelStrummer]

Originally Posted by fancychords

Tell me though..What is it about the '52 re-issue that makes you feel it's better...better in what way...

Beyond technicalities, which remain relevant, it actually feels like a more subtle tool that responds, uhm, differently, if you know what I mean.