1958 Telecaster Value??? - Page 2

Stuco · May 14th, 2008, 09:00 PM

Congratulations. I'm looking forward to hearing more about this guitar as you discover it.

braderrick · May 14th, 2008, 10:26 PM

Hmm I would ask about the tele but the truth is we may not hear from him for days. I know if I had just aquired a "new" vintage tele you probably wouldn't hear from me either. Anyway congrats man, glad you stumbled upon it, hopefully I can do something like that one day. When get a chance and can stop playing it for a few minutes let us know how you two are bonding.

meenahga · May 14th, 2008, 11:24 PM

It's late and I'm very tired... been playin the tele for quite a while. Sounds incredible. I'm hooked. I'll post more tomorrow. Must sleep... G'nite.

younkint · May 15th, 2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meenahga

Must sleep...

I'll bet he doesn't ...

marantz1300 · May 15th, 2008, 02:49 AM

Meenahga.You have impeccable taste in guitars. 6 bolts and teles .Superb.

meenahga · May 15th, 2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marantz1300

Meenahga.You have impeccable taste in guitars. 6 bolts and teles .Superb.

Good to see you over here!

braderrick · May 15th, 2008, 06:51 AM

'Up pretty early, you sure you slept? If I had a '58 Tele I'd sleep with it! Maybe on the couch mind you but I'd still sleep with it.

meenahga · May 15th, 2008, 09:01 PM

(My desktop computer is having problems, so I can’t post pics tonight. Soon though!)

Well I got home from work and had a look "under the hood". I discovered some interesting things.
Neck is original, date is 10-58.
I believe everything to be 1958 except the potentiometers and switch and switch-tip, and screw holding the front strap pin, and pickguard.
Pickups are original, as are the bridge,jack,neckplate. The number of holes on the pickguard leads me to think it may be from a ‘59, or maybe late ‘58(kinda wishful thinking on the pickguard, but possible)
The body does have a maple top over one-piece ash, nicely aged binding on top only. Nice subtle curly maple grain thru the red transparent, very honey colored, finish. I could not find an obvious date under the bridge pickup as there is some finish covering the bottom of the cavity. After some thorough investigation of the cavities, I discovered some small nail holes; the sizes and locations are consistent with and indicative of a '58 - '64 tele, according to:
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

One nail hole in the neck cavity, and one in the wall of the control cavity! There were none in the maple top, as the other 2 must be hidden beneath the maple cap.
The neck route "notch" on the bass side, (also see: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html#specs ) indicates a 1950 to 1972 body. This along with the info the seller gave me, leads me to believe that the body is original 58 (probably was a blond because of the ash), and at some point (pre-72) early on, a maple top was added and the guitar was refinished in the transparent red, sorta honey-ish color it is now. I have no reason to doubt him.

The case although old, is non-original, made in Canada. Very road worn with lots of sticker's from it's travels.

The seller's name is Dick "Red" Sweeney. He got his nickname at an early age in grade school, due to his hair color. Red is 73 years old; he’ll be 74 next month. Born in Springfield Massachusetts, he began playing guitar when he got out of the service in his early 20’s. He began his love affair with Country Music and guitars. His first guitar was a Hohner. He later played a Kay. He has also played a Show Bud Steel guitar.
He lived in Austin Texas for about 4 years. While in Texas, he would frequent the Armadillo club, where he saw many artists and bands including Roy Buchanan, who would come to the Armadillo 2 or 3 times a year. Asleep At the Wheel was a weekend band at the time.
Red has played in many groups over the years, and has backed up many musicians and opened for the likes of Liz Anderson, Wanda Jackson, Dave Dudley (6 Days on the Road), and the legendary Roy Cuff. While on tour in Europe, Red would play 6 nights a week!
In 1972, Red went to Resurrection Guitars in Austin, and there were about 9 or 10 Telecasters hanging in line on a wall. Red had them set up a Fender Twin, and played the same Merle Haggard riff on each one, with the amp settings unchanged. Hands down, the red 1958 sounded the best of them all, and just felt right to him. Red had 3 kids at the time, so he put a down payment on the guitar and over the next 4 months, finished paying off the guitar. The guitar listed by Resurrection guitars as a 1958 Telecaster was $700.
Over the next 30 or so years, Red took the tele with him all over Texas, the southwest US, Europe, Canada, and the northeastern US. People who came to hear him sing and play called him the “Big Man with the Little Red Guitar” . Many enjoyed his singing accompanied by his signature sound, a 1958 Telecaster. Through out the years, Red has had the tele refretted a couple of times and the controls fixed (replaced).
A couple of times, Red ran on some hard luck and came real close to selling his Tele, but his wife Jean refused to let him do it! (What an awesome wife!) She knew how attached he was to his guitar and he was still playing gigs at the time.
Recently, Red and Jean decided to let “his baby” go. Red said he didn’t want to leave his wife with having to sell his guitar alone when he passed on.

Red told me all of this info last night, when I went to buy the guitar. Red gave me a cassette tape with him singing some country classics and a signed pic of the Red ‘58 Telecaster.
Red told me he will miss his guitar dearly, but it means so much to him and he is very grateful to know someone who loves to play and will play the tele, is getting it. He is a humble man, great musician, and friend. I told him that anytime he wants to play it or borrow it, to just give me a call. He is more than welcome.

infiniteposse · May 15th, 2008, 10:10 PM

That's beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to write all of that out. Congrats on your new baby and well done all around on the transaction. Glad to know it'll keep on living a good life with you and not in a glass case somewhere.

Be well-

Buckocaster51 · May 15th, 2008, 10:27 PM

Sounds like ya done good kid!

meenahga · May 16th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Tele:

continued...

meenahga · May 16th, 2008, 07:57 PM

Neck Date:

Nail holes:

Bridge pick-up cavity, paint inside from refinish:

continued...

meenahga · May 16th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Non original pots and switch/switch tip:

Case stickers:

Thanks to eveyone here at this forum. Very nice bunch of folks. Lots of great info. I am extremely happy and fortunate to be able to play an awesome guitar.
Red Sweeney says hello and enjoy your Telecasters!

Dick "Red" Sweeney:

Thanks again,
John

Mountaintwanger · May 16th, 2008, 08:18 PM

I love this story! made my whole weekend!.....This is one of those once in a life time things that only happens too a few people in this world!....I will always remember this one........way to go!.......Now get out and buy some lottery tickets!.......lol........

BroadMaster · May 16th, 2008, 09:15 PM

IMO, now that you have these pics you could send them to George Gruhn and get an idea of what you really have. Red only owned it after initial sale/ refin. It'd be nice to know what it's worth for your home owners/ renters insurance purposes.... Or join the weber telecaster board and ask 0le Fuzzy for his opine. Just a thought.

Quote:

Originally Posted by meenahga

Neck Date:

Nail holes:

Bridge pick-up cavity, paint inside from refinish:

continued...

meenahga · May 16th, 2008, 09:47 PM

Had a mis-spelling in previous posting. It was Roy Acuff Red opened for.

John

Stuco · May 16th, 2008, 09:58 PM

Glad this tele has a happy new owner! I suppose the question now is: Do you plan to return it to it's orginal (or close) glory and have it refinshed etc. or keep it like it is now (it's very cool in it's present state also)?

Mountaintwanger · May 16th, 2008, 11:14 PM

I wouldn't change a thing......JMO.......

skunqesh · May 17th, 2008, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountaintwanger

I wouldn't change a thing......JMO.......

yeah, i wouldn't mess with it, but that's my 2cents.

It wouldn't add character, which in its current state it has in spades.

Loved reading/learning about Red and your quest. Awsome!

JDRNoPro · May 17th, 2008, 02:56 PM

This was a fascinating thread. Congrats meenahga, and thanks for sharing the whole story and all the details about the guitar and Mr. Sweeney.

Red obviously loved it the way it is and I wouldn't mess with it either.

Jim

meenahga · May 17th, 2008, 04:36 PM

The only things I'll ever change are the strings!

Buckocaster51 · May 17th, 2008, 04:52 PM

Got to love that green crud on the sides of frets visible on the neck heel shot.

That's neat stuff that can't get there anyway other by playing it!

Thanks again for sharing.

Telemarkman · May 17th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Whatever the origin, that's a gorgeous looking Telecaster and you're right in keeping it as it is

.

marantz1300 · May 17th, 2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Got to love that green crud on the sides of frets visible on the neck heel shot.

That's neat stuff that can't get there anyway other by playing it!

Thanks again for sharing.

Thats half a century of mojo!!

PeteMac · May 17th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Just too beautiful for words ...

the guitar,

the story,

and your dealings with the guy.

Nice one man. Class.

May 14th, 2008, 09:00 PM	#41 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,995	Congratulations. I'm looking forward to hearing more about this guitar as you discover 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 15th, 2008, 02:49 AM	#45 (permalink)
marantz1300 TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: london england Posts: 89	tele ball Meenahga.You have impeccable taste in guitars. 6 bolts and teles .Superb.

May 15th, 2008, 10:10 PM	#49 (permalink)
infiniteposse TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	That's beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to write all of that out. Congrats on your new baby and well done all around on the transaction. Glad to know it'll keep on living a good life with you and not in a glass case somewhere. Be well- __________________ ------- Lee www.myspace.com/sonandelder

May 15th, 2008, 10:27 PM	#50 (permalink)
Buckocaster51 Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Iowa USA Age: 56 Posts: 5,207 1 Photos	Sounds like ya done good kid! __________________ "If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all." - Thumper the Rabbit "An awfully lot of time can be wasted waiting for the right time." - Gunsmoke's Doc Adams

May 16th, 2008, 07:51 PM	#51 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	And now the pics Tele: continued...

May 14th, 2008, 10:26 PM	#42 (permalink)
braderrick Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kentucky Age: 25 Posts: 448	Hmm I would ask about the tele but the truth is we may not hear from him for days. I know if I had just aquired a "new" vintage tele you probably wouldn't hear from me either. Anyway congrats man, glad you stumbled upon it, hopefully I can do something like that one day. When get a chance and can stop playing it for a few minutes let us know how you two are bonding.

May 14th, 2008, 11:24 PM	#43 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	It's late and I'm very tired... been playin the tele for quite a while. Sounds incredible. I'm hooked. I'll post more tomorrow. Must sleep... G'nite.

May 15th, 2008, 06:51 AM	#47 (permalink)
braderrick Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kentucky Age: 25 Posts: 448	'Up pretty early, you sure you slept? If I had a '58 Tele I'd sleep with it! Maybe on the couch mind you but I'd still sleep with it.

May 15th, 2008, 09:01 PM	#48 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	(My desktop computer is having problems, so I can’t post pics tonight. Soon though!) Well I got home from work and had a look "under the hood". I discovered some interesting things. Neck is original, date is 10-58. I believe everything to be 1958 except the potentiometers and switch and switch-tip, and screw holding the front strap pin, and pickguard. Pickups are original, as are the bridge,jack,neckplate. The number of holes on the pickguard leads me to think it may be from a ‘59, or maybe late ‘58(kinda wishful thinking on the pickguard, but possible) The body does have a maple top over one-piece ash, nicely aged binding on top only. Nice subtle curly maple grain thru the red transparent, very honey colored, finish. I could not find an obvious date under the bridge pickup as there is some finish covering the bottom of the cavity. After some thorough investigation of the cavities, I discovered some small nail holes; the sizes and locations are consistent with and indicative of a '58 - '64 tele, according to: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html One nail hole in the neck cavity, and one in the wall of the control cavity! There were none in the maple top, as the other 2 must be hidden beneath the maple cap. The neck route "notch" on the bass side, (also see: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html#specs ) indicates a 1950 to 1972 body. This along with the info the seller gave me, leads me to believe that the body is original 58 (probably was a blond because of the ash), and at some point (pre-72) early on, a maple top was added and the guitar was refinished in the transparent red, sorta honey-ish color it is now. I have no reason to doubt him. The case although old, is non-original, made in Canada. Very road worn with lots of sticker's from it's travels. The seller's name is Dick "Red" Sweeney. He got his nickname at an early age in grade school, due to his hair color. Red is 73 years old; he’ll be 74 next month. Born in Springfield Massachusetts, he began playing guitar when he got out of the service in his early 20’s. He began his love affair with Country Music and guitars. His first guitar was a Hohner. He later played a Kay. He has also played a Show Bud Steel guitar. He lived in Austin Texas for about 4 years. While in Texas, he would frequent the Armadillo club, where he saw many artists and bands including Roy Buchanan, who would come to the Armadillo 2 or 3 times a year. Asleep At the Wheel was a weekend band at the time. Red has played in many groups over the years, and has backed up many musicians and opened for the likes of Liz Anderson, Wanda Jackson, Dave Dudley (6 Days on the Road), and the legendary Roy Cuff. While on tour in Europe, Red would play 6 nights a week! In 1972, Red went to Resurrection Guitars in Austin, and there were about 9 or 10 Telecasters hanging in line on a wall. Red had them set up a Fender Twin, and played the same Merle Haggard riff on each one, with the amp settings unchanged. Hands down, the red 1958 sounded the best of them all, and just felt right to him. Red had 3 kids at the time, so he put a down payment on the guitar and over the next 4 months, finished paying off the guitar. The guitar listed by Resurrection guitars as a 1958 Telecaster was $700. Over the next 30 or so years, Red took the tele with him all over Texas, the southwest US, Europe, Canada, and the northeastern US. People who came to hear him sing and play called him the “Big Man with the Little Red Guitar” . Many enjoyed his singing accompanied by his signature sound, a 1958 Telecaster. Through out the years, Red has had the tele refretted a couple of times and the controls fixed (replaced). A couple of times, Red ran on some hard luck and came real close to selling his Tele, but his wife Jean refused to let him do it! (What an awesome wife!) She knew how attached he was to his guitar and he was still playing gigs at the time. Recently, Red and Jean decided to let “his baby” go. Red said he didn’t want to leave his wife with having to sell his guitar alone when he passed on. Red told me all of this info last night, when I went to buy the guitar. Red gave me a cassette tape with him singing some country classics and a signed pic of the Red ‘58 Telecaster. Red told me he will miss his guitar dearly, but it means so much to him and he is very grateful to know someone who loves to play and will play the tele, is getting it. He is a humble man, great musician, and friend. I told him that anytime he wants to play it or borrow it, to just give me a call. He is more than welcome.

May 16th, 2008, 07:57 PM	#52 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	Neck Date: Nail holes: Bridge pick-up cavity, paint inside from refinish: continued...

May 16th, 2008, 08:04 PM	#53 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	Non original pots and switch/switch tip: Case stickers: Thanks to eveyone here at this forum. Very nice bunch of folks. Lots of great info. I am extremely happy and fortunate to be able to play an awesome guitar. Red Sweeney says hello and enjoy your Telecasters! Dick "Red" Sweeney: Thanks again, John

May 16th, 2008, 08:18 PM	#54 (permalink)
Mountaintwanger Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Snohomish Washington Age: 39 Posts: 165	I love this story! made my whole weekend!.....This is one of those once in a life time things that only happens too a few people in this world!....I will always remember this one........way to go!.......Now get out and buy some lottery tickets!.......lol........ __________________ East Bound And Down Loaded Up And Truckin'....... How is my spelling?.....

May 16th, 2008, 09:47 PM	#56 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	Had a mis-spelling in previous posting. It was Roy Acuff Red opened for. John

May 16th, 2008, 09:58 PM	#57 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,995	Glad this tele has a happy new owner! I suppose the question now is: Do you plan to return it to it's orginal (or close) glory and have it refinshed etc. or keep it like it is now (it's very cool in it's present state also)? __________________ -"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 16th, 2008, 11:14 PM	#58 (permalink)
Mountaintwanger Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Snohomish Washington Age: 39 Posts: 165	I wouldn't change a thing......JMO....... __________________ East Bound And Down Loaded Up And Truckin'....... How is my spelling?.....

May 17th, 2008, 02:56 PM	#60 (permalink)
JDRNoPro Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orrington, ME Age: 57 Posts: 329 1 Photos	This was a fascinating thread. Congrats meenahga, and thanks for sharing the whole story and all the details about the guitar and Mr. Sweeney. Red obviously loved it the way it is and I wouldn't mess with it either. Jim __________________ Reflection upon my playing is a reminder to keep my regular job..........pays better but not nearly as enjoyable!!

May 17th, 2008, 04:36 PM	#61 (permalink)
meenahga TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Adirondacks NY Posts: 20	The only things I'll ever change are the strings!

May 17th, 2008, 04:52 PM	#62 (permalink)
Buckocaster51 Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Iowa USA Age: 56 Posts: 5,207 1 Photos	Got to love that green crud on the sides of frets visible on the neck heel shot. That's neat stuff that can't get there anyway other by playing it! Thanks again for sharing. __________________ "If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all." - Thumper the Rabbit "An awfully lot of time can be wasted waiting for the right time." - Gunsmoke's Doc Adams

May 17th, 2008, 04:59 PM	#63 (permalink)
Telemarkman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Age: 61 Posts: 4,407	Whatever the origin, that's a gorgeous looking Telecaster and you're right in keeping it as it is .

May 17th, 2008, 07:19 PM	#65 (permalink)
PeteMac Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 46 Posts: 351 10 Photos	Just too beautiful for words ... the guitar, the story, and your dealings with the guy. Nice one man. Class. __________________ Life is short; play loud! www.myspace.com/theskinnersband www.myspace.com/longyardband