How much is my Tele worth?

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by russ

Here is a picture from the 65-66 Fender catalog. I am fairly sure it is only pictured in this catalog.

Based on the 1-ply pickguards (except for the Custom Tele), it would seem that the catalog has to be a 1963-64 ?! (By 1965 all Teles sported a 3-ply white plastic guard).
But maybe they just used an old picture ...

[BAW4742]

Originally Posted by 1963tele

I may just have to get a display case and put it in the living room!

Way to go!

Just don't keep it in the case like a museum piece. Take it out and play it. That's what Teles are for.

Your mom was a musician. I think that's what she would want.

Enjoy it.

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

Based on the 1-ply pickguards (except for the Custom Tele), it would seem that the catalog has to be a 1963-64 ?! (By 1965 all Teles sported a 3-ply white plastic guard).
But maybe they just used an old picture ...

My 1965 tele still had some leftover 1964 parts on it and the transition period, starting in early 1965, was somewhat messy and a lot of anomalies cropped up

some esquires had spaghetti logos late into the 1960s

some back neckplates didn't have the stamped "F" making some people start doubting the authenticity of the guitar

serial numbers didn't always match up, and led others to think that they stuff might be altered

were the guitars altered, yes, but by CBS general (mis)management

...and other things, which also helped cement some of the early collectors bashing post-CBS guitars

now CBS quirks like three bolt necks, flat frets, funky designs, etc are collector items in their own right

[skunqesh]

Originally Posted by 63dot

My 1965 tele still had some leftover 1964 parts on it and the transition period, starting in early 1965, was somewhat messy and a lot of anomalies cropped up
-
...and other things, which also helped cement some of the early collectors bashing post-CBS guitars

now CBS quirks like three bolt necks, flat frets, funky designs, etc are collector items in their own right

heya 63dot,
sorry if I'm going OT, and Im sure this is a constant conversation amongst Tele connoisseurs, but I hadda chime in about dat Post CBS questionable quality thing. Pre CBS teles are way outta my reach nowadays, unless I win the lottery or stumble upon a mint Broadcaster at Ed-n-Mables ''Movin' to Florida" garage sale (pleez God, pleeeez! ). Luckily I've been able to get my mitts on a few mid-60s teles, which imho still make damn fine players. And as you pointed out - vary tremendously. Which is why I'm curious to find out what kind of pickup schematic was used on 63tele's most bodacious mahogany masterpiece (I'm still drooling over those pics - wow!)

I picked up a '67 basketcase not too long ago, and discovered it originally had pre-65 wiring, so I restored it to that configuration instead of the typical Brdg/B+N/Neck setup. It's not for everyone I reckon, but it's kinda neat - wonder what anyone else thinks of this set up?

[1963tele]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

Based on the 1-ply pickguards (except for the Custom Tele), it would seem that the catalog has to be a 1963-64 ?! (By 1965 all Teles sported a 3-ply white plastic guard).
But maybe they just used an old picture ...

There is a guy selling a 1963 / 1964 Fender catalog on ebay that has a similar picture showing the mohagony Tele. The only difference is the picture shows Telecasters and Esquires and the sign on the music stand is labeled correctly. Here is the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1963-196...QQcmdZViewItem

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by 63dot

My 1965 tele still had some leftover 1964 parts on it and the transition period, starting in early 1965, was somewhat messy and a lot of anomalies cropped up

I'm just surprised that Fender didn't show their newest features in their catalog rather than leftover parts ...

Both my '65 Teles (blonde and red) had a 3-ply white pickguard.

And sorry for hijacking the thread ...

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

I'm just surprised that Fender didn't show their newest features in their catalog rather than leftover parts ...

Both my '65 Teles (blonde and red) had a 3-ply white pickguard.

And sorry for hijacking the thread ...

that's a great point

my best guess is that a '63 would usually have a triple ply pickguard

but if it had a single ply, i wouldn't be alarmed

gruhn had a thinline tele custom looking electric from that period with les paul custom like block inlays, before any block inlays came into mass production at fender

it was transluscent green and it also had neck binding and was possibly a one of a kind, but it was real according to george gruhn

fender also had a lucite stratocaster in the '50s for a NAMM show booth, so almost anything is possible

before our well known fender guitar porn calendar, or custom shop calendar as i get every year, fender did some models in some rare and beautiful configurations and never made a record of them in a major publication or catalog

of course, fender custom shop was the first time fender went off the beaten path in large enough quantities to make a lot of guitar collectors get a chance to see something not quite stock or ordinary

[73Tele]

there is a custom shop copy of that guitar (sr. masterbuilt) at a local dealer and it has a single ply white guard--assuming they did their homework, my guess is they came with a single ply. it is simply stunning and to think you have the real deal! pls do try to keep it as you would always regret selling it.

[Arlo]

Unique and nice Telecaster you have there. Welcome to the forum.

Ask the master of Telecaster knowledge "Fuzzy" http://www.webervst.com/tele1/

He will be able to not only give you details but point to an appraisal expert if he doesn't know the value himself.

Buy yourself another Telecaster to learn on and save this one from any further damage. It might come in handy for funding the kids college someday. That would surely make Mom proud too.

[Ronkirn]

The Mahogany Tele and Strat were introduced in ’62 (if I recall) to compete with the mahogany Gibsons that many considered to made of a better quality lumber. However the additional cost of the Mahogany's made ‘em less desirable, thus they were discontinued after a few years.

That was your Mom’s guitar, it doesn’t matter that she rarely played it, never sell it, you will regret it the rest of your life…. I sold my Grandfather’s Autoharp when I was 22… for a hunret ‘n fifty bux dammit… Now all I have are the memories of him playing that thing when I was a little feller.

Ron Kirn

[bigjoeblue]

What a beautiful guitar. Your Mom surely loved you to give you such a fine guitar. Really glad you're keeping it, it's a work of art and way to special to you to put a price tag on except for insurance.

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

I noticed that as well xjazzy. What's going on here?

Neither of you noticed that the quotes that don't make sense to you are from 2 different people!!!

[MatteusNova]

Originally Posted by riolux

Wow, I'm going to call my mom right now :-D

Varför då? Har hon också en gammal tele? (Sorry, couldn't resist).

Originally Posted by Ronkirn

That was your Mom’s guitar, it doesn’t matter that she rarely played it, never sell it, you will regret it the rest of your life…. I sold my Grandfather’s Autoharp when I was 22… for a hunret ‘n fifty bux dammit… Now all I have are the memories of him playing that thing when I was a little feller.

Ron Kirn

The other day a old friend/work colleague of my dad was over for dinner. He saw my Telecaster and noted that he once owned a 1956-58 Gibson bass, years ago. He told me the whole story and how he eventually sold it for peanuts. I gave him a glare and told him to come and have a look at the computer screen what it was worth today. You could hear his jaw drop to the floor.