MIJ Tele for $500, good deal?

Primo Don · December 20th, 2003, 06:30 PM

I found a butterscotch Tele in a local shop for $500 w/hsc. According to this site... http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html , the serial number on it (#A050367) puts it between 1985 and 1986. It appears to be in relatively good shape cosmetically, except a pretty good nick on the side of the fret board (tolerable) and the pots are minor-ly scratchy. It has a big chunky neck and feels great in my hands, btw.

So, is this one of the desirable Japanese Teles? Thanks in advance.

Adam

P.S. Definately Made in Japan, not Crafted in Japan.

Telemaniac · December 20th, 2003, 06:51 PM

In the UK that would be about the price in Sterling (£300-ish) for most Japanese "standard" Fenders, but the MiJ (vs CiJ) ones fetch a bit more. The early RIs and any of the custom finish ones fetch a premium that can rise to quite a lot. A new entry Japanese Tele is about $500 shipped with case, and a new 52 RI is $780 shipped with case from Ishibashi.

My view (FWIW) is that all MiJ and CiJ Fenders are usually pretty good, I've had 5 (2 Teles, 3 Strats) and they've all been fine.

Fender Japan have used the Axxxxxx serial twice. If it says Made in Japan on the neck it's an'85/'86, if it says Crafted in Japan it's a '97/'98.

Some say that the MiJs are somehow better than the CiJs. I've had both again, I can't tell the difference and my only Strat (which I like a lot) is a 54 RI CiJ from 1998.

Mark Davis · December 20th, 2003, 06:58 PM

Those cost $429 new.

See if you can talk them down a little but with the case its not a bad deal.

sneakyjapan · December 20th, 2003, 09:50 PM

good deal?... depends on the model. FJ made some real nice guitars those days with US parts alder or ash bodies and some were finished in nitro. I own several 80s FJs, all have the date penciled in on the neck butt, and some of mine are great, no hype because they`re not for sale. You really have to be careful with MIJs, some were low end and some were very high end. I also have some FJ from the 90s and 2000s... which came with flimsy pots and switches, but US pick-ups. My 80s all came stock with full size pots, steel switches and some with US pick-ups... alder or ash for the bodies. I`ve written about mine before and I don`t wanna bore anyone so I`ll stop.

Bob Rogers · December 20th, 2003, 10:30 PM

If it is the type of guitar I think it is, I'd put it in the fair deal but not a great deal category. I've seen them go at that price a lot of times, so it's not a rip off. But I'f you shop around you can probably find it a bit cheaper. Maybe you can get them to replace the pots and the switch at that price?

December 20th, 2003, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Primo Don Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 31 Posts: 381	MIJ Tele for $500, good deal? I found a butterscotch Tele in a local shop for $500 w/hsc. According to this site... http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html , the serial number on it (#A050367) puts it between 1985 and 1986. It appears to be in relatively good shape cosmetically, except a pretty good nick on the side of the fret board (tolerable) and the pots are minor-ly scratchy. It has a big chunky neck and feels great in my hands, btw. So, is this one of the desirable Japanese Teles? Thanks in advance. Adam P.S. Definately Made in Japan, not Crafted in Japan. __________________ Why yes, I do have a liberal arts degree...do you want fries with that?

December 20th, 2003, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Telemaniac Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wokingham, England Age: 56 Posts: 1,253 2 Photos	In the UK that would be about the price in Sterling (£300-ish) for most Japanese "standard" Fenders, but the MiJ (vs CiJ) ones fetch a bit more. The early RIs and any of the custom finish ones fetch a premium that can rise to quite a lot. A new entry Japanese Tele is about $500 shipped with case, and a new 52 RI is $780 shipped with case from Ishibashi. My view (FWIW) is that all MiJ and CiJ Fenders are usually pretty good, I've had 5 (2 Teles, 3 Strats) and they've all been fine. Fender Japan have used the Axxxxxx serial twice. If it says Made in Japan on the neck it's an'85/'86, if it says Crafted in Japan it's a '97/'98. Some say that the MiJs are somehow better than the CiJs. I've had both again, I can't tell the difference and my only Strat (which I like a lot) is a 54 RI CiJ from 1998. __________________ Growing old is mandatory . . . growing up is optional

December 20th, 2003, 09:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,492 3 Photos	good deal?... depends on the model. FJ made some real nice guitars those days with US parts alder or ash bodies and some were finished in nitro. I own several 80s FJs, all have the date penciled in on the neck butt, and some of mine are great, no hype because they`re not for sale. You really have to be careful with MIJs, some were low end and some were very high end. I also have some FJ from the 90s and 2000s... which came with flimsy pots and switches, but US pick-ups. My 80s all came stock with full size pots, steel switches and some with US pick-ups... alder or ash for the bodies. I`ve written about mine before and I don`t wanna bore anyone so I`ll stop. __________________ quasi mojo

December 20th, 2003, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,846	Those cost $429 new. See if you can talk them down a little but with the case its not a bad deal.

December 20th, 2003, 10:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bob Rogers Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,710	If it is the type of guitar I think it is, I'd put it in the fair deal but not a great deal category. I've seen them go at that price a lot of times, so it's not a rip off. But I'f you shop around you can probably find it a bit cheaper. Maybe you can get them to replace the pots and the switch at that price?