Questions about a MIJ Telecaster '69 Reissue Thinline

[g00dbye]

Hey guys. This is my first post here, but I am very excited to hear back from all of you. Anyways, I am on the cusp of buying a MIJ Telecaster '69 Reissue Thinline but I have a couple questions about it first. The serial number of the guitar is A065665 which indicates (according to the Fender website) that the guitar was made somewhere between 1986 and 1987. I've heard several things about MIJ vs. CIJ (mainly just that earlier Japan models are MIJ and in 1997 were branded as CIJ) but I'd like to know if anybody knows what kind of wood was used during this time period, materials/parts used, and just something about the overall quality of the tele. The bridge pickup has also been upgraded to a Seymour Duncan Little '59 along with a toggle switch. Was this a wise upgrade? I'm willing to reveal the exact guitar that I wish to buy but please know that I'm very serious about buying this guitar, so it'd be great if nobody got any ideas. I just want a little honest input about this guitar and if this guitar is far superior to the MIM '08 model of the guitar (which is what I plan to buy if I don't get this one). Anyways, the link is below and I'd just like to say thanks so much for taking the time to read this and respond to my questions. -Brian

http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-TELECASTE...hippingPayment

[BritishBluesBoy]

Hi, and welcome,
I think it's a mahogany body (looks like it anyway). Someone else may chime in with better knowledge of that exact model. The A serial number on MIJ guitars is not an exact way of dating these guitars unfortunately. Only way to know for sure is if there's a date on the neck or on the body. I couldn't see one in the eBay listing. However, MIJ/CIJ guitars are generally well thought of around here...

The pickup change and the extra switch would turn me off though - unless it was far cheaper than that, but I'm a stickler for things being correct. Unfortunately the switch has been installed into the top of the guitar and will leave a hole if you decide to remove it. Not cool IMHO. If I was looking for one of those I'd go and try some of the MIM ones... There are some really nice guitars coming from Fender Mexico these days... See if one really 'speaks' to you - or keep looking for another MIJ that hasn't been messed with.

IMHO, YMMV and all that...

[e-merlin]

Yeah, those mods are a definite demerit for me. There's no easy way to get rid of that switch if you want to. I haven't tried that pickup, so I can't comment on it. I had a later model MIJ 69 Thinline a long time ago. I had to do a lot of work to it because of someone else's follies, but I got it cheap enough to make sense. Mine was Mahogany like that one and it sounded really good. I went ahead and put some Twang Kings in because I had them, and I would recommend that swap. The only thing I didn't like about mine was the thin neck, which has been a feature of every MIJ Fender I've owned.

I am no expert, but I don't think I'd go much stronger than $400, if that, with those mods, especially the hole in the body.

[jwells393]

The body is definitely mahogany. I have a completely stock version of that very guitar. Also with Made In Japan on the neck heel and an "A" serial number on the bridge plate. However I don't think it was made in '85-'86 as the dating charts tell you. That bridge plate number is meaningless when it comes to dating a Japanese guitar. Fender Japan put an "A" serial number on almost all their vintage bridge plates. I have a few Japanese Telecasters. I have yet to find a date on the neck heel or anywhere on the body. The only way I've found to date a Japanese Fender is a serial number on the neck.

For some reason Fender Japan did not use period correct tuners on this model. Those are Gotoh cast sealed tuners. Probably because the period correct reissue tuners require a different hole spacing. These tuners allow them to use any hole spacing.

I wouldn't get too hung up on that guitar. The reserve is probably not too far below the Buy It Now price. Since there's no cover plate for that added switch on the back of the guitar I will assume the cavity for the switch was probably carved from the control cavity. There is probably some crude wood butchery lurking below that pickguard.

I wouldn't buy it just because the previous owner was a dufuss for putting the switch where he did ............. It could have been put on the pickguard .............. Hope I not talking about some TDPRI member.

[ROADMAN]

welcome to the Tdpri gOOdbye...I just contacted the seller and gave him his buy it now price ..thanks alot eh !

just kiddin..

seriously though..I have an 86 MIJ esquire and the neck alone is worth the geddus

[g00dbye]

Haha. Well thanks so much for all of your help. After reading all of your responses, I do believe I will just save up for a brand new '08 Thinline ('69 Reissue). I've heard that the Mexican made Teles are really stepping it up these days. Can anyone put their two cents in on the subject of Mexi Fenders (more specifically Thinlines. Thanks!

[e-merlin]

I have yet to run into a MIM reissue type guitar I don't like. I have a 50s Esquire and love it. I'd love to have a 50s Tele and a 60s Custom. I know I'm not using proper terminology, so excuse the terms I use. I don't have a MIM 69 Thinline yet because I had that base covered with my MIJ, however, the MIM 69 Thinline has the best neck I've ever wrapped my left hand around. That alone means I will get one when my dealer brings one in. I'm also going to get some of those necks for a couple of projects.

As far as MIM standards, I've used several bodies for projects, but the necks are the wrong shape for my hands, so I usually sell 'em and get something more "vintage feeling." But the quality is still there.

I will say my MIJ Squier Tele is as good a Tele as I've ever played. It's probably mid 80s and has a bit beefier neck than the MIJ Fenders from the 90s that I mentioned above.

[Scottlr]

Originally Posted by g00dbye

Haha. Well thanks so much for all of your help. After reading all of your responses, I do believe I will just save up for a brand new '08 Thinline ('69 Reissue). I've heard that the Mexican made Teles are really stepping it up these days. Can anyone put their two cents in on the subject of Mexi Fenders (more specifically Thinlines. Thanks!

I have a MIM 69RI Thinline, and I absolutely love it. It's light as a feather, and I love the "U" shaped neck. Good bang for the buck guitar.

[morroben]

Here's my MIM '69 Thinline RI...any excuse to show it off is a good one.

I love this guitar. Only had it for a few months but it has quickly taken over as my #1. As others have stated, the neck is amazing. Mine has Duncan 5/2s and brass saddles. The fit and finish are top notch...as good as any guitar I've ever played. You certainly won't be disappointed if you go the MIM route.
I can't really speak about the MIJ models...my only experience with MIJ Fenders was with a strat I used to have. It was mediocre at best, but I expect that it was an exception to the rule. I've heard a lot of good things about MIJ around here.

edit: for the record, this is a '99 model I purchased used off Craigslist

[jwells393]

Can anyone put their two cents in on the subject of Mexi Fenders

Back in my eBay guitar buying days (I got that monkey off my back over a year ago) I was trying to get an MIJ/CIJ version of each Telecaster reissue model......... with the exception of the Deluxe with that big goofy headstock. I had all but the '72 Custom when I saw an MIM '72 Custom at a good price and bought it. I'm very pleased with it. Also impressed with the three MIM '50s Classic Telecasters and one MIM '50s Classic Stratocaster.

[MikeDeB]

Originally Posted by g00dbye

Haha. Well thanks so much for all of your help. After reading all of your responses, I do believe I will just save up for a brand new '08 Thinline ('69 Reissue). I've heard that the Mexican made Teles are really stepping it up these days. Can anyone put their two cents in on the subject of Mexi Fenders (more specifically Thinlines. Thanks!

MIM Fenders are an excellent deal these days. Several months ago I bought a 50's Classic Strat in black. It's a beautiful guitar.

Yesterday, I bought a brand new '69 Tele Thinline MIM from Elderly Instruments. I played a bunch of Strats and Teles and kept going back to this one (I actually had no intention of buying a new guitar yesterday). So I brought it home. It is the mahogany body in a natural finish; just like the one above. It's a joy to play and sounds amazing unplugged. I did restring it with .10s. The pups are average MIM pups; they sound ok but nothing great. Overall, I'm extremely impressed with the build quality and finish of this guitar. She's definitely a keeper.

[PJ]

I agree...the Mex products have gotten very good over the past 5 years or so. Having played a few MIJs, I don't see a big gap. The few Mex models I have are terrific. But, I do think it's the upper-end MIJ models that get the best press.

[g00dbye]

Alright great, I do believe that I will be going the MIM 69' Telecaster Thinline route. My last question is, where should I get it? I want the dark Natural finish (walnut-esque) and the only three places I can find this guitar new are as follows:

http://www.guitartrader.com/Fender-6...-Guitar-MN-1-2

http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/F69T-NAT.htm

and:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-08-FENDER-69...d=p3286.c0.m14 (this seems like the best deal because it comes with a Fender Deluxe soft case for free)

The only thing that worries me that those companies advertise these dark Mahogany colors and that I might end up with THIS "natural":
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...2/0/267920.jpg

I'm very partial to the darker Natural and have no interest in the lighter natural. Does anybody have any experience with any of these dealers and which one I should go with?

[giginthesky]

i noticed the MIJ has no headstock plug and the MIM does. are they the same year reissue?

[g00dbye]

Originally Posted by giginthesky

i noticed the MIJ has no headstock plug and the MIM does. are they the same year reissue?

I don't believe so. According to the serial number of the MIJ, it would appear to be built around '86-'87 where the MIM is an '08 model.

[AjayTele]

You can still get nice Japanese 69 Thinlines...

Here's one that has a few bumps and bruises, but looks nice...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/USED-Fender-J...dZp1638Q2em122

[Dacious]

It looks like a standard Wilkinson 6-barrel bridge modified to accept Tele brass barrels. The MIM Thinline in my Avatar was bought in America in 2000 and it is still my go-to guitar.

I just bought a CS Nocaster-style Thinline, and although the workmanship, components and playability is perhaps superior, it's arguable the MIM Thinline is practically nearly as good in most ways for 1/4 the price. It needs a good setup from new, I fitted a baseplate to the bridge pickup and a four way switch, some threaded saddles and other than that it's bone stock.

[MikeDeB]

Originally Posted by g00dbye

Alright great, I do believe that I will be going the MIM 69' Telecaster Thinline route. My last question is, where should I get it? I want the dark Natural finish (walnut-esque) and the only three places I can find this guitar new are as follows:

http://www.guitartrader.com/Fender-6...-Guitar-MN-1-2

http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/F69T-NAT.htm

and:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-08-FENDER-69...d=p3286.c0.m14 (this seems like the best deal because it comes with a Fender Deluxe soft case for free)

The only thing that worries me that those companies advertise these dark Mahogany colors and that I might end up with THIS "natural":
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...2/0/267920.jpg

I'm very partial to the darker Natural and have no interest in the lighter natural. Does anybody have any experience with any of these dealers and which one I should go with?

Just bought my 69 Thinline from Elderly Saturday. They're just across town from me so it was easy to see it in person and test drive it. I don't know how their mail order business is but they are super in person.

I've bought from Guitar Trader before and it was an excellent transaction. As well as Musicians Friend (the 69 Thinline in natural is backordered at Musicians Friend). Also, I think their pic is seriously washed (too much light); clear coated, natural mahogany is darker and somewhat red.

Wherever you purchase it from, it should come with a deluxe gig bag at no extra charge as Fender specs one for it.

I just checked Elderly's website and I think I bought their last natural 69. Sorry.

[g00dbye]

Originally Posted by MikeDeB

I've bought from Guitar Trader before and it was an excellent transaction. As well as Musicians Friend (the 69 Thinline in natural is backordered at Musicians Friend). Also, I think their pic is seriously washed (too much light); clear coated, natural mahogany is darker and somewhat red.

That was another question I had...I'd like to buy it from Musician's Friend given that they are a reputable name with legit service but the "washed" pictures on the website make me think that the 69' Thinline isn't as dark and somewhat red, as you described. Does anyone know first-hand from musician's friend or know if the pictures from MF are just washed?

EDIT: And upon a simple Google image search of "69' Fender Thinline" there are multiple images of this "lighter" colored version of Natural. Can anyone explain this?

[jwells393]

Musicians Friend and many other online stores use stock photos supplied to them by Fender. You're not getting the guitar pictured. If you Google 69 Thinline you'll see several sites with the sunburst '69 Thinline pictured. If you examine these pictures closely, you see it's the same picture.

Some stores show pictures of the actual guitar ..........however this might only apply to higher end guitars.

This picture shown for the natural '69 Thinline on the Musician's Friend website isn't even mahogany ........ it't poorly matched ash. Fender doesn't even show natural ash as an option for the '69 Thinline reissues.

.......

Here's a website where you're seeing what appears to be the actual guitar. If not, most mahogany Thinlines look the same.

'69 Thinline RI at Fuller's Vintage Guitar

......