MIM's: 2004 vs 2008 version

LeftFrank · June 5th, 2008, 10:59 AM

I played a couple of the current version MIM standard teles and was very impressed - great neck, fit and finish quite good, sound=classic tele all the way.

I saw a used one from 2004 at a much lesser price.
Just wondering how these 2 years compare for this particular instrument.

Quality, attention to detail, neck specs, pickups (the current model's pickups are HOT - nice, punchy twang).

Thanks!!

jwells393 · June 5th, 2008, 11:15 AM

Probably little or no difference. Recent model years have a humbucker rout in the neck position but I don't know when they started doing that. I highly recommend buying used.

Update: Actually I think they changed to the hotter pickups in 2006 according to the 2006 Frontline catalog. Also new in 2006 are shielded body cavities and medium jumbo frets.

LeftFrank · June 5th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Thanks, Jack.

Also, I just found out that the person selling the 2004 I was looking at has no PayPal and wants money order or cashier's check (and is across the country from me). Not sure I want to take that chance.

straightface · June 5th, 2008, 12:54 PM

I think that 2006 was the first year the MIM's used medium jumbo frets. Before that they used vintage.

superbadj · June 5th, 2008, 01:36 PM

I'd never pay on eBay or other sight-unseen thing without going through a semi-protected system, either via your credit card company, PayPal, or other systems.

Too many scam artists out there.

VWAmTele · June 5th, 2008, 01:40 PM

besides the MJ frets - 2006 and beyond have hotter pickups and better shielding.

jwells393 · June 5th, 2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Also, I just found out that the person selling the 2004 I was looking at has no PayPal and wants money order or cashier's check (and is across the country from me). Not sure I want to take that chance.

Bought many guitars on eBay that way. Never had a problem. What does the seller's feedback look like?

When I purchased with a cashiers check or money order I'd always send it Prioity Mail with delivery confirmation. When I returned home I'd scan the check Receipt and the postage receipt and e-mail them to the seller. That let's him know you're on top of things.

spankdplank · June 5th, 2008, 02:30 PM

The newer, hotter pickups use ceramic bar magnets. The older ones use alnico rods.

LeftFrank · June 5th, 2008, 04:51 PM

I found this guitar on Craigslist, not on Ebay, so no feedback available.
He's probably OK, thinking positively, but I've been burned before sending a cashier's check and I'm reluctant to do it again.
Besides, it seems there are real plusses to the newer model. I certainly did like the sound of the 2008's pickups played through a Blues Jr., but I'm not up on which is better: ceramic magnets or alnico bars, if either.

LameLefty · June 5th, 2008, 05:04 PM

Hey Frank, if you decide to go with the older model, pay with a U.S. Postal money order. It's a federal felony to commit a fraud over state lines using the post office.

June 5th, 2008, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
LeftFrank TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 17	MIM's: 2004 vs 2008 version I played a couple of the current version MIM standard teles and was very impressed - great neck, fit and finish quite good, sound=classic tele all the way. I saw a used one from 2004 at a much lesser price. Just wondering how these 2 years compare for this particular instrument. Quality, attention to detail, neck specs, pickups (the current model's pickups are HOT - nice, punchy twang). Thanks!!

June 5th, 2008, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	Probably little or no difference. Recent model years have a humbucker rout in the neck position but I don't know when they started doing that. I highly recommend buying used. Update: Actually I think they changed to the hotter pickups in 2006 according to the 2006 Frontline catalog. Also new in 2006 are shielded body cavities and medium jumbo frets. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 5th, 2008, 12:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
straightface Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MA Posts: 886	I think that 2006 was the first year the MIM's used medium jumbo frets. Before that they used vintage. __________________ At the end of time, all that will remain is Keith Richards, a Fender Telecaster, a bunch of cockroaches, and roots rock music. With nobody left to categorize it for, I bet Keef’ll just call it rock and roll… -Brian Henneman of The Bottle Rockets

June 5th, 2008, 12:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
LeftFrank TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 17	Thanks, Jack. Also, I just found out that the person selling the 2004 I was looking at has no PayPal and wants money order or cashier's check (and is across the country from me). Not sure I want to take that chance.

June 5th, 2008, 01:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
superbadj Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 34 Posts: 561	I'd never pay on eBay or other sight-unseen thing without going through a semi-protected system, either via your credit card company, PayPal, or other systems. Too many scam artists out there.

June 5th, 2008, 01:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
VWAmTele Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Age: 53 Posts: 470	besides the MJ frets - 2006 and beyond have hotter pickups and better shielding.

June 5th, 2008, 02:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
spankdplank Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 692 28 Photos	The newer, hotter pickups use ceramic bar magnets. The older ones use alnico rods.

June 5th, 2008, 04:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
LeftFrank TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 17	I found this guitar on Craigslist, not on Ebay, so no feedback available. He's probably OK, thinking positively, but I've been burned before sending a cashier's check and I'm reluctant to do it again. Besides, it seems there are real plusses to the newer model. I certainly did like the sound of the 2008's pickups played through a Blues Jr., but I'm not up on which is better: ceramic magnets or alnico bars, if either.

June 5th, 2008, 05:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
LameLefty TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 40 Posts: 10	Hey Frank, if you decide to go with the older model, pay with a U.S. Postal money order. It's a federal felony to commit a fraud over state lines using the post office.