Please Tell Me What I Bought (62 RI???)

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I accidentally bought a brand new Tele with a Bigsby yesterday (oops) -- looks just like the picture telel6s shows in the "post your pics of your 62 custom telecaster japan" thread.

I love the guitar, of course, but I don't really know what I bought. It's sunburst, double-bound, and feels like vintage frets on a 7.25" radius rosewood neck. Says "Crafted in Japan" on the neck.

Does that mean it's a 62 reissue???

(I'll try to get some pictures up here after band practice.)

Thank you!

[jwells393]

You bought yourself a ‘60s Custom Telecaster® with Bigsby® ....... How does one accidentally buy a guitar?

See It On Fender's Website

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[beep.click]

Jwells, thank you! That looks exactly right.

As for "accidentally," I only went to the music store because Carol Kaye was doing a seminar. But they had a nice 69 thinline that caught my eye, and this Bigsby model was in the back corner. I initially rejected the Bigsby out-of-hand, because it weighs a TON. But then I said to myself, "If you're really thinking about a Tele, shouldn't you at least TRY the Bigsby?" The sound and feel were just too good to pass up.

[jwells393]

I have that guitar. I was just looking at the specs on the Fender website and found what I think is an error. They show the tuners to be Pings. Ping vintage style tuners are used on Mexican Fenders. Since this guitar is made in Japan the tuners are probably Gotoh.

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[PJ]

I could very easily buy that Tele, accidentally.

[beep.click]

Hmm... the tuners on mine look like the Gotoh pictures.

[yegbert]

Originally Posted by jwells393

You bought yourself a ‘60s Custom Telecaster® with Bigsby®

Or the not-for-export TL-62B-BTX, which is the base guitar from which FMIC established that ‘60s Custom Telecaster® with Bigsby®. Ishibashi's website (and the translated English version) has changed and I can't find the specs on the TL-62B-BTX now. But from what I remember of its' specs, Fender Japan outfits it with US-made Texas Specials; in fact the TX in its product name correlates to that pickup configuration.

The Texas Special bridge pickup (TL-62B-BTX) has raised and staggered polepieces and white cotton string wrap around the coil. The bridge pickup on a ‘60s Custom Telecaster® with Bigsby® I saw for sale new, had flat polepieces and a black wrap around the coil, it looked to me like cotton string also.

There is no current production model Telecaster for which Fender uses the term "reissue" in the name. That's only a slang term bandied about by some folks who discuss guitars.

[yegbert]

jwells393, thanks for those excellent pics on the Gotoh and Ping tuners!

[Mark Davis]

Usually but not always pings are on MIM's and Gotoh are on MIJ/CIJ and USA Fenders.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by yegbert

The Texas Special bridge pickup (TL-62B-BTX) has raised and staggered polepieces and white cotton string wrap around the coil. The bridge pickup on a ‘60s Custom Telecaster® with Bigsby® I saw for sale new, had flat polepieces and a black wrap around the coil, it looked to me like cotton string also.

That says I probably bought a ‘60s Custom -- my pickup has flat magnets and a black wrap.

The guitar worked well at band practice today, but I'm going to have to really spend some time with that neck. Not like any of my other Teles; probably the vintage frets. The neck feels very chunky and comfortable, especially down past the 12th fret, but it threw me a little on some solos. Then again, I was having an off day for leads, just generally...

[casterway]

Originally Posted by jwells393

....... How does one accidentally buy a guitar?

I did that once. Went into the store for a set of strings, and came out with a set of strings and a used Geddy Lee Jazz Bass. Oopsie!!!

[thaus]

Don't you just love 'accidents'!!