help? what does 1301 3813 mean stamped on neck butt

rynovox · January 2nd, 2004, 04:49 AM

I bought a tele last week. I was told it was a 69. the neck butt has strange numbers stamped (not written)
that read 1301 3813. what does this mean?

inertian · January 2nd, 2004, 11:23 AM

...your code translates to:

13 - model code (Telecaster)
01 - neck code (rosewood fretboard)
38 - week of production code (approx October)
1 - year code (1971?)
3 - day of production code (Wedneday)

This is based on info found here:
http://www.infowest.com/personal/g/g...neckdates.html

Of course it, or I, could be totally off. When it comes to things Fender, inconsistency tends to be the rule...for example:Fender started using this dating system in '72, which is why I'm not sure if the "1" in your year code refers to the first year ('72) or an early example (late '71).

You can also check the "bible" (Fender Telecaster: The Detailed Story of America's Senior Solid Body Electric Guitar by A. R. Duchossoir) for more info.

Fenderman · January 2nd, 2004, 11:54 AM

this system/theory for dating guitars by neck codes through the '70-s was figured out by a guy called Greg Gagliano (aka GGJaguar). here's a link to the original article

http://home.comcast.net/%7Etcguitarm...e/neckcode.htm

he sez that it's not 100% reliable and that further testing needs to be performed to verify it.

TDPRI · January 2nd, 2004, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rynovox

I was told it was a 69.

I don't think can be a '69... they either had the actual date stamped on them, or a different numbering system. The kind of number you've got there is a 73 or later.

I know because I bought what was supposed to be a "69" Tele neck and then (too late) did a bunch of research on that exact style of numbering. The key is that it starts with 13 rather than 3. From 62 until 73 the numbering scheme used a 3 or 03 to designate a Telecaster. In 1973 they switched to 13. So unfortunately you can't have a 69.

It's true that some 69's don't have the actual date, but the number still begins with 3 not 13.

If you paid a '69 price for a 1973 you've got a real beef with the seller. If you got a super deal, then maybe not so much. An all original '69 would go for $2,600 or more and an all original '73 would be $1,800 or a bit more. (I'm guessing on these prices.)

Sorry to be the barer of bad news.
Paul Green
PS. I have a '69 Tele and luckily it has the actual date stamped on the neck heal.

Greg_C · January 2nd, 2004, 10:15 PM

I'd be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that thar be a 52 reish neck. JMHO, Greg.

January 2nd, 2004, 04:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
rynovox NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2	help? what does 1301 3813 mean stamped on neck butt I bought a tele last week. I was told it was a 69. the neck butt has strange numbers stamped (not written) that read 1301 3813. what does this mean?

January 2nd, 2004, 11:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
inertian Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lindenhurst, NY Posts: 583	Best I can figure... ...your code translates to: 13 - model code (Telecaster) 01 - neck code (rosewood fretboard) 38 - week of production code (approx October) 1 - year code (1971?) 3 - day of production code (Wedneday) This is based on info found here: http://www.infowest.com/personal/g/g...neckdates.html Of course it, or I, could be totally off. When it comes to things Fender, inconsistency tends to be the rule...for example:Fender started using this dating system in '72, which is why I'm not sure if the "1" in your year code refers to the first year ('72) or an early example (late '71). You can also check the "bible" (Fender Telecaster: The Detailed Story of America's Senior Solid Body Electric Guitar by A. R. Duchossoir) for more info. __________________ "There's very little you can't do with a Dremel if you have the right attachment."

January 2nd, 2004, 10:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Greg_C Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 152	1301 is the model number for 52 reish I'd be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that thar be a 52 reish neck. JMHO, Greg. __________________ "cogito ergo sum"

January 2nd, 2004, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
Fenderman TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 59	this system/theory for dating guitars by neck codes through the '70-s was figured out by a guy called Greg Gagliano (aka GGJaguar). here's a link to the original article http://home.comcast.net/%7Etcguitarm...e/neckcode.htm he sez that it's not 100% reliable and that further testing needs to be performed to verify it.