Early 50s Nocaster/Tele w/ RW board??

Nickcha · August 1st, 2008, 12:56 AM

I've never seen one, but has anyone ever seen a Nocaster or early 50s Tele w/ a RW board? Maybe a custom order??

Mark Davis · August 1st, 2008, 12:59 AM

Ive seen a couple at Wildwood and Music Zoo.

Mark Davis · August 1st, 2008, 01:02 AM

http://www.themusiczoo.com/FenderCus...ack_R6354.html

Nickcha · August 1st, 2008, 01:44 AM

Thanks Mark. Yeah, I've seen those too. I was wondering if they were based on any actual 50s Ash/RW combinations that existed in the 50s?

My reason for asking is that I've always had 50s style Ash/Maple, or 60s style Alder/RW Teles. But I recently bought a nice light Ash Nocaster body, complete with electronics - just minus the neck. I decided to have a fat 50s shape neck made, but with a '62 style Braz. RW cap., and see what happened. The luthier built a classic Nocaster Fat C neck - even put the decal in the correct location - and made it with a beautiful dark (40 yr old) Braz. RW cap.

I rewired the harness Ass'y following the pattern for a 50s LP, which opened the guitar right up. So it sounds good but it's just weird looking.

Anyway, I was curious as to whether this combination ever really existed in the 50s?
.

Mark Davis · August 1st, 2008, 01:53 AM

I dont think there has ever been a real Nocaster with a rosewood fretboard.

Nickcha · August 1st, 2008, 01:57 AM

I know I've never seen one. What about an early 50s Tele. I know there were never production models, but perhaps someone has seen a custom order. It's difficult because parts have been swapped out over the years, originality isn't that easy to determine.

Mark Davis · August 1st, 2008, 02:21 AM

They didnt do custom orders back then. Later on they offered a few different colors but it was way after the Nocasters were made.

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

Lots of good info at this site.

Nickcha · August 1st, 2008, 09:48 AM

Thanks Mark. That's pretty much what I figured. BTW that site has been my go-to site for Strat info, terrific resource.

Mark Davis · August 1st, 2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickcha

Thanks Mark. That's pretty much what I figured. BTW that site has been my go-to site for Strat info, terrific resource.

Ya me too Ive had that site bookmarked since 1996.

surfoverb · August 1st, 2008, 12:09 PM

So by NAMM 58 Jazzmasters had rosewood and probably Teles too but I wonder if anyone took an early broad/no/tele and replaced the neck with a rosewood? I mean in '58 if someone had a '52 tele and swapped it out?

Nickcha · August 1st, 2008, 12:35 PM

My whole post was based on the idea that Fender must have experimented with RW brds at some point through the 50s - and perhaps earlier than the late 50s. Because they eventually ran RW Strat necks in '59, in response to the growing popularity of Gibsons. Musicians were liking the warmth of RW and I'm sure Fender was taking notice earlier than the late 50s.

Mark Davis · August 1st, 2008, 01:00 PM

The Nocasters were only made for a very short time just a few months. They were basicly Broadcasters with the Broadcaster name removed.

The only reason Leo even used rosewood fretboards was because Gibson used them and he wanted some of the new models to be more classy looking also the rosewood didnt show the wear like the all maple ones did.

The all maple necks were sprayed with a very thin layer of finish much tinner than any Fender made today so they wore thru real quick.

People didnt want a worn out looking guitar back then you could look at a 3 yr old Gibson and it looked great a 3 yr old Fender with a maple fretboard would look all used up.

We think the worn look is cool now but back in the old days it wasnt cool.

Nickcha · August 1st, 2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

...We think the worn look is cool now but back in the old days it wasnt cool.

WHAT??!!! You mean to say, they weren't trying to make vintage guitars back then?!

degsycaster · August 1st, 2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickcha

WHAT??!!! You mean to say, they weren't trying to make vintage guitars back then?!

Ha ha, liked that - big LOL moment

tonewoods · August 1st, 2008, 01:30 PM

"So by NAMM 58 Jazzmasters had rosewood and probably Teles too but I wonder if anyone took an early broad/no/tele and replaced the neck with a rosewood? I mean in '58 if someone had a '52 tele and swapped it out?"

Anything's possible...

I heard a very credible story lately of a '52 Tele that was converted to a 12-string by a Fender employee...

Telemarkman · August 1st, 2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfoverb

So by NAMM 58 Jazzmasters had rosewood and probably Teles too but I wonder if anyone took an early broad/no/tele and replaced the neck with a rosewood? I mean in '58 if someone had a '52 tele and swapped it out?

Except that the Telecaster didn't get a rosewood fretboard until mid-'59

.

August 1st, 2008, 12:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nickcha TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 21	Early 50s Nocaster/Tele w/ RW board?? I've never seen one, but has anyone ever seen a Nocaster or early 50s Tele w/ a RW board? Maybe a custom order?? __________________ I use hand-me-downs

August 1st, 2008, 12:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	Ive seen a couple at Wildwood and Music Zoo. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 1st, 2008, 01:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	http://www.themusiczoo.com/FenderCus...ack_R6354.html __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 1st, 2008, 01:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nickcha TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 21	Thanks Mark. Yeah, I've seen those too. I was wondering if they were based on any actual 50s Ash/RW combinations that existed in the 50s? My reason for asking is that I've always had 50s style Ash/Maple, or 60s style Alder/RW Teles. But I recently bought a nice light Ash Nocaster body, complete with electronics - just minus the neck. I decided to have a fat 50s shape neck made, but with a '62 style Braz. RW cap., and see what happened. The luthier built a classic Nocaster Fat C neck - even put the decal in the correct location - and made it with a beautiful dark (40 yr old) Braz. RW cap. I rewired the harness Ass'y following the pattern for a 50s LP, which opened the guitar right up. So it sounds good but it's just weird looking. Anyway, I was curious as to whether this combination ever really existed in the 50s? . __________________ I use hand-me-downs

August 1st, 2008, 01:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	I dont think there has ever been a real Nocaster with a rosewood fretboard. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 1st, 2008, 01:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nickcha TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 21	I know I've never seen one. What about an early 50s Tele. I know there were never production models, but perhaps someone has seen a custom order. It's difficult because parts have been swapped out over the years, originality isn't that easy to determine. __________________ I use hand-me-downs

August 1st, 2008, 02:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	They didnt do custom orders back then. Later on they offered a few different colors but it was way after the Nocasters were made. http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html Lots of good info at this site. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 1st, 2008, 09:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Nickcha TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 21	Thanks Mark. That's pretty much what I figured. BTW that site has been my go-to site for Strat info, terrific resource. __________________ I use hand-me-downs

August 1st, 2008, 12:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
surfoverb Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,889	So by NAMM 58 Jazzmasters had rosewood and probably Teles too but I wonder if anyone took an early broad/no/tele and replaced the neck with a rosewood? I mean in '58 if someone had a '52 tele and swapped it out? __________________ "You released the ****** fury!"*

August 1st, 2008, 12:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Nickcha TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 21	My whole post was based on the idea that Fender must have experimented with RW brds at some point through the 50s - and perhaps earlier than the late 50s. Because they eventually ran RW Strat necks in '59, in response to the growing popularity of Gibsons. Musicians were liking the warmth of RW and I'm sure Fender was taking notice earlier than the late 50s. __________________ I use hand-me-downs

August 1st, 2008, 01:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	The Nocasters were only made for a very short time just a few months. They were basicly Broadcasters with the Broadcaster name removed. The only reason Leo even used rosewood fretboards was because Gibson used them and he wanted some of the new models to be more classy looking also the rosewood didnt show the wear like the all maple ones did. The all maple necks were sprayed with a very thin layer of finish much tinner than any Fender made today so they wore thru real quick. People didnt want a worn out looking guitar back then you could look at a 3 yr old Gibson and it looked great a 3 yr old Fender with a maple fretboard would look all used up. We think the worn look is cool now but back in the old days it wasnt cool. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 1st, 2008, 01:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
tonewoods Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Orcas Island, Washington Age: 57 Posts: 665 18 Photos	"So by NAMM 58 Jazzmasters had rosewood and probably Teles too but I wonder if anyone took an early broad/no/tele and replaced the neck with a rosewood? I mean in '58 if someone had a '52 tele and swapped it out?" Anything's possible... I heard a very credible story lately of a '52 Tele that was converted to a 12-string by a Fender employee...