Is this a real Telecaster?

1worthyman · August 6th, 2008, 07:17 PM

I'm about to buy my first Fender Tele and I need some help to make sure its the real thing.

The Fender Site dosen't state this serial number: MZ7047135

and from the pics the Serial, Fender Decal, and made in Mexico are on front of the headstock.

Is this a a real Fender???

xjazzy · August 6th, 2008, 07:50 PM

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

Mark Davis · August 6th, 2008, 07:55 PM

Its a 2007 made in mexico standard the least expensive made in mexiso model.

Mark Davis · August 6th, 2008, 07:57 PM

wkturn2008 · August 6th, 2008, 08:09 PM

Weird the Fender website says that the MIMs should have MZ5 + 5 digits and that one has MZ7 + 6 digits. It appears the Fender website hasn't been updated since 2005 or 2006. The guitar dater project states:
Your guitar was made at the
Ensenada Plant (Fender), Mexico
in the Year(s): 2007 - 2008

jwells393 · August 6th, 2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

The Fender Site dosen't state this serial number: MZ7047135

Look at the chart and extrapolate. By the way, the "+ 5 digits" has been wrong from the beginning. MIM Fenders have the year code + 6 digits.

Mark Davis · August 6th, 2008, 09:38 PM

There are literally hundreds maybe thousands of typos at the Fender website.

Dont take all the info posted there as set in stone I can find errors on just about every instrument.

cletus · August 6th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Yeah-- the Japanese models are the same way i believe with the prefix and the number of digits following.

outbreak · August 6th, 2008, 10:53 PM

im pretty sure my serial is MZ7xxxxxx, mine was purchased in 2008 but may be an 07 from the serial

Colt W. Knight · August 6th, 2008, 11:07 PM

I know this isn't my business, but whats the price tag on that puppy?

I like the coffin case by the way.

1worthyman · August 7th, 2008, 09:41 AM

You guys Rock - Thanks for the assistance.

To: Colt W. Knight - I'm paying 250 for the guitar, is that too much or a good deal?

1worthyman · August 7th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

I know this isn't my business, but whats the price tag on that puppy?

I like the coffin case by the way.

I'm paying $250.

Broley · August 7th, 2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1worthyman

I'm paying $250.

Sounds like a deal to me. I bought my '07 MIM brand new (I'm the only one who has played it

) for $400. I really wanted to just go for the American series, but the price of the MIMs is perfect for my budget..

So far, it's really pleased me. I'll probably get some new tuners though..

superchicken_VI · August 7th, 2008, 12:20 PM

$250 is a good deal. Don't worry much about the tuners, my Mexi Standard's tuners are fine. No lash, they hold very well. I've never seriously thought about changing them.

Broley · August 7th, 2008, 01:42 PM

superchicken, what guage strings do you use?

superchicken_VI · August 7th, 2008, 03:10 PM

I swap between 10's and 11's. Right now, I have 10's on it. Same with my Highway 1 Strat. Heck, even my wife's Squier Mini holds tune, and it has 10s on it also. I always stretch everything pretty well (I'd rather have a slightly dead sounding string that's in tune than a lively, out of tune string!), and rarely have any issues.

Rasputan · August 7th, 2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broley

superchicken, what guage strings do you use?

I'm not superchicken but,,, my
MIM Tele built in 2006-2007 was
shipped with 9's...

=============================

<><> Rasputan <><>

Broley · August 7th, 2008, 08:32 PM

Mine came with 9's too. Don't guitars stay in tune better with lighter gauge strings?

Perhaps when I restring the guitar (and stretch 'em out) it'll hold better. But right now it's sub-par...

Rasputan · August 7th, 2008, 10:15 PM

I thought,,, (now we're in trouble if I
start thinking) that if you went from
a lighter gauge to a heavier gauge,,,
you would have to recut the nut... The
reasoning is the thicker gauge strings
would hang-up in the nut,,, thus affecting
the tuning...

======================================

<><> Rasputan <><>

Broley · August 7th, 2008, 10:28 PM

Rasputan,

Never heard that before. But I'm no EXPERT. Maybe superchicken knows the answer; besides, he has more posts than us

gtrman911 · August 8th, 2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasputan

I thought,,, (now we're in trouble if I
start thinking) that if you went from
a lighter gauge to a heavier gauge,,,
you would have to recut the nut... The
reasoning is the thicker gauge strings
would hang-up in the nut,,, thus affecting
the tuning...

======================================

<><> Rasputan <><>

yep
BUT.....if u onnly go from 9's to 10's will it be ok...no higher than 10's on a factiry cut nut, IMO.

moondogz · August 8th, 2008, 01:40 AM

[quote=1worthyman;1370144]I'm about to buy my first Fender Tele and I need some help to make sure its the real thing.

I have a MIM telecaster that had Rio Grande tall boy pickups in it when I bought it used....I'm very pleased with the guitar...good luck on your quest "for tone"....as far as whether or not its a real tele..personally I wouldn't know " a fox from a bluejay" when it comes right down to it..

hamhock · August 8th, 2008, 08:40 AM

I have a Mex Tele just like yours, i think i payed 250.00 for it a few years ago. I wasnt really happy with the pickups and just recently put diMarzio "Twang Kings" in it. HOLY SMOKES!!!...that did the trick. Sounds like a million bucks now and has all the twang.

Edutainment · August 8th, 2008, 08:43 AM

I got mine for $350 or maybe a bit more I think. $250's not bad.

superchicken_VI · August 8th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Fender's nut slots weren't really pretty on mine. I haven't had to recut them all the way up to 11-56, including a wound G. They just fall right to the bottom of the slots, no issues. I'm not afraid to recut a nut, and have done more than one over time--this one just hasn't needed it.

Most of the guitars also ship with plastic film on the pickguards, but I don't leave that on any longer than I leave 9s on a guitar.

Colt W. Knight · August 9th, 2008, 02:47 AM

Id buy it in a heart beat for that

August 6th, 2008, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
xjazzy Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 935 6 Photos	http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx __________________ Still got the Twang! myspace.com/jotacaster

August 6th, 2008, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	Its a 2007 made in mexico standard the least expensive made in mexiso model. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 6th, 2008, 07:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	__________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 6th, 2008, 09:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,745	There are literally hundreds maybe thousands of typos at the Fender website. Dont take all the info posted there as set in stone I can find errors on just about every instrument. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 6th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
cletus Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Charleston SC Age: 43 Posts: 162 5 Photos	Yeah-- the Japanese models are the same way i believe with the prefix and the number of digits following. __________________ seeing is believing.....but feeling is the naked truth....

August 6th, 2008, 08:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
wkturn2008 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasadena, TX Age: 45 Posts: 96	Weird the Fender website says that the MIMs should have MZ5 + 5 digits and that one has MZ7 + 6 digits. It appears the Fender website hasn't been updated since 2005 or 2006. The guitar dater project states: Your guitar was made at the Ensenada Plant (Fender), Mexico in the Year(s): 2007 - 2008

August 6th, 2008, 10:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
outbreak Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Australia Age: 21 Posts: 459	im pretty sure my serial is MZ7xxxxxx, mine was purchased in 2008 but may be an 07 from the serial __________________ '07 MIM std tele '07 Epiphone Studio Dot '08 Gretsch 5120 '08 Ibanex accoustic '07 VOX ad50vt

August 6th, 2008, 11:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 2,008	I know this isn't my business, but whats the price tag on that puppy? I like the coffin case by the way.

August 7th, 2008, 09:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
1worthyman NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York, New York Posts: 3	Thanks You guys Rock - Thanks for the assistance. To: Colt W. Knight - I'm paying 250 for the guitar, is that too much or a good deal?

August 7th, 2008, 12:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 36 Posts: 1,514	$250 is a good deal. Don't worry much about the tuners, my Mexi Standard's tuners are fine. No lash, they hold very well. I've never seriously thought about changing them.

August 7th, 2008, 01:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
Broley TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 17 Posts: 16	superchicken, what guage strings do you use? __________________ "Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want."

August 7th, 2008, 03:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 36 Posts: 1,514	I swap between 10's and 11's. Right now, I have 10's on it. Same with my Highway 1 Strat. Heck, even my wife's Squier Mini holds tune, and it has 10s on it also. I always stretch everything pretty well (I'd rather have a slightly dead sounding string that's in tune than a lively, out of tune string!), and rarely have any issues.

August 7th, 2008, 08:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
Broley TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 17 Posts: 16	Mine came with 9's too. Don't guitars stay in tune better with lighter gauge strings? Perhaps when I restring the guitar (and stretch 'em out) it'll hold better. But right now it's sub-par... __________________ "Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want."

August 7th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
Rasputan TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: no. ca. Posts: 43	I thought,,, (now we're in trouble if I start thinking) that if you went from a lighter gauge to a heavier gauge,,, you would have to recut the nut... The reasoning is the thicker gauge strings would hang-up in the nut,,, thus affecting the tuning... ====================================== <><> Rasputan <><>

August 7th, 2008, 10:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
Broley TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 17 Posts: 16	Rasputan, Never heard that before. But I'm no EXPERT. Maybe superchicken knows the answer; besides, he has more posts than us __________________ "Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want."

August 8th, 2008, 01:40 AM	#22 (permalink)
moondogz TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: edmonton alberta canada Posts: 98	[quote=1worthyman;1370144]I'm about to buy my first Fender Tele and I need some help to make sure its the real thing. I have a MIM telecaster that had Rio Grande tall boy pickups in it when I bought it used....I'm very pleased with the guitar...good luck on your quest "for tone"....as far as whether or not its a real tele..personally I wouldn't know " a fox from a bluejay" when it comes right down to it..

August 8th, 2008, 08:40 AM	#23 (permalink)
hamhock TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 51 Posts: 16	I have a Mex Tele just like yours, i think i payed 250.00 for it a few years ago. I wasnt really happy with the pickups and just recently put diMarzio "Twang Kings" in it. HOLY SMOKES!!!...that did the trick. Sounds like a million bucks now and has all the twang. __________________ The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. Hunter S. Thompson

August 8th, 2008, 08:43 AM	#24 (permalink)
Edutainment Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 17 Posts: 117	I got mine for $350 or maybe a bit more I think. $250's not bad. __________________ "Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there!" -B. B. King

August 8th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#25 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 36 Posts: 1,514	Fender's nut slots weren't really pretty on mine. I haven't had to recut them all the way up to 11-56, including a wound G. They just fall right to the bottom of the slots, no issues. I'm not afraid to recut a nut, and have done more than one over time--this one just hasn't needed it. Most of the guitars also ship with plastic film on the pickguards, but I don't leave that on any longer than I leave 9s on a guitar.

August 9th, 2008, 02:47 AM	#26 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 2,008	Id buy it in a heart beat for that