Got my new Transparent Blue Fender Japan 62 Reissue...

[cmaccall]

Wow. It is amazing. It arrived in 3 days and I think I'm in mail order Tele-bride heaven. The build quality and fretwork are flawless. It has a 3 piece Alder body. It's a 6.5 lb land-monster... he he. I like the Texas Specials so far... but we'll see. The only thing I've changed is the mint green guard. Guess I've got a MIM 60's Classic for sale now...

Take care all.

[FrankenTex]

LOVE that ax . . . how much did you pay and where did you get it? Did you ADD a minty green guard or REMOVE one?
What was on it when you got it?

[joshucla]

wonderful!

I have a red one. Not transparent though :<

j

[TeleGeir]

Another DBTOC seal of approval issued!! 8)

Geir :)

[Caper]

She's a beauty, I like the Texas Specials too.

[FrankenTex]

.
=see subject field=
.

[telefreak]

Wow, thats a thing of beauty, congratulations

[fenderix]

Congratulations cmaccal! That is one beautiful guitar
Where did you get it and how much was it (US $)?

[cmaccall]

Yes it is a vintage style bridge with string-through. I added the white guard, it came with a mint green. Actually it was a fairly tasteful mint green, not super puke green like my MIM 60's Classic pickguard, but a much lighter subdued minty green.

Anywho, it was 74000Y shipped from Ishibashi, so a little over 600 dollars (depending on the strength of the Yen *sophisticated sounding voice*). The finish is called "TBL." It is not listed on the Fender Japan website or on Ishibashi, but I asked for it via email.

In fact... Noriko at Ishibashi said the credit card transaction went through a week ago, but I just checked my activity online today, and there is no evidence of it. Hmm don't wanna get my hopes up... but maybe I got a free guitar! Nah... If that were to happen I gotta be honest and tell them, otherwise I'd feel guilty every time I played it!

[markophonic]

Sweeting looking custom you got there!

I really like that shade of blue

congratulations...excellent choice

[TeleGeir]

How incredibly slick that guitar is? 8)

"No Geir, no! You cannot afford one!!! "
"But I don't have a blue one yet!?"
"No Geir!!!!!!!"

Geir :)

[johan]

WHAO! This is one sweet looking Tele. I'm well aware of Ishibashi to say the least. Ordered from them twice before but never heard or seen anything like this before. Have to get in contact with them...I guess...

[sneakyjapan]

never seen one of those in this city. Was it new or used? Fender Japan does a lot of limited runs for chain stores here. Just made the tough decision to sell my sonic blue MIJ `62 tele, came stock with Duncan pups. Really nice, and very light tele but I have too many and I did the eeney, meeny, miney, moe thing. I`m sure I`ll be sorry but it`s going to a good Swedish home. Hope you`re gonna like yourn.

[Poppatwang]

I've got the CAR & the sunburst. A blue one would
look good in the mix don't you think?

[LuthierTom]

Gas pains... ...must resist...where's my lomotil?...

[cmaccall]

I'm not sure if it is a limited run or not. I was just curious if the TL62B-75TX (62 Reissue) came in any finishes other than sunburst, CAR, and black so I sent an email to Ishibashi. Noriko wrote me back and said that they had the guitar in Transparent Blue (TBL) and Cherry (CH). She sent pictures as well. I'm not sure if the Cherry is transparent or not, but it is definitely brighter than the CAR.

I couldn't decide what finish to get... blue is my favorite color and practically everything I own is blue. ...But now I am very pleased with my choice.

[TeleGeir]

Originally Posted by cmaccall

I was just curious if the TL62B-75TX (62 Reissue) came in any finishes other than sunburst, CAR, and black so I sent an email to Ishibashi. Noriko wrote me back and said that they had the guitar in Transparent Blue (TBL) and Cherry (CH). She sent pictures as well.

Hmmm... I am sure I speak for many :) when I say: Post those pictures please. I'd love to see the cherry one!

Geir :)

[cmaccall]

Sorry Geir, I checked but I deleted the pictures a week ago... :( The Cherry finish was a bright blinding red. I'm sure one could email Ishibashi and they would send some pictures.

The Transparent Blue and Cherry don't seem to be as "vintage accurate." Can anyone confirm or deny this for me?

[ilpescatore]

I need one

[sneakyjapan]

right. I often see Fender Japan guitars here in colors not in any catalog that I have. Passed on an Inca silver tele a while back. Shoulda....

[Mark Davis]

Just more proof that Fender Japan is doing it right and Fender USA has no idea what they are doing.

If Fender USA would wake up and start making some cool Teles I would buy a USA model but since 1998 all my Fenders have been MIM's.

Go Fender MIJ you guys and gals are doing it the way Leo intended.

A Custom Shop model like this would be 5x's more expensive and have finish flaws and a sticky neck.

Long live Fender MIM and CIJ you guys get all my business for life I will never buy a USA model Fender.

[Dennis_UK]

I need one o' those!
(Don't be foolish, Dennis, why would you need more than one Telecaster?)
Now there's a silly question!

Double-bounds...mmmmmm...

[Low4]

The last time I ordered from Ishibashi, it seems to me it took about two or three weeks for the charge to show up. Which was unfortunate, since the yen strengthened in the interim...

[cmaccall]

Cool, good to know that Ishibashi might take a few weeks on the credit card. Thank you for the information Low4!

[timmc]

And I thought I wanted one in black!

[Blaster]

Just picked up a MIM Classic 50's Tele and I have the 45 days before I decide to keep it. For the price I paid for it I could get one of the 62 RI tele's instead.

I am not too impressed by my Classic 50's. I don't care for the weight (8.5 pnds) and the pickups. I have an older MIJ 62 reissue and love the guitar.

hmmm - maybe

[meterman]

I just read on another forum that some of the MIJ guitars (this discussion in particular was about a '62RI Strat but...) have a 25" scale instead of a 25.5". Anyone know if this is true?

Originally Posted by meterman

I just read on another forum that some of the MIJ guitars (this discussion in particular was about a '62RI Strat but...) have a 25" scale instead of a 25.5". Anyone know if this is true?

Definitely NOT true, they're 25.5" like all the other Strats & Teles. (The Ishibashi Web site gives the scale as 324mm, which is 12.75 inches. They're measuring half the scale, so 12.75 x 2 = 25.5.) -- CS

[Joel66]

I went to the Ishibashi site last night to look around. They do offer some of the guitars in "short scale" models.

Joel

You're right, they do offer two of the Strat models in a shorter scale, but it's 24.5" like a Mustang or Jaguar (and many Gibsons), not 25." You can order necks like that (24.5") from Warmoth as well; a number of players prefer the feel of the shorter scale, and it does make bending easier.

The only guitar I can think of offhand that comes standard with a 25" scale is a Gibson Johnny Smith, but I'm sure there are others. -- CS

[John R.]

Need a drooling emoticon here.

[Abe]

FWIW, PRS' standard scale is 25". I think there are a number of smaller-named shops building 25" scales, too. Pretty good compromise IMHO.

Abe Mathews

[Mark Davis]

Here are some messages from the FDP that support my claims that the USA and Custom Shop Fenders arent as good as MIM ones and MIJ models.




Custom Shop:

Here is recap of the level of effort it has taken to fix my Custom Classic Tele. Guitar #1, purchased in November 2002 had finish flaws, uneven wood in the neck, and was mis-wired. This guitar was sent back at my expense. Guitar #2, built from scratch and delivered 3 months later, had bad pickups and needed a fresh set. For some reason, it took several phone calls from myself, my dealer, and the above letter to Mike Eldred to get someone to ship a new set of pickups. That took 6 weeks. What happened on these two guitars, guys?

I was certainly hoping to get better quality and customer service from Fender after paying that much money. I would be hard-pressed to justify the headache of buying another Fender product.



telesforengland

UK

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telesforengland -I had a CC Nocaster and-to put it bluntly-it was a dog, they are out there.

I hear more problems with custom shop than regular production line Fenders on these boards, that plus my own disappoitning experience makes me very reluctant to buy a CS guitar again.

The worrying thing for me is I've heard at least three instances of the guitars being wired up wrong, out of phase, bad pups etc. This is something that even a 5 sec play test would pick up before shipping. I can only hope these guitars were not checked before they shipped, which is bad enough, but if they were and still slipped that is a sad indictment of their quality control.



Pappy
Contributing Member

Connecticut, USA

Apr 20th, 2003 06:10 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic

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telesforengland, check out my three month old Custom Classic Strat.

I kept getting strung out delivery dates (another two weeks...two more weeks..) mid-July became Thanksgiving, paid $1600, only for the neck and body to go sour after only three months. I have no doubt the Custom shop makes quality guitars...

...just not mine.

They apparently have built a new neck and are refinishing (as opposed to replacing) the body. The day after I get it back it goes on e-bay.

Any takers here. Brand new Custom Classic Strat for $1300 + shipping.

I have a friend who does a song where he works in a funky rap kinda thing and uses it to rag on his friends in the audience. The other day he shot one at me...'If you'd bought...an An-der-son...you'd still have it.' Bwahahahhhahahahhh!!!

I don't think I'd ever drop that much money on a guitar again. Especially since I'm really happy with my $490 MIM 60's Classic.

Pappy
I'm gonna name it 'Twister'

Originally Posted by Abe

FWIW, PRS' standard scale is 25". I think there are a number of smaller-named shops building 25" scales, too. Pretty good compromise IMHO.

Abe Mathews

See, I knew somebody would know of some others. Thanks, Abe. :-) I completely blanked out on PRS. And you're right, it IS a good compromise. -- CS

[davidp158]

That is one nice looking guitar. I went to the Ishibashi Fender site, but couldn't figure out their model numbers. What model is yours called? They list names like TL62B-75TX, which may be a '62 RI (with Texas Special pickups).

Do they offer different fingerboard radius', fret heights and neck profiles? How does one convert their numbers to US? They list a few Tele necks with numbers like 184 R and 250R (which I assume are different radius values).

Do they do any custom work? You mentioned that your requested the trans blue finish via email. How was their email response?

Enjoy your new axe,
Dave Patterson

[telemike]

Originally Posted by davidp158

Do they offer different fingerboard radius', fret heights and neck profiles? How does one convert their numbers to US? They list a few Tele necks with numbers like 184 R and 250R (which I assume are different radius values).

Hey Dave,

1 inch equals 25.4 cm, so 184R would equal 7.25 inch radius, and 250R would equal around 9.84 inch (9-7/8 maybe, I'm not up on standard radii) radius. Hope this helps!

[cmaccall]

Originally Posted by davidp158

That is one nice looking guitar. I went to the Ishibashi Fender site, but couldn't figure out their model numbers. What model is yours called? They list names like TL62B-75TX, which may be a '62 RI (with Texas Special pickups).

Do they offer different fingerboard radius', fret heights and neck profiles? How does one convert their numbers to US? They list a few Tele necks with numbers like 184 R and 250R (which I assume are different radius values).

Do they do any custom work? You mentioned that your requested the trans blue finish via email. How was their email response?

Enjoy your new axe,
Dave Patterson

Hi from Seattle Dave!

Yes, this is the TL62B-75TX. I don't know about custom work, but I'm sure you could ask the people at Ishibashi. They were very helpful and patient with my order.

I don't know if the Transparent Blue was a custom finish or not. People at Fender Japan probably just got tired of doing CAR, Black and Sunburst and wanted to try something else for a little bit... who knows? I wrote an email out of curiosity to Ishibashi to find out if the TL62B was avaliable in any other colors... and they wrote back that it also came in Transparent Blue and Cherry. Hope this helps!

[sneakyjapan]

Hi. I bought a custom ordered strat a couple of weeks ago. It is used and from the 90`s. Also, it has IKEBE stamped on the body in the pocket. They are a chain of shops here in Japan, so my guess is yes Fender Japan does custom work but maybe only for shops or if a certain number are ordered. The strat in question has US parts and pups a beautiful exquisitly matched 2 piece ash 2 tone body, really thin poly finish and satin finished 1 piece maple neck. Originally sold for 120000 yen.

[tombo]

I have to take issue with what Mr. Davis said in his post.

Back in March I posted about the Fender Japan hype and I was pummeled with responses from FJ devotees and from some who are most likely making a killing re-selling them from Japan. Again, I'll reiterate (just for you Sneaky): if you like them, fine. They serve their purpose and can be made in to decent workingman's guitars.

However "doing it the way Leo intended" is taking it not just a little overboard, but waaaay over the edge. FJ guitars aren't held in high regard here in Japan. I don't know of any Japanese players in town (Nagoya is 2.2 million) that use FJ guitars - NOT EVEN AS 2ND OR 3RD, ETC ETC guitars! And the respected shops (read NOT Ishibashi, Shimamura, or Rock Inn) here laugh at them.

No, this doesn't prove anything, but neither does "some messages from the FDP that support my claims that the USA and Custom Shop Fenders arent as good as MIM ones and MIJ models."

[sneakyjapan]

You don`t like Fender Japans...thats cool. Lots of follks do. I`m glad you don`t limit your opinion of MIJ`s to Fender because there are several makers over here now, as you well know, that are putting out great instruments. You mentioned a couple of makers last go round. All things being equal, any guitar maker is gonna produce stinkers every now and then, but they can also make some great ones. I sort through the weeds till I find a rose... then I buy it. My F/J ExTrad, the 40th anniversary strat and the one mentioned in the previos post in this thread are 3 that I won`t soon be getting rid of. And when I do, don`t worry I won`t let you dirty your hands with them. Nor will I be selling my Duncan DT-250 PRO, the Duncan DS-200M or my Van Zandt strat limited edition, of which there only 4 others like it... according to the VZ folks I contacted. My ability may not warrent instruments of this caliber but when I pick them up, they make me want to play more, and the more I play the better I get. Someday I hope to bring out their full potential.