Fender Japan neck question

[nogin007]

On a neck from a Fender Japan Tele, I know the TL stands for Japanese models, and the 1 23 .85 is the date. There is a number(354) after the TL. Is this the model number? Thanks.

[Mark Davis]

Its hard to say on USA models a 3 digit code like 354 would usually be the color code for the color the body was painted.

Model Name ‘50s Telecaster®
Model Number 013-1202-(Color #)
Series Classic Series
Colors (301) White Blonde,
(303) 2-Color Sunburst,
(306) Black,
(Polyester Finish)
Body Ash


See those 3 digit codes before the colors those are Fenders color codes for those colors.

The TL stands for Telecaster the Strats say ST. The number that follows that is usually the year it represents like the TL52 then there is a dash and the next number usually refers to the yen it cost when new so a TL52-80 would be 80,000 yen.

[surfoverb]

Originally Posted by nogin007

On a neck from a Fender Japan Tele, I know the TL stands for Japanese models, and the 1 23 .85 is the date. There is a number(354) after the TL. Is this the model number? Thanks.

Mine says TL-52SPL and its a Keef model the serial is S094818

So I think TL=Tele 52=52 model SPL=Special ...Keef version of 52 neck, as far as I can tell the difference between a 52 and 52spl is the tuners are different

[Twang Tone]

Sounds to me like a model designation. What kind of FJ Tele is it? (i.e. standard with a maple neck, standard with a rosewood neck, '52RI, '62RI, '71RI, etc). Also, pictures may be useful.

Thanks,

[sneakyjapan]

and the SPLs have the 6 way brass saddle bridge too, another difference.
heres a pic of a 1985 strat I had, 55 means it retailed for 55,ooo yen, metallic pink is the color and it has 315 stamped in there too. I have seen others with 315 in the neck pocket and I know they built a shorter scale model, which may have been the 354. I had two metallic pinks...the one pictured here I sold recently, the other I kept is from 1983 and won`t sell that one, and it is not stamped 315. Might have something to do with model or might be internal codes since more than one factroy was building them.

[nogin007]

I wish I could post pictures, but part of my computer is screwed up. The guitar is natural finish, 25 1/2 ' scale, 5 hole black pickguard. I think a previous owner changed all the hardware, as it is all black. I know the tuners were changed, because the holes show from the previous tuners. It has a 6 saddle brass bridgeplate, and must have been a top loader, as the string through ferrules look like they were drilled by hand(crooked). The neck plate has a formed black plastic piece between the body and plate. A previous owner put tummy and forearm cuts on the body(good job). It plays and sounds good. I'm just curious about it's past. Thanks for all the replies.