'50s Tele Reissues: Edges Too Rounded?

[honkytone]

Is it my imagination or do almost all the '50s reissue Telecasters have edges that are much more rounded than the originals? Seems to me this has been the case since they first started making reissues in the early '80s, and it's odd because that should be one of the easiest aspects of these guitars to replicate. I have a hankering to get a '50s reissue Tele and would appreciate thoughts as to which are the most accurate in all details. Thanks.

[Telemarkman]

Welcome honkytone!

I'm no "axepert" on the early 50's Teles, but I know that the Japan reissues have too rounded edges (too large body radius).

Also, the AV '52 RI's up to 1998/99 had this feature. But from 1999 on I guess they are fairly accurate.

The MIM 50's Classics seem rather correct to me also.

The thicker poly finish on the reissues tend to make the edges a bit more round I admit.

[Scotland]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

The thicker poly finish on the reissues tend to make the edges a bit more round I admit.

I would agree with that wholeheartedly.

[Muddybuchfan]

Since 1982 the tele reissues both USA and Japan are off on the rounded edges and the thin neck shapes and BRIGHT pickups which leades me to wonder why the high prices on these "ok" early reissues. I have seen these 1982 USA model 52 reissues sell for over $3000! They are nice guitars that look similar. If you want accurate look for a used Fender custom shop 52 tele model and get the happening neck, thin nitro finish, correct body shape and edges and better pickups; they sell for around $1750 if you spend time looking. Thats my humble opinion; no offense to others or there great fender guitars of choice.

[honkytone]

Thanks for the replies, fellas. Jeez, they've made a ton of reissue and reissue-ish models over the last 25 years. I just haven't kept up with them. Blows my mind that virtually none of them really match the details of the '50s originals--something's always off, whether its body edges, truss rod access, tuners. It just isn't that difficult to get right. I guess they're protecting the real replica market with their Custom Shop, making all the cheaper lines close but no cigar. That's why I always liked the '80s MIJ Tele Custom reissues. Those were really pretty good replicas of the early '60s models and were always easy finds at $400 up 'til a few years ago.

[Post Toastie]

One other thing that the MIJ teles did wrong was the 12th fret black dots were spaced too far apart.

[newtwanger]

Originally Posted by honkytone

virtually none of them really match the details of the '50s originals--something's always off, whether its body edges, truss rod access, tuners. It just isn't that difficult to get right.

Then you will always find vintage examples of over-round edges (they were all hand finished after all), some blackguards have truss rod access others don't, some blackguards (early ones) have kluson single-line tuners, others use kluson no-lines tuners.
Never mind that pickup values varied in blackguards greatly too as did neck shape.
Ya can't hit a moving target that easily.

One other thing that the MIJ teles did wrong was the 12th fret black dots were spaced too far apart.

up to '53 they were 1" apart but the late blackguards were 1 1/8". I think the '52 name is not correct it should just be "blackguard reissue" to encompass all the errors...i mean differences.

[bo]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

Welcome honkytone!

I'm no "axepert" on the early 50's Teles...

Completely off the subject, I think it's great that somebody is subjecting a new member to Fuzzy-speak even though he ain't here anymore.

[Post Toastie]

ma B Fuzzy wil cum bac hear sum tyme soun??

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by bo

Completely off the subject, I think it's great that somebody is subjecting a new member to Fuzzy-speak even though he ain't here anymore.

I'm just honouring my good friend 0F, but I'm sorry to say that he probably won't come back ... But I sure miss him!

[honkytone]

Seems like the Classic Player Baja Tele measures up pretty well as a lesser cost replica. What's with the little badge on the back of the peghead which I see on some but not others--is it a sticker?

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by honkytone

Seems like the Classic Player Baja Tele measures up pretty well as a lesser cost replica. What's with the little badge on the back of the peghead which I see on some but not others--is it a sticker?

I don't know about the sticker, but the Baja Tele is no more perfect as a replica than the rest of them. It's got the looks for sure, but it has a 4-way switch, an S-1 switch, a 9.5" fretboard radius and Medium Jumbo frets. Nothing 50's about that ...

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by honkytone

What's with the little badge on the back of the peghead which I see on some but not others--is it a sticker?

Probably the "anniversary" sticker that Fender put on all 2006 models - 1996 Fenders had one too.

[honkytone]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

I don't know about the sticker, but the Baja Tele is no more perfect as a replica than the rest of them. It's got the looks for sure, but it has a 4-way switch, an S-1 switch, a 9.5" fretboard radius and Medium Jumbo frets. Nothing 50's about that ...

I hear ya'. I guess I should clarify my criteria, which for any of us end up being subjective and idiosyncratic. I'm not interested in a dead-on replica so much as one that has the essential construction features, looks, and feel as the original. That would include things you can't easily change such as body contours, peghead details (decal, string retainer placement, truss rod plug), etc. If it comes with a few modern playability improvements such as a larger fretboard radius and frets that's OK with me. Not too concerned about which type of switch it comes with, thickness of control plate, number of stripes on the Kluson replicas, etc.--that stuff either has no effect on playing or is nearly un-noticeable, and is so easy to change out if you want. Yeah, a thin nitrocellulose finish would be great, but that's a thing of the past in mass production so you pretty much have to live with polyurethane on the cheap stuff.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by honkytone

I hear ya'. I guess I should clarify my criteria, which for any of us end up being subjective and idiosyncratic.

Very selective criteria in other words ...

But since you asked which was the most accurate 50's reissue Tele in all details, I'd say it's the '51 Nocaster and the '52 RI.

[ole AZ]

I think Fender intentionally alters some of the small details to be able to differentiate.

[Spidercaster]

For me, the neck that comes closest to my 52, in feel at least, is the one on the MIM 50's Classic.