Yet another NGD - Vintage Hot Rod 52 Tele

[nvilletele]

Maybe it was the bonus I am getting this month (not yet in hand, but boss told me about it a week or two ago), or maybe it was cuz I just had a birthday, or maybe its just a passing GAS attack, or maybe it's cuz I've been wanting one of these for like forever . . . but for whatever reason, or combination of reasons, I could just not sit still and ignore the classifieds listing here that had a Vintage Hot Rod 52 Tele offered at $1099. The seller accepted my offer of $1000, I sent him a pdf of a Fedex label I printed from my account, and the next day the guitar was here even via Fedex Ground (Malibu to San Diego is thankfully a short distance).

Came with a nice tweed case, and the black leather strap (which looks nice from the pics I had seen, but when once in hand, seems eminently do-withoutable). I am realizing how unnecessary case candy really is . . . . but of course no matter either way.

The couple of dings down near the jack dont bother me . . . it just adds some character, if not a little mojo as well.

This sucker plays and sounds great . . . as you would expect, of course. And quite a looker too, if I do say so myself . . . .







And here is one side by side with my AV52 RI . . . .

[1977CJ5]

Man, looks nice! I really like those. How does that little humbucker sound compared to a full sized?

[nvilletele]

Originally Posted by 1977CJ5

How does that little humbucker sound compared to a full sized?

Hey, are you calling mine "little" ?

To me, it sounds great - rich, throaty, lot's of growl but not the excessive mush that I find on too many big buckers. It adds thickness and meat to the tone, but not the lard or fat that covers or removes all nuance and neck twang.

[nvilletele]

One more pic . . . I forgot to include one of the headstock . . .

[BuddyLee]

Congrats! I just picked up a '52 Hot Rod last month. It is now my #1.

I like the grain pattern on yours, they matched it up really good and looks great on the back.

Just from a glance I would say the intonation is off, have you set her up yet?

And yes, the HB in the neck position sounds great on mine. A nice blend of fat and bright tone.

We should start a '52 Hot Rod Club.

Now I just need an AV '52 RI and I can be cool like you too. Nothing like a set of blond twins.

[nvilletele]

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

Just from a glance I would say the intonation is off, have you set her up yet?

Haven't done a proper set up yet . . . though I did a quick check on the intonation. It is a little off on a couple of strings, though not by much. I was gonna mess around with that a little later.

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

We should start a '52 Hot Rod Club.

Indeed - I was thinking the very same thing. I think someone once asked whether the VHR 52 qualified for the AV '52 club, and I guess it sorta does, though upon further reflection I think it is a different beast altogether, so it needs its own club. The Hot Rod is not part of the American Vintage series to start with, has a different finish (thin-skin nitro vs. regular nitro), has a 9.5" radius, different pups (Custom Vintage vs. American Vintage, at least that's how they're referenced in the Fender specs - no parts list available for the VHR 52 on the Fender site), and the VHR 52 has compensated saddles vs. non-compensated on the AV52 (again, according to the Fender specs).

So I agree it's time to start a new VHR 52 club . . .

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

Now I just need an AV '52 RI and I can be cool like you too. Nothing like a set of blond twins.

Not sure how cool I am (= not cool at all), but I have triplets, if you count my American Deluxe Ash in BSB . . . . next photos I take will be group shots . . . .

[Ormond]

Why would someone who lives in Malibu have to sell anything?

You got a great guitar there.

[Paulie13]

Originally Posted by nvilletele

Haven't done a proper set up yet . . . though I did a quick check on the intonation. It is a little off on a couple of strings, though not by much. I was gonna mess around with that a little later.



Indeed - I was thinking the very same thing. I think someone once asked whether the VHR 52 qualified for the AV '52 club, and I guess it sorta does, though upon further reflection I think it is a different beast altogether, so it needs its own club. The Hot Rod is not part of the American Vintage series to start with, has a different finish (thin-skin nitro vs. regular nitro), has a 9.5" radius, different pups (Custom Vintage vs. American Vintage, at least that's how they're referenced in the Fender specs - no parts list available for the VHR 52 on the Fender site), and the VHR 52 has compensated saddles vs. non-compensated on the AV52 (again, according to the Fender specs).

So I agree it's time to start a new VHR 52 club . . .






Not sure how cool I am (= not cool at all), but I have triplets, if you count my American Deluxe Ash in BSB . . . . next photos I take will be group shots . . . .

Congratsman. Looks gorgeous. I bought mine months ago and am very happy. BTW, there is a Hot Rod Club

[Tremolo7]

Congrats! It looks great

[boris bubbanov]

Looks great!

Sounds like you're not far from Carlsbad.

You should go over and check out Buffalo Brothers. They've got a whole passel of G + Ls which are being sold as used even though they appear new to me. They're not selling fast IMO; they might entertain an offer or two from one of the rare guys with money to spend (that's you!)

[nvilletele]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Sounds like you're not far from Carlsbad.

You should go over and check out Buffalo Brothers. They've got a whole passel of G + Ls which are being sold as used even though they appear new to me. They're not selling fast IMO; they might entertain an offer or two from one of the rare guys with money to spend (that's you!)

Yeah, Carlsbad is not too far off . . . I can make it to BB in around 25 minutes, maybe 30. But I have pretty much reached my limit for buying any more guitars right now . . . I have one more in the works, for an 8502 sunburst currently in Philly. I had cut a deal, and paid, for an 8502 honey blonde that had been here on the classifieds, but the owner got advance seller's remorse and cut off the deal and sent back my money, along with a link to the sunburst 8502 in Philly. So I decided to go for that one. I think with that one I am pretty well done with acquiring any more new guitars . . . I was almost ready to snag a brand new Reverend Jetstream 390 off fleabay for 599, but decided to skip it (after realizing I really want a Club King 290). I can only fit so many guitars in my closet, after all . . . I've pretty much run out of room, and evenutally my GF is gonna figure out that at least some of these guitars she's never seen before, and is gonna start asking questions . . . .like if I have money to spend on guitars, why not spend more on her, etc. . . .

[rusty greg]

I'm so glad you like the Guitar

greg from malibu

[wrk2321]

Very sweet looking.

[Thekillertree]

Im thinking of putting a mini bucker in my tele, but i have the no caster pickups in it. Any one have any idea how the no caster bridge may mesh with that guy?

[nvilletele]

Originally Posted by rusty greg

I'm so glad you like the Guitar

greg from malibu

Thanks again . . . it is one sweet axe
(I actually never use the word "axe" for guitar, but it just seemed to fit there).

And if your place is one of those great Malibu homes with ocean view, etc., feel free to call should you ever need a house sitter . . .