Is the 52 RI discountinued or just hard to find?

[drmathprog]

There are none locally, and I see few on line. What's up?

[BuddyLee]

It is the most successful production model Tele, it is not going anywhere.

I suspect people just like them, so they do not stick around long. Even at that ridiculous retail price.

[Seanycaster]

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

It is the most successful production model Tele, it is not going anywhere.

I suspect people just like them, so they do not stick around long. Even at that ridiculous retail price.

What do they cost in the US? Do you think they're priced too high?

[Mark Davis]

The only time they were priced right was when they first came out at $600 with tweed case.

Retail now is $2300 and the steet price at most places is $1840 in the USA.

They are good guitars just overpriced.

[Ortho]

They sell new for around 1400.

My issue with the reissue is not first with the guitar itself but the way it is in my experience typically sold. Typically ( I am not saying ALL stores) there are not a lot of reissues to try out. I would say go slow, drive around and even consider used. Like all guitars they are not all great and some are trucks in the weight department.

Ordering your dream reissue...well, you just met your mail order bride for the first time. Short of glaring flaws, what are you really comparing it to as in side by side.

Consider also that more than 150 dollars *closer to 200 now?) is the price of that vintage case and even vintage plug and strap? Nice stuff. But at this point in history I could do well minus that with a guitar no more than 1100. These are also mass produced and yes some of the fretwork is NOT flawless for a guitar of that price.

Hey when you find a good one, tney're great...but I've reached the point where I don't have to worship the reissue or believe each one is the solution.

Leo Fender himself saw issues with the original design and sought to address them. I was once a bit of a purist, but I think Leo himself saw the need and the value of the modern Tele for working musicians...not simply because music had changed.

[TeleV]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

The only time they were priced right was when they first came out at $600 with tweed case.

Retail now is $2300 and the steet price at most places is $1840 in the USA.

They are good guitars just overpriced.

Wow! Since I'm not in the market I haven't been paying attention to prices...that is just OBSCENE!!!

When I was shopping for a '52RI in early 2008 they were around $1,100 street or $900 to $1,000 after negotiating or getting it on sale.

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by Seanycaster

What do they cost in the US? Do you think they're priced too high?

Yes I do. I think every single American Fender is over priced. The American Standards in my opinion should sell for about $800 -$900 and the '52 RIs should be no more than $1200 - $1300.

Really, where does all that money go? I just do not see $2k worth of hardware or labor from an assembly line manufacture.

Now when I bought my AmSt Tele in '97ish I paid $450 with the case out the door, brand new from Bizarre Guitar in Reno/Sparks Nevada. The prior year I bought a AmSt Strat for under $600.

Wages have not double or tripled since then... not even close. I doubt they have changed much at all, and in my line of work labor is the largest cost by far.

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by Ortho

They sell new for around 1400.

My issue with the reissue is not first with the guitar itself but the way it is in my experience typically sold. Typically ( I am not saying ALL stores) there are not a lot of reissues to try out. I would say go slow, drive around and even consider used. Like all guitars they are not all great and some are trucks in the weight department.

Ordering your dream reissue...well, you just met your mail order bride for the first time. Short of glaring flaws, what are you really comparing it to as in side by side.

Consider also that more than 150 dollars *closer to 200 now?) is the price of that vintage case and even vintage plug and strap? Nice stuff. But at this point in history I could do well minus that with a guitar no more than 1100. These are also mass produced and yes some of the fretwork is NOT flawless for a guitar of that price.

Hey when you find a good one, tney're great...but I've reached the point where I don't have to worship the reissue or believe each one is the solution.

Leo Fender himself saw issues with the original design and sought to address them. I was once a bit of a purist, but I think Leo himself saw the need and the value of the modern Tele for working musicians...not simply because music had changed.

You can get them new on sale for about $1480+ tax/shipping w/e. And that is Guitar Center Blowout Sale Price.

Guitar Showcase or any similar independent retailer sells them for no less than $1800. And the '52 Hot Rod for $2250.

[Ortho]

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

Yes I do. I think every single American Fender is over priced. The American Standards in my opinion should sell for about $800 -$900 and the '52 RIs should be no more than $1200 - $1300.

Really, where does all that money go? I just do not see $2k worth of hardware or labor from an assembly line manufacture.

Now when I bought my AmSt Tele in '97ish I paid $450 with the case out the door, brand new from Bizarre Guitar in Reno/Sparks Nevada. The prior year I bought a AmSt Strat for under $600.

Wages have not double or tripled since then... not even close. I doubt they have changed much at all, and in my line of work labor is the largest cost by far.

Buddy Lee, let me respond to another thread (Best Modern Tele) by talking first to someone I agree with.

Correct: none and I mean none of the American Fenders are worth the money they are looking for.

The Deluxe Teles and Strats have some nice work on them but the quiet more submerged sound with those pickups...you've gotta like them.

Hands down, the MIM Standard Tele Upgrades are some of the best guitars they make in terms of modern Teles...for the simple reason that acoustically not ALL American made guitars are great....

There is a kind of thinking that "best value" or "good for the money" should only be applied to socalled lower end guitars...when value applies to ALL guitars and it does start with the limitation of how a particular guitar responds unplugged acoustically and how much neck resonance...

Pickup upgrades or "better stock pickups" cannot bring back the dead or even the simply bland or competent guitar, acoustically speaking.

Actually improvements in manufacturing methods should LOWER prices effectively....

[Scott Auld]

The Nocaster is being discontinued, but the 52RI will be forever. I hope.

They're all over the place, both new and used. Got my 2003 last year for $900.

Never seen a thread on the TDPRI with so much hate for the 52RI, or for Fender! I had to look at the top and make sure I was where I thought I was.

[Ortho]

Originally Posted by Scott Auld

The Nocaster is being discontinued, but the 52RI will be forever. I hope.

They're all over the place, both new and used.

Yes "all over the place" but I have nvere seen more than 3 in any one store...nit the best basis for making a selection at least in one store...gotta drive around.

There ARE people inclined to buy the first one they see or the second one they try. Big mistake. Frankly, Fender knows this and therefore the variability in weight and yes quality of details...

[Scott Auld]

Originally Posted by Ortho

Yes "sll over the place" but I have nvere seen more than 3 in any one store...nit the best basis for making a selection at least in one store...gotta drive around.

That's true. I visited Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and MAE, and a local mom and pop shop. I played about 9 52RI's all told, then bought the one at the mom and pop.

When you test drive new ones, take into account that you are hearing that vintage wiring that you will most likely get rewired to modern.

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by Ortho

Buddy Lee, let me respond to another thread (Best Modern Tele) by talking first to someone I agree with.

Correct: none and I mean none of the American Fenders are worth the money they are looking for.

The Deluxe Teles and Strats have some nice work on them but the quiet more submerged sound with those pickups...you've gotta like them.

Hands down, the MIM Standard Tele Upgrades are some of the best guitars they make in terms of modern Teles...for the simple reason that acoustically not ALL American made guitars are great....

There is a kind of thinking that "best value" or "good for the money" should only be applied to socalled lower end guitars...when value applies to ALL guitars and it does start with the limitation of how a particular guitar responds unplugged acoustically and how much neck resonance...

Pickup upgrades or "better stock pickups" cannot bring back the dead or even the simply bland or competent guitar, acoustically speaking.

Actually improvements in manufacturing methods should LOWER prices effectively....

Another thing. When I first picked up a G&L I was thunderstruck. My best friends girlfriends dad found out that I played and introduced me to his guitar collection. He let me play any one I wanted when I came over. The G&L's were some of his very favorite. And I have to say the build quality was far superior to the 2 American Fenders I owned that sold in the same price range. The G&L's could be had on sale for well under $1000. They seemed to be about $100 more than the Standard Fender at the time.

They should be able to improve quality, especially the necks and fretwork and lower the price.

And the RI amps are incredibly expensive.

It is to the point where you can buy vintage for near or even less money than modern production line amps. And I would personally rather have the vintage amp.

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by Scott Auld

The Nocaster is being discontinued, but the 52RI will be forever. I hope.

They're all over the place, both new and used. Got my 2003 last year for $900.

Never seen a thread on the TDPRI with so much hate for the 52RI, or for Fender! I had to look at the top and make sure I was where I thought I was.

No one said anything bad about the '52 RI.

The only thing said was they are currently over priced. I believe this is true. I agree that the price is "obscene".

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Scott Auld

Never seen a thread on the TDPRI with so much hate for the 52RI, or for Fender!

The AV 52 is the cornerstone of this board. No hate there.

As for FMIC, this is strictly hate the sin, love the sinner for the most part.

With the advent of the internet, there are so many ways to circumvent the usual sales process. To a degree the prices have appeared to go way up on the surface, but if you know the secret passageways you can get home on time.

I think it is somewhat facetious to complain about retail prices since there are so many used AV52s out there and the number of willing buyers is actually not what it was 2 years ago at $1,000 with case in nice condition.

It is like the parades at Mardi Gras. The routes may be lined, but are the crowds 8 people deep or are they only 3 people deep?

[Scott Auld]

Originally Posted by Ortho

They sell new for around 1400.

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

You can get them new on sale for about $1480+ tax/shipping w/e.

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

the '52 RIs should be no more than ... $1300.

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

The only thing said was they are currently over priced. I believe this is true. I agree that the price is "obscene".

Ok, so your beef is that retailers are overcharging by $180? ($1480 - $1300 = $180 too much?)

Ok.

Again, I got mine used for $900. I see $1000 used '52s all the time. But that's used, and not everyone wants a used one.

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

Really, where does all that money go? I just do not see $2k worth of hardware or labor from an assembly line manufacture.

It's not $2K, it's $1480. Remember? And that's with the dealer markup. You are blaming FMIC for what is partly dealer profit.

And .. it's not $1480 worth of hardware and labor ... it's $1480 worth of demand.

Wages have not double or tripled since then... not even close. I doubt they have changed much at all, and in my line of work labor is the largest cost by far.

Although labor may be the largest cost, there are more forces at work on a change in price than changes in wages. Not the least of which is DEMAND, pumped up by this very internet I'm typing into.

The prices are what the demand in the market dictates. If your real bummer is that demand has driven prices up, then that's cool. Just say so. It's not Fender's fault that enough people will pay that price to sustain it.

IMHO YMMV ETC YADA YADA ETC

[Scott Auld]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

The AV 52 is the cornerstone of this board. No hate there.

As for FMIC, this is strictly hate the sin, love the sinner for the most part.

With the advent of the internet, there are so many ways to circumvent the usual sales process. To a degree the prices have appeared to go way up on the surface, but if you know the secret passageways you can get home on time.

I think it is somewhat facetious to complain about retail prices since there are so many used AV52s out there and the number of willing buyers is actually not what it was 2 years ago at $1,000 with case in nice condition.

It is like the parades at Mardi Gras. The routes may be lined, but are the crowds 8 people deep or are they only 3 people deep?

I'm with ya, man.


What I don't like Fender doing is having these requirements for shops to carry a certain number of guitars to get lower pricing. The mom and pop shop doesn't get the same price that Guitar Center does, because they don't buy 200 guitars for their shop, they might buy 10. So GC or Sammy Ash has a better price for the same guitar, so mom and pop lose the sale and eventually close down. It's the Wal Mart effect, and I don't like it.

[Telesavalis]

bought mine 4 yrs ago for $875...used in mint cond. It's one of my favorite 3 guitars.

[Gareth John]

I went to New York on holiday in 2007, when the exchange rate was in my favour. I bought a brand new 52ri for about $1400 and when I got home and received my bank card statement it meant it cost me about £750, which is cheaper than a second hand one over here. Since I was going to New York anyway you don't have to add the cost of a plane ticket onto that :)

[Ortho]

Hey, No hatred here, simply perspective. Considering one of the options I suggested was used and then someone buys a used with good results...aren't most brand new cars for suckers anyway?

Saying you have to try out more than just a few Reissues... Jimi Hendrix didn't hate Strats trying them out...

As far as demand/price, that is a complex issue which does include the arrangements made with retailers and who can BE a retailer...and how many particular models they carry. It also unfortunately is created by the belief that if the Reissue is some kind of benchmark model...they all are great guitars. They ALL are not, and this applies to every guitar. Let's not turn this into hero worship or something.

A dramatic example of created "demand" is Gibson. Talk to a certifed Gibson dealer to see how that works...and how they feel, esp about quality control issues...

No hatred for the Reissue simply by saying that that you need to try them out and that they are not flawless... they are NOT handmade guitars...and the ones that are not as musically responsive are truly NOT worth that price...esp as this relates to a fair degree in variance in weight...and I would dare say that the hotter vintage pickups make weight more of an issue than in other models....

I thank God for G&L because they lit a fire under Fender's butt in the mid nineties...and Fender these days produces some of the best guitars on the market...

BTW, read the reviews or opinions of real vintage purists about the Reissue as in the text of that Fender book on the telecaster...they are not completely favorable as I remember but there's no hatred for the Reissue.

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by Scott Auld

Ok, so your beef is that retailers are overcharging by $180? ($1480 - $1300 = $180 too much?)

Ok.

Again, I got mine used for $900. I see $1000 used '52s all the time. But that's used, and not everyone wants a used one.



It's not $2K, it's $1480. Remember? And that's with the dealer markup. You are blaming FMIC for what is partly dealer profit.

And .. it's not $1480 worth of hardware and labor ... it's $1480 worth of demand.



Although labor may be the largest cost, there are more forces at work on a change in price than changes in wages. Not the least of which is DEMAND, pumped up by this very internet I'm typing into.

The prices are what the demand in the market dictates. If your real bummer is that demand has driven prices up, then that's cool. Just say so. It's not Fender's fault that enough people will pay that price to sustain it.

IMHO YMMV ETC YADA YADA ETC

Well you know what P.T.Barnum said, "There is a sucker born every minute". It is a timeless pearl of wisdom, which you make painfully obvious.

That new price is not a "Dealer Markup". Fender raised the price the guitars cost at the wholesale level. And if you do not think $180 is enough money to care about then you are an imbecile or a trust-fund baby. Either way you do not earn/work for your money with a mindset like that. Off the top of my head $180 is about 15% difference in price at that point. Which is a lot to any man who works for a living. And the reality of the matter is unless you wait for that once in a blue moon chance to buy a new '52 RI and not a "Like New" fleabay purchase for under $1500 then you are delusional if you think finding one new for $1400 is realistic.

So since GC charges $1480 one time a year you consider that the retail price? I would like to have some of what you are smoking. I would like to see some proof of these piles of New '52 RI's down the street from your house for $1400. Because I do not think you have a clue what you are talking about.

[Scott Auld]

Originally Posted by Ortho

My issue with the reissue is not first with the guitar itself but the way it is in my experience typically sold. Typically ( I am not saying ALL stores) there are not a lot of reissues to try out.

Originally Posted by Ortho

Hey, No hatred here, simply perspective. Considering one of the options I suggested was used and then someone buys a used with good results...aren't most brand new cars for suckers anyway?

Saying you have to try out more than just a few Reissues... Jimi Hendrix didn't hate Strats trying them out...

I guess I'm just not tracking why this is a shocker.

This is true of every single guitar model currently available, once you narrow it down to the specification of pickups & neck you want on a model.

If I go into Guitar Center (only using them as an example because they have the largest supply of guitars hanging on a wall in my area), name a guitar model and they have at most TWO of each version to pick from. Hey, that's just like the 52RI!

They have maybe TWO American Deluxe Strats with a given configuration, two more American Deluxes with a different configuration, Maybe two American Deluxe Teles, probably ONE American Standard Tele, etc.

You want a John Mayer Strat? There's only ONE at Guitar Center to try out.

Digging the Gretsch White Falcon? They got one. But only one. Um, maybe want to try out that Road Worn butterscotch Tele? Cool .. they have two to pick from at GC. No wait, you want to try the Roadworn Strat? Again, two on the floor. Paisley MIJ Tele? They have one at Sam Ash and one at Guitar Center.

You want an Epiphone SG with P90s? They have one. ONE. Oh, wait, you want an Epiphone SG with Humbuckers? Ok, cool .. they have TWO hanging on the wall. Highway 1 Tele? One.

I will agree with you that there seems to be five or six Made in Mexico Squire Strats hanging around.

Exactly what guitar model is there where you get to try out 10 of the same model, same pickups, same features, at a single store? I do not see that anywhere here in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Two? yes. Three? Sometimes.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by TeleV

Wow! Since I'm not in the market I haven't been paying attention to prices...that is just OBSCENE!!!

When I was shopping for a '52RI in early 2008 they were around $1,100 street or $900 to $1,000 after negotiating or getting it on sale.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...tar?sku=510062


There it is at a typical place $1840.

Its been that way since the price increase.

Just a handfull of years ago you could get a nice CS model for what these 52ri's are selling for now.

Good guitar overpriced as all Fenders are after that price increase in Feb.

[Ortho]

Originally Posted by Scott Auld

I guess I'm just not tracking why this is a shocker.

This is true of every single guitar model currently available, once you narrow it down to the specification of pickups & neck you want on a model.

If I go into Guitar Center (only using them as an example because they have the largest supply of guitars hanging on a wall in my area), name a guitar model and they have at most TWO of each version to pick from. Hey, that's just like the 52RI!

They have maybe TWO American Deluxe Strats with a given configuration, two more American Deluxes with a different configuration, Maybe two American Deluxe Teles, probably ONE American Standard Tele, etc.

You want a John Mayer Strat? There's only ONE at Guitar Center to try out.

Digging the Gretsch White Falcon? They got one. But only one. Um, maybe want to try out that Road Worn butterscotch Tele? Cool .. they have two to pick from at GC. No wait, you want to try the Roadworn Strat? Again, two on the floor. Paisley MIJ Tele? They have one at Sam Ash and one at Guitar Center.

You want an Epiphone SG with P90s? They have one. ONE. Oh, wait, you want an Epiphone SG with Humbuckers? Ok, cool .. they have TWO hanging on the wall. Highway 1 Tele? One.

I will agree with you that there seems to be five or six Made in Mexico Squire Strats hanging around.

Exactly what guitar model is there where you get to try out 10 of the same model, same pickups, same features, at a single store? I do not see that anywhere here in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Two? yes. Three? Sometimes.

Which is why I think that in a paradoxical way the less expensive MIM Standard Upgrades have to work harder for their keep...with more than 5 around...

and why I also suggested to drive around.

It is NOT a nonissue esp. with socalled better models...and yes, not a shocker for me either.

I also believe there is far more buying on impulse than people are willing to admit with fewer actual comparisons...

"Benchmark models" or signature guitars being fewer in stock may even manage to escape better scrutiny...they are after all automatically "better" models...

[mellecaster]

Why don't we explore the actual facts...I know...I know, a strange concept to some....looking at the 1950 price sheet (couldn't find one from 52)...you see the price of a Tele...then looking at the calculator with the discussed $1,840.00 plugged in (which only last year was 1,370) you see the $222.00 figure...that was about 2 weeks pay (gross) back then...(I was there to know)....Now do the math for an average 2 weeks Pay (Gross) in today's society....As you can see, despite some of your Protests, nothing has changed that much....but for the fact that back then we didn't have the option of todays Great pricing and quality of the Mexican Classic series.....Please Discuss.

[Buckocaster51]

Mr. Mellecaster, you make an excellent point.

[Lerb21]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

....As you can see, despite some of your Protests, nothing has changed that much....but for the fact that back then we didn't have the option of todays Great pricing and quality of the Mexican Classic series.....Please Discuss.

Mellecaster, wouldn't costs be cut significantly due to modern machinery and mass production, as well as cheaper and more accessible materials?

Please note, I'm not making a statement. I don't know if this is true but it would make some sense if it was.

[tele12]

[quote=mellecaster;2116347]Why don't we explore the actual facts...I know...I know, a strange concept to some....looking at the 1950 price sheet (couldn't find one from 52)...you see the price of a Tele...then looking at the calculator with the discussed $1,840.00 plugged in (which only last year was 1,370) you see the $222.00 figure...that was about 2 weeks pay (gross) back then...(I was there to know)....Now do the math for an average 2 weeks Pay (Gross) in today's society....As you can see, despite some of your Protests, nothing has changed that much....but for the fact that back then we didn't have the option of todays Great pricing and quality of the Mexican Classic series.....Please Discuss.

QUOTE]

From the sheet you posted the LIST price of the Tele in 1950 was $189.50.
Since you put in the retail price the new guitar pricing is actualy much higher comparably than the guitar in 1950.
And on the new mexican models neither the pricing or quality is great.

Back then you were buying a guitar or amp from Fender based on it's own merits. Today you are paying a huge premium based on the iconic reputation the Fender name has acquired over the years.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Lerb21

Mellecaster, wouldn't costs be cut significantly due to modern machinery and mass production, as well as cheaper and more accessible materials?

Please note, I'm not making a statement. I don't know if this is true but it would make some sense if it was.

That's a thought, but my impulse would be to keep the discussion as stripped down as possible.

Fender's advertising costs may be quite different than they were then;

Taxes on the buildings might be quite different. The relative costs of fuel for transport might be quite different. Today's IT costs might be far greater than they were, then, but maybe the long distance phone bill is a better deal, now. Soon, we are hopelessly lost.

Some things are always gonna change - for the sake of a simple, easy to understand argument we ignore those things. But knowing that we are leaving out a lot of arguably relevant factors helps me to know this is a gentlemen's argument and no-one should get too righteous about the outcome.

[mellecaster]

[quote=tele12;2116532]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Why don't we explore the actual facts...I know...I know, a strange concept to some....looking at the 1950 price sheet (couldn't find one from 52)...you see the price of a Tele...then looking at the calculator with the discussed $1,840.00 plugged in (which only last year was 1,370) you see the $222.00 figure...that was about 2 weeks pay (gross) back then...(I was there to know)....Now do the math for an average 2 weeks Pay (Gross) in today's society....As you can see, despite some of your Protests, nothing has changed that much....but for the fact that back then we didn't have the option of todays Great pricing and quality of the Mexican Classic series.....Please Discuss.

QUOTE]

From the sheet you posted the LIST price of the Tele in 1950 was $189.50.
Since you put in the retail price the new guitar pricing is actualy much higher comparably than the guitar in 1950.
And on the new mexican models neither the pricing or quality is great.

I'm not sure how old you are...but back in those days there was basically Retail and Wholesale...not at all like Modern Pricing where List Prices mean absolutely nothing...The Music Stores sold the Guitars for pretty much what the Fender price sheets said.
As to your comment concerning the Mexican Fenders, I guess that's another Topic for another day ??

[IPLAYLOUD]

"Really, where does all that money go? I just do not see $2k worth of hardware or labor from an assembly line manufacture."

Remember the year that Fender stopped printing the "Frontline Magazine" and everyone screamed for them?
Have you seen where Fender sends C/S Builders to Guitar Shops and Vintage Guitar Shows?
Do you see the ads in many of the various Mags?
Have you or a friend every ran to try an Amp or Guitar just to get a coupon for a free Fender TShirt?
Have you seen how environmentally correct Fender's factories are? Ensenada is a masterpiece, and working for Fender there is a GREAT job.

It all costs MONEY. The cost of doing business.
Go play an Agile or Xaviere if you want cheap...but you'll always keep wanting a Fender.

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by IPLAYLOUD

"Really, where does all that money go? I just do not see $2k worth of hardware or labor from an assembly line manufacture."

Remember the year that Fender stopped printing the "Frontline Magazine" and everyone screamed for them?
Have you seen where Fender sends C/S Builders to Guitar Shops and Vintage Guitar Shows?
Do you see the ads in many of the various Mags?
Have you or a friend every ran to try an Amp or Guitar just to get a coupon for a free Fender TShirt?
Have you seen how environmentally correct Fender's factories are? Ensenada is a masterpiece, and working for Fender there is a GREAT job.

It all costs MONEY. The cost of doing business.
Go play an Agile or Xaviere if you want cheap...but you'll always keep wanting a Fender.

Um, last time I checked Fender Japan made a superior crafted guitar than Fender Mexico or Fender USA... the only thing they lack are good pups.(probably stipulated by Fender USA so the guits are not 100% superior to the USA models).

I would imagine materials are much more scarce and expensive to import, and the cost of production is likely higher in Japan.

I hate when people make excuses for the greedy. Fender is already screwing Americans out of a job for making their guits in Mexico for $20 a week wage rather than $20 an hour.

Just like when GM moved production to Mexico, the cost of trucks did not go down... the profit margin went up. And at the cost of the American worker.

I find the whole thing disgusting. And they list the MiMs about 2/3rds the price of USA made. MiM is their most profitable guitar line for sure.

10 years ago wages in America were basically the same, and an American Standard cost half the price. The shipped jobs to Mexico and are now selling the highly profitable MiM line for more than the old USA line used to sell for.

It is greed, plain and simple.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by tele12

From the sheet you posted the LIST price of the Tele in 1950 was $189.50.
Since you put in the retail price the new guitar pricing is actualy much higher comparably than the guitar in 1950.

Today's '52 RI's come with a case. Back in 1951 a case was an additional $39.95, which makes the total $229.45

Now you can compare ...

[Ortho]

I think in the midst of this, while appreciating the 52 RI (not necessarily the price) there's no need to be more "Fender" than Leo. Leo Fender clearly saw inherent issues with the original design (microphony, intonation) and worked on that original design and regarded his later designs with G&L as his his best work. With that said, there is also no denying the overall quality of the current Fender line esp. in the department of consistency.

I think it is also fair to say that price hikes and the economy are not the best timing.

Perhaps for the sake of peace among ourselves here and not really a consolation, observe what Gibson has done and the price hikes in the shadows for 2010...

Pick up a current Les Paul Studio or one of the faded series medicrioties. Look at the price tag while you play one and say, "Hey, at least it's not that bad." Focus especially on the halloween green tuners...

But I have to say, I don't think there's a need to make one's regard for the price of the RI or even its design a kind of litmus test. If Leo Fender didn't make his own design an idol, why should anyone of us?

[TeleV]

Originally Posted by drmathprog

Is the 52 RI discountinued or just hard to find
There are none locally, and I see few on line. What's up?

Well looks like we managed to turn this thread into another tired pricing discussion

[Milone]

My opinion is you get what you pay for...if you want cheap get a MIM or a chinese tele.....if you want the real deal be prepared to pay for it....its not 1952 anymore and if you compare the prices of a 52ri with other manufacturers such as Gibson, Gretsch or PRS then its clear to see that Fender is still the most easily attainable price wise....I bout my 52 thin skin just before the price hike last year and was glad I saved a few hundred bucks but if I waited I would still pay the current price for the same guitar because it is a QUALITY piece and not some made in Mexico/china/korea version of the original. If they were dirt cheap everyone would be playing one and what value would they really have after that????

[FenderNic321]

I agree with everyone,,,,,,all prices are way out of wack. I bought my 52 RI for $1499.00 before the price increase and I thought it was over priced, but I figured I better get one before they go up, good thing I did, because I would NEVER pay $1850.00 for one. I think the 52 RI should be around $999.99 regular everyday price. And I would never pay $1199.99 for an American Standard, I just bought my new amwerican standard for $699.99 from Fender Friday (MF), I think that is a fair price for an american standard.

Custom shop prices are totally rediculous, I know I'll never be able to afford one of those, So I stopped looking.

[Hamtone]

I bought mine factory fresh in the case special ordered for 1250 tax and everything. The guitar is the balls.

You want to talk about over priced go over and look at a re-issue les paul, brand new they are at a ridiculous retail price

[leonard22]

for 1800 bucks you could get a one off custom tele to your exact specs from Mr. Kirn or a number of other builders here on the TDPRI. A great value for a handmade custom guitar. There will be no worries about consistancy in weight, fretwork, fit, finish, or anything else really...... or you could spend the same money on a assembly line cookie cutter CNC guitar that might be a gem.... or a pile.
FMIC gets the money they ask for guitars because people are willing to pay it.... love em or hate em, if you want fender on the headstock you gotta pay.....

i dont agree with FMIC's practices but ........\
when you realize you can have a real quality instrument for the same money i feel inclined to thank FMIC for pushing me to move away from Fender to a true handmade guitar......

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by leonard22

FMIC gets the money they ask for guitars because people are willing to pay it.... love em or hate em, if you want fender on the headstock you gotta pay

And that my friend is Quite True...way more than most are willing to admit...it's called Marketing, and I guess to some Posters, my 1950s Price comparison facts mean nothing ?...Facts can be confusing to some I guess ..