Your views on Japanese 62 Tele custom

[swoosta]

Thinking about a 62 Tele custom Japanese like this
http://machinehead.co.uk/product_inf...roducts_id/805
Any views on this whos got one. Was also thinking of a Baja of Usa Standard.
What neck profile has the 62 got?

[nedray]

I've got the one with Bigsby that GC gets in from time to time. they're great. Some say the electronics need to go because they use the mini pots and such, but mine sounds great. I may put Seymor Antiquity IIs in it and a Callaham control assembly, but that would be strictly a snob move. There's really not a damn thing wrong with it. They go for about 750 USD without a case. Highly recommended.

[Fatmanstratman]

swoosta, that black double bound looks really sharp!....

With apologies to everybody who has seen mine dozens of times before, this is my "Number One".....



Probably the easiest on the eye and the best player of all my Teles. Light, thin-ish neck (not sure what the actual profile is, but "baseball bat" it ain't! As someone has already stated, the electrionics weren't to my particular taste, so I upgraded the cheapo plastic CIJ switch with a CRL, and installed CTS 250k pots instead of the little pots that come as stock (which meant that I had to fit new knobs for the solid shafts instead of the stock knobs which are for push-fit pots). Mine had Texas Special pickups, so I swapped out the bridge pup (very "thin" sounding) for a GFS Vintage Alnico 62 (fantastic pickups - I've fitted this particular one in several of my Teles) - and for the money, they can't be beaten. I love how the angle of the light completely changes the appearance of the Candy Apple Red finish.... (BTW - the binding has since mellowed to that lovely creamy colour).



The Texas Special pickup in the neck wasn't too bad (quite bluesey and mellow) so I left that one in.

I would have no hesitation in recommending this guitar to you. I love mine, and I'm still trying to talk my good friend Dr. Robbo into selling me his MIJ sunburst 62RI (one of the older MIJs - mine is CIJ) which has been heavily gigged and has some serious mojo...

Unfortunately, Machinehead at Hitchin always seem a bit pricey to me, but it is always worth trying a bit of a haggle (or get them to throw in a hard case etc.) but you will not be disappointed with the 62RI. I don't believe I've ever seen one offered for sale in black before - it really does look exceptionally cool....

Let us know how you get on.

If you need any more info, just PM me (folks are bored of me gushing about 62RIs here!)

[Fatmanstratman]

I've just been checking the CODA Music website - they used to keep a few CIJ guitars, but it looks as if they no longer do so. Shame, 'cos they were quite a bit cheaper than Machinehead....

[Rod.V]

I'm on my fourth.

Fender Japan have always hit it just right for me.

I like the fact that there's a degree of variation between individual instruments, both in neck dimensions and weight etc.

I feel that the Tele shape lends itself beautifully to the double binding, to the extent that non-bound Teles sometimes look unfinished.

I change the switch to a CRL item and replace the standard jack socket with an "Electro-Socket". The pots seem OK so far. I also think the standard pick-ups sound fine - I prefer them to most US units I've heard.

The black one I have just now is the best yet. I've modded the bridge, a la G.E. Smith, and I can't keep my hands off it. It gives me all I need and enhances, rather than gets in the way of, my playing.

[superbadj]

I have a '62 Custom tele (MIJ, neck-dated to July 1985) that was my first electric (bought used in '88/89). LOVE it.

Posted this pic several times before, but since you're asking about Fender Japan '62 Customs, there's no harm in posting it again!

Neck is medium to semi-thin-ish (not tiny, but not THICK for sure). Very comfortable to me. But I'm not really picky about neck profile. This one has full-sized pots, stock. Maybe they did 'em that way in the 80s. I dunno. Stock pickups are good, maybe not great, but I dig it. My first and I'll never sell her.

[cmm71]

Fender Telecaster Custom (web).jpg

I like mine. I installed Texas Specials, it didn't come stock with them. I changed out all the electronics with cloth push-back wire, CTS pots, Oak-Grigsby switch and switchcraft jack. The neck is thin and with the Bigsby installed the tone is changed somewhat but it still has a nice vibe.

...and nothing beats the quality of a Japanese neck.

[Rich_S]

I wish I'd never sold mine, though I really would have preferred it had a fat maple neck.

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by cmm71

...and nothing beats the quality of a Japanese neck.

+1

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by swoosta

Was also thinking of a Baja of Usa Standard.
What neck profile has the 62 got?

I have a CIJ 60's double-bound with Bigsby; also a Baja.

The CIJ has a beefy neck, but nowhere near the heft of the Baja. CIJ also has a rosewood fretboard, versus maple on the Baja. Frets are different, too: vintage on the CIJ, medium jumbo on Baja.

So, very different feels, but both good.

Sonically, the 3 guitars you mention are also quite different.

[Maxivorarcher]

I love my CIJ 62 custom. Build quality far exceeds baja in my opinion, never seen a japanese guitar sloppily put together but have seen a fair few ropey bajas. Upgraded the pickups in mine to nocasters and now its an absolute beast.
In the UK guitar-village do them at a good price, also GAK.

[hwestman]

Love mine. It is a 96 or 97 I think. A great resonant guitar.

I even use the stock pickups but have modded it with an electrosocket, SS frets and a PLEK job...

I just might try some really nice pickups some day but so far I am totally happy with the way it sounds...

It's the one I'll never let go...