Am I Making a Catastrophic Mistake?!

[73Fender]

Originally Posted by Bernie

Good suggestion if the OP can get his hands on one.

Saw a mint hot rod on the NJ Craigs List for 900 no affiliation

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/2916547598.html

[tele_pathic]

I would pass. First, even if the price is right-on, it's still no bargain, which is the primary purpose of buying used off CL, I think. So right there, no, don't buy. Secondly, as other have said, those dings could not be in worse spots. Right there, in your face ugly. If it was $800 or $900, a real bargain, I might spend the money on gas. But at that price, no way no how. ***** dude, you could have this for the same price:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...70083000001000

DON'T DO IT!!! I DON'T CARE HOW BAD YOU'RE JONES'ING/GASSING FOR A TELE!!! DON'T DO IT!!!

[spkovach]

The overwhelming opinion is don't buy it, so, naturally, I went ahead and bought it. For 925 dollars. Now I have to figure out the following: IS it even made in America?! There's nothing on it that says where it's from. The numbers "9115" are on the bridge and that's it. How can I tell if it's made in the US? I talked him down to 925 because he had no proof that it's made in the US.

What shall I do?!

[RubyRae]

Originally Posted by Telesavalis

24 years old with the soul of an 90 year old black man.

?

Originally Posted by dan1952

What he said ^^^^

old soul with deep pockets...play the blues young gun.

[bluenote23]

Check the neckplate for a serial number. It should start with a 'V'.

The thing is, other than American Vintage Reissues, I think most Fenders have serial numbers and 'made in...' on the neck, sometimes on the back of the headstock or on the neck heel so if you don't have any markings at all, that's a good sign (if it's a real Fender neck that is...)

Also if it's a 52 AVRI, then the neck will have a 7.25 inch radius so if it feels like the 52 AVRI you played in the store then that's another good sign because I think (though I may be wrong) that only the US reissues have this vintage radius.

[Geo]

Someone here will be able to tell you various ways to tell if it is a US model.
One thing is to remove the control plate and see if the pots are CTS and
the number will give a date code of mfg. It isn't absolute but a good indicator
to start. Another is the decal on the head stock whether over the finish or
covered by finish. If all comes down to it removing the neck to get a date
and mfg. code. should give the country indication and year made.
Fender Japan had a decal on the back of neck and apparently not one there.

[Jvm210Guy]

Originally Posted by spkovach

First time user of this forum, long time lover of tele's. 24 years old with the soul of an 90 year old black man.

I am considering buying a 1987 52' Reissue. Here's the CL ad:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/msg/2951323790.html


Is 1,300 reasonable? I just sold my mint 87 Martin D-35 and I think I got a rotten deal (1,400), so I'm in a crunch financially. But I'm in love with the 52' reissues. I've only played the one's that are made currently. This one's got a bucker in the neck position, and he doesn't know what kind. Was 87' a good year. It was made in the USA, I made sure to ask that. Seller seems like a nice guy.

This is my first post here, but I'm sure there will be many more. I'm just looking for advice. The guitar is beat up, it seems. A few nicks and scratches. But really, it's an old guitar and that just means it has more soul. So if it were "YOU" guys, what would you do?

I want to join the illustrious world of Telecaster ownership. Please advise!

I'm supposed to drive 100 miles to meet him tomorrow so please write ASAP!

-Steve

Are you serious, well I mean if you have the soul of an old black man I would think you have your own advice to follow? Nah, maybe you're just an idiot and you don't know any better...

You can probably get that for a slightly lower price, about 1150 sounds right. Now, next time you write something try to exclude stupidity... I mean come on, "the soul of a 90 year old black man"... Wow..

[Jvm210Guy]

Originally Posted by spkovach

The overwhelming opinion is don't buy it, so, naturally, I went ahead and bought it. For 925 dollars. Now I have to figure out the following: IS it even made in America?! There's nothing on it that says where it's from. The numbers "9115" are on the bridge and that's it. How can I tell if it's made in the US? I talked him down to 925 because he had no proof that it's made in the US.

What shall I do?!

Oh, go ask one of your old black uncles? I mean black people know guitars.


That's a good price btw...

[Toppscore]

Originally Posted by Toto'sDad

I more interested in how you came to have the soul, you ever make any deals down in Georgia, say with a fiddle player? The Tele you can't go wrong on, so what if it's a few bucks higher than someone else thinks it's worth. It's kind of unique, and that right there would be worth a couple hundred to me. Just like you were getting it for $1100. Too many times I've passed on something I really liked over a few bucks, if you like the guitar buy it, don't worry, be happy you have a cool guitar, let the 90 year old black man use your fingers to play the thing. WAIT, hold your horses. What if the black guy is an accordion player? Ye better check with him!

I like what Toto's Dad says. If you like it, get it.
You can spend days hunting on-line and hours visiting stores and time and gas money.

If you have the Telecaster you like, get it.
You know it has a Humbucker in it, so you will not see another like it.

Also, Fender was really into high quality control during the mid 1980s
and spent tons of time to make sure the new Post CBS ownership group
distanced themselves from Fender's bad reputations of the 1970s.

Fender mostly made the 20-25-30 year type reissues during the mid 1980s.
I owned a 1982 Telecaster and studied the Telecaster market.
The ReIssues are of the highest quality and very hard to come by.

Search EBay for: Fender Telecaster 1979, 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986, etc
and see how many regular standard Fender Telecasters are available = ZERO.

They are all Telecaster Elites, MIJ Japanese, Squires or Reissues.

So, Fender put ALL of their resources into making the Reissues to be of
fantastic quality and to be highly regarded. Do the EBay searches and
you'll see that the advertised 1952 Reissue is not easy to come by.

And, if it is a qualiity Humbucker modification and you like it,
let your grandchildren worry about the resale value.
To find a "lifetime keeper guitar or amp" is always worth paying a few bucks more. Anytime.

Hope my thoughts and ideas help you to make a decision.
Toppscore

[xtrajerry]

Except for the dings over the pg it looks great.. imo any additional value it would have earned by being around for a while was shot when the HB was installed. I would treat it as just any other used tele.. it's not really vintage any way. FWIW I had a brand new 52RI delivered to me monday for $1250.. I think you can do better..

[Jupiter]

Well, you got the price way down from what you expected to pay. :-) If it sounds good and feels good, at this point, why even care about whether it's MIA or not?

[Mur]

I had a couple 52 ri . . enjoyable, but didn't care enough to keep 'em. Not bad if you like it though.

[bender66]

At this point, it doesn't matter what you've done. You own it. In the future though, any reputable seller would have let you pop the control off, remove the neck, etc., to check for authenticity. He would have encouraged it almost.

Aesthetically, I like it. I hope it's comfortable & sounds good & i'm glad you got a better price on it. Let us know what your findings are & take some more pics of your findings.

[Telepi]

Originally Posted by spkovach

The overwhelming opinion is don't buy it, so, naturally, I went ahead and bought it. For 925 dollars. Now I have to figure out the following: IS it even made in America?! There's nothing on it that says where it's from. The numbers "9115" are on the bridge and that's it. How can I tell if it's made in the US? I talked him down to 925 because he had no proof that it's made in the US.

What shall I do?!

His ad said, "I have a beautiful Tele up for sale right now. It's a 1987 '52 re-issue (with authenticating papers.)

What were his papers authenticating?

This doesn't sound right. Hope it works out for you though.

[thelowerlip]

Originally Posted by spkovach

The overwhelming opinion is don't buy it, so, naturally, I went ahead and bought it. For 925 dollars. Now I have to figure out the following: IS it even made in America?! There's nothing on it that says where it's from. The numbers "9115" are on the bridge and that's it. How can I tell if it's made in the US? I talked him down to 925 because he had no proof that it's made in the US.

What shall I do?!

Well, since you bought it I must confess.
My first thought when I saw the add was, "Wow, that is sexy!"
If it plays and sounds like it looks, I would be proud to have that as my #1. I have also thought it would be cool to have a guitar made in the same year as I was.

I have no idea where it was made but assuming it is MIA, you got it for a good price. Good job getting him to come down and enjoy!

[AndrewG]

Old guitars don't have souls. They're just old guitars, and trying to imbue them with some kind of spiritual mystique is, er, silly. Yep, that's the word...

[thelowerlip]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Old guitars don't have souls. They're just old guitars, and trying to imbue them with some kind of spiritual mystique is, er, silly. Yep, that's the word...

I think you're right but I also think our perception of the instruments we play is part of the fun.

Music is all about fun!

I for one embrace my silly side.

[Throttleneck]

From what I can see the pics look like a US 52 RI. Mine does not say Made in the USA anywhere. The serial number and dot under the serial number look right for the age period. More pics would help the folks that know more than I.

$950 seems like a fair price given the mods and the dings. Even at that price I don't think I would have bought it. But if it sings for you it is worth any price.

[tele1951]

I was going to say it was a $900 deal so, if it is in fact a '52 Ri, then I think you did good. Tweed case?

Should sound good thru a Marshall.

[BopT]

If it came with the COA that matches the bridge number I would just play it not worry! Congrats I believe you did well.