ORIGINAL 1952 Tele?

gordon_39422 · July 7th, 2005, 12:07 AM

Okay, now that I have your attention, I have in my hands, an unidentified guitar that looks like a Tele... from head to toe, these are the distinctions... The 1st string tuner has been replaced with a new Kluson-style, but the others have the Patent Pending under them... The Gold Spaghetti-style logo was scratched off for some reason.... The bridgeplate has FENDER stamped on it, but no markings otherwise, including the underside...

Once I removed the neck the following was written on the neck cavity in pencil and covered with some red transparent stuff, kinda like an old wax seal... "8-5-52", "Davis", "#3", "CD".... The back of the neck has illegible writing in red, as though it were initials in cursive...

The electronics were REALLY old carboard covered caps and resistors... The volume pot was shot, so I replaced it with a CTS Pot, and still have the original...

Any info you can provide will be greaty appreciated

Thanks,
Allen

Buck Cannon · July 7th, 2005, 12:39 AM

looks like parts of a 50's Tele but not all original, Bridge is newer....depending on whats all there it could be worth a few $$ ...but nothing like the all original one brings.

I'm still waiting to find my 50's Tele at a yard sell one day for $100.00

steelmanjim · July 7th, 2005, 12:50 AM

I don't see a neck pickup and the capacitor arrangement on the switch and pots looks like Esquire wiring, so looks like an Esquire to me. Also looks like someone painted the body red at some point and later stripped it off. Since you can see the pencil markings in the neck pocket through the red paint, my guess (and it's only a guess) is someone used candy apple red spray paint on it, without the base coat. That would be a transparent red. I'm not aware Fender ever made Esquires in transparent red. The paint in the control cavity supports it was sprayed on. Looks like an un-original pickguard too.

Not original, but still worth some money and a great guitar, a player.

maestrovert · July 7th, 2005, 07:12 AM

the bridge is a "Ping" six steel saddle arrangement, they come stock on the Mim Nashville Deluxe....
my #2 is a Nash, nothing wrong with the bridge tone wise either !

gordon_39422 · July 7th, 2005, 08:58 AM

Thanks for the feedback....

Steelman, it never occured to me that could be paint. Now that you mentioned it, I went back and studied the guitar and you can still see hints of red paint in all the screw holes, around the string-through holes, and in some of the deeper grains.

Bottom line is, the guitar is a player, and a great one at that... This thing sings!.... Also, there IS a neck pickup cavity routed into the guitar, alond with routing to run the wires back to the control cavity... AND, the pickguard says Allpro on it. As suc, the guitar has just become a project guitar, and I can do with it what I like without having to worry about diminishing value!

Thanks again for alll of your input,
Allen

Bill Hullett · July 7th, 2005, 10:40 AM

FWIW....I think that the body is an original '52 , but none of the other parts look like it , except maybe the switch....but with all that said, you still have a cool guitar...if it were me...I'd protect the neck cavity of any future paint because those markings are original '52 and thats where the proof is concerning the body age....20 years ago people scoffed at partscasters like this...but since there are a finite number of blackguard guitars it has come to the point where all things Fender of that age have at least some value!!!!!

Enjoy,
Bill Hullett

steelmanjim · July 7th, 2005, 12:07 PM

I've heard that many of the Esquires were routed for the front pickup, just didn't install it.

Yes, although it's not one for some collector's glass case, I'd be happy to have that guitar, you can play it without killiing yourself if you get a tiny ding on it. I'd rather play them than be afraid to take them out of the house. My '72 Telecaster Custom looks like one of the "relics" but I don't have to worry about it.... another dent?..... where? You're absolutely right, you can have fun with this one, paint it if you want, (I like that old look though), play the heck out of it.

Enjoy it.

GopherTele · July 7th, 2005, 12:30 PM

How could you still see the writing in the neck cavity on the body if it was re-painted?

steelmanjim · July 7th, 2005, 12:49 PM

As I posted above, since you can see the pencil markings in the neck pocket through the red paint, my guess (and it's only a guess) is someone used candy apple red spray paint on it, without the base coat. No solid color base coat would be give you transparent red.

Candy colors consist of two parts, a solid color base coat which is usually gold or silver metalflake, and then the color coat which is color mixed with clear, so it's transparent. If you spray on the transparent color coat with no solid color base coat, as it appears someone did here, you get a transparent color, in this case transparent red, and woodgrain, pencil markings, whatever's on the thing you're painting will show through.

0le FUZZY · July 7th, 2005, 01:28 PM

I wish yer pick-chure of at err neck pocket waz better.

Haff a gander at the "O" above the "i" in Davis.

Haff a gander at the 5s.

It looks like sum body done sanded onna "D" but it tiz inna rite location.

There iss udder stuff in at neck pocket tew make me think "Reeeeel Deal".

I wood lika cee sum pixs of the nutter side of that switch and neck P/U cavity and sharp wons of that neck pocket.

Haff fun and enjoy !!

OH!! Any neck butt pix???

Please visit my page

gordon_39422 · July 7th, 2005, 05:26 PM

FUzzy, I was told to keep my eyes open for you!! I am glad to see this post fell on your eyes... I apoplogize about the pics, but even with a digital camera it is clear why I play guitar and not take photos!! LOL!!! Looking at the pic you supplied, that is a very cloe match to what I see under the red stuff!

I will take some better pics of the electronics and the butt of the neck and post em for your highly esteemed input on this!

Just to make certain I start off on the right foot, I sincerely appreciate ALL information provided. I really do!!!

More to follow,
Allen

David Barnett · July 7th, 2005, 05:53 PM

Is there no date pencilled on the end of the neck by the truss rod adjustment screw?

gordon_39422 · July 7th, 2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Is there no date pencilled on the end of the neck by the truss rod adjustment screw?

David, I would hate to tell you that I served in the Army for 8 years as an Infantryman. This lack of attention to detail on my part would not bring credit to my service! LOL!

Written in pencil on the butt of the neck it "TG 7-31-52" and the same "D" is stamped into the wood!!

Pics to follow!!

Thanks again!
Allen

J-man · July 7th, 2005, 07:58 PM

I don't mean to be picky but this thread lags a bit even on my DSL connection

Quote:

DO NOT POST ANY PHOTOS WIDER THAN 500 PIXELS WIDE!

Jean-Baptiste · July 8th, 2005, 03:06 AM

[quote="gordon_39422Written in pencil on the butt of the neck it "TG 7-31-52" and the same "D" is stamped into the wood!![/quote]

Hey Allen! Even I recognize those initials. That's Tadeo Gomez, a real famous builder from the 50s.

I'd say you got yourself a great tele there. Enjoy!

jb

lewis · July 8th, 2005, 07:04 AM

Mmmmm...this is getting good.
Thanks for sharing Mr. gordon_39422.
Some day I hope to have my own set of "D" stamps...with a Tele/Esquire attached.

July 7th, 2005, 12:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
gordon_39422 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	ORIGINAL 1952 Tele? Okay, now that I have your attention, I have in my hands, an unidentified guitar that looks like a Tele... from head to toe, these are the distinctions... The 1st string tuner has been replaced with a new Kluson-style, but the others have the Patent Pending under them... The Gold Spaghetti-style logo was scratched off for some reason.... The bridgeplate has FENDER stamped on it, but no markings otherwise, including the underside... Once I removed the neck the following was written on the neck cavity in pencil and covered with some red transparent stuff, kinda like an old wax seal... "8-5-52", "Davis", "#3", "CD".... The back of the neck has illegible writing in red, as though it were initials in cursive... The electronics were REALLY old carboard covered caps and resistors... The volume pot was shot, so I replaced it with a CTS Pot, and still have the original... Any info you can provide will be greaty appreciated Thanks, Allen

July 7th, 2005, 12:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
steelmanjim TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 18	I don't see a neck pickup and the capacitor arrangement on the switch and pots looks like Esquire wiring, so looks like an Esquire to me. Also looks like someone painted the body red at some point and later stripped it off. Since you can see the pencil markings in the neck pocket through the red paint, my guess (and it's only a guess) is someone used candy apple red spray paint on it, without the base coat. That would be a transparent red. I'm not aware Fender ever made Esquires in transparent red. The paint in the control cavity supports it was sprayed on. Looks like an un-original pickguard too. Not original, but still worth some money and a great guitar, a player. __________________ If it makes perfect sense, it probably isn't going to happen. The Telecaster is the exception.

July 7th, 2005, 07:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 5,835	the bridge is a "Ping" six steel saddle arrangement, they come stock on the Mim Nashville Deluxe.... my #2 is a Nash, nothing wrong with the bridge tone wise either ! __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

July 7th, 2005, 10:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bill Hullett Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nashville Tn. Posts: 1,184	Gordon.... FWIW....I think that the body is an original '52 , but none of the other parts look like it , except maybe the switch....but with all that said, you still have a cool guitar...if it were me...I'd protect the neck cavity of any future paint because those markings are original '52 and thats where the proof is concerning the body age....20 years ago people scoffed at partscasters like this...but since there are a finite number of blackguard guitars it has come to the point where all things Fender of that age have at least some value!!!!! Enjoy, Bill Hullett

July 7th, 2005, 12:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
steelmanjim TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 18	I've heard that many of the Esquires were routed for the front pickup, just didn't install it. Yes, although it's not one for some collector's glass case, I'd be happy to have that guitar, you can play it without killiing yourself if you get a tiny ding on it. I'd rather play them than be afraid to take them out of the house. My '72 Telecaster Custom looks like one of the "relics" but I don't have to worry about it.... another dent?..... where? You're absolutely right, you can have fun with this one, paint it if you want, (I like that old look though), play the heck out of it. Enjoy it. __________________ If it makes perfect sense, it probably isn't going to happen. The Telecaster is the exception.

July 7th, 2005, 12:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Buck Cannon Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 516	looks like parts of a 50's Tele but not all original, Bridge is newer....depending on whats all there it could be worth a few $$ ...but nothing like the all original one brings. I'm still waiting to find my 50's Tele at a yard sell one day for $100.00

July 7th, 2005, 08:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
gordon_39422 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	Thanks for the feedback.... Steelman, it never occured to me that could be paint. Now that you mentioned it, I went back and studied the guitar and you can still see hints of red paint in all the screw holes, around the string-through holes, and in some of the deeper grains. Bottom line is, the guitar is a player, and a great one at that... This thing sings!.... Also, there IS a neck pickup cavity routed into the guitar, alond with routing to run the wires back to the control cavity... AND, the pickguard says Allpro on it. As suc, the guitar has just become a project guitar, and I can do with it what I like without having to worry about diminishing value! Thanks again for alll of your input, Allen

July 7th, 2005, 12:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 939	Something I don't understand How could you still see the writing in the neck cavity on the body if it was re-painted?

July 7th, 2005, 12:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
steelmanjim TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 18	As I posted above, since you can see the pencil markings in the neck pocket through the red paint, my guess (and it's only a guess) is someone used candy apple red spray paint on it, without the base coat. No solid color base coat would be give you transparent red. Candy colors consist of two parts, a solid color base coat which is usually gold or silver metalflake, and then the color coat which is color mixed with clear, so it's transparent. If you spray on the transparent color coat with no solid color base coat, as it appears someone did here, you get a transparent color, in this case transparent red, and woodgrain, pencil markings, whatever's on the thing you're painting will show through. __________________ If it makes perfect sense, it probably isn't going to happen. The Telecaster is the exception.

July 7th, 2005, 01:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	I wish yer pick-chure of at err neck pocket waz better. Haff a gander at the "O" above the "i" in Davis. Haff a gander at the 5s. It looks like sum body done sanded onna "D" but it tiz inna rite location. There iss udder stuff in at neck pocket tew make me think "Reeeeel Deal". I wood lika cee sum pixs of the nutter side of that switch and neck P/U cavity and sharp wons of that neck pocket. Haff fun and enjoy !! OH!! Any neck butt pix??? Please visit my page

July 7th, 2005, 05:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
gordon_39422 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4	FUzzy, I was told to keep my eyes open for you!! I am glad to see this post fell on your eyes... I apoplogize about the pics, but even with a digital camera it is clear why I play guitar and not take photos!! LOL!!! Looking at the pic you supplied, that is a very cloe match to what I see under the red stuff! I will take some better pics of the electronics and the butt of the neck and post em for your highly esteemed input on this! Just to make certain I start off on the right foot, I sincerely appreciate ALL information provided. I really do!!! More to follow, Allen

July 7th, 2005, 05:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 51 Posts: 5,141	Is there no date pencilled on the end of the neck by the truss rod adjustment screw?

July 8th, 2005, 03:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
Jean-Baptiste Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 633	Re: GOOD CALL!!!! [quote="gordon_39422Written in pencil on the butt of the neck it "TG 7-31-52" and the same "D" is stamped into the wood!![/quote] Hey Allen! Even I recognize those initials. That's Tadeo Gomez, a real famous builder from the 50s. I'd say you got yourself a great tele there. Enjoy! jb

July 8th, 2005, 07:04 AM	#16 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,721 22 Photos	Mmmmm...this is getting good. Thanks for sharing Mr. gordon_39422. Some day I hope to have my own set of "D" stamps...with a Tele/Esquire attached. __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.