Is my memory fuzzy on the '52 RI neck?

Tom S · August 10th, 2005, 11:27 PM

Now that I'm getting back into guitars again, I've been checking out quite a few of them (I haven't bought a guitar in about 5 years). The other day I came across a new '52 RI. Now, about 6 years ago, I seem to remember playing one that I liked quite a bit, especially because of the neck (which is usually the reason I like a guitar). But the one I played recently seemed to have a thick lacquer over the whole neck, fretboard included. Now, no offense intended to current owners, but to me it felt like playing on plastic. This isn't how I remembered the guitar at all! Is it my poor memory, or have they changed the finish on this guitar?

By the way, what's with these current guitars? The necks either feel unfinished or overdone. I couldn't find a tele with a decent neck in Guitar Center at all, not one. (Although that really didn't surprise me in the least, since they've only got a small handful of guitars worth playing in the whole store, as usual.)

purpletele · August 10th, 2005, 11:41 PM

I feel the same way. I picked up a 52' RI day before yesterday. I wanted to like it, but the neck was way too sticky. Too little or too much definately is the trend aroud here. Maybe it's not the trend everywhere. I don't know. EXCEPT try a classic series. Perfect.

Dookychase · August 11th, 2005, 09:23 AM

I bought a 52 reissue in the late 90's. I didn't like the thick finish on the neck either. Also, in the pictures I had seen, the finish looked beautiful. When I got it, the finish looked more like a pumpkin color.

So I sold it and trying to find something I like. Maybe I'll find it next weekend at the James Burton Guitar Festival.

oltimeyrider · August 11th, 2005, 11:06 PM

The 52's certainly photograph better than the way they hold up to the naked eye. "Pumpkin" is an understatement. Every time I think I want one, all I have to do is go look at one and usually, the GAS goes away.

I am considering buying one used because the deal is so sweet, but I am leaning more to the ASAT.

August 10th, 2005, 11:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,211 49 Photos	Is my memory fuzzy on the '52 RI neck? Now that I'm getting back into guitars again, I've been checking out quite a few of them (I haven't bought a guitar in about 5 years). The other day I came across a new '52 RI. Now, about 6 years ago, I seem to remember playing one that I liked quite a bit, especially because of the neck (which is usually the reason I like a guitar). But the one I played recently seemed to have a thick lacquer over the whole neck, fretboard included. Now, no offense intended to current owners, but to me it felt like playing on plastic. This isn't how I remembered the guitar at all! Is it my poor memory, or have they changed the finish on this guitar? By the way, what's with these current guitars? The necks either feel unfinished or overdone. I couldn't find a tele with a decent neck in Guitar Center at all, not one. (Although that really didn't surprise me in the least, since they've only got a small handful of guitars worth playing in the whole store, as usual.)

August 10th, 2005, 11:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
purpletele Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morgantown,WV Posts: 681 10 Photos	yep I feel the same way. I picked up a 52' RI day before yesterday. I wanted to like it, but the neck was way too sticky. Too little or too much definately is the trend aroud here. Maybe it's not the trend everywhere. I don't know. EXCEPT try a classic series. Perfect.

August 11th, 2005, 09:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dookychase Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: Near New Orleans Posts: 169	I bought a 52 reissue in the late 90's. I didn't like the thick finish on the neck either. Also, in the pictures I had seen, the finish looked beautiful. When I got it, the finish looked more like a pumpkin color. So I sold it and trying to find something I like. Maybe I'll find it next weekend at the James Burton Guitar Festival.

August 11th, 2005, 11:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
oltimeyrider TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 97	The 52's certainly photograph better than the way they hold up to the naked eye. "Pumpkin" is an understatement. Every time I think I want one, all I have to do is go look at one and usually, the GAS goes away. I am considering buying one used because the deal is so sweet, but I am leaning more to the ASAT.