12 Fret Dot Space Vintage

Aden · September 8th, 2005, 09:26 AM

Does anybody know around when the the 12th fret dot spacing grew wider, I know its somewhere between 1952 and 1953 but does anyboby have a more detailed answer.

aden

Lobstapickin · September 8th, 2005, 10:30 AM

I'm pretty sure that's covered in the Tele bible but I don't have mine here at the moment. Fuzzy helped me out with this some time ago, I'm sure he's a good source as well. I do know the white dots grew closer in '63.

Lobstapickin · September 8th, 2005, 01:13 PM

On pre-1953 models, dots are about 1" (center to center) apart at the 12th fret. On 1953 and later models, the dot spacing is about 1 1/8" center to center.

Also saw where 7/8" was referenced for the earlier models.

Found this just poking through some old posts. I'll check tonight to be sure and post if different.

Aden · September 8th, 2005, 02:03 PM

I was thinking more of some actual dates , like was there any closley spaced dots on any 53 telecasters for example.

Anyways ill keep searching.

0le FUZZY · September 8th, 2005, 02:03 PM

As with erry thang about Fenner lore, dates cannot be specified.

In general terms transitions took place over months and years.

Yew will find many variations in marker dot placement and positions thereof but in general early 50s up tew 53 were 7/8" apart and favored the top side of the neck. That is the tew of them were often knott centered side tew side as a pair.

I fer won cannot state a date as I haff found the early narrow spacing on TELECASTERs as late as 54.

52 and 53 examples:

Please visit my page

Lobstapickin · September 9th, 2005, 09:03 AM

I agree with OF, don't think you can pin down specific dates. The only thing for sure is that Leo was born, made a few guitars, then died.

Here's what the Tele book says on page 50;

"50’s Maple Necks are inlaid with black dots (diameter=1/4”) which in 1950 originally showed a 5/8” spacing at the 12th fret. By the end of 1952, though, the 12th fret spacing was widened by 3/16” and the double dots became neatly crossed by the A and B strings."

Which we can see from Fuzzys pics is not always the case.

September 8th, 2005, 09:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Aden Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Age: 25 Posts: 146	12 Fret Dot Space Vintage Does anybody know around when the the 12th fret dot spacing grew wider, I know its somewhere between 1952 and 1953 but does anyboby have a more detailed answer. aden __________________ The messiah will come again.....

September 8th, 2005, 01:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lobstapickin Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Age: 50 Posts: 287	Found this info... On pre-1953 models, dots are about 1" (center to center) apart at the 12th fret. On 1953 and later models, the dot spacing is about 1 1/8" center to center. Also saw where 7/8" was referenced for the earlier models. Found this just poking through some old posts. I'll check tonight to be sure and post if different.

September 8th, 2005, 02:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aden Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Age: 25 Posts: 146	Thanks Man I was thinking more of some actual dates , like was there any closley spaced dots on any 53 telecasters for example. Anyways ill keep searching. __________________ The messiah will come again.....

September 8th, 2005, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lobstapickin Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Age: 50 Posts: 287	I'm pretty sure that's covered in the Tele bible but I don't have mine here at the moment. Fuzzy helped me out with this some time ago, I'm sure he's a good source as well. I do know the white dots grew closer in '63.

September 8th, 2005, 02:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	As with erry thang about Fenner lore, dates cannot be specified. In general terms transitions took place over months and years. Yew will find many variations in marker dot placement and positions thereof but in general early 50s up tew 53 were 7/8" apart and favored the top side of the neck. That is the tew of them were often knott centered side tew side as a pair. I fer won cannot state a date as I haff found the early narrow spacing on TELECASTERs as late as 54. 52 and 53 examples: Please visit my page

September 9th, 2005, 09:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lobstapickin Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Age: 50 Posts: 287	I agree with OF, don't think you can pin down specific dates. The only thing for sure is that Leo was born, made a few guitars, then died. Here's what the Tele book says on page 50; "50’s Maple Necks are inlaid with black dots (diameter=1/4”) which in 1950 originally showed a 5/8” spacing at the 12th fret. By the end of 1952, though, the 12th fret spacing was widened by 3/16” and the double dots became neatly crossed by the A and B strings." Which we can see from Fuzzys pics is not always the case.