Tell me about the V neck on your Fender Japan TL52...

cmaccall · September 27th, 2005, 02:36 AM

Just curious to get some feedback on the V necks of the Fender Japan TL52 models. Can any owner give me a report on how they feel?

How would you rate the shape, soft, medium or hard V? How does the V shape compare to the soft V neck of the 50's Classic Strat? Ideally, I am looking for a Tele with a medium/hard V shaped neck and I am hoping that the Fender Japan TL52's will work out. Thanks for your help all!

tdu · September 27th, 2005, 06:52 AM

If TL52 is a CIJ 52' RI, then I can tell you the neck is probably not what you are looking for. It's a really thick neck with pretty pronounced V. Definitely one of the bigger necks I have played.

I am no expert but I have never picked up a MIM guitar in the stores that has a neck anywhere near as thick as what's on mine.

Twang Tone · September 27th, 2005, 07:57 AM

My TL52-80TX VNT has a deep, soft 'v' profile neck.

It's kinda like a 'U' shape with a hint of 'V' around the first 5 frets. It's certainly not a pronounced 'V' shape, like a '57 Strat, etc.

So tdu's correct when he says he doesn't think it's what you're looking for.

As for the MIM Classics, I've had a '50's Classic Tele with a 'U' shape neck, and played a '50's Classic Strat, which has a softer 'V' shape neck. But I wouldn't say it was anything like the deeper profile of the TL52-80TX VNT.

RichardL · September 27th, 2005, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaccall

Just curious to get some feedback on the V necks of the Fender Japan TL52 models. Can any owner give me a report on how they feel?

How would you rate the shape, soft, medium or hard V? How does the V shape compare to the soft V neck of the 50's Classic Strat? Ideally, I am looking for a Tele with a medium/hard V shaped neck and I am hoping that the Fender Japan TL52's will work out. Thanks for your help all!

I have a '98 TL52 and a '99 MIM 50's Classic Tele and their necks are completely different. The TL52 is chunky with a soft V and the 50's Classic is just chunky and not a V shape at all. So I don't think either of those are what you're looking for. (I'm assuming that 50's Tele and 50's Strat have similar neck profiles).

genelovesjez · September 27th, 2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaccall

Ideally, I am looking for a Tele with a medium/hard V shaped neck and I am hoping that the Fender Japan TL52's will work out.

I don't know how much variation there is with these necks, but I would describe mine as a medium/hard V in a medium thickness neck. The V on mine starts right at the nut and is noticeable but very comfortable along the entire length of the neck. The neck is thinner than the 2000 MIA 52 RI that this guitar replaced, not to mention much less sticky. If you can get one like mine, I'm guessing you'll be very happy.

Joel Terry · September 27th, 2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genelovesjez

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaccall

Ideally, I am looking for a Tele with a medium/hard V shaped neck and I am hoping that the Fender Japan TL52's will work out.

I don't know how much variation there is with these necks, but I would describe mine as a medium/hard V in a medium thickness neck. The V on mine starts right at the nut and is noticeable but very comfortable along the entire length of the neck. The neck is thinner than the 2000 MIA 52 RI that this guitar replaced, not to mention much less sticky. If you can get one like mine, I'm guessing you'll be very happy.

CMac, I second Peter's (genelovesjez) description. I have several Telecasters with MIJ/CIJ TL52 necks on them, and they're all very comfortable--just right, in fact. Like Peter says, the "V" profile is noticeable, but I wouldn't necessarily describe it as a hard "V"; it's more like a medium-to-soft "V". Thickness is medium--not chunky and not thin.

But, be forewarned that there are variations in MIJ/CIJ TL52 necks. I've played many of them (of various years of manufacture), and I've noticed differences. Some of the MIJ/CIJ TL52 necks I've played taper from a "V" profile at the nut up to a "C" profile around the fifth to seventh fret and on up to the body. And I once played an old MIJ TL52 that possibly had the thinnest neck (and it was stock--possibly a special-order neck?) on any Fender I've ever played!

If you acquire one, I hope you enjoy it.

Joel

mildwild · September 27th, 2005, 12:27 PM

Can anyone this neck feels in comparison to
a James Burton U neck or
a Jimmy Vaughn V ?

Joel Terry · September 28th, 2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mildwild

Can anyone this neck feels in comparison to
a James Burton U neck or
a Jimmy Vaughn V ?

It's a bit like the Jimmie Vaughan's soft "V"--maybe just a bit softer, though, in my opinion.

Joel

mildwild · September 28th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Thanks Joel

I have not had the opportunity to try a CIJ tele.
I 've tried lots of Jimmy Vaughn's in stores but they don't seem right for me, but I would like to try one at home to get a better idea. Just wondering if the shapes were similar. I know there are differences even in the same model.

My tele is a Jame's Burton Standard ,I love the U neck.
Also have a HWY 1 Strat with a C neck.

Joel Terry · September 28th, 2005, 04:21 PM

For the longest time, I absolutely vowed I could never love a "V"-profile neck, not even a soft "V." Then, about three years ago, I bought my first CIJ TL52, which has a soft "V" that tapers into a "C" as you move up neck toward the body, and I was amazed at how quickly I became accustomed to it! It just feels comfortable to me now. That's not to take anything away from "C"- and "U"-profile necks--I still love them, too.

Joel

cmaccall · October 3rd, 2005, 03:23 PM

Thanks everyone for all the great replies!

genelovesjez · October 3rd, 2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaccall

Thanks everyone for all the great replies!

Be sure to let us know if you get one.

September 27th, 2005, 02:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
cmaccall TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 52	Tell me about the V neck on your Fender Japan TL52... Just curious to get some feedback on the V necks of the Fender Japan TL52 models. Can any owner give me a report on how they feel? How would you rate the shape, soft, medium or hard V? How does the V shape compare to the soft V neck of the 50's Classic Strat? Ideally, I am looking for a Tele with a medium/hard V shaped neck and I am hoping that the Fender Japan TL52's will work out. Thanks for your help all!

September 27th, 2005, 06:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,459 11 Photos	If TL52 is a CIJ 52' RI, then I can tell you the neck is probably not what you are looking for. It's a really thick neck with pretty pronounced V. Definitely one of the bigger necks I have played. I am no expert but I have never picked up a MIM guitar in the stores that has a neck anywhere near as thick as what's on mine. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

September 27th, 2005, 07:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Twang Tone Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Age: 36 Posts: 849	tdu's right. My TL52-80TX VNT has a deep, soft 'v' profile neck. It's kinda like a 'U' shape with a hint of 'V' around the first 5 frets. It's certainly not a pronounced 'V' shape, like a '57 Strat, etc. So tdu's correct when he says he doesn't think it's what you're looking for. As for the MIM Classics, I've had a '50's Classic Tele with a 'U' shape neck, and played a '50's Classic Strat, which has a softer 'V' shape neck. But I wouldn't say it was anything like the deeper profile of the TL52-80TX VNT. __________________ TT Ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

September 28th, 2005, 04:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Joel Terry Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Old Hickory (Nashville), Tennessee, USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,405 17 Photos	For the longest time, I absolutely vowed I could never love a "V"-profile neck, not even a soft "V." Then, about three years ago, I bought my first CIJ TL52, which has a soft "V" that tapers into a "C" as you move up neck toward the body, and I was amazed at how quickly I became accustomed to it! It just feels comfortable to me now. That's not to take anything away from "C"- and "U"-profile necks--I still love them, too. Joel __________________ Jesus saves--and He passes the savings on to YOU! ASPCA "Well...."

October 3rd, 2005, 03:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
cmaccall TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 52	Sounds good... Thanks everyone for all the great replies!

September 27th, 2005, 12:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
mildwild Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 452 54 Photos	Can anyone this neck feels in comparison to a James Burton U neck or a Jimmy Vaughn V ?

September 28th, 2005, 03:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
mildwild Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 452 54 Photos	Thanks Joel I have not had the opportunity to try a CIJ tele. I 've tried lots of Jimmy Vaughn's in stores but they don't seem right for me, but I would like to try one at home to get a better idea. Just wondering if the shapes were similar. I know there are differences even in the same model. My tele is a Jame's Burton Standard ,I love the U neck. Also have a HWY 1 Strat with a C neck.