My 62 RI Tele Custom arrived - at long last!

[Fatmanstratman]

I've wanted to own one of these beautiful CIJ 62 Tle Custom RI's in Candy Apple Red for SUCH a long time. I had almost got it out of my system when fellow Brit TDPRIer Ben (Essex Boy) just HAD to get one and show it off on here!

Gulp! G.A.S. ATTACK!!!! :?

So the quest began, and I must thank Don at Bluzey Guitars (no affiliation) for my 3rd superb CIJ Tele. Super-mint condition (the only marks on it were light pick marks on the pickguard), with a gorgeous - and VERY light - body. It plays like butter. I just LOVE it!

Thank you Ben for rekindling my desire to empty my bank account!

Hope y'all don't mind me showing off these pics of my new baby:







I love the colour change from bright to dark red according to how the light catches it. I'm a very happy bunny today!

[tonfarbe]

I'm jealous - one of my favourity combos.
Nice, nice, very nice.

I'm sure you're a happy camper right now - enjoy the honeymoon

[bagpipe]

Looks great. The binding looks fantastic against the red body. Hows the sound?

[Essex Boy]

Absolutely beautiful, Steve. Congrats, hope you're as pleased with it as I have been.

[yegbert]

That's a beauty, congratulations!

How about a close-up of the bridge? Threaded steel saddles, smooth steel or grooved steel? Is the bridge plate stamped "FENDER PAT PEND" like the one on the Classic '50s and '60s and Hwy 1? Wonder what pickups they have, if they are the same as used on the MIA '62 RI or some made in Japan?

[playin loud]

I played one of those at GC and imediatly tried to figure out what I could sell to buy it. It played like a dream and that finish and binding made that guitar look like a super model hanging around a bunch dogs. Yes Essex boy got my GAS meter pushing candy red just like you, now what can I sell to buy one of those? The Bigsby equiped model was almost as nice as well.
Off topic a bit here, but the Bigsby and non Bigsby they had at GC as well as a few other nice Tele's that were there at the time were gone in like a week. All of those were set up so you could play them comfotably. (no fret buzz or other simple fixes) Most every other Tele would buzz and generaly be unenjoyable. Do they just unpack them and put them out or do they just set up the more expensive stuff? Mabey just coincidence? Sorry about the rant

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by yegbert

How about a close-up of the bridge? Threaded steel saddles, smooth steel or grooved steel? Is the bridge plate stamped "FENDER PAT PEND" like the one on the Classic '50s and '60s and Hwy 1?

There you go, Yegbert. Yep, as you can see, the saddles are spiral threaded steel; the bridge plate is indeed stamped Fender Pat. Pend.", along with the serial number underneath.

Originally Posted by yegbert

Wonder what pickups they have, if they are the same as used on the MIA '62 RI or some made in Japan?

The pickups are Texas Specials, Made in USA, which is apparently "stock" for the CIJ 62 RIs.

Oh - and it all weighs in at just a shade over 7 lbs.

Such a beautiful instrument, with a great range of tones between the pups, and huge sustain (particularly on the bass end). I hate to say it, but Fender Japan is making some SERIOUSLY nice guitars - their quality is second to none. I'd have another in a heartbeat. :D

Thanks again , Ben - for your kind words AND your inspiration....

[Essex Boy]

Steve, a couple of questions -

How do you like the pickups? Do you think the bridge pickup can really twang? I have my doubts on it, it's pretty midrangey, although it sounds AWESOME with overdrive. The neck pickup is one of the best I've ever heard.

Also if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay (all told) for the guitar? I'm in a real dilemma as for what to do for my next guitar. I'm going to the NYC with my Pops over the new year and I spose I should really bring something back from there. I'm thinking maybe the MIA Chambered Tele....but I dunno...too many nice teles I really can't make my mind up.

[Essex Boy]

It also appears your bridge pickup has raised polepieces...interesting.

Mine are flush with the bobbin...

[Scotland]

Stunning guitar, I love that 60's look and that colour is perfect for it. A lot of guys here swear by the Japanese guitars....over to you Joel

[tdu]

That's a beautiful guitar. I have a CIJ 52' RI and one thing I can suggest it to follow some of the tips on here about upgrading the pots, switch, and pickups. I did the pots and switch right away when I got mine and it was quite a difference. Mine had Texas Specials as well. I held off changing them for awhile, but I was way way happier once I did. It's not that the guitar sounded bad in any way before the upgrades, it's just that now it's kinda reached it's 'full potential'.

[Fatmanstratman]

I think most would agree that the neck pup is pretty sweet, but the bridge pup MAY just lack that Tele "twang".

What pup upgrades can anyone suggest, and why?

[yegbert]

Originally Posted by Essex Boy

It also appears your bridge pickup has raised polepieces...interesting.

Mine are flush with the bobbin...

Originally Posted by Fatmanstratman

I think most would agree that the neck pup is pretty sweet, but the bridge pup MAY just lack that Tele "twang".

What pup upgrades can anyone suggest, and why?

How does this stock pickup sound and respond, and what would you rather have different from that in a pickup?

The Fender Custom Shop Texas Special as shown here look like flatpoles.

Given that this pickup is different than the type apparently normally found in this model, I'd be interested to find out more details about it. Like whether it has a baseplate, what its DC resistance measures out to be. I like these pickup mysteries.

[valleyartsman]

that tele is awsome.

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by yegbert

How does this stock pickup sound and respond, and what would you rather have different from that in a pickup?

The Fender Custom Shop Texas Special as shown here look like flatpoles.

Given that this pickup is different than the type apparently normally found in this model, I'd be interested to find out more details about it. Like whether it has a baseplate, what its DC resistance measures out to be. I like these pickup mysteries.

Yegbert - I'm about to do my customary work on any new guitar that arrives - dress the edges of the frets (the frets themselves are perfect), adjust the intonation (although with the 'stock' strings on it is spot-on), and replace the stock strings with my favourite D'Addarios.

As soon as I've got the strings off I'll take out both pups and take some detailed pics, which I will post on here as soon as I can. Keep your eyes open for my response!

[yegbert]

Originally Posted by Fatmanstratman

I'll take out both pups and take some detailed pics, which I will post on here as soon as I can. Keep your eyes open for my response!

Thanks, I'll watch for your followup.

[Mike Fleming]

Texas Special bridge PU's are staggered-pole.

BTW, while the bridge TS is not the most loved pickup ever, the neck unit is really great, very strong and clear.

Mike

[sudancat]

Originally Posted by Mike Fleming

Texas Special bridge PU's are staggered-pole.

BTW, while the bridge TS is not the most loved pickup ever, the neck unit is really great, very strong and clear

Not to side track this post on this beautiful tele, but on the subject of TS pups, thats whats in mine.Thinking very seriously about eliminating the TS bridge and putting a Lollar 52 bridge for tele twang and leaving the TS neck for some grit and grind.

[freshmattyp]

Congrats on the guitar. I have the same one, from 85. The binding has turned a nice cream color, I swapped out the pickguard with white pearl, put on brass Wilkinson saddles and locking Grovers. Mine weighs in at less than 7 lbs. It's a beaut.

[Joel Terry]

Originally Posted by Scotland

Stunning guitar, I love that 60's look and that colour is perfect for it. A lot of guys here swear by the Japanese guitars....over to you Joel

Thank you, John!

I'm about to keel over with GAS!

That is one beautiful Telecaster. Period. Enjoy it in good health and happiness, Steve!

Joel

[mdahearn]

Got one myself...lefty version! I agree about the Texas Specials...bridge is not classic Tele tone but great for rock. Neck is one of the best warm sounding Tele neck pickups ever...if you want a warmer Tele, keep it. I was going for a more traditional 50's/60's sound so put in some Fralins. Never looked back...will never sell this guitar unless a real 62 fall on my lap, and even then I'll A/B them because as far as I'm concerned it sounds perfect right now. A CIJ Custom 62 reissue with Fralins, Duncans or Lollars is in fact every bit a $1500 guitar...and I'm seeing the US Fender 62 Custom Relics going for $2800 at GC...someone please tell me where the extra $2,000 is because I looked it up and down and all I saw different were some rusty bridge parts on the Relic and a nitro finish...

[pc]

Man is that nice! Beautiful guitar.